AnQFeb!'i8f£arm' I   Gleanings  from  the  German  Journals.  89 
water  added  and  the  contents  rinsed  into  a  beaker ;  after 
cooling,  the  solution  is  acidified  with  dilute  sulphuric  acid, 
which  causes  the  formation  of  a  flocculent  precipitate,  con- 
taining the  fine  particles  of  cellulose  which  were  suspended 
in  the  alkaline  solution;  by  the  carefnl  addition  of  a  dilute 
sodium  hydrate  solution  an  alkaline  reaction  is  obtained, 
causing  the  precipitated  substances,  with  the  exception  of 
the  cellulose,  to  redissolve.  The  solution  is  filtered,  by  aid 
of  a  filter  pump,  through  a  very  finely-perforated  platinum 
cone,  the  precipitate  thoroughly  washed  with  hot  and  cold 
water,  then  again  removed  to  the  beaker,  digested  with  alco- 
hol, refiltered  and  washed  with  ether.  The  precipitate  is 
dried  in  a  water-bath,  weighed,  ignited  and  the  ash  sub- 
tracted from  the  first  weight,  the  difference  giving  the  pure 
cellulose.  This  determination  can  be  made  in  5-6  hours,  and 
the  results  are  exact. — Dr.  G.  Lange,  ZtscJir.  f.  Physiol.  Chem.y 
1890,  283. 
Bromoform  has  recently  been  recommended  by  Dr.  Steppin 
the  treatment  of  whooping-cough.  The  daily  dose  ranges 
from  5-10-15-20  drops  in  four  fl.  ozs.  water  (f3i-f5ij  alcohol 
increases  the  solubility  of  bromoform  in  water)  given  in 
hourly  doses  of  one  to  two  teaspoonfuls.  The  dose  is  in 
direct  proportion  to  the  intensity  of  the  infection  and  the  age 
of  the  patient.  Bromoform  differs  from  chloroform  (which 
was  also  used,  but  found  to  be  of  no  value)  in  its  internal 
administration  by  not  acting  upon  the  mucous  membranes. 
It  is  prepared"  by  adding  bromine  to  a  solution  containing 
equal  parts  of  potassium  hydrate  and  methyl  alcohol  until 
a  faint  yellow  color  appears;  the  bromoform  is  freed  from 
acid  by  washing  with,  sodium  carbonate  solution,  dehydrated 
over  calcium  chloride  and  rectified.  It  forms  a  colorless 
liquid,  sp.  gr.  2*8,  boils  at  1500  C,  and  is  only  slightly 
soluble  in  water,  100  cc.  water  dissolving  after  persistent 
agitation  only  5-6  drops. — L.  Renter  in  P harm.  Ztg.,  1890,  5. 
A  superior  black  ink,  which  is  not  affected  by  water  or  acids, 
is  made  by  mixing  warm  solutions  of  potassium  bichromate 
and  gelatin,  exposing  to  sunlight  for  one-half  hour,  adding  a 
solution  of  nigrosin  in  water,  filtering,  and  finally  adding  a 
few  drops  of  creasote. — {Ind.  Bl.)  Pharm.  Post,  1889,  877. 
