244  Abstracts  from  the  French  Journals.    {  Am  May^*i889arm' 
Theine  Used  Hypodermically. — In  chronic  neuralgia  and 
rheumatism,  Dr.  F.  J.  Mays  prescribes  theine  in  hypodermic  injec- 
tions of  doses  varying  from  2  to  6  cgm.  He  recommends  the  follow- 
ing formula :  Theine  and  benzoate  of  sodium,  3-75  gm>.  chloride 
of  sodium,  50  cgm.,  aq.  dest.,  30  gm.  Of  this  solution,  0*36  gm. 
contains  O03  of  theine. — J.  cle  Ph.  et  cle  Ch.,  Feb.  1. 
Collyria  of  Boeates  of  the  Alkaloids. — Messrs.  Petit  and 
Galezowski  find  these  useful  as  preventing  the  local  irritation  often 
caused  by  the  use  of  alkaloidal  acid  salts.  The  alkaloid,  such  as  ese- 
rine,  pilocarpine,  atropine,  hyoscyamine  and  cocaine,  is  first  dissolved 
in  a  small  quantity  of  alcohol.  Then  a  quantity  of  boric  acid  equal 
to  twice  the  weight  of  the  alkaloid  is  dissolved  in  alcohol  and  the  solu- 
tions are  united.  The  mixture  is  then  evaporated  to  dryness.  An 
excess  of  boric  acid  is  not  injurious. — Now.  Rem.,  March  24. 
Alteration  of  Morphine  in  Aqueous  Solution. — Dr.  Lamal 
finds  that  pure  salts  of  morphine  in  distilled  water  are  unalterable  if 
kept  from  the  action  of  light  and  dust.  Cloudy  solutions  arise  from 
the  development  of  micro-organisms.  The  yellow  coloration,  acid 
reaction  and  formation  of  crystals,  are  due  to  the  action  of  light  and 
of  organic  ferments.  The  color  arises  from  the  transformation  of 
morphine  into  an  amorphous  substance  which  appears  to  be  morphetine. 
The  crystals  are  caused  by  oxidation  of  the  salt.  The  acid  reaction 
is  due  to  morphetine  and  the  salts  of  oxymorphine1.  Apomorphine  is 
not  formed  in  aqueous  solutions  of  morphine.  In  the  blood  and  tis- 
sues, morphine  is  partly  transformed  into  oxymorphine,  which  is  elim- 
inated by  the  urine ;  but  morphine,  as  such,  may  be  found  there.  In 
organic  researches  for  morphine,  oxymorphine  should  be  sought  for  as 
a  first  product  of  oxidation. — Bull,  cle  V  Acad,  de  Belg.;  J.  de  Ph.  et 
de  Ch.,  Feb.  15. 
Oleic  Acid  Adulterations. — According  to  Granval  and  Valser 
linoleic  acid — made  from  linseed  oil  by  saponification — is  used  com- 
mercially for  this  purpose.  The  authors  state  that  if  a  thin  coating  of 
the  sophisticated  oil  be  applied  to  a  smoothly  scraped  lead  plate,  and 
exposed  for  twelve  hours  to  the  air,  it  will  become  gummified,  while 
pure  oleic  acid  remains,  under  like  circumstances,  nearly  unchanged. 
Or,  a  small  quantity  of  the  suspected  oil  may  be  mixed  with  an  equal 
1  That  solutions  of  acetate  of  morphine  may  yield  crystals  of  morphine  was 
shown  in  Amer.  Journal  of  Pharmacy,  1871,  p.  50.— Editor. 
