310  Cephalanthus  Occidental™.         {A "S^gf* 
preparation,  much  less  susceptible  of  change  than  the  officinal  mis- 
tura,  by  the  presence  of  the  glycerin,  which  is  certainly  unobjection- 
able, and  may  possibly  be  advantageous  therapeutically. 
The  only  extra  precaution  necessary  in  preparing  the  glycerole  i& 
to  guard  against  employing  too  great  a  degree  of  heat,  so  that  the 
volatile  oil  may  not  be  dissipated. 
Mistura  ammoniaci  is  prepared  in  precisely  a  similar  manner  as- 
the  foregoing,  the  proportions  being  the  same,  and  the  result  being 
equal,  if  not  superior,  to  that  made  by  the  officinal  formula.  It  cer- 
tainly, in  point  of  convenience  and  facility,  possesses  a  decided  ad- 
vantage. 
Wilmington,  Del.,  June,  1874. 
ANALYSIS  OF  THE  BARK  OF  CEPHALANTHUS  OCCIDENTALS 
LIN. 
By  Edgar  M.  Hattan,  G.  P. 
From  an  Inaugural  Essay. 
The  bark  of  the  buttonbush  or  pond  dogwood  was  brought  to  my 
notice  by  an  article  in  the  American  Journal  of  Pharmacy,  1872,, 
p.  195,  where  it  is  stated  that  the  bark  has  been  repeatedly  recom- 
mended as  an  expectorant  useful  in  consumption.  In  the  U.  S.  Dis- 
pensatory, it  is  said  to  be  laxative  as  well  as  tonic,  and  to  have  been, 
given  in  periodical  fevers. 
The  following  experiments  were  made  with  the  bark,  which  was- 
collected  by  myself,  in  the  month  of  September,  in  New  Jersey.  It 
consists  of  a  comparatively  thick  corky  layer,  externally  of  a  dark- 
gray  color,  with  patches  of  green,  exceedingly  rough,  with  longitudi- 
nal furrows  ;  the  thin  liber  portion  is  smooth,  and  when  first  removed 
was  white,  but  soon  changed  to  a  reddish- brown  color. 
An  infusion  of  the  drug  when  heated  does  not  coagulate  nor  become 
turbid,  showing  absence  of  albumen.  Tannin  was  found  present,  the 
variety  precipitated  green  with  salts  of  iron.  Trommer's  test  gave 
evidence  of  sugar.  Starch  was  found  in  a  decoction  by  the  addition  of 
iodine.  Potassium  iodohydrargyrate  gave  no  precipitate  in  an  acidu- 
lated infusion,  showing  absence  of  alkaloids.  A  distillate  was  per- 
fectly clear,  neutral  to  test  paper  and  with  a  slight  aromatic  odor. 
Eight  troy  ounces  of  the  drug  were  then  decocted,  the  decoction 
being  of  a  dark  color,  with  a  bitter  and  astringent  taste,  was  treated 
