Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
October,  1920. 
Book  Reviews. 
763 
Potassium  Iodide  is  used  in  "Tincture  of  Iodine"  to  help  dissolve 
the  Iodine  and  keep  it  from  precipitating ^ 
Boiling  water  is  stated  to  be  used  to  extract  the  Glycyrrhiza  in 
making  the  Fluidextract.  The  official  formula  directs  water  and 
Ammonia  Water. 
Spirit  of  Camphor  and  others  of  this  class  are  mentioned  individ- 
ually as  "spirits." 
The  reasons  for  certain  changes  in  official  formulas,  particularly 
in  the  N.  F.,  are  mere  guess  work,  the  logical  reason  being  entirely 
overlooked. 
"Caraway  plant  is  a  grain  like  wheat  and  oats." 
"Lard  is  the  fat  from  the  hog's  stomach." 
Fluidextract  of  Malt  is  said  to  be  official  in  the  N.  F. 
"Rennin  is  the  milk-curdling  ferment  of  pancreatin." 
"Colchicum  is  a  small  herb." 
Saw  Palmetto  is  described  as  "a  shrub." 
"Pomegranate  is  the  dried  stem  and  root." 
Staphisagria  is  given  as  from  a  "larkspur  tree." 
Corn  Silk  is  stated  to  have  no  official  preparations,  overlooking 
the  Fluidextract. 
Mucilage  of  Sassafras  Pith  is  said  to  be  used  for  dysentery  and 
inflamed  conditions  of  the  stomach.  The  more  important  use  as  a 
delicate  mucilage  suitable  for  treatment  of  inflamed  conditions  of  the 
eyes  is  ignored. 
In  discussing  the  treatment  of  strychnine  poisoning,  the  statement 
is  made  that  an  ''emetic  of  flaxseed  tea,  slippery  elm  tea  is  given." 
A  careful  perusal  of  the  book  gives,  at  first,  the  impression  that 
the  author  is  a  fairly  well  informed  and  efficient  prescriptionist. 
Later,  the  conviction  is  borne  home  that  he  is  woefully  deficient  in 
the  thorough  knowledge  necessary  to  enable  him  to  instruct  and  guide 
the  type  of  student  who  will  be  most  likely  to  use  his  book. 
G.  M.  B.,  Jr. 
Lkgal  Chemistry  and  Scientific  Criminal  Investigation.  By 
A.  Lucas,  F.I.C.,  Director  Government  Analytical  Laboratory 
and  Assay  (3ffice,  Cairo.  London,  Edwin  Arnold,  1920,  pp. 
181.    Price,  $3.40. 
The  author  of  this  interesting  book  upon  an  important  subject 
is  apparently  well  qualified  by  experience  and  training  to  contribute 
authoritative  data  upon  a  number  of  phases  of  legal  chemistry. 
