266 
Progress  in  Pharmacy. 
j  A.m.  Jour.  Pharru. 
X     June,  1910. 
Neopyrin. — Neopyrin  is  valerylamido  antipyrine  and  occurs 
as  white  nearly  odorless  crystals  that  are  but  slightly  soluble  in 
water.  The  substance  melts  at  1030  C.  and  has  a  bitter,  quinine- 
like taste.  On  boiling  with  alkali  or  dilute  acid  neopyrin  is  split 
into  amidoantipyrine  and  isovalerianic  acid  (Pharm.  Post,  19 10, 
v.  43,  p.  293). 
Phenol,  Antidotal  Effects  of  Alcohol  upon. — Novack 
(Monthly  Ency.  and  Med.  Bull.,  Aug.,  1909,  v.  42,  p.  1132)  presents 
the  following  conclusions  drawn  from  an  investigation  on  the 
antidotal  effects  of  alcohol  upon  phenol :  ( 1 )  The  peculiar  phenom- 
ena by  reason  of  which  alcohol  has  been  acclaimed  an  antidote  to 
phenol  are  the  result  of  its  solvent  and  repellent  properties  and 
not  of  any  chemical  antagonism.  (2)  Phenol,  or  carbolic  acid, 
although  it  is  a  powerful  corrosive,  limits  its  destructive  progress 
by  the  formation  of  an  albuminous  coagulum.  (3)  Alcohol  is 
of  great  value  externally  when  used  early,  but  when  used  late  the 
destruction  of  tissue  is  not  prevented,  although  the  appearance  is 
better.  (4)  On  account  of  the  repellent  and  solvent  properties  of 
alcohol  it  is  dangerous  to  be  left  in  the  stomach  together  with  the 
phenol.  (5)  The  advised  treatment  is  first  lavage  with  some 
solution  as  the  magnesium-sulphate-albumin  mixture,  followed  by 
lavage  with  a  solution  of  alcohol  as  a  clearing  agent  (Pharm.  /.. 
London,  1910,  v.  30,  p.  268). 
Protargol. — F.  Goldmann,  in  discussing  the  dispensing  of 
protargol,  warns  against  the  use  of  glycerin  to  facilitate  solution 
and  asserts  that  glycerin  is  not  only  objectionable  but  also  un- 
necessary. He  points  out  that  an  aqueous  solution  of  protargol  can 
readily  be  prepared  by  sprinkling  the  substance  on  the  surface 
of  the  distilled  water  and  allowing  to  stand  for  a  few  moments. 
He  concludes  that  solutions  of  protargol  should  be  freshly  prepared, 
should  contain  no  glycerin  and  should  not  be  prepared  by  the  aid 
of  heat  (Apoth,  Ztg.,  Berlin,  1910,  v.  25,  p.  274). 
