flMMJa0rUT,'m4Rfll  }  Notes  on  Some  North  American  Drugs.  103 
tion  in  the  presence  of  the  phosphate,  lacto-phosphate,  and  hypophos- 
phite  salts  of  lime.  It  seems  to  me  that  it  would  be  a  much  better 
plan  to  use  the  oil  and  lacto-phosphate  alternately,  than  to  mix  them 
together  ;  I  always  do,  and  often  find  the  result  very  gratifying. 
Lacto-phosphate  of  lime,  it  seems  to  me,  is  more  especially  adapted  to 
the  period  of  convalescence  from  acute  diseases  than  chronic  ones. 
As  is  well  known,  during  the  progress  of  fevers  and  inflammations, 
the  waste  of  the  phosphate  of  lime  is  great  and  requires  a  resupply, 
which  is  nicely  afforded  by  the  lacto-phosphate.  But  in  such  cases 
the  cod  liver  oil  is  not  by  any  means  indicated.  In  scrofulous  dis- 
eases of  children,  the  class  in  which  the  syrup  of  the  lacto-phosphate 
of  lime  and  cod  liver  oil  has  been  very  extensively  used,  and  in  which 
no  doubt  it  has  given  good  results,  a  better  preparation  would  be  ob- 
tained by  extemporaneous  combination.  As  a  rule,  fixed  medical 
formulas  combining  several  ingredients  are  objectionable.  Dover 
Powder  is  an  established  fact,  and  the  combination  of  iron,  quinia, 
and  strychnia  in  Easton's  syrup  is  a  splendid  preparation,  incapable 
of  extemporaneous  formation  as  required  in  the  usual  routine  of 
pharmacy.  A  few  more  instances  perhaps  might  be  cited,  but  the 
rule  still  holds  good.  Lactic  acid,  it  is  well  known,  plays  an  im- 
portant part  in  rheumatism ;  what  result  may  then  accrue  from  the 
-continued  use  of  the  lacto-phosphate  of  lime  in  chronic  diseases? 
NOTES  ON  SOME  NORTH  AMERICAN  DRUGS. 
By  John  M.  Maisch. 
Cranesbill  appears  to  be  used  very  extensively  in  some  sections  of 
the  country,  while  in  others  it  is  comparatively  unknown — at  least  as 
a  domestic  remedy.  In  July,  1872,  I  received  a  plant  from  the  re- 
gion of  the  Blue  Ridge  in  the  State  of  Virginia,  which  proved  to  be 
G-eranium  maculatum,  Lin.  The  letter  accompanying  it  stated  that 
it  (whether  the  rhizome  alone  or  the  entire  plant,  was  not  mentioned) 
has  a  great  celebrity  there  as  a  cure  for  dysentery,  diarrhoea  and  all 
kinds  of  bowel  complaints.  It  seems  probable,  however,  that  the  her- 
baceous portion  of  the  plant  is  not  employed  for  the  purposes  men- 
tioned, since  it  has  merely  a  faintly  bitter  taste  and  is  nearly  de- 
void of  astringency. 
Antidote  to  Snake  Poison. — In  August  last  the  root  and  radical 
leaves  of  a  plant  were  received  from  Mr.  T,  D.  Reed,  of  Meridian, 
Miss.,  which,  the  letter  stated,  "is  said  to  be  a  specific  for  snake- 
