THE AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY. 
73 
Cultivation of Peppebmint in Michigan. — From kis personal observations in 
the peppermint plantations, and from information received from mint growers, 
Dennis Beagan, Ph.Gr., describes the cultivation to be the same as was stated by 
M. Fred. Stearns, in 1858 (see Amer . Jour . JPhar., 1859, p. 35), except that the 
planting is done annually, the runners of the preceding year being used for the 
purpose. If the plants are raised from seeds in a nursery, they are reset every 
two years. Peppermint does not sprout freely after the second year, unless the 
soil is very rich and loose, and the preceding summer has been wet and warm, 
or the ground is boggy. — American Journal of Pharmacy. 
The benzin odour of old syrup of tolu is attributed to the action 
of the calcium salts of ordinary water on the balsam of tolu at a higher 
temperature. M. Labre bases his observation on Mitscherlich’s synthesis 
of benzin — i.e., distilling benzoate of calcium with quicklime, thus forming 
carbonate of calcium and benzin, C 14 H 6 0 4: + 2 CaO = 2 (CaO, C0 2 ) + C 12 H 6 . 
Syrup of tolu made with distilled water does not acquire a benzin odour on 
standing. — Pepert de JPhar., October, 1885, p. 438. 
Impueities in Etheb. — Boerrigter confirms the statement of other authors 
that ether frequently contains hydrogen peroxide and aldehyde. Ether should be 
kept in dry, tightly corked bottles. The ozone produced by the evaporation of 
ether, if water is present, converts it into hydrogen peroxide. Pure ether is 
not discoloured by caustic potash, nor is alcohol affected by it unless air has 
access, when possibly aldehyde is formed. — JPhar. Zeit. f Rus si., xxiv., p. 584. 
Lactic acid is recommended by Dr. W. Lurtz (Pray. Med.-Wochensch.) in 
the treatment of lupus, he having used it successfully in four cases. The new 
remedy, iodol, is also said to have been found when injected into the surrounding 
tissues to prevent the same disease from spreading. For this purpose 1 part of 
iodol is dissolved in 16 of alcohol and 34 parts of glycerine added. — P harm. Journal. 
Salicylate of lithium is reported ( Lancet , 19th December, p. 1161) to have 
been used by M. Vulpian with advantage in certain forms of rheumatism that 
prove rebellious to treatment with salicylate of sodium. The lithium salt is 
prescribed in the same doses as the sodium salt, though it contains a larger 
proportion of salicylic acid; but it is stated that the difference in physiological 
action is not referable to this fact. The administration of salicylate of lithium 
is said not to be followed by noises in the head, but a simple deafness, headache, 
giddiness, and intestinal disturbance. — Pharmaceutical Journal. 
Considebable attention has lately been directed to the liability of cocaine 
solutions to develop microdermic growths, which have been suspected of causing 
local inflammation and other objectionable effects when such solutions were used 
for application to the eye. A case is also reported in the Chicago JMJedical 
Journal in which dangerous symptoms were produced by the application of 
cocaine to the nostrils to relieve hay fever. Some minutes afterwards the 
patient became dizzy and semi-comatose, the pupils being widely dilated and 
the temperature high. By the administration of stimulants (brandy and ammonia) 
and digitalis she recovered in about three hours, and next day experienced no 
further ill effects from the drug. — Pharmaceutical Journal. 
The failure of some cantharidal preparations to produce the effect desired 
is due occasionally, says Dr. Squibb ( Ephemeris , December, p. 870), to the 
condition of the surface of the skin to which they are applied. He points out 
that as cantharidin is insoluble in water a very thin film of moisture may 
prevent it from coming into effectual contact with the cuticle. He recom- 
mended that before application of a cantharidal preparation the skin should be 
cleansed from excretions by soap and water, or, preferably, dilute acetic acid. — 
Pharmaceutical Journal and Trails actions. 
