683 
February 23, 1871.] 
THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
by an induction-current after entire paralysis of 
their motor nerves, and even when direct mechanical 
and chemical irritation produces no contraction. 
The sensible nerves are injured in their action only 
very late by cytisin. A change in the respiration 
is, with all the higher animals, one of the first symp¬ 
toms of poisoning by cytisin. It is at first accele¬ 
rated, then becomes retarded, and is finally com¬ 
pletely suspended by paralysis of the nerves. The 
vaso-motor system of nerves is excited by cytisin. 
The ganglionic central-organ, which lies in the 
heart and occasions its contraction, is at first excited, 
and then becomes weaker and possibly paralysed. 
With dogs, cats, and rabbits, and generally also 
with birds, salivation arises during the poisoning. 
With birds, and many mammalia, cytisin occa¬ 
sions vomiting by all modes of application. It ex¬ 
cites, both after introduction into the stomach and 
intestines, as well as after subcutaneous application, 
increased, often powerful, peristaltic action. In no 
mode of application does cytisin exercise any con¬ 
stant action on the pupil. The temperature of the 
body is only slightly increased, quite at the com¬ 
mencement of the poisoning, but sinks steadily till 
death. The elimination of the cytisin introduced 
into the body takes place especially through the 
nerves, unless by vomiting. Recovery from poi¬ 
soning by cytisin can generally be effected when it is 
possible to maintain the respiration for a sufficient 
length of time. Death is always the result of 
asphyxia. The exact chemical proof of poisoning 
by cytisin is extremely difficult. Comparative ex¬ 
periments with aqueous and alcoholic extracts of 
the seeds, ripe and unripe pods, flowers, leaves, bark, 
and roots, prove the poisonous nature of all these 
parts, and that cytisin is the sole poisonous agent 
in them. 
2. The Occurrence of Cytisin. —The supposed labur- 
nin-acid of Mr. Scott Gray, is a mixture of inorganic 
and organic acids. The poisonous properties observed 
by him were due to the presence of a small quantity 
of cytisin, and the alleged narcotic action is alto¬ 
gether erroneous. Cytisin is also present in the 
black seed-pod. About 500 grammes of the separated 
pods was found to contain a proportionately large 
amount of cytisin. The fat oil extracted from the 
seeds by ether, of a clear yellow colour and agree¬ 
able flavour, is not poisonous. Cytisin had been 
already found by the writer and Professor Huse- 
mann in three other species besides Cytisus Labur¬ 
num, viz. C. alpinus, supinus, and elongatus. During 
the previous year, the writer had examined, in refer¬ 
ence to the presence in them of cytisin, and their 
poisonous properties, several other species. C. Wel- 
deni,sessilifolius,capitatus, and hirsutus gave positive 
results, both by chemical analysis and experimenting 
on frogs. With C. nigricans, on the other hand, no 
poisonous substance could be obtained from the pods, 
seeds, or bark. This circumstance is of special in¬ 
terest, since this species is separated by English bo¬ 
tanists, following Grisebacli, into a distinct subgenus. 
Of the three subgenera of Grisebacli, Laburnum, 
Eucytisus, and Lembotropis, the first (including C. La¬ 
burnum, fragrans, and sessilifolius ) and the second 
(including C. capitatus , supinus, elongatus, and hir¬ 
sutus) are poisonous; while the third, including 
C. nigricans, appears to be harmless. Dr. Marine 
promises a further contribution, with reference to the 
poisonous effects of cytisin on the human body. 
EMULSION OF ALMONDS. 
BY H. r. REYNOLDS. 
The officinal emulsion of the U. S. P. forms an 
elegant and suitable vehicle for the administration 
of many pungent or acrid medicines, but no apothe¬ 
cary cares to spend time for its extempore prepara¬ 
tion, and of course it cannot be kept on hand on ac¬ 
count of the readiness 'with which it ferments. 
Experimenting recently, by request of a physician, 
for a satisfactory vehicle for chloral hydrate, I found 
the emulsion of almonds peculiarly adapted to the 
purpose, both by reason of its agreeable taste and its 
thick consistency almost completely obscuring the 
pungency of the drug. Chloral is now so largely 
administered in that class of diseases accompanied 
by an irritated and sensitive condition of the mouth 
and throat that this seemed a point gained. And it 
may not be amiss to state here that syrupus acacia, 
slightly flavoured with orange-flower water and 
essential oil of almonds, is a very agreeable vehicle 
for the chloral. 
Finding I should be called upon to provide the 
emulsion for tliis purpose, it became desirable to have 
it on hand in a convenient and permanent form. I 
therefore contrived a preparation which I call a 
“ Concentrated Emulsion of Almonds,” and which is 
prepared as follows :— 
Jb Sweet Almonds (blanched) 
Sugar, 
Glycerin (“ C. P.”), each 1 oz. 
Powd. Gum Arabic, 1 drm. 
Water, 2 oz. 
Rub to a uniform paste, strain through muslin and 
evaporate by a heat not exceeding 150° F., to the con¬ 
sistency of a fresh solid extract. Preserve in wide- 
mouth bottles of size for convenient use. It may be 
flavoured to suit; I have preferred orange-flower 
water and oil of almonds. When emulsion of almonds 
is prescribed, it is readily prepared as follows:— 
P> Concentrated Emulsion, 2 drm. 
Water, sufficient to make 1 oz. of mixture. 
Mix thoroughly. 
It immediately assumes the milky hue and con¬ 
sistence of the officinal article, and cannot be dis¬ 
tinguished from it, while it keeps 'without change and 
without drying. The idea may not be new to all 
your readers, but certainly is original so far as I am 
concerned, and I shall be happy if the suggestion 
proves useful to any of them, as it can hardly fail 
to do.— American Journal of Pharmacy. 
DETECTION OF ALCOHOL IN CHLOROFORM AND 
CHLORAL HYDRATE. 
A. Lieben, in the Annul, der Chem. xmd Pharm., 1870, 
Suppl. Bd. viii. 2, describes a method of dedecting ethyl 
alcohol by the formation of iodoform. In the simple 
case when the presence of alcohol in a watery solution 
has to be determined, the sample is warmed in a test 
tube, a few drops of an iodinized potassium iodide solu¬ 
tion are added, and afterwards a few drops of potassium 
hydrate solution. If the quantity of alcohol is not too 
small, a turbidity results by the formation of microscopi¬ 
cally small yellow crystals of iodoform. 
Hager finds this reaction very accurate, and states 
that it detects alcohol in liquids containing but a 0 ' 0 0 
after about one day’s standing. The crystals are re¬ 
markable and beautiful by the variety of their star¬ 
shaped arrangement. Hager suggests the following 
