125 
signs of poisoning and one, a boy, died of acute nephritis. — Pharm. 
Zentralh., 1905, v. 46, p. 805. 
Schloffer (Arch. f. klin. Chirur., v. 77, No. 3) discusses the treat- 
ment of infected wounds by the local application of balsam of Peru.- — 
Therap. Gaz., 1905, v. 29, p. 784. 
Douglass, Malcolm E., in notes on materia medica, points out that 
balsam of Peru is useful in the treatment of mucopurulent dis- 
charges, cough after pneumonia, indolent ulcers, and cracked nip- 
ples. — Hahneman Month., Pliila., 1905, v. 40, p. 205. 
BALSAMUM TOLUTANUM. 
Francis, John M., points out that in the purchase of balsam of 
tolu special care should be exercised to obtain a light-colored article, 
as it is practically impossible to produce a nice, water-white* syrup 
of tolu if the balsam is not light colored. For the dark preparations 
light balsam is of course not essential. — Bull. Pharm., Detroit, 1905, 
v. 19, p. 362. 
An abstract from Boeder’s Keport outlines the method for deter- 
mining the acid number of balsam of tolu, as follows: 
One gm. of the balsam is dissolved in 20 cc. of chloroform, then diluted with 
from 150 to 200 cc. of neutral alcohol and titrated with \ N KOH solution 
with phenolphthalein as an indicator. The number of cc. of alkali used, times 
14, gives the acid value. According to K. Dietrich this should be between 
114.8 and 158.6; the Ph. Germ., IY, permits 112 to 168. — Year Book of Phar- 
macy, Bond., 1905, p. 13. 
Williams, John K., suggests that a solution of balsam of tolu, that 
will be of use in making other preparations, can be made by dissolv- 
ing one part of the balsam in sufficient alcohol to make two parts. — 
Proc. Connecticut Pharm. Ass., 1905, p. 52. 
Astruc and Cambe discuss the preparation of syrup of balsam of 
tolu and suggest the use of granulated balsam, which is directed to 
be prepared by making a 10 per cent solution of balsam in alcohol 
and pouring this upon clean sand in a mortar. After thorough 
trituration the product is exposed to air, with occasional stirring to 
prevent agglomeration; it may be preserved in well-closed bottles. 
For the syrup, 5 parts of this granulated balsam is treated with hot 
water and the sugar dissolved in the resulting solution. — Year Book 
of Pharmacy, Fond., 1905, p. 157. 
BELLADONNA. 
Francis, John M., feels certain that more or less scopola is being 
consumed for belladonna, and reports having seen a consignment of 
15 bales of belladonna which consisted of from 15 to 20 per cent of 
scopola. In this connection, too, he points out that official belladonna 
