322 
Puckner, W. A., points out that in connection with the U. S. P. 
VIII assay for hyoscyamus, in the directions given for the evap- 
oration of the chloroform prior to the titration, sufficient stress is 
not laid on the importance of insuring the complete evaporation of 
the volatile organic bases present in henbane. — Pharm. Rev., Mil- 
waukee, 1906, v. 24, p. 232. 
The Ph. Brit. Committee of Reference in Pharmacy report on 
hyoscyamus says: 
The Brussels Conference decided to make a standardized extract from dried 
leaves. Both tincture and extract might be made from a liquid extract, and 
one standardization process serve for two. An important question arises, how- 
ever, as to the properties of henbane and its principal uses as a sedative, 
whether it has not some other effects principally diuretic and whether it would 
be desirable to standardize its preparation on the basis of mydriatic alkaloids, 
seeing that other more powerful drugs, having practically the same active 
principles, are included in the Ph. Brit. The committee is of opinion that if 
the drug is retained it should not be retained on the grounds of its importance 
as a competitor of belladonna. — Chem. & Drug., Loud., 1906, v. 69, p. 863. 
Caesar & Loretz suggest the determination of the moisture con- 
tent in hyoscyamus and the estimation of the alkaloids by the method 
given by them for belladonna leaf. — Geschafts-Ber. v. Caesar & 
Loretz in Halle a. S., 1906, p. 104. 
Philipp Roder, Wien, outlines an assay process for extract of bella- 
donna which provides for treating the extract with ammonia and 
extracting with a mixture of ether, alcohol, and chloroform. An 
aliquot part of this solution is washed out with 3 per cent hydro- 
chloric acid, the acid solution washed with chloroform, the latter 
removed, and, after being made alkaline, the solution again washed 
out with chloroform, the chloroform evaporated, and the resulting 
residue weighed. — Pharm. Zentralh., 1906, v. 47, p. 482. 
Dieterich, Karl, discusses the assay of extract of hyoscyamus and 
of extract of belladonna by means of the potassium bismuth iodide 
method. The results obtained are much lower than those obtained 
by the Ph. Germ., IV, method. — Pharm. Post, Wien, 1906, v. 39, 
pp. 551-552. See also p. 533. 
Lyons, A. B., asserts that hyoscyamus is very variable. Results 
of assays range from 0.05 to 0.085 ; rarely higher. The standard 
should be not above 0.07 gm. in 100 c. c. of fluid extract. — Proc. Am. 
Pharm. Ass., 1906, v. 54, p. 439. 
Ohliger, Willard, reports that hyoscyamus usually runs lower than 
the required standard. — Proc. Michigan Pharm. Ass., 1906, p. 48. 
Gane, E. H., reports two assays of hyoscyamus yielding 0.0465 and 
0.037 per cent of mydriatic alkaloids, respectively. — Proc. Am. 
Pharm. Ass., 1906, v. 54, p. 337. 
Francis, John M., reports an average of 0.10 per cent of alkaloids 
in hyoscyamus. — Ibid,, 337, 
