274 
Caeser and Loretz discuss the variability of the available stro- 
phanthus seeds. This variability they believe to be due to the lack of 
care in selecting the available supplies, and point out that the physio- 
logical test is the only satisfactory means for differentiating the sev- 
eral seeds. They also outline a method for the determination of 
strophanthin which provides for the extraction of the crushed seeds 
with 70 per cent alcohol, in connection with a reflux condenser. The 
alcohol is evaporated by means of a water bath and the fat removed 
from the residue by means of benzin. The resulting extract is dis- 
solved in boiling water and the extractive precipitated with lead 
acetate solution. The lead salt is removed by means of hydrogen 
sulphide and heat, and the solution filtered and finally evaporated, in 
a taxed capsule, so as to facilitate the weighing of the resulting 
strophanthin. The latter may be further purified by a process which 
they outline. — Geschafts-Ber. von Caeser & Loretz, in Halle a. S., 
1905, pp. 60 and 100. 
Four samples of strophanthus were examined in the laboratory of 
Philip Roder, Wien, and found to contain from 30.99 to 35.00 per 
cent of fatty oil and to yield from 2.43 to 3.55 per cent of strophan- 
thin. The fat-free powder yielded from 3.76 to 5.32 per cent of 
strophanthin. — Pharm. Post, Wien, 1905, v. 38, p. 392. 
Naylor, W. A. H., points out that it is essential to have mature 
seeds from a species which yields uniformly active strophanthin. He 
refers to the work done by Gilg, Thoms, and Schedel, and their evi- 
dent preference for the seeds of Strophanthus gratus.- — Pharm. J., 
Loud., 1905, v. 21, p. 127. 
Thornton, E. Q., notes the absence of any reliable chemical assay 
for strophanthus and asserts that physicians should employ a product 
that has been physiologically tested. — Therap. Gaz., 1905, v. 29, 
p. 739. 
Santesson, G., points out that, in view of the great variability of 
the tinctures of strophanthus, physiological standardization appears 
to be desirable. — (Munch. Med. Wchnschr., 1905.) Proc. Am. Pharm. 
Ass., 1905, v. 53, p. 599. 
Schedel, H., reviews the history and the literature of the pharma- 
cologic and clinical use of strophanthus. The article is illustrated 
by a number of tracings and includes a comprehensive bibliographic 
list. — Arb. a. d. Pharm. Inst. d. Univer., Berlin, 1905, v. 2, pp. 88-99. 
Zilinski, W. (Wratschebnaja Gazeta, 1905, No. 35), discusses the 
action of strophanthin, convallamarin, and caffeine, and points out 
that strophanthin as well as convallamarin increases the strength of 
the contractions, while the number of contractions is reduced. The 
conditions for the nourishment of the heart are therefore more favor- 
able with strophanthin or with convallamarin than they are with 
caffeine. — Biochem. Centralbl., 1905, v. 4, p. 495. 
