Am  Augr,'iP89iarm'}  Abstracts  from  the  French  Journals.  401 
direct  exposure  to  air,  is  stable.  The  syrup,  containing  an  excess 
of  hypophosphorous  acid,  appears  to  be  the  most  satisfactory,  and 
may,  perhaps,  make  a  good  substitute  for  the  officinal  Syrupus 
Hypophosphitum  cum  Ferro. 
ABSTRACTS  FROM  THE  FRENCH  JOURNALS. 
Translated  for  the  American  Journal  of  Pharmacy. 
Salicylate  of  Bismuth. — M.  Causse  (Comptes  rend.,  Ac.  des  Sci, 
May  25),  recommended  the  following  mode  of  preparation  :  Dissolve 
IOO  gm.  of  sub-nitrate  of  bismuth  in  concentrated  hydrochloric  acid. 
When  the  liquid  becomes  clear,  it  is  poured  into  a  litre  of  concen- 
trated solution  of  sal  ammoniac.  To  absorb  the  free  acid,  sub- 
nitrate  of  bismuth  is  slowly  added  so  long  as  it  will  dissolve.  A 
more  rapid  and  complete  result  is  obtained  by  neutralizing  with 
ammonia  dissolved  in  a  saturated  solution  of  sal  ammoniac.  The 
first  portions  of  the  alkali  determine  a  precipitate  which  disappears 
in  proportion  as  the  liquor  contains  free  acid.  The  neutral  solution 
of  bismuth  is  mixed  with  a  solution  of  120  gm.  of  salicylate  of 
soda,  made  with  500  gm.  of  a  saturated  solution  of  sal  ammoniac. 
A  voluminous  crystallization  of  salicylate  of  bismuth  soon  follows. 
The  crystals  are  washed  several  times  and  dried  at  an  ordinary  tem- 
perature. These  crystals  are  colorless  and  microscopic,  resembling 
those  of  dehydrated  sulphate  of  quinine.  Cold  water  has  no  effect 
on  this  salt,  but  it  is  decomposed  by  boiling  water,  by  alcohol  and 
by  heat.  The  salt  is  neutral,  and  contains  4  molecules  of  water  of 
crystallization. 
Combretum  Raimbaultii. — Dr.  E.  Heckel  (Repert.  de  Phar.,  June 
10)  describes  the  use  of  this  plant  in  "bilious  hematuric  fever"  as 
employed  by  the  natives  of  Western  Africa,  between  Rio-Numez  and 
Sierra-Leone,  under  the  name  of  kinkeliba.  They  make  a  decoc- 
tion of  16  gm.  of  the  powdered  leaves  to  1  litre  of  water,  boiling 
the  mixture  for  15  minutes  and  then  filtering.  One  tumblerful 
(250  gm.)  is  given  at  once;  half  this  quantity  is  given  ten  minutes 
afterward,  and  a  quarter  of  it  ten  minutes  later.  Vomiting  super- 
venes, but  soon  ceases  and  does  not  recur.  The  patient  continues  to 
take  the  decoction  whenever  he  is  thirsty,  for  four  days  ;  but  he 
should  not  ingest  more  than  \y2  litre  daily.  Kinkeliba  contains 
tannin  (20  80  gm.  per  100  gm.),  and  a  quantity  (not  stated)  of  nitrate 
