EDITORIAL. 
578 
mended  as  a  stimulating  expectorant,  and  has  been  prescribed  by  a  few  medi- 
cal men  in  London  and  Dublin,  in  the  form  of  tincture  and  extract.  The  bark, 
which  contains  numerous  cells  filled  with  resin,  has  an  agreeable  terebinthi- 
nous  odor;  whether  it  possesses  any  real  advantage  over  the  numerous  tere- 
binthinous  remedies  already  in  use,  may  well  be  doubted.  We  may  mention, 
however,  that  a  crystallizable  volatile  principle,  to  which  the  name  larixinic 
acid  has  been  given,  has  recently  been  obtained  from  larch  bark,  which  at 
present  is  its  only  source :  also  that  the  bark  contains  a  peculiar  form  of 
tannin.* 
Guaco. — Attention  has  been  recently  called  to  the  medicinal  effects  of  the 
stems  of  certain  species  of  Aristolochia,  commonly  known  in  South  America 
by  the  name  of  guaco,  and  there  used  against  the  bites  of  venomous  serpents. 
The  drug  is  quite  distinct  from  the  stems  of  Mikania  Guaco,  H.  B„  K.,  also 
called  guaco  in  some  parts  of  New  Granada.  A  good  specimen,  derived  from 
Aristolochia  trilobata,  L.,  is  sent  from  Trinidad  by  Mr.  Sylvester  Devenish  of 
that  island. 
Bark  of  Cerasus  virginiana,  Michx.,  is  employed  in  the  United  States  as  a 
tonic  and  sedative,  and  has  recently  been  introduced  to  the  notice  of  medical 
men  in  this  country.  It  contains  a  bitter  principle  not  yet  isolated ;  also 
amygdalin,  together  with  a  substance  analogous  to  emulsin,  which,  reacting 
on  each  other  in  the  presence  of  water,  yield  hydrocyanic  acid  and  a  volatile 
oil  resembling  that  of  bitter  almonds. f 
Bark  of  Ulmusfulva,  Michx.,  a  North  American  tree,  is  remarkably  mucila- 
ginous, and  of  an  agreeable  odor.  The  infusion  is  a  good  demulcent,  and 
recommended  in  dysentery  and  stranguary.  The  bark  is  also  sometimes 
chewed  as  an  expectorant,  and  in  a  bruised  state  may  be  used  for  poultices. 
It  probably  possesses  no  advantages  over  linseed,  marshmallow,  or  other  com- 
mon drugs  of  the  same  class. 
Anacahuite  wood,  a  drug  of  unknown  origin  imported  from  Tampico,  and 
extravagantly  valued  in  Germany  for  a  short  time  as  a  remedy  for  consump- 
tion. Experience  has  not  confirmed  the  favorable  statements  first  put  forth 
regarding  it,  and  it  is  now  almost  unsaleable.  Chemical  experiments  have 
failed  to  detect  in  it  any  constituent  that  can  explain  the  good  effects  alleged 
to  have  been  obtained  from  its  administration. 
Dried  herbs  are  well  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Butler  and  McCulloch  of  London, 
as  well  as  by  Mr.  Holland  of  Market  Deeping,  and  Mr.  Ransom  of  Hitchin. 
There  are  also  some  very  good  samples  shown  by  Mr.  Benzon  of  Copenhagen 
and  Messrs.  Wilhelm  and  Co.  of  Vienna.  M.  J.  Gr.  Cavalli  of  Grothenburg  ex- 
hibits some  medicinal  herbs  excellently  dried  in  a  compressed  form.  The 
Jury  are  not  acquainted  with  the  process  adopted  for  obtaining  the  extreme 
compactness  and  beautiful  appearance  for  which  the  specimens  are  remarkable. 
3.  Pharmaceutical  Products  from  the  Animal  Kingdom. 
Cod-liver  Oil. — The  Exhibition  contains  many  samples  of  this  important 
medicinal  agent,  contributed  by  Newfoundland  (including  the  Frenoh  islands 
of  St.  Pierre  and  Miqueion, )  Norway,  and  England.  The  pale  oil  manufac- 
tured in  London  is  much  esteemed,  but  the  supply  is  by  no  means  equal  to 
the  demand,  and  an  immense  quantity  of  foreign  oil  is  also  consumed.  This 
pale  oil  is  prepared  by  a  process  originally  devised  by  Mr.  Donovan  of  Dublin,  J 
which  consists  in  placing  the  perfectly  fresh  livers  in  a  metallic  vessel,  and. 
heating  them  with  constant  stirring  to  a  temperature  of  180°  F.,  by  which  treat- 
ment they  break  down  into  a  uniform,  pulpy,  liquid  mass.  This  mass  is  im- 
mediately transferred  into  calico  bags,  whence  the  oil  drains  out ;  after  filtra- 
tion while  still  warm,  it  is  sufficiently  pure  for  use.    In  this  state  the  oil  con- 
*Stenhouse.  "  Proceedings  of  the  Royal  Society,"  June  28,  and  July  10,  1861. 
tWood  and  Bache,  "Dispensatory,"  Ed.  11,  (1858),  p. 627. 
t  "  Dublin  Journal  of  Medical  Science,"  vol.  xvii.  (1840),  p.  357. 
