410 
shown that gonosan has no effect on the gonococci. — J. Am. M. Ass., 
1906, v. 47, p. 726. 
OLEUM SASSAFRAS. 
Schimmel & Co. report examining an authentic sample of oil of 
sassafras, distilled by themselves from the root bark of Sassafrass 
officinale Rees. They found, in agreement with their previous ob- 
servations, that 1 to 2 volumes of 90 per cent alcohol are necessary to 
dissolve 1 volume of oil of sassafras, although there are oils which 
are soluble in every proportion in 90 per cent alcohol. The remain- 
ing properties of the distillate they found to be: Specific gravity, 
1.075, at 15° C. ; optical rotation, at 15° C., +2° 14' ; ester number, 
1.9. The yield of oil amounted to 3.25 per cent. — Semi-Ann. Rep. 
Schimmel & Co., 1906, Apr. -May, p. 61. 
Schimmel & Co. suggest that for the lower limit of specific gravity 
for oil of sassafras 1.063, at 25° C., would be more suitable. — Ibid ., 
Apr.-May, p. 76. 
Francis, John M., says that much of the so-called “ sassafras oil ” 
sold is spurious and really consists wholly or largely of camphor oil. 
As oil of sassafras owes its virtues almost wholly to safrol, he con- 
siders it advisable to purchase safrol direct and use it for the oil. — 
Bull. Pharm., Detroit, 1906, v. 20, p. 142. (See also Proc. Am. 
Pharm. Ass., 1906, v. 54, p. 343.) 
Caspari, Charles E., reports 3 samples examined; 2 U. S. P., 
1 too low specific gravity. — Proc. Missouri Pharm. Ass., 1906, p. 103. 
Smith, Kline & French Co. report on the examination of 15 samples 
of oil of sassafras in which the optical rotation ranged from — 2° 
to —4°. — Lab. Rep., S., K. & F., 1906, p. 24. 
OLEUM SINAPIS VOLATILE. 
Schimmel & Co. assert that the lower limit of specific gravity for 
volatile oil of mustard is too high, and should be 1.008. — Semi-Ann. 
Rep. Schimmel & Co., 1906, Apr.-May, p. 75. 
They assert that they have observed in their own distillate of oil 
of mustard a specific gravity of 1.014 at 15° C. — Ibid ., Oct.-Nov., 
p. 87. 
Francis, John M., thinks that volatile oil of mustard, because of its 
exceedingly unpleasant character, usually escapes examination. — Bull. 
Pharm., Detroit, 1906, v. 20, p. 142. 
Fernan, Albert, points out that a sample of oil of mustard having a 
specific gravity of 1.018 on testing, according to Ph. Germ. IY, indi- 
cated 90.23 per cent and, according to Fischer-Hartwig, 101.6 per cent. 
It is evident that the cold method gives low while the hot method 
gives unduly high results. — Ztschr. d. allg. oestrr. Apoth.-Ver., TCien, 
1906, v. 44, p. 80. 
