245 
to containing the specified amount of alkaloids. — Pharm. Zentralh., 
100(1, v. 47, p. 523. 
Lyons, A. B., reports that G of the 12 replies received indicated 
that the original U. S. P. requirement of 0.5 gm. of colchicine in 100 
cc. of fluid extract was satisfactory and readily maintained. — Proc. 
Am. Pharm. Ass., 1906, v. 54, p. 437. 
Moerk, Frank X., points out that the official fluid extract of col- 
chicum seed rej^resents 91 per cent of the active constituents of the 
drug in place of 100 per cent as generally supposed. The tincture 
represents 9.1 per cent of the contained alkaloids. — Proc. Pennsyl- 
vania Pharm. Ass., 1906, p. 159. 
A review points out that Fischer-Hartwicli, in their Commentary, 
assert that freshly powdered colchicum seed is an important factor in 
the iDroduction of a satisfactory wine of colchicum seed. — Pharm. 
Ztg., Berl., 1906, v. 51, p. 481. 
Caldwell, Paul, believes that for wine of colchicum seed it would be 
preferable to use a detannated wine and also a stronger wine than 
that prescribed. By adding an extra 12.5 per cent of alcohol to the 
preparation a wine of due permanency is obtained. — Drug. Circ. & 
Chem. Gaz., X. Y., 1906, v. 50, p. 160. 
Smith, F. A. Upshur, points out that as colchicine appears to re- 
quire protection bv amber glass it might be advantageous to direct 
that preparations of colchicum be preserved in like fashion. — Pharm. 
J., Lond., 1906, v. 22, p. 32. 
Plaines, Oliver L., asserts that in rheumatic pericarditis, with seri- 
ous effusion, the action of colchicum is most effectual. One patient, 
“ a lad," is quoted as having taken two drops of colchicum tincture 
every half hour, for five doses, then the same dose every three hours. — 
Trans. Am. Inst. Homoeop., 1906, 62cl sess., pt. 1, p. 430. 
COLCHICINA. 
Puckner, IV. A., points out that, being a “ weak base ” whose salts 
are strongly hydrolyzed, colchicine can not be quantitatively 
abstracted from its ether or chloroform solution by means of dilute 
acid, and, being an ester, is rather easily decomposed, saponified; 
hence the estimation of the alkaloid is not a simple matter, especially 
when the seed, containing much fat, is to be assayed. The methods 
so far proposed are far from satisfactory, usually tedious and not 
exact. To this the methods found in the new pharmacopoeia are 
no exception. — Pharm. Rev., Milwaukee, 1906, v. 24, p. 237. 
Francis, John M., reports that three lots of colchicine examined 
contained only 63.0, 63.6, 66.7 per cent of colchicine. — Proc. Am. 
Pharm. Ass., 1906, v. 54, p. 336. 
Kionka, H., reports experiments to determine the influence of vari- 
ous remedies used in gout on biliary secretions and agrees with Jacobi 
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