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retrograde step in modern therapeutics. The ancient cow-dung poultice had 
almost as much to commend it as this modern prototype. The commercial kao- 
lin which constitutes the basis of this compound makes a nasty, dirty looking 
mass, and the official product might have had more glycerin added with ad- 
vantage. It is too stiff. — Drug Topics, 1905, v. 20, p. 197, 
Francis. John M., says: 
While tliis addition to the pharmacopoeia has been severely criticised there 
can be no gainsaying the fact that the kaolin poultice is very popular, and 
justly so. as it is permanent, convenient, and, more important still, effective. — 
Bull. Pharm., Detroit, 1905, v. 19, p. 363. 
Roth. A. H.. records an experimental and clinical study of clay 
mixture poultices. — J. Am. M. Ass.. 1905, v. 44, pp. 1185-1187. 
CASSIA FISTULA. 
Lyons, A. B., points out that Cassia fistula is described in the 
U. S. P.. VIII, as the fruit of the tree producing it, while the dose 
given is that of pulp . and should be so stated. — Proc. Am. Pharm. 
Ass., 1905, v. 53. p. 261. 
CERA. 
Francis, John M., points out that beeswax, both white and yellow, 
is an uncertain quantity as it appears in commerce. During the past 
three years he has rejected about 20 per cent of the samples sub- 
mitted because they were grossly sophisticated. Ceresin seems to 
be the favorite adulterant, and some specimens have even contained 
water and soluble coloring matter. The tests given in the new phar- 
macopoeia, he believes, are sufficient to protect the buyer. — Bull. 
Pharm., Detroit. 1905, p. 363. 
Vanderkleed, Charles E., examined 6 samples of white wax, of 
which 2 were pure. 3 contained some paraffin, and 1 contained much 
paraffin. He also asserts that nearly all the yellow waxes on the 
market contain paraffin, the amount of this adulterant usually vary- 
ing with the price. Of many samples examined 2 contained at'least 
85 per cent and one more than 90 per cent of paraffin, — Proc. Penna. 
Pharm. Ass., 1905, p. 55. 
Havenhill, L. D.. presents tabulated results of examinations of 
wax made in the pharmaceutical laboratories of the University of 
Kansas. — Proc. Kansas Pharm. Ass., 1905. pp. 89-90. 
^Vetterstroem, Theo D., points out that yellow beeswax can be 
found containing from 10 to 15 per cent of ceresin or unsaponifiable 
paraffin. TChite beeswax, Xo. 1, was found to be similarly adul- 
terated, while white beeswax, Xo. 2, was found to contain not a trace 
of beeswax. — Drug. Circ. & Chem. Gaz., X. Y., 1905, v. 49, p. 313. 
See also Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 1905. v. 53, p. 183. for additional 
figures. 
