466 
leaves to contain an average of 0.444 per cent and the stems 0.225 
per cent. — Apoth. Ztg., Berl., 1906, v. 21, p. 661. 
Riedel's Bericlite (Berl., 1906, pp. 26-29) points out that the melt- 
ing point for scopolamine hydrobromide, as given in the Ph. Germ. 
IV, is much too low. Laboratory experiments show that a pure, 
carefully dried scopolamine hydrobromide softens at 187° C. and 
melts at 191° C. 
Reviews the requirements for scopolamine that have been outlined 
by Robert and Hesse and reports that it has been possible to isolate 
an optically active scopolamine, with a melting point of 193° C. from 
Scopolia japonic a. 
Panas and Scrini suggested the use of scopolamine hydrobromide 
0.01 to 0.02 gram in 10 grams of washed and sterilized olive oil. — Bull. 
Soc. cle pharm. de Bordeaux, 1906, v. 46, p. 57. 
Hessel, Otmar G., details his experiments with three samples of 
scopolamine on frogs, cats, and dogs, also a series of experiments on 
dogs with scopolamine and morphine. He finds that the individual 
reaction of the subject experimented upon is of more importance than 
any difference in physical properties of the preparation used, and that 
the higher one goes in the animal scale the greater is the need of 
care. — Arch, internat. de pharmacod. et de therap. Par., 1906, v. 16, 
pp. 1-32. 
Wood, H. C., jr., (Amer, Med., Phila., Dec.) reports a series of 
1,988 cases of scopolamine-morphine anaesthesia in 1,987 of which 
he examined the original literature. Twenty-three deaths occurred, 
and of these Wood thinks that nine are positively to be attributed to 
the anaesthetic, a death rate of more than four per thousand. — J. Am. 
M. Ass., 1907, v. 48, p. 454. 
Kennedy, Alexander Ralph, sketches the history of mandragora 
and states that so far from scopolamine anaesthesia being new it is 
probably the oldest of anaesthetics. He states that the custom of 
giving wine of mandragora to the crucified led to sleep resembling 
death, from which recovery was so frequent that the Roman soldiers 
were ordered to mutilate those who had been crucified/ before re- 
moval. — N. York M. J., 1906, v. 84, pp. 841-844. 
Lloyd and Mundy contribute a paper on the history and therapy of 
scopolamine and liyoscine. Lloyd finds that they are chemically and 
physiologically, but not therapeutically, identical. He adds, “ In our 
opinion, one has no more right to dispense scopolamine for hyoscine 
than to label hyoscyamus as belladonna. ” — Eclectic M. J., Cincin., 
1906, v. 66, pp. 411-419. 
Bryant, Edgar R., reports the use of scopolamine in doses of one- 
tenth grain, in three divided doses, at intervals of one hour. He also 
reports one case that received one- fourth grain in the three doses. — 
Trans. Am. Inst. Homceop., 1906, 62cl sess., Pt. II. pp. 48. 49. 
