Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
Jan.,  1887. 
Practical  Notes  from  Various  Sources. 
21 
The  decomposition  of  ergotin  solutions. — As  a  result  of  elaborate 
bacteriological  studies,  Engelmann,  of  Kreuznach,  presents  the  follow- 
ing conclusions  : 
1.  Pure  ergotin,  unmixed,  and  dispensed  in  sterilized  glass,  may  be 
preserved  almost  indefinitely. 
2.  Aqueous  solutions  of  ergotin  undergo  a  more  or  less  speedy  de- 
composition.   This  is  due  to  the  action  of  micro-organisms. 
3.  Such  solutions,  when  introduced  subcutaneously,  induce  varying 
degrees  of  inflammation. 
4.  The  addition  of  antiseptic  agents  to  such  solutions,  as  ordinarily 
practised,  only  delays  the  decomposition. 
5.  In  order  completely  to  prevent  the  development  of  living  fer- 
ments, the  antiseptic  must  be  added  in  quantities  which  are  directly 
irritating,  and  which,  in  frequent  use,  are  not  indifferent  in  their  ac- 
tion upon  the  organism  of  the  patient. 
6.  Ergotin  solutions  may  be  quite  far  advanced  in  decomposition 
before  the  eye  can  detect  such  change. 
7.  Ergotin  may  be  most  advantageously  administered  subcutaneous- 
ly, when  dissolved  in  water  previously  sterilized  by  a  half  hour's 
boiling. 
8.  The  solution  may  be  best  effected  in  the  syringe  itself. 
9.  The  distilled  water  of  the  apothecaries  usually  contains  bacteria, 
often  to  such  an  extent  that  from  a  single  drop  there  may  be  cultiva- 
ted upon  the  gelatin  plate  many  thousands  of  colonies. 
10.  In  all  solutions  of  drugs  to  be  used  subcutaneously,  it  is  there- 
fore advisable  that  the  water  should  be  sterilized  by  prolonged  boiling 
just  previous  to  its  use. 
11.  The  decomposition  of  pure  ergotin  has  been  found  to  be  due  to 
bacterial  impurities  on  the  glass  vessels  used.  A  large  number  of  mi- 
cro-organisms cause  decomposition  in  the  solutions  ;  the  ordinary  bac- 
teria of  decomposition,  however,  are  the  most  active. — Deutsche  medi- 
cinische  Wochenschrift,  Sept.  30,  1886.    Med.  News. 
Urinary  colorations  from  chrysophanic  acid  and  from  santonin. 
— It  is  known  that  the  urine  of  persons  to  whom  santonin,  senna,  rhu- 
barb, or  chrysarobin  have  been  given  takes  on  a  red  color  when 
treated  with  alkalies.  In  the  three  last  cases,  this  property  is  owing  to 
the  presence  of  chrysophanic  acid,  but  we  do  not  yet  know  the  nature 
of  the  substance  derived  from  santonin.    According  to  Hoppe-Scylcr 
