508 
PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE 
10.  Podophyllin  is  alleged  to  be  analogous  to  Jalapin  in  its  medical 
and  some  of  its  chemical  relations.  Question, — What  is  the  correct 
chemical  history  of  Podophyllin,  as  regards  its  solubility  in  menstrua? 
its  relations  to  the  alkalies,  and  other  agents,  &c,  and  why  may  it  not  be 
advantageously  substituted  for  extract  of  jalap  in  the  compound  cathar- 
tic pill,  and  for  scammony  in  the  compound  extract  of  colocynth  ? 
Accepted  by  R.  H.  Stabler,  M.  D.,  of  Alexandria. 
11.  Dr.  Steuhouse  has  investigated  the  volatile  oil  and  stearoptine  of 
Xanthoxylum  piperitum  or  Japanese  pepper.  (See  Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
Sept.,  1857.)  Question, — 1.  What  is  the  true  botanical  source  of  what 
is  called  "  Southern  Prickly  Ash  bark?"  2.  Does  the  pungency  of  that 
bark  and  the  bark  and  fruit  of  Xanthoxylum  fraxineum  of  our  Pharma- 
copoeia depend  on  the  same  principles  ? 
Referred  to  Edward  S.  Wayne,  of  Cincinnati. 
12.  What  influence  is  exerted  in  the  normal  solvent  power  of  officinal 
water,  alcohol  and  ether,  by  their  admixture  with  each  other  as  pharma- 
ceutical menstrua,  in  regard  to  the  solution  of  various  vegetable  prin- 
ciples, (like  gum,  sugar,  starch,  albumen,  resins,  volatile  oils,  etc.,)  desir- 
able or  to  be  avoided  in  making  preparations  ? 
Accepted  by  Wilson  H,  Pile,  M.  D.,  of  Philadelphia. 
13.  A  monograph  on  the  Cerasus  serotina,  or  wild  cherry  bark,  tree  and 
its  products  useful  in  medicine. 
Accepted  by  Wm.  Procter,  Jr.,  of  Philadelphia. 
14.  The  Brazil  nut  of  South  America  yields  a  fixed  oil  in  abundance. 
Question,  How  and  to  what  extent  is  it  manufactured  in  Brazil,  to  what 
uses  put ;  and  whether,  is  it  applicable  or  not  to  the  uses  of  olive  oil  in 
Pharmacy?  Accepted  by  Edward  Donnelly,  of  Philadelphia. 
15.  Are  the  barks  of  Cornus  florida  and  other  species  of  this  genus,  due 
to  a  crystalline  substance  ?  Is  this  principle  alkaline,  acid  or  neutral  ?  Will 
it  answer  as  a  substitute  for  Quinine  ?  and  can  it  be  advantageously  ma- 
nufactured at  a  low  price  ? 
Accepted  by  John  M.  Maisch,  of  Philadelphia. 
16.  There  being  great  diversity  in  practice  as  regards  the  powder  to  be 
employed  in  rolling  pills  : — Question,  What  is  the  best  powder  or  com- 
pound of  powders,  uniformly  to  be  used  in  rolling  pills,  not  required  to  be 
masked  or  coated  with  sugar,  gelatin,  or  other  substance? 
Accepted  by  William  A.  Brewer,  of  Boston. 
17.  The  refraction  of  light  by  the  English  Essential  Oil  of  Bitter 
Almonds  being  often  regarded  as  an  important  proof  of  its  purity: — Ques- 
tion, What  is  the  value  of  this  phenomenon  of  iridescence  of  Essential 
Oil  of  Bitter  Almonds  as  a  test  of  its  purity  ? 
Referred  to  John  T.  Fuller,  of  Detroit. 
