44 
SYRUPUS  SENEGJE. 
Case  No.  3.  One  hundred  grains  were  given  in  five  doses,  at 
intervals  of  two  hours.  This  did  not  operate  on  the  bowels, 
but  produced  a  considerable  increase  in  the  secretion  of  urine, 
accompanied  by  a  slight  burning  sensation  during  the  passage, 
which  passed  off  with  the  effect  of  the  medicine. 
Case  No.  4.  Two  drachms  were  taken  in  six  doses,  at  inter- 
vals of  two  hours.  This  caused  no  increase  in  the  secretion  of 
urine,  but,  acting  as  an  irritant,  produced  very  decided  irritation 
during  the  passage  of  urine,  together  with  a  very  considerable 
increase  of  heat  over  the  body. 
From  these  experiments,  though  .they  are  perhaps  too  few  to 
settle  the.  points  definitely,  it  would  appear — 
1st.  That  the  diuretic  properties  of  cubeb  reside  in  the  soft 
resin  ; 
2d.  That  cubebin,  as  compared  with  the  other  constituents  of 
cubeb,  is  inert ; 
3d.  That  the  volatile  oil  acts  as  a  carminative  and  stimulant, 
producing,  in  large  doses,  the  unpleasant  effects  produced  by 
other  volatile  oils  having  similar  properties. 
ON"  SYRUPUS  SENEGA 
By  C.  Lewis  Diehl. 
In  the  history  of  pharmacy,  the  present  may  be  called  the  era 
of  pharmaceutic  specialities.  Physicians  and  pharmacists 
are  not  satisfied  with  the  production,  of  medicines  that  will  pro- 
duce the  desired  therapeutic  effect,  but  it  has  also  become  neces- 
sary to  please  the  eye  with  the  form,  color  or  brightness  of  the 
preparation.  It,  unfortunately,  too  frequently  happens  that,  in 
order  to  produce,  a  clear  solution,  tincture,  syrup  or  other  prepa- 
ration, a  portion  of  its  activity  is  sacrificed  ;  but  this  is  a  matter 
of  indifference  (when  not  attributable  to  ignorance)  to  the 
pharmacist  preparing,  or  the  physician  prescribing  it,  provided 
only  that  the  fancy  of  the  patient  be  pleased.  There  doubtless 
exist  many  preparations,  however,  that  can  be  improved  in  ap- 
pearance without  injury  to  their  therapeutic  action,  and  to  these 
perhaps  syrup  of  seneka  belongs  ;  but  such  improvement  should 
be  submitted  to  the  approval  of  a  body  of  scientific  men,  who 
