320 
Moerk, Frank X., points out that the fluid extract of hydrastis 
represents but 80 per cent of the alkaloidal strength of the drug and 
that the tincture represents 16 per cent in place of 20 per cent. — 
Proc. Pennsylvania Pharm. Ass., 1906, p. 159. 
Lyons, A. B., reports that 9 of the 12 replies received would appear 
to indicate that the U. S. P. standard for fluid extract of hydrastis is 
readily maintained. — Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 1906, v. 54, p. 437. 
Dott, D. B., says hydrastis rhizome is better extracted by 60 per 
cent alcohol than with the official (Ph. Brit.) 45 per cent. Sixty per 
cent is used for the tincture (Ph. Brit.). — Year Book of Pharmacy, 
1906, p. 300. 
Heyl, George, reviews the literature relating to fluid extract of 
hydrastis and reports on the examination of a number of commercial 
samples. The specific gravity of these samples varied from 0.9077 
to 0.9874 and the extract content from 11.38 to 21.81 per cent. The 
hydrastine content varied from 1.293 to 2.904 per cent. — Apoth. Ztg. 
Berl., 1906, v. 21, pp. 797-799. 
van der Haar, A. W., discusses the work done by Heyl and asserts 
that the Rusting-Smeets method is the only one that gives uniformly 
accurate and good results in the assay of fluid extract of hydrastis. 
He outlines the method. — Ibicl., v. 21, pp. 1050, 1051. 
Heyl, George, replies and reaffirms his preference for Linde’s 
method, which lie outlines in the previous paper. — Ibid., p. 1060. 
Philipp Roder, Wien, reports on 12 samples of fluid extract of 
hydrastis which varied from 1.15 to 2.08 ,per cent of hydrastine. He 
points out the need for assay in connection with this preparation. — 
Pharm. tost, Wien, 1906, v. 39, p. 249. 
Dieterich, Karl, reports examining four samples of fluid extract of 
hydrastis which were found to vary from 1.95 to 3.20 per cent of 
hydrastine. The specific gravity extract content, and ash were also 
determined. — Helfenberger Annalen, 1905, 1906, v. 18, p. 157. 
Fernan, Albert, reports that three samples of fluid extract of hy- 
drastis, out of eight examined, contained less than 2 per cent of 
hydrastine. — Ztschr. d. allg. osterr. Apoth.-Ver., Wien, 1906, v. 44, 
p. 79. 
Spindler found eight sanrples of fluid extract of hyoscyamus con- 
taining less than the required per cent of hydrastine. — Siicld. Apoth. 
Ztg., 1906, v. 46, p. 90. 
Fellner, Leopold, discusses the physiologic action of hydrastis and 
of ergot on the uterus and concludes that the uterine contractions 
produced are independent of the general action on the circulatory 
system; he does not agree with Kurdinowski that the contractions 
produced by hydrastis are tetanic in character. (From Arch. f. Gvn., 
1906, v. 68.) — Biochem. Centralbl., Leipz., 1906-7, v. 5. p. 632. 
