Amiigus^ssa9:m'}     American  Pharmaceutical  Association.  443 
being  an  alkaloid,  two  resins,  a  fluorescent  compound,  a  glucoside,  a  tasteless 
crystalline  compound  and  volatile  oil.  (See  two  papers  on  constituents  of  Fa- 
biana  in  present  number.) 
Tincture  of  Boletus  laricis. — A  patient  investigation  of  a  difficult  subject,  by  C. 
W.  Phillips.  The  paper,  which  cannot  be  well  abstracted,  gives  the  experi 
ments  made  with  the  view  of  ascertaining  the  nature  of  the  precipitate  occur- 
ring in  the  tincture ;  the  literature  regarding  composition,  and  processes 
for  separating  the  important  constituents.  A  large  number  (44)  specimens 
were  shown  in  illustration  of  the  subject  matter.  The  author  states  that  if  the 
cathartic  effect  of  boletus  is  desired  a  tincture  of  the  red  resin  would  be  a 
proper  preparation  ;  but  if  the  anti- diaphoretic  effect  be  desired,  it  is  suggested 
that  the  pure  agaric  acid  be  used,  or  a  saturated  solution  of  the  acid,  of  which 
ten  to  twenty  minims  would  contain  a  full  dose.  (See  also  Amer.  Jour.  Pharm., 
1889,  p.  253.) 
Preparations  for  the  Skin. — A  paper  by  F.  B.  Kilmer  treated  of  the  various 
agents  and  vehicles  used  for  external  medication.  The  substance  named 
oleite  was  particularly  dwelled  upon  as  a  suitable  base  for  many  purposes.  It 
is  a  soda  soap  of  sulphoricinoleic  acid,  prepared  by  treating  castor  oil  with  sul- 
phuric acid  at  a  moderate  temperature,  washing  with  water,  then  with  ether 
and  finally  neutralizing  the  remaining  substance  with  soda.  Gelatoles  are 
ointments  made  by  dissolving  the  drug  in  oleite,  combining  with  a  suitable 
base  which  if  fatty  is  partly  saponified,  adding  an  absorbent  for  water  if  re- 
quired, and  finally  gelatin  to  give  consistency. 
The  poisonous  plants  of  California  was  a  valuable  contribution  by  Prof.  H.  H. 
Behr,  enumerating  plants,  indigenous  and  introduced,  which  are  either  poison- 
ous or  suspicious. 
The  red  coloring  matters  of  the  scarlet  geranium  have  been  studied  by  Prof. 
Wenzell,  and  one  of  these  principles  was  obtained  crystallized.  The  species 
used  was  Pelargonium  zonale. 
Bitter  ivaters  were  discussed  by  Dr.  Enno  Sander ;  the  variations  in  the  compo- 
sition of  natural  waters  and  the  differences  in  composition  of  some  bottled 
waters  furnished  good  arguments  for  artificial  carbonated  bitter  waters  of  defi- 
nite and  unvarying  composition. 
Picrotoxin  in  beer  was  the  rather  startling  title  of  a  paper  by  S.  F.  Hughes. 
After  considerable  discussion  about  the  various  charges  of  adulterations  prac- 
tised with  fermented  and  malt  liquors,  it  was  stated  by  Prof.  Wenzell  that 
picrotoxin  had  been  found  only  in  a  cheap  variety,  commonly  called  steam 
beer  in  San  Francisco,  and  that  the  higher  grades  of  beer  had  all  been  free 
from  this  adulteration.  The  small  amount  of  Cocculus  indicus  formerly  im- 
ported into  this  country  was  cited  as  a  proof  that  it  could  not  be  used  for  such 
a  purpose  to  any  extent ;  but  those  present  could  give  no  definite  information 
as  to  the  amount  of  cocculus  imported  of  late  years. 
The  Pines  of  California  was  the  subject  of  an  interesting  paper  contributed  by 
Mr.  Jas.  G.  Steele,  describing  the  eighteen  Californian  species  of  Pinus  accord- 
ing to  characters,  distribution  and  uses. 
The  reading  of  the  papers  being  finished,  a  vote  of  thanks  was  given  to  the 
retiring  chairman,  and  the  newly  elected  chairman,  Prof.  H.  M.  Whelpley, 
took  his  seat.  Mr.  Chas.  F.  Dare,  of  Bridgeton,  N.  J.,  is  the  secretary  of  the 
section  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  Prof.  J.  M.  Good,  of  St.  Louis,  the  third 
