546  Analysis  of  a  Cure  for  Cancer.  {AmNjv.?i887arm' 
The  results  of  these  tests  with  the  physical  properties  convinced 
me  that  the  crystals  were  cane  sugar,  which  might  easily  have  dis- 
solved in  the  first  portion  of  the  menstruum,  on  account  of  the  mois- 
ture in  the  drug. 
This  occurrence  of  cane  sugar  is  of  interest  because  of  the  varied 
results  gotten  by  different  investigators  of  this  drug,  a  full  history  of 
which  is  found  in  Lloyd's  "  Drugs  and  Medicines  of  North  America." 
In  1861,  Mr.  G.  H.  Davis  obtained  sugar  of  the  uncrystallizable 
variety.  In  1871,  Mr.  T.  E.  Conard  obtained  crystals  by  a  process 
which,  unless  very  accurately  worked,  might  give  crystals  of  cane 
sugar,  and  his  product  in  many  ways  resembled  it.  Of  the  other  in- 
vestigators, some  have  found  crystals  and  some  have  not,  and  J.  U. 
and  C.  G.  Lloyd  dismiss  the  subject,  after  carefully  weighing  all  the 
evidence,  including  the  respective  reports  of  Prof.  Warder  and  Prof. 
Coblentz,  with  the  statement,  "  We  are  convinced  that  cimicifuga  does 
not  contain  a  crystalline  proximate  principle." 
It  appears  very  probable  that  they  by  greater  care  excluded  the 
possibility  of  cane  sugar  being  present,  instead  of  an  active  crystalline 
principle,  while  the  earlier  investigators,  not  taking  the  same  precau- 
tions, found  crystals  and  mistook  them  for  a  new  compound. 
While  this  contribution  does  not  say  the  crystals  found  by  those 
who  have  previously  analyzed  the  drug  were  cane  sugar,  it  is  offered 
as  a  suggestion  that  there  is  a  strong  probability  such  was  the  case,  and 
that  it  may  serve  as  a  guide  to  those  who  in  future  undertake  to  fur- 
ther investigate  the  subject. 
ANALYSIS  OF  A  CURE  FOE  CANCER. 
By  Frank  H.  Moeek,  Ph.  G. 
Read  at  the  Pharmaceutical  Meeting,  October  18. 
Professor  Maisch  some  days  ago  handed  to  me  a  small  package  of  a 
powder,  stating  that  he  wished  I  would  examine  it,  as  it  was  said,  or, 
more  correctly,  known  to  be  a  specific  for  cancer.     The  information 
furnished  with  the  sample  was,  that  it  was  supposed  to  consist  largely 
of  "  horse-sorrel."    Professor  Maisch  suggested  that  it  might  contain 
arsenic. 
The  powder  was  black  in  color,  but  white  particles  were  easily  dis- 
cernible in  it. 
On  treating  a  portion  with  warm  water,  a  colorless  solution  was  ob- 
