Obituary.  317 
in  Spontaneous  Combustion,"  was  read  by  Dr.  C.  B.  Lowe,  (see  page  291).  The 
facts  presented  in  this  paper  are  not  only  interesting  from  the  chemical  point 
of  view,  but  serve  another  purpose  in  warning  those  engaged  in  surgical  prac- 
tice against  the  probable  danger  attending  the  use  of  this  solution. 
Prof.  F.  X.  Moerk  in  commenting  upon  the  paper  said  that  in  making  hydro- 
gen peroxide  solution,  dilute  sulphuric  acid  is  added  until  the  barium  is  pre- 
cipitated out.  He  was  of  the  opinion  that  the  acidity  of  the  solution  is  due  to 
phosphoric  acid,  but  that  this  also  might  cause  charring. 
A  "Note  on  Sarsaparilla  "  was  presented  by  Prof.  Henry  Kraemer.  The 
author  stated  that  sarsaparilla,  like  cinchona,  had  been  the  theme  for  classical 
research.  And,  that,  what  Fliickiger  had  done  for  cinchona,  Luerrsen,  to 
some  extent,  at  least,  had  done  for  sarsaparilla.  He  also  said  that  at  one  time 
a  large  number  of  varieties  were  met  with  in  commerce,  but  that,  like  the  cin- 
chona problem,  the  number  had  been  reduced  in  general  practice  to  but  a  few 
kinds,  and  in  this  country,  judging  from  prices  current,  to  but  two  kinds, 
namely  Mexican  and  Honduras. 
The  different  commercial  varieties  were  classified  according  to  their  geograph- 
ical distribution,  the  Mexican  including  the  product  brought  from  Tampico, 
Vera  Cruz  and  interior  portions  of  Mexico,  and  the  Honduras  including  that 
brought  from  Guatemala,  Belize  and  Honduras.  The  writer  stated  that  by 
means  of  the  microscope  these  two  kinds  are  easily  distinguished. 
Referring  to  some  of  their  microscopical  characteristics,  he  said  that  the  cells 
of  the  hypodermis  of  the  Mexican  variety  show  a  peculiar  thickening,  which 
he  designated  as  the  gas-flame  structure,  while  the  cells  of  the  hypodermis  of 
the  Honduras  variety  are  square  to  slightly  radially  elongated  in  shape.  Char- 
acteristic differences  were  also  observed  in  the  cells  of  the  endodermis  of  the 
varieties  named.  Still  another  distinction  is  furnished  by  the  tendency  of  the 
parenchyma  of  the  Honduras  sarsaparilla  to  become  collenchymatic. 
In  considering  the  therapeutic  properties  of  the  drug,  the  author  said  that 
recent  investigations  appeared  to  confirm  its  value  in  this  respect. 
A  number  of  interesting  points  were  brought  out  in  the  discussion  of  this  sub- 
ject, and  those  taking  part  in  it  were  the  chairman,  Dr.  Lowe  and  Messrs.  Bor- 
ing and  Stedem. 
A  short  sketch  of  the  life  and  work  of  the  late  Prof.  Dragendorff  was  an 
interesting  feature  of  the  meeting. 
In  answer  to  a  query  by  Mr.  Boring  as  to  the  method  of  dispensing  powders 
in  capsules,  the  chairman  said  he  believed  that  it  is  the  general  custom  to  make 
a  mass  of  the  powder,  unless  the  prescriber  directs  using  the  powder  in  dry 
form. 
The  Chairman  appointed  a  Committee  to  have  charge  of  the  Pharmaceutical 
Meetings  for  the  ensuing  year. 
On  motion,  the  meeting  adjourned.  Thos.  S.  Wiegaxd,  Registrar. 
OBITUARY. 
Henry  H.  IVotte,  who  was  connected  with  the  business  management  of  this 
Journal  for  nearly  twenty-five  years  previous  to  his  resignation  in  1S94.  died  on 
February  24th,  after  a  brief  illness,  at  his  home  in  this  city.  He  was  in  the 
sixty-second  year  of  his  age,  having  been  born  in  the  neighborhood  of  Beth- 
Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
June,  1898. 
