^ecembeV^iT'}  Advances  in  Materia  Medica  and  Pharmacy.  563 
and  no  doubt  is  putting  out  by  this  time,  nearly  15,000  pounds  of 
phenol  per  month.  It  has  erected  a  large  factory  on  the  outskirts 
of  Tokyo  for  this  purpose.  It  is  hoped  by  those  interested  in  this 
venture  that  they  will  soon  be  able  to  increase  the  output  of  phenol  to 
190  short  tons.  How  long  must  we  in  this  country  wait  until  the 
conditions  for  the  manufacture  of  phenol  are  changed  for  the  better? 
Selective  Stain  for  Potato  Starch. — It  is  stated  that  meta- 
chrom  red  G  (Agfa)  affords  a  selective  stain  for  the  isolation  of 
potato  starch  grains  in  bread  or  mixed  with  other  starches.  Thirty 
per  cent,  alcohol  is  saturated  with  the  dye  at  boiling-point,  and  the 
solution  cooled,  filtered,  and  diluted  with  25  per  cent,  of  water. 
A  small  quantity  of  the  substance  to  be  examined  is  suspended  in  a 
drop  of  water  on  a  slide,  dried,  and  then  moistened  with  a  drop  of 
the  stain.  The  slide  is  quickly  washed  with  water  and  again  dried. 
Potato  starch  and  cell  tissue  are  stained  an  intense  golden-yellow, 
but  cereal  starches  remain  unaffected.  The  sample  must  be  perfectly 
neutral  in  reaction  to  render  the  test  successful.  (The  Druggists' 
Circular October,  191 5,  p.  665.) 
Digosid. — There  has  been  placed  on  the  market  a  preparation 
termed  Digosid.  The  claims  made  for  it  are  that  it  contains  the 
active  principles  of  digitalis,  digitoxin,  and  digitalin,  and  is  free  from 
saponins  and  other  by-products  that  cause  disagreeable  after-effects. 
It  is  a  white,  amorphous  powder,  easily  soluble  in  chloroform,  methyl 
alcohol,  ethyl  alcohol,  and  benzene,  but  difficultly  soluble  in  ether, 
water,  and  petroleum-ether.  (The  Druggists'  Circular,  October, 
1915,  p.  665.) 
Adalin. — A.  Nieuwenhuijse  reports  a  case  of  what  appeared  to 
be  veronal  poisoning,  but  on  finding  an  empty  box  near  patient  it 
was  shown  to  be  adalin.  Another  illustration  of  the  readiness  of 
short,  catchy  coined  names  to  lead  the  public  on  to  self-medication 
with  dangerous  hypnotics.  (Journal  of  A.  M.  A.,  October  30,  191 5, 
P-  1 594-) 
Iodine. — Iodine  in  the  form  of  the  tincture  is  recommended  as 
a  substitute  for  potassium  iodide  in  diseases  like  syphilis,  rheumatism, 
gout,  and  obesity.  Another  reason  why  wood  alcohol  should  not  be 
used  in  making  this  preparation.  (Journal  A.  M.  A.,  October  30, 
1915,  P-  1 594- ) 
Camphor. — It  is  reported  that  a  second  years'  crop  of  camphor 
has  heen  obtained  from  the  only  productive  camphor  plantation  in 
the  United  States,  that  at  Satsuma,  Florida.    The  yield  is  said  to  be 
