104 
Varieties. 
Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
Feb.,  1889. 
VARIETIES. 
Helleborein  as  a  local  anesthetic. — Venturini  and  Gasparini  (Internat.  klin. 
Rundschau),  found  by  experiments  on  rabbits  and  dogs,  that  instillations  of 
weak  solutions  of  helleborein  gr.  per  drop)  into  the  conjunctival  sac 
cause  after  about  15  minutes  anaesthesia  of  the  cornea;  half  an  hour  after 
the  first  application  the  first  signs  of  returning  sensibility  appear.  Pupil, 
eyelids,  acuteness  of  vision,  intra-ocular  pressure,  remain  unaffected ;  no 
symptoms  of  irritation  are  observed.  Extract  of  Strophantus,  too,  is  said  to 
possess  anaesthetic  properties. — Med.  Chronicle,  Nov.  1888. 
Saccharin  used  in  place  of  cane  sugar. — R.  Kayser  found  glucose  and  saccha- 
rin— but  no  cane  sugar — in  four  samples  of  raspberry  syrup,  in  five  liqueurs 
and  in  six  samples  of  candy.  Starch  syrup  sweetened  with  saccharin  has 
likewise  been  observed.  To  detect  the  adulteration  a  few  drops  of  diluted 
sulphuric  acid  are  added  to  the  substance,  if  necessary  triturated  with  water ; 
the  liquid  is  then  agitated  with  a  mixture  of  equal  parts  of  ether  and  petro- 
leum benzin  ;  the  residue  left  on  evaporation  is  dissolved  in  a  little  warm 
water,  and  tested  for  salicylic  acid,  and  by  its  intensely  sweet  taste  for  sac- 
charin.— Chem.  Repert.  1888.,  p.  101. 
Chromic  Acid  in  Excessive  Sweating. — A  circular  has  been  sent  to  the  Prus- 
sian Army  medical  officers,  advocating  chromic  acid  as  an  economical  and 
efficient  means  of  checking  excessive  perspiration.  In  hyperhidrosis  of  the 
feet  the  application  of  a  ten  percent,  solution,  repeated  every  three  or  six 
weeks,  is  sufficient  to  prevent  any  inconvenience  from  this  source. — Medical 
Press;  Med.  News,  Nov.  17, 1888. 
Liniment  for  Burns. — As  an  application  for  burns,  the  Centralbl.  fur  Therap. 
suggests  the  following : 
R. — 01.  olivse  6  parts. 
Salol  1  part. 
Aqua?  calcis  6  parts. — M. 
Med.  News,  Nov.  24,  1888. 
Incompatible  antiseptics. — The  Journal  de  Medecine  directs  attention  to  the 
following  incompatibilities:  Corrosive  sublimate  and  iodine ;  corrosive  sub- 
limate and  soap ;  soap  and  iodine  ;  carbolic  acid  and  iodine;  carbolic  acid 
and  permanganate  of  potassium  ;  salicylic  acid  and  soap ;  salicylic  acid  and 
permanganate  of  potassium ;  permanganate  of  potassium  and  oils,  soap  or 
glycerin. 
Hydrochlorate  of  Apomorphine  was  employed  by  Dr.  Stocquart,  of 
Brussels,  in  coughs  characterized  especially  by  frequency  and  difficult 
expectoration.  The  dose  is  only  three  or  four  milligrams,  dissolved  in 
water,  in  the  twenty-four  hours.  It  is  advisable  to  add  a  few  drops  of 
hydrochloric  acid  to  the  solution,  as  it  is  liable  to  rapid  alteration  ;  the  acid 
does  not  affect  its  therapeutic  value.— .Journal  de  Medecine. 
Meco-narceine  a  New, Hypnotic. — Dr.  Laborde  reports  in  the  Bull,  de  V  Acad, 
de  Med.,  that  in  conjunction  with  Dr.  Duquesnel  he  has  obtained  from 
opium  a  new  alkaloid  to  which  he  has  given  the  name  of  meco-narceine. 
He  claims  for  this  preparation,  that  it  produces  a  quiet  sleep,  only  slight 
