167 
Wiggers, Carl J., points out that adrenalin acts upon the cerebral 
vessels, causing constriction in the same manner as on the vessels of 
other organs, and that the reaction of the cerebral vessels to adrenalin 
is a trustworthy proof, or at least indicative of the existence of cere- 
bral vaso-constrictor nerves. — Am. J. Physiol., 1905, v. 14, pp. 
452-465. 
Be Beck, D., reports an accident with adrenalin (Ann. Ophthal., St. 
Louis, 1905, v. 14, p. 511). — Keference from Ind. Med., 1905, p. 1052. 
ERGOTA. 
Francis, John M., points out that the one specification that is not 
accepted at its full importance is that ergot is unfit for use after it 
is a year old. He asserts that enormous quantities of ergot are sold 
in the market of the United States, and does not hesitate to declare 
that a very large proportion of it is worthless, or at least so inferior 
as to render it unfit for medicinal use. As a logical sequence a con- 
siderable proportion of the ergot preparations are also woefully 
wanting in therapeutic activity. “ Ergot is not ergot because it is 
so labelled.” — Bull. Pharm., Detroit, 1905, v. 19, p. 452. 
Vanderkleed, Charles E., reports four assays of ergot varying 
from 0.16 to 0.31 per cent of cornutin, and concludes that the general 
quality of ergot is good. — Proc. Penna. Pharm. Ass., 1905, p. 56. 
Dohme, A. R. L., says: 
The per cent of cornutin noted in the laboratory report varied from 0.32 per 
cent in 1904 to 0.12 per cent in 1905. 
He points out that in the latter year it has been almost impossible 
to secure any ergot that approached the 0.2 per cent standard for 
cornutin. He also points out that — 
Bold ergot is less rich in cornutin than smaller, less bold ergot. — Apothecary, 
Boston, 1905, v. 17, p. 942. 
Philip Roder, Wien, reports two ash determinations of ergot 
which gave 3.18 and 3.24 per cent, respectively, or 3.45 and 3.46 per 
cent in the water- free substance. — Pharm. Post, Wien, 1905, v. 38, 
p. 391. 
The revisors of Vienna Pharmacies report finding one sample of 
powdered ergot which contained flour as an adulterant.— Pharm. 
Prax., 1905, v. 4, p. 38. 
Caeser and Loretz outline a method for the determination of cor- 
nutin in ergot, as follows: 
The ergot is percolated with petroleum ether to remove the fat. The result- 
ing drug, after previous drying, is treated with a mixture of ether, magnesia, 
and water, an aliquot part of the resulting ethereal solution is washed out 
with 0.5 per cent of hydrochloric acid. The washings are then heated to remove 
the last traces of ether, made alkaline with ammonia, and then washed with 
ether; the latter is finally removed by distillation and the resulting dry ma- 
