312  American  Pharmaceutical  Association.  {Xm-/unJ;fm.im' 
For  Syrup  of  lactucarium,  a  process  of  preparation  was  given  by  G.  H.  Klie, 
in  which  the  waxy  constituent  is  dissolved  by  ether,  and  the  bitter  principles  by 
diluted  alcohol.  The  use  of  lead  oleate  in  the  place  of  lead  plaster  was 
discussed  by  Prof.  Stevens. 
The  assay  of  nux  vomica  was  discussed  by  Prof.  Patch.  The  exsiccated 
powder  is  left  in  contact  with  a  measured  quantity  of  Prollius'  fluid  (concen- 
trated ether,  250  cc;  chloroform,  100  cc;  alcohol,  125  cc;  and  strong  ammonia 
water,  10  cc),  for  about  24  hours.  From  an  aliquot  portion  of  the  liquid  the 
alkaloids  are  extracted  by  agitation  with  dilute  sulphuric  acid ;  the  aqueous 
liquid  is  rendered  alkaline  with  ammonia,  and  the  liberated  alkaloid  extracted 
with  chloroform  and  weighed  after  evaporation  of  the  solvent.  From  the 
mixed  alkaloids  the  strychnine  may  be  determined  by  potassium  ferrocyanide. 
The  author  gave  a  number  of  determinations  which  illustrate  the  variation  of 
the  total  alkaloids  between  1-25  and  3*9  per  cent.;  at  the  same  time  the  varia- 
tion in  the  proportion  of  strychnine  to  other  alkaloids  (brucine,  etc.)  was  still 
greater,  it  being  in  some  cases  approximately  3:1;  2:1;  4:3;  1:1  and 
2  :  3. 
The  cultivation  of  the  orange  and  lemon  in  the  Southern  States  was  the 
theme  of  a  communication  by  R.  N.  Girling  ;  this  paper  contained  many  prac- 
tical hints. 
Caffeine  salts,  their  preparation  and  composition.  The  researches  of  H.  W. 
Snow  demonstrate  the  conditions  under  which  certain  definite  caffeine  salts 
may  be  prepared,  and  give  also  the  results  of  analyses  of  the  hydrochloride, 
hydrobromide,  nitrate,  sulphate,  salicylate,  benzoate  and  valerianate  of 
caffeine. 
What  is  the  duty  of  the  professional  pharmacist  regarding  patent  medicines  ? 
This  query  was  discussed  by  Mr.  L.  H.  Leavitt,  from  the  standpoint  of  the 
public  and  of  the  physician. 
A  specimen  of  Florida  camphor  had  been  procured  by  Mr.  Heinitsh,  and  was 
exhibited  at  one  of  the  sessions.  It  was  then  learned  that  the  camphor  tree 
had  also  been  grown  successfully  in  portions  of  Louisiana  south  of  New 
Orleans. 
The  drug  trade  and  the  United  States  pharmacopoeia  was  discussed  in  a  paper 
by  J.  C.  Means. 
Thiersch'' s  antiseptic  solution  consists  of  salicylic  acid,  2  parts  ;  boric  acid,  12 
parts,  and  distilled  water,  1,000  parts.  Adolph  Levy  recommends  the  prepara- 
tion of  tablets  containing  salicylic  acid,  14  grains  ;  and  boric  acid,  84  grains  ; 
one  of  these  tablets  is  to  be  dissolved  in  a  pint  of  hot  water. 
An  accident  case  was  described  by  A.  Levy ;  it  contains,  packed  in  a  con- 
venient manner,  all  the  necessary  medicines,  instruments  and  utensils  useful 
in  cases  of  accidents. 
For  the  manufacture  of  antiseptic  material,  Dr.  J.  T.  Davison  explained  some 
of  the  underlying  principles.  While  the  pharmacist  could  not,  probably,  com- 
pete with  the  large  manufacturer  as  to  price  and  style,  he  could,  by  conscien- 
tious attention  to  details,  produce  an  article  every  way  superior  to  those  usually 
supplied. 
Determination  of  the  value  of  Mustard.  Prof.  L.  B.  Sayre  suggests  this 
valuation  to  be  effected  by  distilling,  in  a  glass  apparatus,  the  volatile  oil  from 
a  mixture  of  water  and  mustard,  absorbing  the  vapors  in  an  excess  of  solution 
