Am.  Jour.  Pharm.  1 
Feb.,  1877,  J 
Varieties. 
83 
taken  in  small  quantity  in  the  fresh  state.  M.  Bouchardat  attributes  to  the  oil  valu- 
able purgative  properties  5  the  dose  is  30  grams,  or  even  (as  M.  Retano  de  Gre- 
■sandy  states)  60  grams.  M.  Oxamendi  confirms  these  observations  as  regards  the 
purgative  properties  of  the  oil,  but  is  of  opinion  that  15  grams  is  a  dose  sufficiently 
large  for  an  adult,  and  8  grams  for  a  child.  The  effects  on  the  intestines  are  the 
same  as  those  of  castor  oil.  It  is  not  at  all  disagreeable  to  take,  and  has  a  nutty 
taste.  It  acts  in  about  three  hours  without  producing  pain  or  colic.  M.  Oxamendi 
thinks  that  the  action  is  due  to  a  special  resin.  He  recommends  the  following 
mixture  : 
Grams. 
Oil  of  Aleuritis  triloba,  .  .  .  15 
Powdered  gum  arabic,  .  .  .  .12 
Water,  . .  .  .  .  .  .12 
White  sugar,  .  .  .  .  .15 
— Ibid.,  from  Jour,  de  Therap. 
Albuminate  of  Santonin  and  Sodium.— According  to  Pavesi,  a  combination 
of  santonin  and  of  bicarbonate  of  sodium  with  soluble  albumen  forms  a  valuable 
vermifuge.  The  preparation  is  made  in  the  following  manner  :  1  part  of  santonin, 
4  parts  of  sodium  bicarbonate  and  2  parts  of  dried  soluble  albumen  are  warmed 
with  a  sufficient  quantity  of  water  at  6o°  to  700  until  all  are  dissolved,  and  then 
evaporated  to  dryness  at  a  very  gentle  heat.  The  albuminate  .of  santonin  and 
sodium  forms  brilliant  white  scales,  soluble  in  water.  The  mineral  acids  precipitate 
santonin  and  albumen,  with  disengagement  of  carbonic  acid.  The  reasons  for 
which  Pavesi  gives  the  preference  to  this  combination  over  the  use  of  santonin 
alone  are  the  following  :  The  after  effects  of  santonin,  among  others,  that  of 
yellowness  of  vision,  are  entirely  obviated.  The  preparation  is  not  decomposed  in 
the  stomach,  because  the  bicarbonate  of  sodium  in  the  combination  retains  the 
santonin  in  solution,  the  coagulation  of  the  albumen  is  prevented,  gently  purgative 
Godiurn  salts  are  introduced  into  the  body,  and  finally,  by  the  disengagement  of  a 
small  quantity  of  carbonic  acid,  an  active  digestion  is  produced. 
The  properties  claimed  for  this  preparation  should  be  examined  by  more  extended 
researches. — Chemist  and  Druggist  [Lond.],  Nov.  15,  1876,  from  Jour,  de  Pharm. 
de  Genc<ve,  July  5,  1876. 
Volumetric  Estimation  of  Alcohol.  By  T.  T.  Monell. — If  a  cobalt  salt  be  added 
to  an  alcoholic  solution  of  sulpho-cyanide  of  ammonium,  a  deep  blue  coloration 
is  produced  which  suddenly  vanishes  on  dilution  with  water,  and  re-appears  on  fur- 
ther addition  of  alcohol.  Given  the  same  volume,  spirit  of  a  certain  percentage 
always  gives  precisely  the  same  intensity  of  color  with  a  standard  blue  solution  in 
whichever  order  alcohol  or  water  may  be  added.  It  is  possible  in  this  way  to  deter- 
mine quickly  by  a  volumetric  process  even  so  little  as  one- fourth  per  cent,  of  alcohol 
in  a  mixture.  A  measured  quantity  of  the  dark  blue  standard  fluid  is  placed  in  a 
cylinder,  and  a  mixture  to  be  tested  is  added,  until  the  color  is  reduced  to  that  of  a 
strip  of  pale  blue  glass;  the  volume  of  this  pale  colored  fluid  will  be  the  greater  as 
the  mixture  is  richer  in  alcohol.    This  volume,  once  determined,  will  always  remain 
