AsSptJembef,bi9^'}     Theses  on  Pharmaceutical  Subjects.  419 
lished  during  the  last  few  years,  which  are  intended  to  produce  a 
clear  preparation,  free  from  the  precipitate  common  in  the  well- 
known  Brown  Mixture  of  the  average  drug  store,  the  writer  con- 
cludes that  if  the  official  "  pure  extract  of  glycyrrhiza  "  is  used  as 
is  directed,  which  is  almost  entirely  soluble  in  water,  the  U.S.P. 
formula  affords  a  more  satisfactory  preparation,  in  point  of  flavor,  as 
well  as  appearance,  than  any  of  the  proposed  formulas. 
The  commercial  "  powdered  extract  of  licorice,"  is  not  nearly  so 
soluble  as  the  "pure  extract,"  and  because  of  its  large  use  in  this 
preparation  has  caused  the  dissatisfaction.  One  sample  of  this  com- 
mercial extract  proved,  upon  examination,  to  be  soluble  only  to  the 
extent  of  40  per  cent. 
Cataplasma  Kaolini.  By  Herbert  L.  Flack. — The  writer  obtained  a 
number  of  samples  of  kaolin  from  reliable  sources  and  made  them 
into  cataplasm  of  kaolin  by  the  U.S.P.  (8th  Rev.)  formula,  to  deter- 
mine if  it  could  be  relied  upon,  without  modification,  for  all  com- 
mercial grades  of  kaolin.  He  concludes  that  different  samples  of 
kaolin  possess  different  absorbent  properties,  and  that  this  quality 
of  kaolin  make  it  imperative  that  some  modification,  as  to  the  amount 
of  glycerin  to  be  used  in  the  formula,  should  be  allowed.  This 
result  is  further  verified  by  similar  statements  from  two  large  manu- 
facturers of  these  preparations. 
He  also  states  that  the  preparation  should  be  kept  warm  and 
occasionally  stirred  during  at  least  four  hours ;  otherwise  a  slow 
effervescence  occurs  in  many  samples,  which  renders  it  unfit  to 
dispense  in  tight  containers. 
The  suggested  heating  brings  about  a  reaction,  with  small 
amount  of  carbonates  which  may  be  present  and  prevents  further 
trouble. 
He  also  recommends  the  addition  of  about  5  per  cent,  more  of 
glycerin  to  the  U.S.P.  formula  as  being  more  generally  satisfactory. 
Glycetinated  Gelatin  Suppositories.  By  Elmer  E.  Scatchard. — A 
practical  addition  to  the  U.S.P.  (8th  Rev.)  process  for  the  making  of 
glycerinated  gelatin  is  here  recommended.  Instead  of  allowing  the 
mass  to  cool  in  the  dish,  from  which  it  is  removed  with  considerable 
difficulty,  he  suggests  that  it  be  poured  upon  glass  plates,  slightly 
oiled  with  liquid  petrolatum,  and  there  allowed  to  cool.  It  may  be 
removed  from  the  plate  without  difficulty  and  cut  into  pieces  for 
preservation,  in  the  stock  bottles. 
