447 
PULVIS EFFERVESCENS COMPOSITUS. 
Patch, E. L., reports examining several samples of Seidlitz powder. 
One contained 50 per cent of Rochelle salt and 50 per cent of sodium 
bicarbonate in the blue paper; in another the blue papers were each 
15 grains short in weight. Another sample contained 60 per cent of 
Rochelle salt and 40 per cent of sodium bicarbonate. — Proc. Am. 
Pharm. Ass., 1906, v. 54, p. 346. 
Liverseege, J. F., reports that the examinations of Seidlitz powders 
have not been at all satisfactory. One of the samples found con- 
tained only one-half of the proper quantity of tartaric acid and 
one-third of the right amount of Rochelle salt, while the sodium bicar- 
bonate was twice as much as it should have been. The box bore the 
following impudent label : “ Caution to the public — thousands of 
boxes of a common imitation of the genuine Seidlitz powders are 
being sold by unprincipled traders for extra profit. We guarantee all 
our powders to be genuine.” — Yearbook of Pharmacy, 1906, p. 270. 
PULVIS GL Y C YRRHIZiE COMPOSITUS. 
“ Northport ” suggests the inclusion of powdered ginger in com- 
pound licorice powder to prevent the senna griping; he would add 1 
oz. powdered ginger instead of 1 oz. powdered sugar, leaving 5 oz. 
in the Ph. Brit, formula.— Pharm. J., Loncl.. 1906, v. 23, p. 291. 
Alcock, F. H., presents the results of his experiments to determine 
how much sulphate would be ordinarily contained in compound lico- 
rice powder, and a method for the estimation of sulphur; he thinks 
the carbon disulphide process undesirable. — Ibid ., v. 23, p. 485. 
PULVIS TALCI SALIC YLICUS N. F. 
Lefeldt, Max., points out that the Ph. Germ, requirement for the 
salicylated talcum powder should permit of a reddish tint as the talc 
is seldom free from traces of iron. — Ber. d. pharm. Gesellsch., Berl., 
1906, v. 16, p. 341. 
PYROGALLOL. 
Riedel’s Berichte (Berk, 1906, p. 25) reports the melting point of 
recrystallized and carefully dried pyrogallol to be 132° C., in an air 
bath 132.5° to 133° C, 
Lefeldt, Max, suggests that the Ph. Germ, require that pyrogallol 
be free from odor. He has met with samples having a cyanide 
odor. — Ber. d. pharm. Gesellsch., Berk, 1906, v. 16, p. 341. 
PYROXYLINUM. 
An unsigned article records the origin and history of gun cotton, 
its discovery in 1832 by the French chemist Braconnot and by Pe- 
