422 
Progress  in  Pharmacy. 
f  Am.  Jour.  l'harm. 
1  September,  1914. 
several  substitutes  compared  with  the  distinguishing  features  of 
the  genuine  drug. — Pharm.  J.}  1914,  vol.  93,  pp.  121-123. 
The  Rate  of  Dialysis  of  Alkaloids  in  Aqueous  Solution  and 
in  the  Form  of  Galenicals.  (Finnemore,  H.) — From  experiments 
reported  the  author  'concludes  that  strychnine  in  aqueous  solution 
diffuses  more  rapidly  than  in  the  form  of  the  liquid  extract  of  nux 
vomica,  and  this  fact  may  have  some  bearing  on  the  therapeutic 
effect  of  the  two. — Pharm.  J.,  1914,  vol.  93,  pp.  123,  124. 
The  Incompatibility  of  Strychnine  and  Nux  Vomica  with  Alka- 
lies, Iodides,  and  Bromides.  (Finnemore  and  Williamson.) — The 
most  striking  feature  of  the  experiments  now  recorded  is  the  dif- 
ference in  the  behavior  towards  alkalies  of  strychnine  in  the  form 
of  the  solution  and  that  existing  in  its  natural  state  in  admixture 
or  combination  with  the  other  ingredients  of  nux  vomica  seeds. 
It  appears  that,  whereas  strychnine  and  alkalies  or  iodides  may 
become  dangerous  under  varied  and  indeterminate  conditions,  when 
the  drug  is  given  in  the  form  of  the  tincture  or  the  liquid  extract 
no  precipitation  occurs  and  no  danger  need  be  apprehended,  pro- 
vided the  concentration  is  not  greater  than  that  found  under  normal 
conditions  of  prescribing  and  dosage. 
The  Analytical  Characters  of  Benzoin.  (Cocking  and  Kettle.)  — 
The  alcohol  soluble  matter  in  benzoin  is  not  readily  determined 
directly,  owing  to  the  volatility  of  the  balsamic  constituents,  and  the 
easiest  way  is  to  obtain  it  by  exhausting  the  drug  by  alcohol.  A 
modified  method  for  the  determination  of  the  aromatic  acid  is  sug- 
gested, and  a  table  showing  the  composition  of  a  number  of  the 
commercial  samples  of  the  drug  is  included  with  the  paper. — Pharm. 
J..  1914,  vol.  93,  pp.  125,  126. 
The  Mineral  Constituents  of  Certain  Tinctures  and  Drugs. 
(Lewis,  S.  Judd. ) — The  molecular  structure  of  chlorophyll  is  very 
closely  related  to  haematin,  the  red  coloring  matter  of  the  blood. 
The  former,  under  the  influence  of  -light,  brings  about  the  absorp- 
tion of  carbon  dioxide  by  plants  and  the  elimination  of  oxygen, 
and  has  magnesium  as  an  essential  element,  hence  magnesium  is 
to  be  anticipated  in  all  mineral  matter  which  has  passed  through 
the  vegetable  cell.  The  presence  of  iron  is  also  necessary  for  the 
formation  of  chlorophyll,  although  it  does  not  enter  into  the  con- 
stituents of  the  pigment.  Potassium  and  calcium  are  also  con- 
stantly present,  and  the  occurrence  of  other  metals  is  frequently 
more  or  less  accidental.    Sodium  is  widely  distributed,  while  lithium, 
