208  GLEANINGS  FROM  FOREIGN  JOURNALS. 
weight  of  tincture  is  obtained  equal  to  that  of  the  valerian  em- 
ployed. This  is  evaporated  with  continual  agitation  at  the  tem- 
perature of  158°  F.  to  the  consistence  of  a  soft  extract,  which  is 
put  in  gelatin  capsules,  each  containing  about  eight  grains. 
The  author  proposes,  in  this  preparation,  to  exhibit  a  valeria- 
nate of  ammonia  in  the  condition  in  which  it  exists  in  the 
ammoniacal  tincture  of  valerian,  in  a  form  not  repugnant  to  the 
patient. — Bull,  de  la  Soe.  de  Bord.  et  Jour,  de  Pharm. 
Solubility  of  Phosphorus  in  Fixed  Oils. — M.  C.  M^hu  has 
observed  that  the  solubility  of  phosphorus  in  fixed  oils  varies. 
The  oils  of  almonds,  olives,  poppies,  sesamum  and  ground- 
nuts can  retain  one-eightieth  of  their  weight  of  phosphorus  at 
the  ordinary  temperature.  The  oils  of  almonds  and  ground- 
nuts will  even  retain  a  little  more,  but  it  is  not  prudent  in  prac- 
tice to  have  them  so  near  saturation. 
The  oils  of  colza,  rape-seed,  linseed,  beach-nuts,  sun-flower 
seed,  brown  cod-liver  oil,  and  neats-foot  oil,  retain  one-seven- 
tieth of  their  weight  of  phosphorus  after  eight  days  exposure  in 
a  cellar. 
Castor  oil  differs  much  from  these,  as  105  parts  of  it  are  re- 
quired to  dissolve  one  part  of  phosphorus. 
He  has  not  observed  much  difference  in  the  solvent  power  of 
boiled  oils  heated  or  those  not  superheated. 
All  the  experiments  have  been  made  in  vessels  hermetically 
sealed,  and  repeated  many  times,  and  then  allowed  to  remain  in 
the  cellar  for  eight  days  to  acquire  a  medium  temperature. — 
Jour,  de  Pharm. 
Burgundy  Pitch  and  Caoutchouc  Plaster. — M.  Lorigne,  of 
Bordeaux,  suggests  the  combination  of  35  parts  of  caoutchouc 
cut  in  thin  pieces  and  reduced  to  a  semifluid  consistence  by  aid 
of  13  parts  of  petroleum  oil  in  a  close  vessel,  with  300  parts  of 
Burgundy  pitch  and  25  parts  of  white  wax,  previously  melted. 
It  is  found  most  practical  to  add  the  melted  pitch  and  wax  in 
small  quantities  at  a  time  to  the  caoutchouc  solution  in  a  basin 
and  agitate  rapidly  until  the  mixture  is  homogeneous,  and  when 
all  is  thus  added  about  3  parts  of  glycerin  is  stirred  in  to  a  per- 
fect mixture. — Jour,  de  Pharm.,  Feb,,  1869. 
