ADo*ctoberr,ii9OT!"m'}    American  Pharmaceutical  Association.  475 
required  in  its  manufacture  is  the  chief  objection  to  its  use.  In 
carrying  on  experiments  to  minimize  the  quantity  of  ethyl  alcohol, 
the  author  found  that  a  mixture  of  soda  and  potash  soaps  is  much 
more  soluble  in  water  and  more  stable  when  diluted  than  either  one 
alone.    The  following  formula  and  directions  were  given : 
Sodium  hydrate,  40  grammes  ;  potassium  hydrate,  40  grammes; 
cotton-seed  oil,  500  c.c;  alcohol,  250  c.c;  and  distilled  water,  a 
sufficient  quantity  to  make  2,500  c.c. 
"  In  a  suitable  container,  preferably  a  glass-stoppered  bottle,  dis- 
solve the  potassium  hydrate  and  the  sodium  hydrate  in  250  c.c.  of 
distilled  water,  add  the  alcohol,  and  then  add  the  cotton-seed  oil  in 
three  or  four  portions,  shaking  vigorously  after  each  addition.  Con- 
tinue to  agitate  the  mixture  occasionally,  until  saponification  has 
been  completed.  Then  add  the  remaining  portion  of  distilled  water 
and  mix." 
The  Eyes  and  Hands  in  Dispensing  :  Technique. 
By  Henry  P.  Hynson. 
The  speaker  stated  that  many  students  were  not  only  unable  to 
use  their  hands  dexterously,  but  were  unable  to  differentiate  closely 
with  their  eyes,  as  in  distinguishing  a  clear  solution  from  a  cloudy 
one,  and  differences  in  the  size  and  color  of  objects.  He  said  that 
much  could  be  done  by  training  along  these  lines  to  increase  the 
skill  of  the  dispenser. 
Solid  Opodeldoc  and  Other  Official  Preparations. 
By  H.  A.  B.  Dunning. 
Having  his  attention  called  to  the  fact  that  the  linimentum 
saponato-camphoratum,  or  solid  opodeldoc  of  the  National  Formu- 
lary, is  an  opaque  preparation,  and  does  not  distribute  as  readily 
when  applied  to  the  skin  as  Squier's  opodeldoc,  the  author  carried 
on  a  series  of  experiments  with  the  object  of  obtaining  a  product 
with  these  qualities,  and  evolved  the  following  formula  and  direc- 
tions : 
Sodium  carbonate,  monohydrated,  -5  ;  stearic  acid,  2  5  ;  water, 
5-0;  alcohol,  50-0;  camphor,  1-25  ;  oil  of  thyme,  -15  ;  oil  of  rose- 
mary, -3  ;  and  stronger  ammonia  water,  2  5. 
Dissolve  sodium  carbonate  in  the  water  by  heat,  add  10  c.c.  alco- 
