363 
An abstract from Pharm. Ztg., 1906, p. 323, gives a method of pre- 
paring methylsalicylic ether, together with its characters. — J. de 
pharm. et de chim., Par., 1906, v. 2d, p. 115. 
METHYLTHIONINiE HYEROCHLORIDUM. 
Francis, John M., notes that a very large proportion of the methyl- 
ene blue in the market is whollv unfit for medicinal use, as it contains 
arsenic or zinc salts or both. It should never be purchased without 
a guaranty, and the last two tests of the pharmacopoeia (for zinc 
and arsenic) should always be applied. — Bull. Pharm., Detroit, 1906, 
v. 20, p. 98. 
Sahm and Mittelbach point out that the coloring power of methyl- 
ene blue when adulterated is lessened in proportion to the amount 
of adulterant present, and propose to utilize this fact by determin- 
ing the coloring power on cellulose. — Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 1906, 
v. 54, pp. 410, 411. 
An editorial calls attention to the article of L. F. Dmitrenko (Med. 
Woch., Nov. 5), in which he reports the results of his use of methylene 
blue as a reagent for diagnosing typhoid fever from the urine. Fie 
finds the test with methylene blue no simpler than is the diazo reac- 
tion, and it is not easy to distinguish the exact shade which results. 
The results are not trustworthv. — N. York INI. J., 1906, v. 84, p. 1236. 
Gautrelet and Gravellat conclude that subcutaneous injections of a 
half cubic centimeter of methylene blue in a solution of 5 per cent 
per kilo of animal act on (1) the hepatic functions, (2) nutrition, 
(3) kidneys. — Compt. rend. Soc. de biol. Par., 1906, v. 60, pp. 550- 
553. 
For a number of other references see Merck’s Ann. Pep., 1906, 
Darmstadt, 1907, v. 20, p. 166. 
Kendall used methylene blue for intravitam staining. — J. Am. M. 
Ass., 1906, v. 46, p. 1153. 
Jacobi, A., states that he has used methylthionine hydrochloride 
internally in the treatment of cancer. While he has not succeeded 
I in curing any of these, he believes it has performed a great service 
in prolonging the lives and making more comfortable many suffering 
with inoperable cancer. — Ibid., v. 47, p. 1545. 
MISTURA FERRI COMPOSITA. 
If ' 
Knight, W. A., proposes a modification and a method of prepara- 
tion of the official substitute for the famous antihectic mixture of 
Griffith. — Chem. & Drug., Loud., 1906, v. 68, p. 26. 
MISTURA GLYCYRRHIZiE COMPOSITA. 
Cook, E. Fullerton, reports that Frances R. Bell found that the 
difficulties encountered with Brown Mixture are due to the use of 
i 
