40         Recent  Literature  Relating  to  Pharmacy.     {A January p£oom' 
RECENT  LITERATURE  RELATING  TO  PHARMACY. 
KANGAROO  TENDONS.1 
Among  the  specimens  recently  received  by  the  Philadelphia  Com- 
mercial Museum  are  some  kangaroo  tendons  sent  by  a  surgeon  in 
Australia.  The  tendons  were  taken  from  the  tail  of  the  kangaroo, 
and  are  preserved  in  preservative  liquid.  They  are  described  as 
being  aseptic  and  chromicized,  and  are  intended  for  the  use  of  sur- 
geons in  sewing  up  wounds.  It  is  claimed  that  for  this  purpose 
they  are  superior  to  the  silk  threads  commonly  used.  They  are  said 
to  be  strong  and  to  permit  of  splitting  lengthwise  to  any  required 
fineness  without  any  fraying.  Among  the  specimens  received  are  four 
thicknesses  of  tendon  intended  for  as  many  different  classes  of  wounds. 
EUCALYPTUS  KINOS.1 
Two  samples  of  Eucalyptus  kino  from  Australia  were  accom- 
panied by  the  following  note  from  the  sender  : 
"Eucalyptus  rostrata  or  red  gum  is  very  common  throughout 
Australia.  It  is  usually  found  along  river  courses  and  in  marshy 
ground,  attaining  a  height  of  60  feet.  The  wood  is  used  for  upright 
posts  and  piles,  as  it  is  especially  hard  and  durable,  and  withstands 
the  action  of  water.  It  is  our  chief  wood  for  street  paving.  The 
ruby«colored  exudation  or  'red  gum/  Gummi  rubrum,  exudes 
from  the  bark,  and  has  been  miscalled  Eucalyptus  kino  on  account 
of  its  astringency.  As  first  gathered  it  is  not  quite  soluble,  and  has 
a  certain  amount  of  dirt,  as  per  sample  sent.  This  can  be  supplied 
at  3  shillings  per  pound.  After  treatment  to  make  it  quite  soluble,  as 
per  sample  sent,  it  can  be  supplied  at  4  shillings  6  pence  per  pound. 
The  soluble  is  listed  in  London  at  7  shillings  per  pound.  It  is  highly 
astringent  and  is  used  in  diarrhoea,  dysentery  and  relaxed  conditions 
of  the  throat.  It  is  better  than  kino,  as  it  adheres  better  to  mucous 
surfaces.  It  occurs  in  grains  or  small  masses  of  a  ruby  or  garnet-red 
color  and  transparent,  has  a  rough  astringent  taste,  and  if  chewed 
tinges  the  saliva  red  and  sticks  to  the  teeth.  It  is  used  as  a  lozenge,, 
and  with  water  and  spirit  as  an  astringent  injection.  It  is  used  in 
suppositories,  and,  as  tincture,  it  makes  a  good  gargle.  The  fresh 
bark  contains  7*8  per  cent,  of  the  kino  or  gum. 
"  Correctly  speaking,  '  kino '  is  the  juice  obtained  from  incisions  in 
the  trunk  of  Fterocarpus  marsuphun,  evaporated  to  dryness." 
1  These  notes  were  furnished  us  by  William  B.  Marshall,  Curator  of  the 
Philadelphia  Museum. — Editor. 
