275 
is physiologically almost or quite as active. — Abstr. in Pharm. J., 
Lond., 1906, v. 23, p. 257. 
“ Gnomom,” having studied this subject for some time past, is 
disposed to think that Barger and Carr have solved a very difficult 
problem, and it may yet be found that the comparatively inert crystal- 
line ergotinine is really a decomposition product of the active amor- 
phous ergotoxine. — Ibid., v. 23, p. 282. 
Tanret, C., replies to the criticisms of Barger and Carr (in Chem. 
Xews. Aug., 1906, and Pharm. J., Lond., 1906. v. 23, p. 257), who 
consider that ergotoxine and not ergotinine is the active principle of 
ergot. He suggests the formula C 3g H 40 N 5 O 5 as being more in keep- 
ing with the findings than C 28 H 32 X 4 0 4 proposed by Barger and Carr. — 
J. de pharm. et de chim. Par., 1906, v. 2d. pp. 397-403, 420. 
Vahlen, Ernst, in a German patent outlines a method for the isola- 
tion of a water soluble, crystalline, nitrogen containing constituent 
of ergot. — Chem. Ind. Berk, 1906. v. 29. p. 148. 
Vahlen, E., describes a new active constituent, clavin, that he has 
separated from ergot and outlines the method employed in its pro- 
duction, discusses the properties and composition of the substance, 
and reports experiments made to determine its general action and the 
action of clavin on the uterus. — Arch. f. exper. Path. u. Pharmacol. 
Leipz., 1906, v. 55, pp. 55-163. 
Ohliger. Willard, finds all qualities offered for sale, from samples 
having their full activity to those entirely inert. — Proc. Michigan 
Pharm. Ass., 1906, p. 47. 
Patch, E. L., asserts that ergot is lower than the usual average in 
extractive. Seven bales varied from 13.3 to 14.8 per cent. — Proc. Am. 
Pharm. Ass., 1906, V. 54, p. 337. 
Dieterich, Karl, reports a total of eight samples of ergot. The six 
unobjectionable samples yielded from 0.080 to 0.10 per cent of alkaloid 
and from 14.58 to 17 per cent of dry aqueous extract; the two other 
samples yielded 0.067 and 0.069 per cent of alkaloid, respectively. — 
Helfenberger Annalen, 1905, 1906, v. 18, p. 108. 
Dixon, TV E., is quoted as asserting that preparations of ergot as 
; sold by the leading wholesale houses vary enormously in potenev; 
and, further, that preparations which they themselves made from 
different samples of the crude drug show the same variability. — 
Pharm., J., Lond., 1906, v. 22, p. 117. 
Schnell, Carl, presents an historical and critical review of the pro- 
duction of active preparations of ergot. He divides these prepara- 
tions into dry, thick, and fluid extracts. He points out that as yet 
an aqueous extract is the only one that contains all of the active in- 
gredients of ergot intact. He discusses at some length the method 
proposed by Bon jean and outlines some of the history of Bonjean’s 
