329 
would not be preferable to introduce solutions of emetine as expectorants, and 
solutions of cephaeline as emetics ; or to make two series of preparations from 
Brazilian and Cartliagena varieties for the two different purposes. If the Rio 
variety (from Brazil or India) is alone retained, it may be assayed for emetine 
by Paul and Cownley's process. — Chein. & Drug., Lond., 1906, v. 69. pp. 863, 864. 
An unsigned critique of the Ph. Xdl. IV, notes the requirement of 
2 per cent alkaloids in the powdered drug. — Ibid., v. 68, p. 828. 
Grier, J., believes that if ipecac is standardized at all it should be 
standardized for its “ emetine " content. The attitude of the Ph. Brit, 
in including Rio “ ipecac only he thinks the proper one, — Pharm. J., 
Lond., 1906, v. 22, p. 238. 
Gehe & Co. discuss the comparative price of the several varieties of 
ipecac during 1904 and 1905, and give the importation, use, and avail- 
able supply of this drug during 1902-1905 inclusive. — Handels-Ber., 
Gehe & Co., p. 45. 
Herting. Otto, points out that ipecac contains at least several alka- 
loids that are as vet not well understood, and doubts the advisability 
%J IS 
of providing for a titrimetric estimation of substances the identity of 
which can not be definitely determined. — D.-A. Apoth.-Ztg., X. Y., 
1906-7, v. 27, 2. 
Caesar & Loretz outline a method for the assay of ipecac, both 
titrimetrically as well as gravimetrically, and also suggest the de- 
termining of the moisture content of this root. — Geschafts-Ber. v. 
Caesar & Loretz, in Halle a. S., 1906, pp. 109, 110. 
Francis, John XL, notes the “ singular prescience “ with which some 
pharmacists anticipated the pharmacopceial recognition of the Car- 
thagena drug, and used it either alone or mixed with Rio to produce 
the official fluid extract. The weight of evidence shows that while 
both varieties contain both alkaloids, emetine predominates in Rio 
and cephaeline in Cartliagena ; it follows that the Rio is better suited 
for expectorant compounds. The committee probably concluded that 
practical considerations outweigh the theoretical. The physician 
can always get the fluid extract of genuine Rio ipecac if he wishes 
it. — Bull. Pharm., Detroit, 1906, v. 20. p. 10. 
Schieffelin, TVm. Jay, on behalf of the committee of the X. TV D. A. 
is quoted as advising the reduction of the standard for ipecac from 
2 jier cent total alkaloids to 1.75 per cent. — Am. Druggist, X. XL, 
1906, v. 49, p. 347. 
Moerk, Frank X., points out that 8.03 c. c, of tenth normal sul- 
phuric acid as given on page 572 of the IT. S. P. VIII. correspond 
to 1.9111 per cent of alkaloids and not 2 per cent as originally re- 
quired. — Proc. Pennsylvania Pharm. Ass., 1906, p. 160. 
Gane, E. H., points out that the former standard for ipecac was 
rather high on account of difficulty in exhausting this drug. A good 
deal of ipecac comes in which does not run over 1.8 per cent of alka- 
loids. — Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 1906, v. 54, p. 440. 
