138 
maximum intensity after heating for about twenty minutes. It is 
stated that no other alkaloid gives this reaction. — J. Soc. Chem. Ind., 
Lond., 1906. v. 25. p. 1171. 
McXair. F. H.. points out that aconitine is a dangerously potent 
drug and should be used with care in veterinary practice. He re- 
ports a fatality. — Am. Vet. Rev.. X. Y.. 1906. v. 30. p. 1311. 
ACONITUM. 
Senft. Em., describes and figures Aconiturn napdlvs , Aconitum 
stoerkianum , and Aconitum variegatum. He devotes considerable 
attention to. the microscopy of various portions of these plants. Also 
discusses the composition of the root, reviews some of the history of 
the drug, and gives a bibliography relating to the history of its intro- 
duction. — Pharm. Prax. 1906. v. 5. pp. 1-11. 
Stapf. O. (Annals of the Royal Botanic Garden. Calcutta, v. 10. 
pt. 3, pp. 115-197), presents a monograph on the aconite of India 
in which he discusses the history and the structure of the several 
aconites found in India. — Bot. Jahrb. Engler. Leipz., 1906, v. 37, 
p. 16. 
Schulze. Heinrich, discusses the early knowledge of the poisonous 
properties of aconite and the literature relating to aconitine. — Arch, 
d. Pharm., Berlin. 1906. v. 244. pp. 136-159, 165-196. 
Wentrup. Franz, reports on the comparative content of aconitine 
of the mother and daughter tubers of aconite. He concludes that 
the older tubers contain on an average but a slightly smaller amount 
of aconitine than the tubers of the current year. — J. d. Pharm. v. 
Elsass-Lothr., 1906. v. 33. pp. 180-183. 
See also Pharm. Zentralli., 1906. v. 47, p. 915. 
The Ph. Brit. Committee of Reference in Pharmacy believes that 
the exclusion of the Japan variety of aconite root is necessary, owing 
to the difference in nature and physiological action of the alkaloids. 
The assay for total alkaloids has been decided upon and undertaken 
by the Brussels Conference, but ether-soluble alkaloid ( chiefly aconi- 
tine) is preferable. — Chem. & Drug.. Lond., 1906. v. 69. p. 862. 
Philipp Roder. Wien. reports on two samples of aconite which 
were found to contain, respectively. 3.84 and 4.26 per cent of ash 
and 0.573 and 0.366 per cent of alkaloid. He suggests a limit of not 
more than 5 per cent. — Pharm. Post. Wien, 1906, v. 39. p. 284. 523. 
Caesar and Loretz report that various samples of aconite root ex- 
amined by them varied in alkaloidal content, yielding 0.530. 0.617. 
0.638. 0.775, and 0.797 per cent of aconitine. — Ges.-Ber. v. Caesar & 
Loretz, in Halle a. S., 1906. p. 70. 
They suggest the determination of the moisture content and the 
assay for alkaloids according to the method given by them for bella- 
donna root. — Ibid., p. 119. 
