296  Abstracts  from  the  French  Journals.    {Am ***Tm 
sulphuric  acid  by  means  of  the  moisture  in  the  air  uniting  with  the 
sulphur  contained  in  the  rubber,  and,  in  a  previous  note,  indicated  the 
quantity  given  off  in  a  chemical  analysis  in  which  these  instruments 
were  used.  The  action  of  the  acid  upon  the  instruments  can  be  neu- 
tralized by  occasional  washings  with  water  made  slightly  alkaline. 
Drainage  tubes  treated  in  this  way,  five  or  six  times  a  year,  will  pre- 
serve their  elasticity  and  color.  He  has  remarked  the  length  of  time 
laboratory  tubes  will  last  when  used  as  siphons. 
Danger  in  santonin,  even  when  given  in  moderate  doses,  was 
reported  some  weeks  since  in  the  Lyon  Medical  to  have  been  observed 
so  frequently  that  the  matter  has  been  inquired  into  by  the  Rep.  de 
Pharm.,  with  the  following  results.  The  effects  of  white  santonin 
were  more  toxic  than  that  which  had  become  yellow  through  exposure 
to  sunlight,  though  the  latter  did  not  show  any  diminution  in  its 
therapeutic  properties.  Lawre  thinks  that  the  dose  for  a  child  of  less 
than  two  years  should  not  exceed  0*05  gm.  In  all  cases  it  should  be 
associated  with  a  purgative — calomel,  for  example — to  facilitate  its 
elimination.  "  Santonin  is  innocuous  or  toxic/'  he  says,  "  in  propor- 
tion to  the  rapidity  with  which  it  may  be  eliminated,  and  this  varies 
in  individuals."  Lewin  and  Caspari  recommend  that  it  be  "  admin- 
istered in  oily  solutions.  In  this  form  it  is  absorbed  by  the  intestines 
slowly  enough  to  permit  a  direct  and  prolonged  contact  with  the 
worms." 
Eschscholtzia.  —  In  the  JBidl.  Gen.  de  Therap.  (April  30),  Stan- 
islas Martin  advises  chemists  to  make  a  careful  investigation  of  the  Esch- 
scholtzia californica  in  order  to  separate  the  unknown  active  princi- 
ples to  which  it  owes  its  calmative  action.  The  character  of  the 
sedative  effect  following  the  use  of  eschscholtzia,  is  said  to  be  superior 
to  that  of  other  papaveraceous  plants,  such  as  Sanguinaria  canadensis, 
Papaver  album,  etc.,  and,  so  far  as  clinical  experiments  have  extended, 
it  seems  likely  to  be  preferred  to  codeine.  Martin  and  Prudhomme  will 
soon  enter  upon  its  investigation.  American  chemists  have  an  oppor- 
tunity to  forestall  them. 1 
Filtering  Paper  is  so  often  adulterated  with  sulphate  of  cal- 
cium, says  M.  Pade  in  the  Jour,  de  Phar.  et  de  Chim.,  that  analysts  should 
test  it  carefully.    Papers  weighing  13.2  gm.,  gave  when  incinerated, 
1  In  1844  Walz  discovered  in  the  root  of  this  plant  sanguinarine,  and  two 
other  alkaloids.  The  herb  contains  the  two  last  alkaloids,  and  in  autumn 
also  sanguinarine.    Editor  American  Journal  Pharmacy. 
