350  Abstracts  from  the  French  Journals,  {^'j^ylm^ 
Lard  and  Vaselin  in  Ointments. — M.  Carles  lately  stated,  in  the 
Jour,  de  Med.  de  Bordeaux,  that  benzoated  lard  was  preferable  to 
vaselin  in  the  preparation  of  ointments,  because  it  permitted  an  easier 
absorption  of  the  medicament  associated  with  it.  Dr.  Dubreuilh 
replies  in  the  same  journal  (Apr.  12)  that  in  certain  cases  the  use  of 
vaselin  is  more  advantageous.  This  is  especially  true  of  ointments 
containing  corrosive  sublimate,  oxide  of  mercury  or  any  other  sub- 
stance which  undergo  alteration  on  contact  with  fats.  Also,  the 
non-absorption  of  vaselin  is  advantageous  when  ointments  are  to  be 
used  as  dressings.  Lard  dries  too  quickly  and  does  not  prevent 
evaporation  from  the  surface  of  the  skin.  A  vaselin  dressing  will 
last  for  a  day,  and  its  viscosity  prevents  its  being  too  readily  dis- 
turbed. Lard  is  preferable  (when  a  profound  effect  is  required) 
through  its  capability  of  being  absorbed  ;  vaselin  should  be  used 
when  we  want  a  protective  covering. 
Transformation  of  Cupreine  into  Quinine. — Referring  to  the 
announcement  that  Grimaux  and  Arnaud  had  succeeded  in  making 
quinine  by  synthesis  (Compt.  rend.  Acad,  des  Sci,  Apr.  13),  the  editor 
of  R'epert.  de  P/zar.,  May  ioth,says  :  "  This  assertion  is  not  strictly  cor- 
rect ;  we  would  not  detract  from  the  merits  of  these  able  chemists,  but 
it  is  admitted  that  we  cannot  really  obtain  quinine  by  synthesis  until 
we  shall  have  succeeded  in  preparing  it  from  an  artificial  body. 
Grimaux  and  Arnaud  obtained  their  quinine  by  operating  with 
cupreine,  a  natural  product  ;  hence,  they  have  simply  transformed 
the  latter  into  quinine.  Indeed,  these  chemists  gave  their  labors  the 
unpretentious  title  of  a  ■  transformation.'  Cupreine  is  a  base  of 
quina  cuprea  or  Remigia  pedunculatax  soluble  in  alkalis,  colored  by 
perchloride  of  iron  and  appearing  to  have  a  phenolic  character.  If 
we  compare  its  formula  (C19H22N202)  with  that  of  quinine  (C20H24N2O2) 
we  find  the  same  relation  between  these  bases  as  exists  between 
phenol  (C6HcO)  and  its  methylic  ether  (C7HsO).  Cupreine  being  a 
body  of  mixed  functions,  part  base  and  part  phenol,  quinine  would 
be  its  methylic  ether.  This  prevision  was  confirmed  by  the  authors. 
They  added  soda  to  cupreine  in  a  solution  of  methylic  alcohol,  and 
this  heated  with  an  excess  of  iodide  of  methyl,  formed  two  iodo- 
methylates  of  quinine.  In  replacing  the  iodide  by  the  chloride  of 
methyl  and  heating  to  1000  C.  in  sealed  tubes  for  12  hours  free 
quinine  was  obtained.  The  product  of  the  reaction  was  evaporated 
to  dryness  and  that  portion  of  the  cupreine  not  transformed  was 
