Am.  Jour.  Pharni. 
November,  1911. 
I     Assay  Processes  of  the  U.  S.  P.  525 
solving  it  in  dilute  alcohol,  rendering  alkaline  with  sodium  bicar- 
bonate, shaking  out  with  ether,  etc. 
Fhiidextr actum  and  Tinctura  Physostigmatis. — The  modifica- 
tions just  mentioned  apply  to  the  assay  of  these  preparations  also. 
Pilocarpus  and  Its  Preparations. — Replace  the  percolation  process 
in  the  assay  method  by  the  aliquot  part  method.  In  case  emulsions 
should  be  formed,  use  tragacanth  for  breaking  up  emulsions. 
Fluidextr actum  and  Extractum  Pilocarpi. — The  modifications 
suggested  under  physostigma  apply  to  the  assay  processes  of  these 
preparations  also.  Fluidextract  of  Pilocarpus  can  be  assayed  by 
shaking  out  directly  with  chloroform  after  making  alkaline  with 
ammonia.  Emulsions  which  are  liable  to  be  formed  can  be  avoided 
by  using  a  large  amount  of  chloroform. 
Piper. — The  percentage  of  oleoresin  should  be  determined. 
Podophyllum. — Mandrake  with  less  than  4  or  4.5  per  cent,  of 
resin  is  frequently  met  with  on  the  market.  An  assay  process  for 
this  drug  therefore  seems  necessary. 
Fluidextracfum  Podophylli. — The  percentage  of  podophyllin 
should  be  determined. 
Sanguinaria. — An  estimation  of  the  total  alkaloids  of  blood-root 
might  be  valuable,  although  such  a  determination  possibly  does  not 
indicate  the  therapeutic  value  of  the  drug. 
Scopola  and  Its  Preparations. — All  that  is  said  in  regard  to 
belladonna  applies  to  this  drug  also. 
Sinapis. — An  estimation  of  allyl-iso-thiocyanate  can  be  recom- 
mended. 
Stramonium  and  Its  Preparations. — See  modifications  recom- 
mended under  belladonna. 
Strophanthus. — There  is  no  reason  why  this  potent  drug  should 
not  be  assa3^ed.    A  reliable  process  has  been  worked  out. 
Veratrum. — An  estimation  of  the  total  alkaloids  has  been  recom- 
mended on  various  occasions. 
In  conclusion  we  wish  to  say  again  that  we  hope  that  in  the 
U.S. P.  IX  such  assay  methods  will  be  adopted  which  are  easily 
carried  out  with  the  simplest  apparatus,  and  in  as  short  a  time  as 
possible,  which,  however,  give  at  the  same  time  reliable  results,  not 
theoretically  accurate  but  practically  accurate, 
