A^-reT'i8P93arm'}   Abstracts  from  the  French  Journals.  75 
rine,  and  proposes  the  name  butylhypnal.  It  forms  light  colorless 
crystals,  having  the  odor  of  butylchloral,  and  a  bitter  taste,  is  fusible 
at  yo°  C,  slightly  soluble  in  water,  and  very  soluble  in  alcohol,  ether, 
benzin  and  chloroform.  The  solution  is  colored  red  by  ferric 
chloride  and  yields  an  abundant  crystalline  precipitate  on  the 
addition  of  picric  acid.  It  is  decomposed  by  alkalies,  and  reduces 
potassium  permanganate. —  Union pliarm.,  Oct.,  1892. 
Cascarin  and  rhamnoxanthin. — According  to  M.  Phipson,  the 
yellow,  crystalline  substance  obtained  by  Leprince  from  the  bark  of 
Rhamnus  Purshiana  (see  January  number,  p.  16)  is  identical  with 
that  from  Rhamnus  Frangula.  The  two  substances  have  the  same 
chemical  formula,  the  same  molecular  composition,  and  the  same 
characters.  Buchner  extracted  rhamnoxanthin  from  the  latter 
tree  as  early  as  1853. — Rep.  de  Pharm.,  Oct.,  1892  ;  see  also  Amer. 
Jour,  Pharm.,  1886,  p.  252. 
Elixir  of  cascara  sagrada. — Dujardin-Beaumetz  (Gaz.  gyn'ecolo- 
giqne)  recommends  the  following  as  a  remedy  for  constipation : 
Fluid  extract  of  cascara  sagrada,  90  gm.;  pure  glycerin,  90  gm.;  alco- 
hol of  90  per  cent.,  200  gm.;  simple  syrup,  400  gm.;  oil  of  orange  6 
drops  ;  oil  of  cinnamon,  2  drops,  and  sufficient  distilled  water  for  I 
litre.    Dose — a  wineglassful  after  meals. 
Tonic  syrup  of  kola. — If  the  elixir,  or  the  wine  of  kola,  is  not  well 
tolerated,  especially  by  children,  this  excellent  medicament  may  be 
administered  in  either  of  the  following  two  ways  : 
(1)  Ten  to  50  drops  of  tincture  of  kola,  in  an  infusion  of  black 
coffee,  sweetened  proportionately  ;  or, 
(2)  An  aromatic  syrup  prepared  of  tincture  of  kola,  20  gm.; 
tincture  of  vanilla,  20  drops  ;  simple  syrup.  90  gm.,  and  sufficient 
distilled  water  for  160  gm.  The  dose  is  15  to  30  gm.  per  day, 
according  to  age. 
In  order  to  avoid  the  insomnia,  which  follows  the  administration 
of  the  medicament  in  certain  individuals,' it  should  preferably  be 
given  after  the  mid-day  meal. — Rev.  gen.  de  Clin,  et  de  Ther.t  1892. 
Estimation  of  volatile  oils  in  aromatic  waters .^-In  an  article  on 
this  subject  published  in  the  Jour,  de  Pharm.  d'Anvers,  Dec,  1892, 
Fernand  Ranwez  recommends  the  following  process :  In  200  ccm. 
of  the  aromatic  water  dissolve  60  gm.  of  table  salt;  add  40  ccm.  of 
rectified  ether;  agitate  well  and  decant  the  ether ;  repeat  this  treat- 
