646 
Varieties. 
Am.  Jour  Fharm. 
Dec,  1884. 
analysis,  for  believing  that  the  product  at  that  time  supplied  to  surgeons 
under  the  name  of  chloride  of  methylene  was  often,  if  not  always,  a  simple 
mixture  of  chloroform  and  methylic  alcohol.  Subsequently,  with  a  view 
of  studying  the  subject  physiologically,  they  prepared  what  they  claimed 
to  be  pure  chloride  of  methylene,  the  action  of  which  was  tested  on  dogs 
and  other  animals,  comparative  experiments  being  also  carried  out  with 
chloroform.  They  report  in  the  u  Pharmaceutical  Journal  "  that  the  results 
strengthened  their  previous  belief  and  that  the  misnamed  mixtures  owe 
their  properties  to  chloroform  only.  The  physiological  action  of  chloride 
of  methylene  was  found  to  differ  entirely  from  that  of  chloroform,  with  the 
exception  that  both  compounds  produced  unconsciousness.  The  symptoms 
resulting  from  the  inhalation  of  chloride  of  methylene  were  so  constant, 
and  of  such  an  alarming  character,  that  the  authors  think  its  employment 
as  an  anaesthetic  agent  during  surgical  operations  is  out  of  the  question,  and 
they  doubt  whether  it  has  ever  been  so  employed.  Clonic  contractions  of 
muscles,  of  epileptiform  and  choreiform  kind,  were  the  alarming  symptoms 
observed,  but  such  movements  are  by  no  means  confined  to  one  member  of 
the  chlorine  series  of  anaesthetics. — Therapeutic  Gazette. 
Fluoride  of  Quinine  for  Enlarged  Spleen. — Fluoride  of  quinine 
has  recently  been  recommended  by  Dr.  Weddell,  of  Calcutta,  in  the  treat- 
ment of  enlarged  spleen.  He  has  investigated  the  action  of  fluoric  acid 
and  the  fluorides,  and  has  come  to  the  conclusion  that  in  cases  of  chroni- 
cally enlarged  spleens  of  malarial  origin  the  effects  obtained  are  often  very 
striking.  In  very  small  doses  the  fluorides  have  produced  marked  benefit 
in  cases  of  rickets  and  other  diseases  associated  with  malnutrition  of  the 
osseous  system.  Of  the  salts  of  fluoric  acid,  Dr.  Weddell  considers  those 
of  quinine  or  quinetum  (i.  e.,  of  the  mixed  cinchona  alkaloids)  to  be  the 
best. — Med.  and  Surg.  Reporter. 
Salicylate  of  Atropine.— From  the  "Lancet,"  September  27,  1884, 
we  learn  that  salicylate  of  atropine  appears  to  be  in  some  quarters  dis- 
placing the  sulphate.  Frederici  has  prepared  the  neutral  salt  by  dissolving 
the  atropine  (twenty-three  parts)  with  the  aid  of  gentle  heat  in  a  suitable 
quantity  of  pure  alcohol,  and  then  adding  the  salicylic  acid  gradually  to 
complete  neutralization  (eighteen  parts)  the  solution  being  carefully  tested 
with  litmus  paper  during  the  operation.  The  liquid  is  then  evaporated  in 
a  water-bath  to  a  gelatinous  consistence,  the  mass  assuming  an  amber  color, 
and  the  drying  is  finished  in  a  sand-bath  or  drying-closet.  The  compound 
deliquesces  quickly  when  exposed  to  the  atmosphere,  but  is  said  to  keep 
well  if  properly  preserved,  though  the  solution  is  very  unstable. — Med.  and 
Surg.  Reporter. 
Helenin  crystallizes  in  four-sided  prisms,  insoluble  in  water,  but  soluble 
in  ether  and  alcohol ;  it  has  a  yellow  color,  melts  at  72°,  and  boils  at  140°  C. 
(284  F.) ;  its  formula  is  C21H2803.  Helenin  has  been  extensively  employed 
in  the  general  hospital  of  Madrid  in  the  treatment  of  tuberculosis,  chronic 
