Ajaiuarryfi902rm-}  Estimation  of  Berberine.  37 
covers  of  hard  capsules  may  succeed  ten,  eleven,  and  possibly 
twelve  times  in  a  dozen,  but  there  is  a  strong  probability  that  one 
at  least  will  leak. 
The  addition  of  inert  absorbent  material  ordinarily  results  in  the 
production  of  a  mammoth.  The  last  measure,  however,  has  some 
advantages  over  the  others :  it  is  speedy,  convenient,  and  quite  in 
line  with  the  usual  practice  of  the  prescription  department.  Pro- 
vided  the  great  bulk  could  be  prevented,  this  plan  would  be,  per. 
haps,  the  most  acceptable  for  the  purpose. 
It  is  with  such  procedure  in  mind  that  I  invite  your  attention  to 
the  peculiar  behavior  of  starch  as  an  absorbent  in  this  connection, 
The  following  prescription  comes  to  me  frequently : 
Ij*.  Terebene  5ss 
Ft.  Cap.  xii. 
To  prepare  this,  simply  weigh  out  one-half  drachm  potato  starch, 
place  it  upon  the  pill  tile,  pour  the  liquid  upon  it,  and  with  a  spatula 
intimately  incorporate.  The  result  is  a  very  thin  flowing  mixture, 
altogether  too  fluid  to  handle.  Now  add  three  or  four  drops  of 
water  and  stir  briskly,  at  once  the  mass  begins  to  stiffen.  Again 
add  a  few  drops  of  water,  with  stirring  as  before ;  repeat  if  neces- 
sary until  the  mass  becomes  quite  solid.  It  may  now  be  formed,  by 
aid  of  a  couple  of  spatulas,  into  a  rectangular  figure,  and  subdi- 
vided into  the  requisite  number  of  parts.  This  method  seems  to  be 
quite  satisfactory,  as  it  is  possible  to  dispense  the  prescription  in 
capsules  not  larger  than  number  three. 
Arrow  root  answers  as  well  as  potato  starch,  but  more  powder  is 
necessary,  nearly  twice  the  weight  being  required ;  still,  even  with 
this  addition,  it  is  possible  to  put  the  prescription  into  twelve 
No.  2  capsules.  The  arrow  root  is  considerably  heavier  bulk  for  bulk. 
It  is  possible  to  dispense  such  a  prescription  within  ten  minutes. 
The  greasy  box  is  impossible,  and  the  first  objection  to  this  method 
has  yet  to  be  recorded. 
NOTE  ON  THE  ESTIMATION  OF  BERBERINE. 
By  H.  M.  Gordin. 
In  a  previous  paper1  I  have  given  two  methods  for  the  quanti- 
tative estimation  of  berberine.    In  both  these  methods  the  ber- 
1  Papers  read  at  the  meeting  of  the  A. Ph. A.,  1901,  Sept.  23,  Arch.  d.  Pharm., 
1901,  638. 
