GLEANINGS  FROM  THE  FRENCH  JOURNALS. 
509 
2d.  That  the  phosphate  of  lime  of  bone,  also  that  of  magne- 
sia contained  in  the  urine  of  animals  can  only  come  from  the 
phosphates  that  vegetables  contain  in  a  soluble  state  which  cir- 
culate in  the  economy  through  the  agency  of  liquids  absorbed 
by  the  organs  of  nutrition. 
3d.  That  the  absorption  of  insoluble  phosphates  by  plants  is 
effected  by  aid  of  organic  matter  contained  in  the  soil,  and 
which  render  said  salts  for  the  time  soluble  in  water. — Joum. 
de  Qhem.  Med. 
Analysis  of  chocolate .  M.  Alfred  Mitscherlich  has  found  in 
100  partsof  Guyaquii  cacao,  45  to  49  per  cent,  of  butter  ;  14  to 
18  of  starch:  0-34  glucose  ;  0-26  cane  sugar;  5-8  cellulose; 
3'5  to  5  coloring  matter;  13  to  18  albuminoid  matter;  1-2  to 
1.5  theobromine;  3*5  ashes  ;  5-6  to  6-3  water.  The  propor- 
tion of  starch  is  very  considerable  ;  it  is  a  fact  not  to  be  over- 
looked by  experts  who  find  chocolate  mixed  writh  feculent  sub- 
stances. The  coloring  matter  appears  to  be  an  altered  product, 
because  the  fresh  seeds  are  white.  Theobromine  is  found  in 
the  shells  of  the  cacao  which  contain  one  per  cent,  of  their 
weight. 
Labels  to  aid  the  Pharmaceutical  Student. — M.  Barbot,  of 
Saintes  (Jour,  de  Ohim.  Med.),  suggests  the  idea  of  throwing 
together  in  the  form  of  a  square  label  a  succinct  account  of  the 
preparation  contained  in  each  bottle  so  that  the  apprentice  can 
a1  ways  be  put  on  his  guard  and  have  an  instantaneous  reference 
on  every  occasion  of  handling  a  bottle.  The  following  is  a 
sample  : — 
SCAMMONY.     A  gum  resinous  concrete  juice  yielded  by 
Convolvulus  scammonia. 
Family,  Convolvulacese. 
Source,  Aleppo. 
Substance  poisonous  in  large  doses. 
Properties,  Purgative,  Drastic. 
To  be  sold  only  on  prescription. 
Use,  internally,  in  the  dose  of  2*  to  15  grs.  in  pills,  bolu3, 
and  emulsion. 
Cost  per  lb. .... .  sold  at  ....  1  dr.     1  oz.     4  oz.  lb. 
No  
