86  Gleanings  from  the  German  Journals.   r  Aeq-  Jour- Pharm- 
Feb.,  1890. 
GLEANINGS  FROM  THE  GERMAN  JOURNALS. 
By  Frank  X.  Moerk,  Ph  G. 
Diuretin  is  the  name  under  which  a  soluble  salt  of  theo- 
bromine is  placed  upon  the  German  market ;  theobromine-sodium 
salicylate  is  its  composition,  and  it  contains  50  per  cent,  theo- 
bromine. It  forms  a  white  powder,  soluble  in  less  than  half 
its  weight  of  warm  water  without  precipitating  after  cooling 
(theobromine  is  soluble  in  1,600  parts  of  water).  The  powder 
as  well  as  its  solution  should  be  preserved  in  well-corked  vials. 
It  is  given  in  single  doses  of  one  gram  each,  the  daily  dose 
being  six  grams  ;  diuretin  is  characterized  by  its  direct  action 
upon  the  kidneys,  and  has  been  found  useful  in  kidney  and 
heart  affections  in  which  digitalis  and  strophanthus  failed 
to  act. — Apothekcr  Ztg.,  1889,  1338. 
The  presence  of  Aloes  in  Fluid  Extract  of  Cascara  sagrada, 
has  been  the  subject  of  an  investigation  by  Ludwig  Reuter, 
who  recommends  Klunge's  cupraloin  reaction  as  the  best 
means  of  detecting  the  adulteration:  10  to  20  drops  of  the 
extract  are  evaporated  to  dryness  in  a  watch  crystal,  the 
residue  mixed  with  cold  water  and  the  aqueous  solution 
filtered  :  to  the  filtrate  are  first  added  a  few  drops  of  copper 
sulphate  solution,  then  a  little  sodium  chloride  solution,  and 
finally,  a  few  drops  of  alcohol,  a  violet-red  coloration  indicat- 
ing the  presence  of  aloes. — Phar?n.  Ztg.,  1889,  745. 
Exalgin  or  methylacetanilid  C6H5N(CH3)C2H30  is  prepared  by 
the  action  of  acetylchloride  C2H3OCl  upon  monomethylaniline 
C6H5NHCH3  there  being  also  produced  methylaniline  chlor- 
hydrate  C6H5NHCH3,HC1.  It  is  obtained  in  white  crystals 
melting  at  ioo°,  boiling  at  245  0  C,  easily  soluble  in  alcohol,  diffi- 
cultly soluble  in  water.  Among  its  tests  may  be  noted  :  (1)  If 
exalgin  be  boiled  with  solution  of  potassium  hydrate,  allowed 
to  cool,  diluted  with  water  and  a  little  fresh  chlorine  water 
now  added,  the  solution  becomes  transiently  cloudy,  then  for 
one  to  two  minutes  colorless,  after  which  it  assumes  a  pure 
blue  color ;  acetanilid  in  the  same  manner  forms  an  orange- 
red  color.  This  test  allows  the  detection  of  acetanilid  in 
exalgin.  (2)  The  simplest  test  by  which  exalgin  can  be  dis- 
tinguished from  acetanilid,  phenacetin  and  methacetin  depends 
