360 NOTES AND ABSTRACTS IN CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACY. 
according to the proportion of the two components. The best results are ob¬ 
tained with a mixture of 54 parts of picrate of ammonia, and 46 parts of nitre. 
In the combustion of this mixture all the carbon is consumed, the residue con¬ 
sisting of carbonate of potash. It ipflames with detonation by contact with an 
ignited body, but does not explode by a blow. Heated carefully on a sand bath, 
the explosion does not occur until the powder has reached 310° C. By main¬ 
taining the heat between 200° and 250°, the whole of the picrate may be sub¬ 
limed away. 
Compared with ordinary gunpowder, the author considers it is more homo¬ 
geneous, less hygroscopic, and, weight for weight, more effective. The solid 
residue is less, and being all carbonate of potash, is without action on metals. 
The smoke is almost suppressed, and is without odour. 
A mixture of 25 parts of picrate of ammonia, 67 of nitrate of baryta, and 8 of 
sulphur forms a powder which burns very slowly, but gives an excessively bright 
flame, possessing a fine green reflection. This mixture can be employed for 
Bengal fire. 
Medicinal Action of Papaverine. 
Papaverine, one of the alkaloids of opium, which was stated by M. C. Ber¬ 
nard to possess no narcotic property, has been studied physiologically by MM. 
Liederdorf and Bresslauer. Their experiments were made on the insane. They 
find that papaverine exercises upon man a decided soporific action, and, at the 
same time, diminishes muscular activity. It reduces the frequency of the pulse 
in all cases, and its calming action is not preceded by a period of excitement. 
It never causes nausea, vertigo, headache, or constipation, but, on the contrary, 
tends to reduce these symptoms. It generally acts slowly, about four to seven 
hours after administration. It may be given subcutaneously in the form of 
hydrochlorate. Dr. Stark fully confirms these observations; he administers it 
in doses of 1 to 2 grains by hypodermic injection, and considers it to be constant 
and simple in its action. 
Coralline not a Foison. 
In the discussion which occurred a short time back on the poisonous character 
of certain dyes used in the manufacture of coloured socks, the most deleterious 
substance was said to be the red dye coralline. 
M. Tardieuc ommunicated to the French Academy some observations on this 
subject, tending to that conclusion. In fact, this eminent physician adduced 
experiments to show that coralline is an energetic poison capable of causing death 
iu small doses. 
M. Laudrin, on the contrary, after several careful trials of this substance was 
led to form an opposite opinion. 
M. Paul Guyot now publishes the results of a similar set of experiments which 
have also led him to a negative result. He concludes that coralline is not poi¬ 
sonous, even in large doses, and that it may be used in dyeing without danger. 
On the Essence of Sassafras. 
MM. Grimaux and Ruotte have made an investigation into the chemical con¬ 
stitution of the oil of sassafras. This oil is colourless when first rectified, and 
becomes yellow by exposure to air and light. Its density at zero is 1*0815. It 
rotates the plane of polarization to the right. It is a mixture of a dextrogyre 
hydrocarbon and an inactive oxygenized principle. It also contains a very small 
proportion of a body which appears to be a phenol, and has the power of reducing 
nitrate of silver at the boiling-point. This body is separated from the essence 
by agitation with solution of potash. It may be reprecipitated by hydrochloric 
acid in oily drops, presenting a strong odour of eugenic acid, and assuming a 
bright green colour with ferric chloride. 
