568 
Varieties. 
{ 
Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
Nov.,  1891. 
Lolium  temulentum,  known  as  darnel,  contains,  according  to  Dr.  P.  Antze 
{Centralbl.  J.  d.  ges.  Ther.,  May,  1891),  a  volatile  alkaloid,  loliine,  and  a  solid 
base,  temulentine  ;  the  latter  is  probably  a  decomposition  product  of  temulentic 
acid,  for  which  he  has  determined  the  formula  C12H42N019.  The  poisonous 
properties  seem  to  reside  in  the  acid  and  in  temulentine,  while  after  loliine  has 
been  given  there  is  no  reduction  of  temperature  and  no  staggering. 
Pistoia  Poiuder. — There  is  a  powder  made  in  a  convent  near  Pistoia,  Italy, 
which  is  used  very  extensively  as  a  protective  against  gout.    The  following  is 
said  by  Mr.  Chastaing  to  be  its  composition  : 
R  Bryonia  Root,  ^ 
This  is  made  into  365  powders,  one  of  which  is  taken  each  day  oftheyearin 
a  full  glass  of  cold  or  hot  water. — Quart.  Iherap.  Review. 
Menthol  in  Hay  Fever. — Dr.  Lennox  Wainwright  {British  Medical  Journal, 
July  18,  1891)  has  found  menthol,  mixed  with  carbonate  of  ammonium  and 
used  as  smelling  salts,  the  most  useful  remedy  in  hay  fever.  The  patients  say 
that  all  irritability  disappears,  and  in  many  cases  they  get  no  return  of  the 
symptoms. 
Naphthalin  according  to  Dr.  Mirovich  [The  Lancet),  is  an  admirable  remedy 
for  ascarides  and  for  tape  worm,  and  is  much  more  certain  and  far  less  poison- 
ous than  most  of  the  other  vermifuges.  For  adults  he  prescribes  a  fifteen- 
grain  powder,  to  be  followed  immediately  by  two  ounces  of  castor  oil.  For 
two  days  before  this  dose  the  patient  is  directed  to  live  on  salt,  acid  and  highly- 
seasoned  food,  then  the  naphthalin  is  given  fasting  early  the  following  morning. 
In  all  the  cases  the  whole  taenia  was  expelled  with  its  head  after  the  first  dose. 
— See  also  Amer.  Jour.  Phar.,  1887,  p.  128,  and  1890,  p.  407. 
Randia  dumentorum  is  regarded  b}'  Sir  James  Sawyer  {The  Lancet,  1891,  p. 
656)  as  a  useful  addition  to  our  repertory  of  nervine  antispasmodics  and  cardiac 
excitants.  The  active  principle  of  the  unripe  fruit  is  a  saponin-like  body.  An 
ethereal  tincture  is  recommended  to  be  made  of  one  part  of  the  drug  to  five 
parts  of  spirit  of  ether. 
Commo7i  Thyme,  which  was  recommended  in  whooping-cough  three  or 
four  years  ago  by  Dr.  S.  B.  Johnson,  is  regarded  by  Dr.  Neovius  ( The  Lancet, 
May  9,  1891),  as  almost  worthy  the  title  of  a  specific,  which,  if  given  early 
and  constantly,  invariably  cuts  short  the  disease  in  a  fortnight,  the  symptoms 
generally  vanishing  in  two  or  three  days.  He  gives  from  one  ounce  and  a  half 
to  six  ounces  per  diem,  combined  with  a  little  marsh-mallow  syrup.  He  never 
saw  any  undesirable  effect  produced,  except  slight  diarrhoea.  It  is  important 
that  the  drug  should  be  used  quite  fresh. 
Gentian,          >  . 
Chamomile,  J 
Colchicum  Root, 
Betony,  
aa  gm .  x 
gm.  xx 
gm.  j 
