294 
Practical  Notes  and  Formulas. 
Am.  Jour.  Pharm . 
June,  1886. 
PRACTICAL  NOTES  AND  FORMULAS. 
Hydrated  Sulphide  of  Zinc,  ZnS.H20  is  precipitated  from  alkaline 
solutions  of  zinc  by  hydrosulphuric  acid  or  ammonium  sulphide,  and 
forms  a  white  powder,  which  oxidizes  slowly  on  exposure  to  the  air. 
Taken  internally  it  is  decomposed  by  the  gastric  juice,  causing  eructa- 
tions of  hydrogen  sulphide.  Pierre  Vigier  (Gaz.  hebdom.  med.  chir.y 
Feb.  5,  1886)  recommends  the  use  of  this  compound  and  suggests  the 
following  forms : 
Pills. — Zinc  sulphide,  1  *0  gm.,  liquorice  root  and  syrup  of  acacia,  q.  s. ; 
to  be  made  into  100  pills,  of  which  from  five  to  ten  are  to  be  taken 
daily. 
Dusting  Powder  (steatite  sulfur  e). — Powdered  soapstone  (steatite), 
9  p. ;  zinc  sulphide,  1  p.    Useful  as  an  application  to  excoriations. 
Ointment. — Triturate  zinc  sulphide,  1  p.,  with  expressed  oil  of 
almonds,  1  p.,  and  mix  with  lard  (or  cerate)  8  parts. 
Benzoate  of  Cocaine  is  considered  by  Dr.  A.  Bignon  (Nouv.  Remedesr 
Feb.  15,  1886)  superior  to  other  salts  of  cocaine.  The  benzoic  acid 
increases  the  stability  of  the  alkaloid,  and  its  antiseptic  properties  are 
of  a  decided  advantage.  A  solution  of  the  salt  may  be  prepared 
extemporaneously  from  1  part  of  benzoic  acid  and  3  parts  of 
cocaine. 
Antidysenteric  Powder. — Washed  sulphur,  1 ;  powdered  fennel,  1 ; 
sugar,  2  ;  gum  arabic,  2.  The  dose  is  a  teaspoonful  every  three  hours. 
Schmitjan  recommends  the  powder  as  being  laxative  and  antiseptic, 
and  useful  in  subacute  and  chronic  forms  of  dysentery. — U  Union  Med.y 
Jan  17,  1886. 
Pulvis  errhinus. — Dr.  Rabow  recommends  in  coryza  two  kinds  of 
snuff  powders,  composed  of  equal  weights  of  roasted  coffee  and  white 
sugar.  With  100  parts  of  this  mixture  is  to  be  intimately  mixed  2 
parts  of  menthol,  or  1  part  of  cocaine  hydrochlorate. — Deutsche  Med. 
Wochenschr. 
Menthol  Bougies. — Dr.  Rosenberg,  of  Berlin,  recommends  the  appli- 
cation of  gelatin  bougies,  containing  one-sixth  grain  of  menthol,  for  the 
relief  of  reflex  neuroses  due  to  nasal  disease. —  Weekly  Med.  Rev.y 
April  24,  1866. 
Powdered  Rice  as  a  Styptic. — According  to  the  Indian  Medical 
Gazette,  powdered  rice  is  stated  to  have  marked  haemostatic  proper- 
ties.   Mixed  with  lint,  in  the  proportion  of  from  4  to  11  per  cent., 
