1 8  Revision  of  the  U.  5.  Pharmacopoeia.   {Am  j^ifJr^ 
sodium  nitrite,  alcohol  and  sulphuric  acid  being  distilled  to  yield  the 
ether ;  which  after  washing  and  dehydrating  is  dissolved  in  22  times 
its  weight  of  alcohol.  In  the  formula  770  gm.  sodium  nitrite  is 
directed  to  be  dissolved  in  1,000  cc.  water,  heat  not  being  directed. 
This  salt  is  stated  to  require  1-5  parts  of  water  for  solution  and  this 
would  necessitate  increasing  the  amount  of  water  directed. 
The  ammoniacal  strength  of  Aromatic  Spirit  of  Ammonia  is 
reduced  and  oil  of  nutmeg  is  again  directed  replacing  the  oil  of 
pimenta  of  1880.  The  solution  of  the  ammonium  carbonate  in  the 
ammonia  water  and  water  should  be  directed  to  remain  in  the  closed 
flask  for  24  hours  to  insure  the  conversion  of  the  acid  carbonate 
into  the  normal  carbonate  and  leaving  less  free  alkali  to  react  on 
the  essential  oils  and  darken  the  solution. 
In  Spirit  of  Orange  the  synonym,  "  essence  of  orange"  should  be 
given;  oil  of  sweet  orange  peel  should  be  specified  and  50  gm. 
orange  peel  grated  from  the  fresh  ripe  fruit  should  be  added.  In 
Compound  Spirit  of  Orange,  oil  of  bitter  orange  peel  should  be 
specified.  In  Spirit  of  Camphor,  water  is  omitted,  alcohol  alone 
being  the  solvent.  At  least  10  per  cent,  of  water  should  have  been 
directed.  The  addition  of  a  small  amount  of  water  seems  to  bring 
out  the  pungency  of  the  camphor.  Spirits  of  Gaultheria,  Juniper, 
Juniper  Compound,  Lavender  and  Nutmeg  have  all  been  increased 
in  strength. 
Strophanthus  is  stated  to  be  nearly  inodorous,  this  is  hardly 
accurate  as  a  very  disagreeable  odor  is  obtained  on  crushing  the 
seed. 
Strychnine  Sulphate  is  stated  to  contain  5  molecules  of  water, 
whereas  in  1880  it  was  recognized  as  containing  7  molecules.  As 
this  would  materially  affect  the  strength  of  such  a  potent  remedy  as 
well  as  its  physical  properties,  solubility,  etc.,  it  is  interesting  to 
know  which  formula  corresponds  with  the  present  commercial 
article. 
The  Pharmacopoeia  is  careful  to  specify  both  the  shape  and  weight 
of  the  various  suppositories.  The  rectal  suppository  is  directed  to 
be  1  gm.  as  in  1880.  In  many  cases  this,  has  proven  too  small 
except  for  infants.  The  2  gm.  size  is  preferable.  The  vaginal  sup- 
pository is  directed  to  be  globular,  and  about  3  gm.  in  weight.  Six 
gm.  is  preferable,  especially  where  large  quantities  of  such  articles 
as  boric  acid  and  iodoform  are  directed  as  has  become  customary. 
