AmNov.?i89oarm'}  Gleanings  from  the  German  Journals.  581 
GLEANINGS  FROM  THE  GERMAN  JOURNALS. 
By  Frank  X.  Moerk,  Ph.G. 
Preparation  of  'methyl phenacetine. — According  to  tlie  German  pat- 
ent granted  to  the  Farben-fabriken  (formerly  Friedr.  Bayer  &  Co.), 
/-acetphenetidine  (phenacetine)  is  dissolved  in  xylol  and  to  the 
boiling  solution  metallic  sodium  is  added;  phenacetine-sodium  soon 
separates  in  white  needles  which  is  then  treated  with  methyl  iodide 
forming  methyl  phenacetine  and  sodium  iodide.  The  former  is 
soluble  in  xylol  and  is  separated  from  the  latter  by  filtration;  the 
filtrate  is  freed  from  xylol  by  distilling  in  a  current  of  steam,  and  the 
remaining  oil  after  drying  is  distilled  in  a  vacuum;  between  295 0 
and  305 0  C  methyl  phenacetine  distils  as  a  colorless  oil  which,  after 
standing,  solidifies.  An  oily  body  (a  side  product  in  the  manufac- 
ture) is  removed  by  expression  and  the  methyl  phenacetine  purified 
by  crystallization  from  ether  or  alcohol.  The  purified  substance 
melts  at  400  C,  is  moderately  soluble  in  water,  easily  soluble  in 
ethereal  solvents. —  Chemiker  Ztg.,  1890,  1355. 
Carvacrol  iodide. — Substituting  carvacrol  for  thymol  (see  Amer. 
Journ.  of  Pharm.,  1890,  129)  in  the  preparation  of  aristol  an  iodine 
derivative  of  similar  properties  is  obtained,  the  only  difference 
between  the  two  being  in  their  behavior  towards  light ;  aristol  is 
decomposed,  the  new  body  is  not.  In  the  patent  granted  to  the 
Farben-fabriken,  the  following  proportions  of  the  chemicals  used 
are  given:  A  dilute  solution  of  1-5  kilos  carvacrol  in  r6  kilos 
sodium  hydrate  is  mixed  with  10 16  kilos  each  of  iodine  and  potas- 
sium iodide  and  the  mixture  made  alkaline;  the  yellow  precipitate 
obtained,  purified  by  washing  with  water,  forms  after  drying  a  yel- 
lowish-brown powder,  and  melting  at  900  C.  Patents  have  also 
been  granted  for  iodine  derivatives  of  phenol,  resorcin  and  salicylic 
acid,  which  are  all  made  in  a  similar  manner.  These  substances  are 
to  be  used  for  pharmaceutical  purposes.—  Chemiker  Ztg.,  1890, 
135  5- 
Lanolin,  a  vehicle  for  acid  and  saline  solutions. — Prior  to  the  use 
of  lanolin,  the  introduction  of  such  solutions  into  the  dermatological 
practice  was  impossible;  Unna  recently  published  the  following 
formulas : 
Unguentum  Aceti. — Aceti,  4-00;  Unguenti  simplicis,  20-0;  Lano- 
lini,  1 -00  (camphorae,  0-5-1-0).  The  addition  of  camphor  in  this 
ointment  is  to  be  recommended. 
