134 
Progress  in  Pharmacy. 
(  Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
\     March,  1911. 
Adrenine. — Macadie,  W.,  discusses  the  coloration  of  solutions 
of  adrenine  (adrenalin)  and  records  a  number  of  experiments  made 
by  him  to  prevent  the  development  of  free  ammonia  which  he  be- 
lieves is  the  causative  factor.  He  has  found  chloroform  to  be  the  most 
efficient  antiseptic  and  recommends  keeping  a  layer  of  chloroform  at 
the  bottom  of  the  solution  of  adrenine,  which  is  to  be  kept  in  dark 
amber-colored  bottles. — Pharm.  J.,  Lond.,  1910,  v.  85,  p.  660. 
Afridol. — An  abstract  asserts  that  afridol,  which  is  recom- 
mended as  a  powerful  antiseptic  and  disinfectant,  is  an  ortho- 
toluate  of  mercury  and  sodium  of  the  formula  (CgHg)  (CH3)  (CO^ 
Na)  (HgOH).  It  is  especially  recommended  as  a  component  of  anti- 
septic soaps  for  disinfecting-  the  hands  and  instruments  in  the  course 
of  surgical  operations. — Chem.  &  Drug.,  Lond.,  1910,  v.  77,  p.  828. 
Aspirin. — Cyrus  Graham  reports  a  case  of  acute  intoxication 
following  the  ingestion  of  two  five-grain  tablets  of  aspirin.  The 
poisoning  resulted  in  marked  oedema  of  the  mucous  membranes  of 
the  eyes,  nose  and  mouth ;  to  such  an  extent  that  the  patient  could 
hardly  breathe.  There  was  also  considerable  swelling  of  the  head 
and  neck,  congestion  of  the  conjunctivae  and  impairment  of  vision. 
The  symptoms  disappeared  in  from  ten  days  to  two  weeks,  but  Dr. 
Graham  nevertheless  believes  that  aspirin  should  be  listed  as  one 
of  the  dangerous  drugs  and  should  not  be  retailed  indiscriminately 
to  the  laity. — /.  Am.  M.  Ass.,  1911,  v.  56,  p.  261. 
Calmine  is  one  of  the  names  under  which  veronal-sodium,  a 
combination  of  diethyl  barbituric  acid  and  sodium,  is  being  exploited 
as  a  new  and  absolutely  safe  hypnotic.  The  same  substance  is  also 
being  marketed  as  medinal  and  pharmacists  need  not  be  surprised 
to  find  that  thoughtless  physicians  will  combine  calmine,  medinal 
and  veronal  in  the  same  prescription. — /.  Am.  M.  Ass.,  1911,  v.  56, 
p.  137.  i-^-^^^i 
Digitalis. — J.  Gordon  Sharp  and  J.  Lancaster,  in  a  general  dis- 
cussion on  the  time  of  gathering  digitalis  and  the  keeping  qualities 
of  the  tincture,  present  a  number  of  observations  on  this  important 
drug.  They  have  found  that  the  leaves  from  wild  growing  plants 
are  frequently  contaminated  by  other  leaves.  They  also  point  out 
that  the  leaves  themselves,  if  thoroughly  dry  are  more  permanent 
than  is  the  tincture. — Pharm.  I.,  Lond.,  191 1,  v.  86,  pp.  102-104. 
Xravser  IT,  in  a  reference  to  the  history  of  digitalis,  points  out 
that  this  drug  is  receiving  a  degree  of  attention  which  is  in  strong 
contrast  with  the  neglect  it  suffered  for  a  century  and  a  half  after 
