Am.  Jour.  I'liarm. ) 
Dec,  1884.  / 
Oil  of  Limes. 
The  difference  in  flavor  and  aroma  is  so  marked  as  to  scarcely  require 
any  other  means  of  distinguishing  ecuelled  from  distilled  oil,  the 
ecuelled  having  a  decided  and  fragrant  lemon-like  smell,  whilst  the 
distilled  is  very  inferior,  frequently  possessing  little  more  than  the 
smell  of  turpentine. 
The  distilled  oil  is  usually  almost  colorless,  is  specifically  lighter,  of 
inferior  aroma,  and  contains  no  citroptene. 
When  this  citroptene  is  treated  with  oxidizing  agents,  e.g.,  nitric 
acid  or  preferably  chromic  acid  mixture,  a  red  resinous  acid  body  is 
produced  (probably  the  limettic  acid  of  Vohl).1  So  that  if  a  sample 
of  oil  of  limes  be  agitated  with  chromic  acid  mixture  for  some  few 
minutes  and  the  mixture  filtered,  the  red  resin  will  be  left  on  the  filter 
and  sides  of  the  test  tube,  if  the  oil  be  hand  made ;  but  will  not  appear 
if  simply  distilled. 
When  agitated  with  Nessler's  test  ecuelled  oils  give  pale  yellow 
mixtures  (apparently  darker  mixtures  as  the  oil  becomes  older). 
Distilled  oils,  on  the  other  hand,  give  dark  grey  and  black  mixtures, 
thus  affording  a  marked  distinction.  Old  resinized  ecuelled  oils,  too, 
give  dark  greenish-grey  mixtures. 
By  means  of  Nessler's  test  I  believe  it  would  thus  be  possible  to 
detect  admixtures  of  from  5-10  per  cent,  of  distilled  oil ;  but  I  have 
not  yet  had  an  opportunity  of  studying  the  reaction  in  the  case  of  old 
but  carefully  preserved  samples. — Pharm.  Jour,  and  Tran.,  Oclober, 
1884,  p.  322. 
Chloroform  and  Croton  Oil  for  Tape-worm.— Dr.  Bernard  Persh, 
according  to  the  "  Medical  and  Surgical  Reporter,"  has  most  satisfactory  re- 
sults in  cases  of  tape-worm  with  chloroform  and  croton  oil.  He  suspends 
one  drop  of  croton  oil  and  a  drachm  of  chloroform  in  one  ounce  of  glycerin  ; 
this  to  constitute  one  dose.  The  medicine  is  best  given  in  the  morning 
before  breakfast,  and  no  preparatory  treatment  is  required,  except  half  an 
ounce  of  Bochelle  salt  on  the  evening  preceding  the  removal.  The  pre- 
liminary laxative  is  not  necessary  to  effect  a  cure,  and  it  was  omitted  in 
several  cases ;  but  its  administration  facilitates  the  examination  of  the 
evacuations,  prevents  breaking  up  the  worm  by  hard  faeces,  and  allows  the 
parasite  to  pass  more  quickly  through  the  intestines  after  becoming  detached. 
The  medicine  is  not  unpleasant  to  take,  and  acts  quickly.  If  any  intestinal 
irritation  is  caused  it  may  be  controlled  with  bismuth  and  opium  after  the 
expulsion  of  the  worm. —  Weekly  Med.  Review,  November  8,  1884. 
1  These  bodies  are  at  present  under  investigation. 
