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LYCOPODIUM. 
Caeser and Loretz point out that while the Ph. Germ., IV, allows 
5 per cent of ash, this allowance contradicts the other requirements. 
Pure lycopodium has less than 1 per cent of ash, and any excess 
would be due to foreign admixture. They also point out that the 
accidental admixture of pollen grains, or even the occasional appear- 
ance of starch grains, should not suffice to condemn lycopodium.— 
Geschafts-Ber. v. Caeser & Loretz, in Halle a. S., 1905, p. 9. 
The re visors of Vienna pharmacies found lycopodium which was 
adulterated with pine pollen, “ Lycopodium Hungaricum,” talcum, 
and starch. — Pharm. Prax., 1905, v. 4, p. 38. 
Havenhill, L. D., reports that of 17 samples examined none showed 
the presence of impurity in suspicious amounts. — Proc. Kansas 
Pharm. Ass., 1905, p. 92. 
van Itallie, L., discusses several adulterants of lycopodium, and 
calls particular attention to powdered amber as a substitute for 
lycopodium. — Pharm. Weekbl., 1905, v. 42, pp. 189-190. 
Geiser, S. R., asserts that lycopodium is valuable in mental depres- 
sion, katatonic dementia, gravel, and chronic constipation. — Trans. 
Am. Inst. Homoeop., 1905 p. 355. 
MAGNESII CARBONAS. 
Patch, Edgar L., reports finding from 44 to 51 per cent of carbon- 
ate and traces of calcium. — Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 1905, v. 53, p. 185. 
“ Gnomon ” points out that in many places the public expect the 
carbonate when they ask for “ magnesia,” though the name properly 
applies only to the oxide. — Pharm. J., Lond., 1905, v. 21, p. 480. 
MAGNESII SULPHAS. 
Meltzer and Auer report a series of experiments made to determine 
the anaesthetic properties of magnesium salts. They conclude that a 
certain dose of magnesium sulphate will produce a lasting anaesthesia 
with complete relaxation of all the voluntary muscles and abolition 
of some of the less important reflexes. — Am. J. Physiol., 1905, v. 14, 
pp. 366-388. 
An editorial comments on the work done by Meltzer and Auer on 
the use of magnesium sulphate as a general anaesthetic. — J. Am. M. 
Ass., 1905, v. 45, p. 1959. 
Gregory, E. B., suggests masking the taste of magnesium sulphate 
by triturating with saccharin and bicarbonate of soda and adding 
tartaric acid. — Eclectic Med. J., 1905, v. 65, p. 429. 
