May 1, 1887 
THE CHEMIST AND DRUGGIST OF AUSTRALASIA. 
TJHE /advances Of 1886. 
IMPORTANT ITEMS. 
NEW AND IMPROVED PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS. 
r I iHE advances of pharmacy are so related to those of 
therapy, that a consideration of one necessarily bears 
somewhat upon the other. 
LANOLINE (LIEBREICH). 
“By some Lanoline will be considered as the greatest 
addition of the year, and there can be no doubt of its 
value.” — The Lancet. It is obtained from keratinous tis- 
sues, and is therefore the fat natural to the hair and skin. 
Lanoline is chemically pure, neutral, penetrating, and fulfils 
all the requirements of a perfect basis for ointments. It is 
miscible with all medicaments, and will take up more than 
its own weight of water. It is grateful to the skin. 
STROPHANTHUS. 
TINCTURE AND TABLOIDS. 
Accoi’ding to Dr. Fraser, Strophanthus seems a far safer 
drug for a “much weakened heart” than digitalis, as the 
latter by its action on the blood vessels “ may even render 
large doses dangerous.” As it may “be used with advantage 
! in all weak states of this organ, whatever the cause of weak. 
ness,” Strophanthus has come into quite general use in 
1 medical practice. The Tabloids are equivalent to two drops 
i of the Tincture, and afford accuracy and convenience. 
ANTIPYRIN. 
Antipyrin, a chinolin derivative, is antipyretic though not 
I antiperiodic, and reduces fever by acting on the thcrmome- 
I trie centres of the spinal cord (Dujardin-Beaumetz). It 
! exerts no weakening action on the heart, the pulse remains 
! lull Jand regular, and the frequency of the respirations is 
1 said to diminish as the fever lowers. The reduction of tem- 
perature effected may last for a couple of days. The dose 
of Antipyrin is from one to four of the 5 gr. Tabloids. 
URETHANE. 
Urethane, a new hypnotic for insomnia, is free from the 
i dangerous effects on the heart and lungs, and the “injurious 
I action on the gastric mucous membrane,” of chloral hydrate, 
: and is far pleasanter in its action than paraldehyde. It 
stimulates the respiration, but does not affect reflex irrita- 
bility. Supplied in 5 gr. Tabloids. 
PURE TEREBENE (BURROUGHS). 
It was with this preparation that the original experiments 
; were made, and it is this which has created the large demand 
for the drug. It is a “ powerful expectorant,” and Dr. Bur- 
rell states that its systematic use was followed by marked 
improvement in every case of winter cough. Dose : 5 to 20 
drops on sugar or in mucilage. 
TRYPSIN (FAIRCHILD). 
This pure proteolytic digestive enzyme of the pancreas- 
was introduced about the same time as intubation of the 
larynx. Dr. J. Lewis Smith says : I know of no better 
method of treating a case of membraneous or diphtheritic 
croup, before it has reached the stage which requires surgical 
measures, than the constant, or almost constant, inhalation 
from the steam atomiser of trypsin in solution. (Internat 
JouRN. Med. Sciences.) Others speak well of the method. 
MANGANESE DIOXIDE. 
(Manganese Oxidum Nigrum). 
The advantages of this over permanganate of potash are 
that it does not oxidise the mucous surfaces, and is the form 
the latter drug must take before it can enter the blood. Drs. 
Ringer and Murrell found, in sixty-three cases of amenor- 
rheea treated with potass, permanganate, that the good effects 
were due to the manganese and not to the potash in the salt. 
(The Lancet, Jan. 6th, 1883.) The Tabloids of Manganese 
Dioxide are agreeable to take. Each contains 2 gr. 
HYOSCINE. 
This, the second alkaloid of hyoscyamus, is like hyoscya- 
mine, isomeric with atropin, &c. It has been much used in 
America, and, in the November number of the Practitioner, 
Dr. Mitchell Bruce recommended it as a “ powerful cerebral 
sedative,” which very rapidly and completely controls those 
conditions of cerebral excitement invariably known as delu- 
sion, mania, and insomnia, with restlessness. The Tabloids 
of Hyosciue contain each 1-100 gr. 
CAFFEINE HYDROBROMATE, 
(BISHOP’S GRANULAR EFFERVESCENT.) 
This is supposed by some to possess a pleasanter action 
than the other salts of Caffeine. It is recommended as a 
cardiac tonic and diuretic, and more especially for headache. 
It will restore muscular power when exhausted. Bishop’s 
Granular Effervescent Hydrobromate of Caffeine has given 
general satisfaction, and is highly praised by those who have 
tried it. 
BURROUGHS, WELLCOME & CO., Snow Hill BuMlngs, London, E.C 
MELBOURNE: 55 CHANCERY^ILANE. 
