371 
Francis, John M., considers the U. S. P. VIII assay process for 
nux vomica a very poor substitute for the one abolished. He thinks 
it is generally conceded that no process for the assay of nux vomica 
preparations, which is based upon the separation of the strychnine 
from brucine, is sufficiently correct to possess any advantage over the 
process formerly official, namely, the estimation of total alkaloids. — 
Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 1906, v. 51, p. 453. 
Herting, Otto, points out that the pharmacopoeia might well have 
included a gravimetric estimation of either total alkaloids or strych- 
nine in nux vomica and outlines a process evolved by Leger for the 
former and Keller's process for the latter. — D.-A. Apoth. Ztg., X. Y., 
1906-7, v. 27, p. 2. 
Farr & Wright present their conclusions in regard to the U. S. P., 
VIII, assay process for strychnine in nux vomica and outline their 
modification of the process. — Pharm. J. Lond., 1906, v. 22, p. 274. 
Harrison, F., records his experience with the nitric acid process for 
determining strychnine in nux vomica, and asserts that this method 
gives excellent results regardless of the ratio between the alkaloids. — 
Ibid ., v. 22, p. 305. 
Farr & Wright discuss the total alkaloids in nux vomica, strych- 
nine in nux vomica, assay of nux vomica, ratio of alkaloids to ex- 
tractive. experiments on menstrua, liquid extract, alkaloidal standards 
for nux vomica, preparation of the standardized extract, assay of the 
powdered extract, microscopic recognition. — Ibid., v. 23, pp. 8-4-86. 
For discussion see ibid., p. 115. E. W. Mann says that the U. S. P. 
process, calling specifically for previously cooled acids, had in his 
hands yielded absolutely worthless results. Farr & Wright should 
take greater credit for their modification. 
See also Year Book of Pharmacy, 1906, pp. 226-229. 
Dott, D. B., commends the Farr & Wright modification of the 
nitric acid method and thinks there can be little doubt that it will 
supersede the present official process. It is probably not necessary to 
determine the amount of total alkaloids, but should it be considered 
desirable to do so that may easily be done without a separate analy- 
sis. — Pharm. J. Bond., 1906, v. 23, p. 99. 
An editorial questions if literature gains, or if practical pharmacy 
is advanced, by such detailed records of the adventitious parts of a 
subject as are embodied in Farr & Wright’s paper.— Chem. & Drug., 
Lond., 1906, v. 69, p. 129. 
Evans Sons Lescher and Webb point out that the Ph. Brit. IV, 
method for the assay of nux vomica is very tedious and involves a 
great waste of time, and suggests that some adaptation of Keller's 
process appears to be the most satisfactory solution of the problem. 
They outline the method that they have used for some years,— 
Analytical Notes for 1906-7, pp. 24-25. 
