380 
An editorial reviews the work on the determination of the antisep- 
tic value of volatile oils and calls particular attention to the work 
done by Robert. — Pharm. Ztg., Berl., 1906, v. 51, p. 945. 
OLEUM ADIPIS. 
Smith, Kline & French Co. report that the sp. gr. of a sample of 
lard oil examined was 0.914 at 25° C., free acid, slight trace only, 
and cotton-seed oil, negative. — Lab. Rep. S. K. & F., 1906, p. 18. 
OLEUM JETHEREUM. 
Francis, John M., asserts that the pharmacopceial specifications are 
not sufficiently elaborate to protect the purchaser. The product is | 
so notoriously bad that he doubts the wisdom of retaining it in the j 
pharmacopoeia. — Bull. Pharm., Detroit, 1906, v. 20, p. 99. 
Patch, E. L., points out that the U. S. P. ethereal oil is entirely 
different from any of the oils of wine in the market which are sold | 
to the pharmacist as ethereal oil. — Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 1906, v. 54, 
p. 341. 
OLEUM AMYGDALAE AMARJE. 
Schimmel & Co. doubt the usefulness of the official assay for ben- ! 
zaldehyde, are inclined to believe that the content of hydrocyanic 
acid required can not always be guaranteed, and point out that the 
specific gravity for oil of bitter almond given is for a temperature of 
15° C., and that at 25° the figures should be from 1.038 to 1.063. 
They also assert that occasionally a feeble optical activity has been 
observed. — Semi-Ann. Rep., 1906, Apr.-May, p. 72. 
Francis, John M., points out that the specifications for oil of bitter 
almond and those for benzaldehyde being the same, the pharmacist 
might just as well specify the synthetic benzaldehyde in ordering. — 
Bull. Pharm., Detroit, 1906, v. 20, p. 99. 
Patch, E. L., points out that the suggestion sometimes made that 
oil of bitter almond and benzaldehyde are identical products is mis- 
leading and in error. Benzaldehyde must not contain any hydro- 
cyanic acid, while the natural oil is required to contain from 2 to 4 
per cent. The latter alone should be used in all official medicinal 
preparations, but should not be used for a flavoring for food. He 
found 1.49, 1.78, and 2.3 per cent of hydrocyanic acid in three lots of 
oil of bitter almond. — Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 1906, v. 54, p. 340. 
OLEUM AMYGDALAE EXPRESSUM. 
Francis, John M., thinks “this is one of the cases where you order 
one thing and get another.” While it may be possible to get a genu- 
ine oil of expressed sweet almond, that of commerce is expressed 
largely from the seeds of plums, apricots, etc. As the resulting oil 
