48 
SELECTED ARTICLES. 
The true name, be-lahe, is yet little known. All that is known 
of its botanic character is, that it has alternate and trifoliate 
leaves'; that it is dioicious, and its male flowers have five 
stamens. It is not known upon what reason it is stated, in 
the Journal de Pharmacie, vol. xvi.,p. 137, that the be-lahe 
is the Mussxnda stadmanni, a tree of the family Rubiaceae, 
with opposite leaves and hermaphrodite flowers. The author 
of that article had previously, and with little reason, assimi- 
lated the be-lahe with the Nerium anti-dysentricum, or 
codagaphala of India. — Bulletin de Pharmacie, vol. vi. 
p. 255. 
The bark of the be-lahe is used in Madagascar to give 
bitterness to a kind of beer made with sugar cane. In the 
Isle of Bourbon they employ it successfully in diarrhoea and 
dysentery. Sonnerat tried it upon himself with success. The 
dose is from twenty-four to thirty-six grains in an infusion of 
tea, or in wine. 
ART, X.— NOTE UPON THE PREPARATION OF SIMPLE 
PLASTER. By M. Beral, Pharmacien. 
Process communicated to the Society of Pharmacy of 
Paris, by M. A. Gelis : 
Stir the mixture gently with a wooden spatula, until the 
liquid becomes transparent. Decant, wash the plaster with a 
fresh portion of water, and when conveniently cooled, malaxate 
it by small quantities, to separate the water it contains. The 
Journ. de Chimie Medic ale. 
Take of white Marseilles soap, 
Water, 
Dissolve by heat, and add to the solution 
crystallized acetate of lead, 
4 lbs. 
8 lbs. 
2 lbs. 
