6l2 
Reviews. 
Am.  Jour,  Pharm. 
Dec,  1891. 
urine,  and  then  Solution  B  following  with  ammonium  hydrate  ;  should  a  typhoid 
condition  exist,  it  will  occasion  a  wine  coloration. 
G.  M.  Beringer,  Ph.G.,  read  a  paper  upon  Mullein  Oil  and  its  uses. 
F.  X.  Moerk,  Ph.G.,  read  a  paper  upon  the  Colorimetric  estimation  of 
Vanillin,  showing  the  great  delicacy  of  this  test.  The  question  was  asked 
whether  vanillin  from  artificial  sources  could  be  distinguished  from  that 
obtained  from  the  fruit.  Mr.  Moerk  said  it  could  not.  Fluid  Extracts  of 
Vanilla  which  had  no  foreign  color  added  to  them  gave  the  color  reactions. 
A  letter  from  A.  L.  Beck,  Ph.G.,  inquiring  what  should  be  the  strength  of  dilute 
Lactic  Acid,  was  read.  The  U.  S.  Pharmacopoeia  only  gives  the  75  per  cent,  as 
officinal  ;  two  different  makes  which  he  had  examined  gave  respectively  36  per 
cent,  and  6*3  per  cent,  of  absolute  acid.  He  says  that  he  has  made  it  10  per 
cent,  to  have  it  uniform  with  the  other  dilute  officinal  acids  ;  he  expresses  the 
opinion  that  manufacturers  should  indicate  the  strength  of  the  preparation  on 
the  label. 
J.  W.  England  read  a  note  upon  salicylate  of  bismuth.  A  motion  was 
made  to  refer  the  papers  read  to  the  Publication  Committee.  Mr.  England  called 
attention  to  the  use  of  Menthol  and  Carbonate  of  Ammonia  in  colds  in  the 
head,  hay  fever,  etc.,  to  be  employed  as  smelling  salts  ;  they  should  be  mixed 
in  about  equal  quantities.  Dr.  Miller  said  that  it  was  important  that  the  car- 
bonate of  ammonia  should  not  be  in  too  great  excess. 
Inquiry  was  made  wh}^  abstract  of  belladonna  was  made  from  the  root  when 
the  pharmacopoeia  directed  the  extract  and  tincture  to  be  prepared  from  the 
leaves  ;  the  reason  was  that  in  preparations  so  well-known  as  the  extract  and 
tincture,  any  change  would  produce  great  dissatisfaction,  while  it  is  well-known 
that  the  root  is  far  more  active  and  hence  was  employed. 
On  motion,  adjourned.  T.  S.  Wiegand, 
Registrar. 
REVIEWS  AND  BIBLIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 
The  P.  C.  P.  Alumni  Report. — Published  under  the  auspices  of  the  Alumni 
Association  of  the  Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy. 
Heretofore  the  Report  of  the  Alumni  Association  made  its  appearance  once 
a  year.  With  the  present  season  a  change  has  been  made,  so  that  a  report 
will  reach  the  alumni  eight  times  a  year,  each  containing  the  minutes  of  the 
last  social  meeting,  and  information  on  other  College  matters.  The  publica- 
tion is  in  charge  of  Jos.  W.  England,  Ph.G.,  as  editor,  and  Wm.  Nelson  Stem, 
Ph.G.,  as  business  manager.  The  first  issue  contains  24  pages,  and  including 
a  number  of  editorial  notes  and  discussions,  makes  attractive  and  interesting 
reading  matter.  The  periodical  is  published  at  the  subscription  price  of  $  1  a 
year. 
Exercise  Book  of  funior  Pharmaceutical  Laboratory  Work. — Division  one. 
Arranged  for  use  in  the  Massachusetts  College  of  Pharmacy,  Boston,  Mass. 
By  Edgar  L.  Patch,  Ph.G.,  Professor  of  Theory  and  Practice  of  Pharmacy,  and 
Director  of  Pharmaceutical  Laboratory.  1891. 
A  very  conveniently  and  systematically  arranged  book,  containing  typical 
processes  and  manipulations  arranged  for  the  practical  instruction  of  tyros 
in  pharmacy.    Beginning  with  the  testing  of  thermometers  and  the  taking  of 
