Am.  Jour.  Pharm.  1 
Jane,  1885,  J 
Alleged  Decomposition  of  Quinine. 
295 
0*411  gram  of  alkaloid,  was  dissolved  in  25  cc.  of  a  2  per  cent,  solution 
of  hydrochloric  acid  ;  to  this  solution  10  grams  of  lime  was  added  and 
the  whole  was  dried  at  the  temperature  of  the  water-bath.  The  residue 
was  finely  powdered,  introduced  into  a  small  glass  percolator  and  the 
alkaloid  extracted  with  chloroform.  After  complete  exhaustion  of  the 
mixture  the  chloroform  solution  was  carefully  evaporated  to  dryness. 
The  residue  gave  a  weight  of  0'409  gram  of  quinine  alkaloid,  or  a 
deficit  of  two  milligrams,  which  slight  loss  may  be  considered  to  be 
due  to  experimental  error.  In  a  subsequent  experiment  ether  Avas 
employed  in  preference  to  chloroform  as  an  extracting  agent,  as  being 
less  difficult  of  manipulation.  The  ether  residue  obtained  was,  to 
avoid  impurities,  redissolved  in  a  slight  excess  of  acid,  and  the  alkaloid 
precipitated  with  ammonia  and  extracted  with  ether.  This  second 
ether  solution  upon  evaporation  left  a  residue  of  quinine  alkaloid 
Aveighing  0'409  gram,  or  a  deficit  of  0*002  gram  upon  the  0*41 1  gram 
of  alkaloid  required  by  theory.  This  loss  also  may  be  considered  due 
to  experimental  error,  and  both  results  are  totally  at  variance  with 
those  obtained  by  M.  Masse. 
Note. — The  results  obtained  by  Mr.  J.  F.  C.  Jiuigk  and  by  Professor  R. 
Fresenius,  in  investigations  made  for  an  entirely  different  purpose  (see 
"Am.  Jour.  Phar.,"  1883,  jj.  484,  435)  agree  completely  with  those  of  Mr. 
Passmore.— Editor  Am.  Jouk.  Phar. 
Cassia  Absus,  Lin. — Attention  has  recently  been  called  again  to 
the  seeds  of  this  plant  which  have  long  been  used  in  the  East  foi'  granular 
conjunctiva  under  tlie  name  of  cliichem  or  schimsch,  and  occasionally 
in  Europe  as  semen  cismce.  The  plant  is  an  annual,  indigenous  to  the 
East  Indies  and  westward  to  Central  Africa;  the  rather  narrow  gland- 
ular-pubescent legume  contains  5  or  6  seeds,  which  resemble  flaxseed? 
are  flattish-ovate,  glossy,  brow^nish  black,  and  have  a  somewhat  aromatic 
odor  and  a  mucilaginous  disagreeable  and  bitter  taste.  J.  J.  Virey,  in 
"Jour,  de  Phar.,"  May,  1823,  described  the  application  as  follows:  The 
seeds  are  well  washed,  then  dried,  finely  powdered  and  mixed  with  an 
equal  quantity  of  sugar;  a  small  portion  of  this  powder  is  dropped  or 
blown  into  the  diseased  eye,  which  is  then  closed.  The  powder  is  of 
rapid  action  and  irritating,  and  should  not  be  used  in  the  inflammatory 
stage  of  the  disease;  according  to  Erank  its  activity  is  increased  by  the 
addition  of  turmeric.  J.  M.  M. 
