464 
ABSTEACTS AND GLEANINGS IN BOTANY, 
ruinously expensive;* besides whicb, many practitioners object to using a 
strong spirituous preparation, which, they say, materially impairs the activity of 
this remedy. Experiment proves that distilled water is the best menstruum for 
extracting the active qualities of ergot, and the best process is by percolation. 
The process must be conducted rapidly, or decomposition soon commences, and 
putridity is the result. Evaporation must be carried on at a low temperature, 
or an odour like that of mushrooms is developed, and the product impaired. 
The best form of percolator is the conical, and the simple apparatus invented 
by Mr. Sanger, of Oxford Street, claims preference. The advantages of the 
conical percolator over the old cylindrical form are manifest. The extended sur¬ 
face of the inverted cone admits of a vastly larger amount of atmospheric pressure, 
the whole of which bears upon its apex, from which the flow may be regulated 
with the greatest nicety by drawing a piece of tow rather tightly through the 
aperture before commencing operations. This simple and inexpensive apparatus 
deserves to be more generally employed. 
In conclusion, I may add that in every instance that the aqueous fluid 
extract has been tested the verdict has been highly satisfactory, the quantity of 
spirit at 68° over proof required to preserve it being only 20 per cent, of the 
whole bulk. E. Goodwin Mumbkay. 
ABSTEACTS AND GLEANINGS EEOM BEITISH AND FOEEIGN 
. JOUENALS IN BOTANY, MATEEIA MEDICA, AND THEEA- 
PEUTICS. 
On the Employment of Warceine. 
BY DR. EULENBURG, 
The following is translated in abstract from the ‘ Eepertoire de Pharmacie.’ 
The doses of narceine commonly employed by Dr. Eulenburg for internal 
use^ were from ^th to -I a grain ; and for hypodermic use from Lth to ^th of a 
grain. With healthy persons these doses were generally followed by a slight 
narcotic effect, without any accompanying disagreeable subjective symptom, 
such as headache or gastric derangement. When used hypodermically it pro¬ 
duced a sensation of burning at the place of puncture, but of little intensity 
and duration, a sensation in every case less evident than that caused by every 
other alkaloid (morphia, quinia, etc.). It had never any irritant effect; but in 
patients with sensitive skins, when the injection was made on the face, it 
produced an oedematous swelling without redness at the place of puncture, 
which disappeared in from one to two days, leaving a somewhat sensitive and 
limited induration. Such an effect has nothing in it of a peculiar nature, as it 
has been noticed after the injection of other alkaloids, as morphia, for example. 
Among the physiological effects of narceine which accompany the narcotism, 
is its action on the circulation; this consists principally (contrary to the action 
of atropia) in a diminution of the pulse, succeeded some time after by an 
acceleration. In rare CEises, the pulse is accelerated during its employment by 
twelve to sixteen strokes in a minute. Its action on the cutaneous nervous 
system appears to resemble that of other narcotics, and produces its effects di¬ 
rectly when used hypodermically, and indirectly, by acting on the centres, when 
* The idea suggests itself, why should such traders as varnish-makers, hatters, and others, 
receive the full benefit of remitted duty on alcohol, while the infinitely more important me¬ 
dical profession, whose labours are paramount, should be debarred from even a participation in 
the advantage ? Further, how is it possible for English manufacturing chemists to compete 
in price with those of the Continent ? 
