220 
The Ph. Brit. Committee of Reference in Pharmacy report on 
cerium oxalate says: 
*/ 
Omit tlie formula, for although pure cerium oxalate is now obtainable, it is 
not known to what constituents the medicinal effect is due. — Chem. & Drug., 
Loud., 1906, v. 69, p. 863. 
Orlow, N. A., outlines a method for the production of pure cerium 
combinations. — Chem. Z tg., Cotlien, 190G, v. 30, p. 733. 
Caspari, Chas. E., reports three samples examined: all off color. — 
Proc. Missouri Pharm. Ass., 1906, p. 101. 
Albertoni, Garelli, and Barbieri have investigated the therapeutic 
action of cerium salts and assert that these combinations produce, 
in the presence of organic material, a continuous production of oxy- 
gen and thus serve to destroy pathogenic bacteria. — Abstr. in Chem. 
Ztg\, Cotlien, 1906, v. 30, p. 467. 
CETACEUM. 
‘I 
The Ph. Brit. Committee of Reference in Pharmacy report on 
Cetaceum says : 
Revise the monograph and introduce a saponification number (125 to 130). — 
Chem. & Drug., Loud., 1906. v. 69, p. S63. 
Hankey, William T., finds that the melting point of spermaceti 
usually ranges from 42.5° to 44.5° C. and rarely requires 45° C. 
He also believes that the test for stearic acid is misleading unless the 
conditions are carefully controlled. — Am. Druggist, N. Y., 1906, v. 
49, p. 361. 
Evans Sons Lescher and Webb report on the examination of six 
samples of spermaceti in which the specific gravity ranged from 
0.935 to 0.959, the melting point from 44.5° to 47.4° C., and the 
saponification value from 122 to 124. They were passed as genuine. — 
Analytical Notes for 1906, 1907, p. 30. 
Patch, E. L., reports three samples of spermaceti which melted 
at 42.5°, 43.5°, and 44° C., and all three gave distinct precipitates 
with the U. S. P. VIII test for stearic acid. — Proc. Am. Pharm. 
Ass., 1906, v. 54, p. 346. 
MacFadden, W. Lester, thinks that any prejudice against sperma- 
ceti on account of its crystalline appearance is unjust, as this dis- 
appears when it is combined with other fats. It performs the same 
office as white wax, but is inferior, in that it is more likely to become 
rancid upon exposure, and has a lower melting point. It is pref- 
erable in point of color. — Bull. Pharm., Detroit, 1906, v. 20, p. 203. 
Pozzi mentions the nse of spermaceti in cysts, previous to re- 
moval. — J. Am. M. Ass., 1906, v. 46, p. 1232. 
