4i8 
Reviews. 
Am.  Jour.  Pliarm. 
Aug.,  1891. 
REVIEWS  AND  BIBLIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 
Falsifications  et  autres  Defectuosites  des  principaux  Medicaments  Simples  ; 
par  Nt.  Gille,  Pharmacien,  Professeur  emerite,  etc.  Deuxieme  edition,  revue 
et  augrnentee  avec  la  collaboration  de  Bug.  Gille,  Pharmacien,  etc.  Bruxelles  : 
Imprimerie  Charles  Vande  Weghe.    1891.    121110,  pp.  xxxii  and  409. 
Falsifications  and  other  imperfections  of  the  principal  simple  medicaments. 
Although  this  little  work  is  primarily  intended  for  the  use  of  students  with 
the  view  of  familiarizing  them  with  the  methods  for  recognizing  and  establish- 
ing the  purit}^  of  drugs  and  chemicals  and  the  nature  of  impurities  that  may  be 
present,  the  book  affords  also  valuable  information  and  many  practical  hints 
to  those  who  are  already  accustomed  to  such  investigations.  In  an  intro- 
ductory chapter  the  author  discusses  in  a  general  way  the  causes  of  impurities, 
the  nature  of  falsifications,  and  the  manner  of  detecting  them  and  guarding 
against  them.  The  work  proper  is  divided  into  three  parts,  the  first  of  which 
treats  of  inorganic  drugs,  divided  into  simple  and  compound  bodies,  and  fur- 
ther arranged  into  convenient  groups  according  to  chemical  or  physical  quali- 
ties. The  second  part  treats  of  organ ico-inorganic  drugs,  comprising  salts  of 
an  organic  acid  with  an  inorganic  fixed  base  ;  salts  of  an  organic  base  with 
a  mineral  acid,  and  non-saline  fossil  and  allied  compounds,  like  petroleum, 
paraffin,  amber,  etc.  The  third  part,  relating  to  organic  drugs,  occupies  more 
than  one-half  of  the  work,  and  is  divided  into  three  sections,  chemical  com- 
pounds, organic  products  of  a  complex  composition  (gums,  resins,  fats,  etc.), 
and  plants  and  plant  organs.  The  individual  drugs  are  not  described,  but 
strictly  in  accordance  with  the  aim  of  the  work  only  the  possible  impurities 
and  the  occasional  adulterations  and  substitutions  are  enumerated  and  the 
manner  of  their  detection  indicated.  This  detection  is  effected,  wherever 
possible,  by  chemical  means,  but  for  drugs  consisting  of  plants  or  plant  organs, 
the  botanical  and  physical  characters  are  mainly  dwelled  upon,  however,  to 
the  exclusion  of  the  structural  characteristics,  the  determination  of  which 
belongs  to  a  different  course  of  study.  In  an  appendix  the  author  gives  several 
chemical  tables  useful  for  investigations  like  those  treated  of  in  the  work,  and 
the  Belgian  laws  against  falsifications.  The  work  is  thoroughly  practical  and 
gives  evidence  that  it  has  been  written  by  a  close  observer  and  an  experienced 
teacher. 
Monograph  011  flavoring  Extracts,  with  Essences,  Syrups  and  Colorings ; 
also  formulas  for  their  preparation.  With  appendix.  For  the  use  of  druggists. 
By  Joseph  Harrop,  Ph.  G.  Columbus,  O.  Harrop  &  Co.  1891.  i2mo.  Pp.162. 
Price,  cloth,  interleaved,  $2. 
The  title  of  this  little  work  sufficiently  explains  its  scope,  and  since  its  author 
has  been  engaged  for  some  years  in  the  manufacture  of  such  preparations,  he 
was  enabled  to  offer  a  work  of  practical  usefulness,  containing  original  formulas 
and  others  compiled  from  various  sources,  presumably  after  having  verified 
their  worth.  In  six  chapters  are  discussed  the  articles  used  ;  the  manufacture 
of  flavoring  extracts  ;  artificial  flavoring  essences ;  syrups ;  colorings,  and 
finally  in  the  appendix,  various  preparations  mostly  connected  with  the  soda 
water  trade.  The  practical  utility  of  the  work  will  secure  for  it  many  inter- 
ested readers.  As  it  is  interleaved,  observations  can  be  noted  in  suitable  places 
for  future  reference. 
