I 
445 
Wellman, F. C., describes his successful treatment of a case of snake 
bite with potassium permanganate placed in the wound left by 
excising the tissues about the bite. The bite of the snake, ombuta, was 
supposed to be fatal. — N. York M. J., 1906, v. 83, p. 1295. 
Additional references on the use of potassium permanganate will 
be found in the Index Medicus and the J. Am. M. Ass. 
POTASSII ET SODII TARTRAS. 
The Ph. Brit. Committee of Reference in Pharmacy report on 
potassium tartrate points out that the formula should contain half 
the water shown in the Ph. Brit. The figures in the volumetric test 
are based upon the incorrect formula. — Chem. & Drug., Bond., 1906, 
v. 69, p. 864. 
Kebler, Lyman F., says that the chief impurities of Rochelle salts 
during the past year have been dirt and metallic lead. — Proc. Am. 
Pharm. Ass., 1906, v. 54, p. 349. 
Ohliger, Willard, reports Rochelle salt that was dirty and con- 
tained a large amount, apparently, of chaff, and some hard granular 
white substance not soluble in boiling water. — Proc. Michigan Pharm. 
Ass., 1906, p. 48. 
POTASSII SULPHAS. 
Patch, E. L., reports that one lot of potassium sulphate had 0.4 per 
cent of chloride ; another 0.05 per cent. — Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 1906, 
v. 54, p. 334. 
PRUNUS VIRGINIAN A. 
Henkel, Alice, mentions Prunus serotina Ehrh., also known as 
Primus virginiana Mill, not of Linnaeus, commonly called prunus 
virginiana, wild cherry, and rum cherry, as growing in woods or open 
places from Ontario to Florida, west to Texas and Dakota. Most 
abundant in the Southwestern States. — Bui. Bur. Plant Ind., U. S. 
Dept. Agric., 1906, No. 89, p. 56. 
According to Lyons, A. B., every botanist knows that Prunus vir- 
giniana is a misnomer, and yet it is retained in successive editions of 
the pharmacopoeia because so universally used. — Bull. Pharm., De- 
troit, 1906, v. 20, p. 39. 
Schneider. Albert, points out that the bark of the Prunus species 
is used medicinally by the Indians, and that the wild cherries are used 
as a tonic and diuretic. Occasionally an alcoholic drink is made 
from the fruit. — Merck’s Rep., N. Y., 1906, v. 15, p. 127. 
Holmes, E. M., calls attention to a false Prunus serotina bark which 
has appeared in the English market and points out that a number of 
the' North American species of Prunus are difficult to distinguish, and 
