Umney and Bennett, in discussing the essential oils of the U. S. P., 
VIII. say: 
There is at the outset a difficulty in preparing magnesium hydroxide free 
from chlorine * * *. The process appears to yield lower results than those 
we have obtained on a manufacturing scale in the removal of hydrocyanic acid 
from bitter-almond oil, but we have not, so far, had the opportunity of compar- 
ing the various processes. Our records, extending over a great many years, 
would appear to indicate in the freshly prepared oil of bitter almond a higher 
proportion of hydrocyanic acid than 4 per cent. — Pharm. J., Lond., 1905, v. 21, 
p. 145. 
Guignard, L.. discourses on the presence of a compound furnishing 
hydrocyanic acid in the leaves of Sambucus nigra. — C’ompt., rend. 
Acad. d. sc.. Paris, 1905, v. Ill, pp. 16-20, 236-238, 1193-1201. 
Bourquelot and Danjou present a study of the glucoside in Sam- 
bucus nigra L.. which produces hydrocyanic acid. They also discuss 
the method used to isolate the glucoside. — J. de pharm. et de chim., 
Paris, 1905, v. 22, pp. 151, 219, 385. 
van Itallie, L.. presents an elaboration of the work of Bourquelot 
and Danjou: he was able also to demonstrate the formation of hydro- 
cyanic acid in the leaves of other plants. — Ibid., p. 33T. ' ' 
Jouck. Karl, reports some experiments made to isolate the hydro- 
cyanic-acid producing substances in cherry laurel leaves and in the 
bark of Prunus padus. — Arch. d. Pharm.. 1905, v. 213, p. 121. 
Burford, Madden, and Goldsbrough discuss the recovery, under 
hydrocyanic acid, from acute epileptic seizures occurring after ab- 
dominal section. — Hahneman. Month., Phila., 1905, v. 10, p. 395. 
ACIDTJM HYDRIODICTJM DILUTUM. 
Herting, Otto, discusses the production and the tests for purity of 
hydriodic acid. — Deut.-Amer. Apoth. Ztg., 1905, v. 26, p. 111. 
ACIDTJM LACTICTTM. 
Herting, Otto, discusses the several tests that have been included 
in the IT. S. P., VIII, and suggests that they are rather excessively 
numerous for an article of such comparatively minor importance 
as lactic acid. — Deut.-Amer. Apoth. Ztg.. X. Y., 1905, v. 26, p. 100. 
Croner and Cronheim (Biochem. Centralbl., 1905, v. 4, p. 357) sug- 
gest a new test for lactic acid based on its conversion into iodoform 
under the influence of iodine and an alkali, and the formation of 
isonitrile from the iodoform by the action of a primary amino base. 
Obviously alcohol and acetone, which react in the same way as lactic 
acid, must be eliminated from the liquid, by heating, before the test 
is applied. — Analyst, London, 1905, v. 30, p. 103. 
TYhite, Gordon, discusses the use of lactic acid in pyorrhea alveo- 
laris. — Dental Cosmos, Phila., 1905, v. 17, p. 152. 
