244 
Maben, Thomas, points out that so long as the U. S. P., VIII. 
recognizes both the nitrate and the hydrochloride of pilocarpine it 
seems a pity that this alkaloid should not also haye been made the 
basis of the standard for the drug in place of “ alkaloids mainly 
pilocarpine/’ the actual composition of which may vary to a greater 
or less degree. — -Pharm. J.. Lond., 1905, y. 21, p. 141. 
Xaylor, TV. A. H., points out that the inference to be drawn from 
Jowett’s chemical inyestigation and Marshall’s physiological experi- 
ments is that the preparations of jaborancli should be assayed for 
pilocarpine and not for total alkaloid, and, further, that inasmuch 
as pilocarpine possesses acid properties the fixed alkalies should not 
be used in connection with “ shake-out solvents.” He also asserts 
that he knows of no process which is capable of determining within 
5 per cent the amount of pilocarpine present in a preparation of 
pilocarpus. — Pharm. J., Lond., 1905, y. 21, p. 126. 
TJmnev (Pharm. J., Lond.) asserts that Pilocarpus jaborancli neyer 
contains more than 0.5 j)er cent of total alkaloids, of which not more 
than one-half is pilocarpine. Pilocarpus macrophylus , on the other 
hand, contains 0.8 per cent of total alkaloids, or from 0.35 to 0.5 per 
cent of pilocarpine. — Pharm. Zentralh., 1905, v. 46, p. 670. 
Weigel (Pharm. Zentralh.) reports examining a sample of Guade- 
loupe jaborandi receiyed from Marseille. He notes the remarkable 
size of the leaf and the prominent midrib. Weigel obtained 0.353 
per cent of alkaloid; other obseryers haye found as high as 1.0 per 
cent. — Drug. Circ. & Chem. Gaz., X. Y., 1905, y. 49, p. 314. 
Caeser and Loretz recommend the determination of the moisture 
content and an assay for alkaloids. For the latter they outline a 
process that is similar to that in the U. S. P., VIII, using in ydace of 
complete exhaustion an aliquot part of the solution. They also out- 
line a method for the titrimetric estimation of the alkaloid. G. 
Fromme recommends washing out any excess of chlorophyl that may 
be present in the aqueous acid solution with ether. This, he declares, 
will facilitate the final determination, grayimetrically as well as titri- 
metrically. — Geschafts-Ber. y. Caeser & Loretz, in Halle a. S., 1905, 
pp. 4 and 88. 
PILUL2E. 
An abstract or unsigned article giyes directions for coating pills 
with salol. — Western Druggist, 1905, y. 27. p. 447. 
PILTJLJE FERRI CARBONATIS. 
In the column on pharmacology there is an interesting comment on 
“ Scientific work misrepresented and commercialized,” which includes 
some references on the comparatiye value of Blaud’s pills. — J. Am. ' , 
M. Ass., Chicago, 1905, v. 45, p. 934. 
