156 
Francis, John M., points out that the assay of extract of colchicum 
presents exceptional difficulties because of the solubility of colchicine 
in either acid, or alkaline, aqueous solutions. — Bull. Pharm., Detroit, 
1905, v. 19, p. 494. 
COLCHICI SEMEN. 
Francis, John M., examined 11 samples of colchicum seed, repre- 
senting about 60,000 pounds, which assayed an average content of 
0.60 per cent of colchicine; the highest was 0.90 per cent and the 
lowest 0.50 per cent ; four out of the eleven samples assayed below the 
U. S. P., VIII, standard of 0.55 per cent [later 0.45] of colchicine. — 
Bull. Pharm., Detroit, 1905, v. 19, p. 450. 
Dohme, A. R. L., found colchicum seed to vary from 0.60 per cent 
in 1904 to 0.53 per cent in 1905. : — Apothecary, Boston, 1905, v. IT, 
p. 942. 
Vanderkleed, Charles E., reports two assays, 0.30 and 0.462 per 
cent. He believes the general quality of the drug to be poor. — 
Proc. Penna., Pharm. Ass., 1905, p. 56. 
COLCHICINA. 
Francis, John M., thinks it essential that colchicine should be yellow 
and not brownish, and that it should be readily soluble in water and 
chloroform. He asserts that much of the commercial colchicine is 
quite impure, and reports rejecting three consignments which con- 
tained only 66.7, 63.6, and 63 per cent, respectively, of pure colchi- 
cine. — Bull. Pharm., Detroit, 1905, v. 19, p. 450. 
Lyons, A. B., points out that the dose given is only 0.0005 gm., 
while the dose of colchicum seed is 0.20 gm. — Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 
1905, v. 53, p. 261. 
Dearborn, F. M., discusses the use of colchicine in the treatment 
of skin diseases. — Tr. Am. Inst. Homoeop., 1905, v. 61, pp. 416—418. 
COLLODIUM. 
Eberle, E. G., recommends that the pharmacopoeia! method be 
reversed, so that the alcohol is added first ; allow to stand until the 
pyroxylon is thoroughly saturated, then add the ether and shake. — 
Apothecary, Boston, 1905, v. IT, p. 951. 
Francis, John M., points out that collodions have been made very 
popular of late years under proprietary names, and that celluloid 
and acetone are being used to replace the official substances. — Bull. 
Pharm., Detroit, 1905, v. 19, p. 450. 
Lorenzen (Pharm. Ztg., 1905, v. 50, p. 20) notes that the turpentine 
directed in the Ph. Germ., IV, may be a source of possible impurity 
