210 
Investigation  into  "Husa" 
Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
May,  1899. 
the  use  of  heat,  strain,  and  pass  enough  diluted  acetic  acid  through 
the  strainer  to  make  the  product  measure  i,oooc.c.  (34  fluid  ounces 
old  form). 
The  quantity  of  acetic  acid  may  be  reduced  if  necessary  by  using 
for  a  menstruum,  equal  quantities  of  diluted  acetic  acid  and  water. 
The  syrup  thus  made  is  light  reddish-brown  in  color,  has  the 
characteristic  peach  kernel  flavor,  with  a  decidedly  agreeable,  acidu- 
lous taste,  with  the  astringency  greatly  modified.  Hydrocyanic 
acid  is  present,  the  acetic  acid  not  interfering  with  its  generation. 
The  glycerin,  it  will  be  observed,  is  not  added  to  the  menstruum, 
but  is  placed  in  the  receiving  vessel ;  this  prevents  the  decomposi- 
tion of  the  infusion,  which  rapidly  occurs  when  a  solely  aqueous 
menstruum  is  used  ;  in  addition  to  this  less  tannin  is  found  in  the 
product,  for,  as  is  well  known,  glycerin  is  the  best  solvent  for  tan- 
/  nin. 
AN  INVESTIGATION  INTO  -  HUSA,"  AN  ASSERTED  PLANT 
PREPARATION  TO  CURE  THE  OPIUM  HABIT.1 
By  Prof.  John  Uri  Li^oyd. 
In  February,  1898,  The  Texas  Courier- Re  cord  of  Medicine,  p.  195, 
in  the  leading  article,  under  the  head,  "  Practice  of  Medicine,"  pub- 
lished a  paper  by  W.  W.  Winthrop,  A.M.,  M.D.,  Fort  Worth,  Tex., 
titled,  "  Singular  Discovery  of  a  New  Florida  Plant,  that  is  an  Anti- 
dote for  Snake  Poison,  and  a  Cure  for  the  Opium  and  Morphine 
Habits." 
This  paper  is  not  suitable  for  condensation,  and  is  too  long  for 
reproduction. 
In  substance,  the  author  states  that  in  Florida  he  found  a  negro 
who  had  a  secret  antidote  to  poisonous  reptile  bites.  This  negro 
would  allow  two  immense  rattlesnakes  to  bite  him  with  impunity. 
To  use  "  Dr.  Winthrop's  "  words,  "  These  snakes  he  would  irritate 
any  number  of  times  a  day  and  allow  to  bite  him  on  the  hand,  arm, 
breast  or  any  place  indicated.  This  I  saw  frequently  and  investi- 
gated. After  each  bite  he  would  take  a  mouthful  of  some  herbs 
which  he  carried  in  a  little  bag,  he  claiming  that  these  herbs  coun- 
teracted the  effects  of  the  bites,  which  they  evidently  did." 
1  Read  at  the  joint  meeting  of  the  Cincinnati  Section  of  the  American 
Chemical  Society  and  the  Cincinnati  Academy  of  Pharmacy,  University  of 
Cincinnati,  March  15,  1899. 
