290 
PHARMACEUTICAL NOTICES. 
Melt the wax and resin in the olive oil over a gentle heat, 
(warm ashes,) after which strain and add the powdered leaves, 
stirring at the same time with a spatula, that the cicuta may 
be well incorporated. When cold, form the mass into rolls. 
It is officinal in the French Codex; according to which, the 
fresh cicuta leaves are boiled for some time in the oil, then 
strained, and the other ingredients afterwards added. When 
good cicuta leaves cannot be obtained, half the proportion of 
well prepared extract will answer an equally good, if not 
better purpose. 
Adulteration of Cantharides. 
Though we are enjoined not to purchase cantharides in a 
pulverised state for fear of adulteration, it behoves us to 
examine such parcels as we may wish to purchase in the entire 
state, for a similar reason. Besides, the inert Mclolontha 
vitis sometimes mixed with the genuine flies, we have met 
with a new subject of adulteration, not so nearly allied to the 
Cantharis in entomological classification, which were, how- 
ever, pretty freely interspersed 'with them in a lot which we 
purchased without examination. 
It is the Cetonia, vulgarly called Goldsmith, the shining 
golden green color of which resembles cantharides, and is 
calculated to deceive when mixed together, unless they 
undergo inspection. As they are large, and much heavier 
than the Spanish fly, it makes quite an object to a dealer, in 
the sale of a large quantity. 
Fluid Extract of Senna. 
In vol. 6th, page 274th of this Journal, will be found a 
recipe for this preparation, by Charles Ellis, who first intro- 
duced it to public notice. The attention of some of our physi- 
cians having been lately awakened to its convenience of 
administration, and finding it a certain and active preparation, 
far surpassing the infusion or confection of senna in point of 
general utility, we have had occasion to prepare it in 
considerable quantity to answer the demand. The improve- 
