139 
Patch. E. L., reports 5 assays of aconite root which varied from 
0.62 to 0.15 per cent of aconitine, only one being below the official 0.5 
per cent. 
Gane, E. H., found one sample of aconite which contained only 
0.20 per cent of aconitine. — Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 1906, v. 51, p. 333. 
La r ons, A. B., reports that but 1 out of 12 replies received con- 
sidered 0.1 gm. of aconitine in 100 c.c. of fluid extract of aconite as 
being too exacting. He also suggests that the result of assay should 
always be confirmed by Squibb's test. — Ibid., pp. 137, 138. 
Moerk, Frank X., points out that in place of the fluid extract of 
aconite representing 100 per cent, or 1 gram in each c.c., it in 
reality is required to represent but 80 per cent of the alkaloidal 
strength of the drug. The tincture, in place of being 10 per cent, is 
9 per cent of the active constituents. — Proc. Pennsylvania Pharm. 
Ass., 1906, p. 159. 
Puckner, W. A., reviews the recent literature relating to the assav 
of aconite and points out that the valuation of aconite by the L T . S. P. 
VIII process consumes much time because of the Ioav temperature 
prescribed for the evaporation of the percolate and the difficulty of 
obtaining a clear filtrate when the evaporation residue is dissolved in 
dilute sulphuric acid and filtered. He belieA^es, however, that the 
procedure is so simple, the results so satisfactory, and the decomposi- 
tion of the alkaloid so effectually avoided that the extra time may 
well be ignored. — Pharm. PeAX, Milwaukee, 1906, ax 2d, pp. 231, 232. 
Philipp Roder, Wien, outlines a method of assay for tincture of 
aconite similar to that given for extract of belladonna. Two sam- 
ples of tincture yielded, respectively, O.Odl and 0.056 per cent of tinc- 
ture. — Pharm. Post, Wien, 1906, ax 39, p. 297. 
Caspari, Chas. E., asserts that the U. S. P. VIII assay of tincture 
of aconite is laborious and tedious. When it comes to filtering, it 
takes three days to filter it, to saA r nothing of washing. — Proc. Am. 
Pharm. Ass., 1906, ax 5d, p. 455. 
Gordin, H. M., thinks the assay method for aconite root and its 
fluid extract unworkable. The first acid liquid obtained, which is 
directed to be filtered, is thick and contains sticky resinous substances 
that soon completely clog the filter. He suggests a method and the 
use of a shaking-tube percolator with special separating funnels, 
Avhich he asserts is simple, short, and exact. — Am. J. Pharm., Phila., 
1906, v. 78, pp. 454, 460. 
See also Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 1906, ax 54, p. 379. 
Hankey, William T., has found the U. S. P. VIII method of 
assay for aconite rather tedious. He belieA^es that more reliable re- 
sults might be obtained if the drugs were previously dried to constant 
weight. — Am. Druggist, N. lx, 1906, v. 49, p. 360. 
