Amsiptr;Sarm'}  Abstracts  from  the  French  Journals.  463 
suggesting  a  little  that  of  mint ;  it  has  the  formula  C10H18O  and  differs 
from  geraniol  only  by  different  positions  being  occupied  by  the  methyl- 
and  propyl-groups;  it  is  a  methane  derivative,  but  by  the  action 
of  dehydrating  agents  yields  limonene  and  dipentene.  (3)  The 
stearopten  is  present  in  amounts  varying  from  20-68  per  cent.,  oils 
from  colder  climates  containing  more  stearopten  ;  it  is  probable  that 
the  stearopten  comprises  a  homologous  series  of  hydrocarbons,  at 
least  two  hydrocarbons  having  been  discovered  (Am.  Journ.  Pharm., 
1 89 1,  48).  In  this  examination  160  grams  German  and  460  grams 
Turkish  oil  were  used,  chiefly  in  the  study  of  rhodinol  and  in  the 
manufacture  of  its  derivatives. — Ulrich  Eckart,  Arch,  der  Pharm., 
1891,  355-389. 
ABSTRACTS  FROM  THE  FRENCH  JOURNALS. 
Translated  for  the  American  Journal  of  Pharmacy. 
Active  Principle  of  Anemone  sylvestris.  M.  Dupuy  (Con- 
gres  des  Societes  Savantes)  finds  this  to  be  a  well-defined  solid  which 
crystallizes  in  needles.  He  says  :  **  From  a  therapeutic  point  of 
view  anemonin  is  an  agent  of  great  value,  acting  efficaciously  in 
acute  and  chronic  bronchial  catarrh,  and  as  a  calmative  of  the  spas- 
modic and  irritative  cough  of  pertussis.  It  is  also  of  value  in  eye 
troubles  dependent  upon  the  rheumatic  diathesis  and  possesses  pow- 
erful emmenagogue  properties.  In  elevated  doses  it  has  a  consid- 
erable toxicity,  causing  hiccough,  stupidity,  trembling  of  the  limbs, 
bloody  dejecta,  perversions  of  sense,  convulsions  and  death  by 
paralysis." — Nouv.  Rem.,  July  8. 
Intoxication  Following  the  External  Use  of  Tobacco. — M. 
Auche,  Jour,  de  Med.  de  Bordeaux,  cites  the  case  of  a  man  suffering 
from  pediculi  pubis  who  boiled  200  gm.  of  tobacco  in  2  litres  of 
water  and  rubbed  it  over  his  whole  body,  leaving  it  to  dry  on  the 
skin.  He  was  suddenly  seized  with  vertigo,  nausea,  heaviness  of 
the  head,  obnubilation  of  sight,  cold  sweats,  extreme  pallor,  trem- 
bling and  weakness  of  the  limbs,  etc.  The  extremities  became  very 
cold  and  purplish  in  color  and  the  moisture  on  the  skin  was  viscous. 
The  man's  brain  "  felt  compressed  "  and  the  air  "  looked  foggy  "  to 
him.  His  pupils  were  slightly  dilated  and  retained  the  power  of 
accommodation  ;  they  reacted  to  light ;  nausea  and  vertigo  were 
constant  symptoms.  Patient  complained  of  difficult  respiration  and 
spoke  with  difficulty.    The  heart  movements  were  slow  and  weak. 
