Am.  Jour.  Pharm.  \ 
September,  1906.  i 
Progress  in  Pharmacy, 
439 
Estoral. — This  is  described  as  the  boric  ether  of  menthol  and 
occurs  in  the  form  of  a  white  crystalline  powder  having  a  faint  odor 
of  menthol.  Estoral  when  brought  in  contact  with  mucous  mem- 
branes is  rapidly  decomposed  into  its  constituents.  It  has  been 
used,  with  reported  good  results,  in  cases  of  chronic  nasal  catarrh. 
{Jour.  d.  Phar.  et  d.  Chem.f  July,  1906,  page  25.) 
New  Sidonal. — According  to  the  researches  of  F.  Zernik  {Apothek. 
Zeit'g,  1906,  page  463)  this  is  not  a  readily  defined  chemical  com- 
pound, but  a  mixture  of  approximately  75  parts  of  quinic  anhydride 
and  25  parts  of  quinic  acid. 
Omoral. — This  is  said  to  be  a  compound  of  silver  and  albumin, 
containing  10  per  cent,  of  silver.  It  occurs  as  a  fine  yellowish  pow- 
der soluble  in  physiological  salt  solution  and  in  alkaline  liquids  in 
the  proportion  of  about  3- 100.    {Apothek.  Zeit.y  1906,  page  491.) 
Ovogal. — This  is  said  to  be  a  combination  of  ovalbumin  with 
glycocholic  and  taurocholic  acids.  It  is  being  exploited  as  a 
cholagogue  and  occurs  as  a  greenish  yellow  powder  which  is  insoluble 
in  most  solvents,  but  dissolves,  with  decomposition,  in  alkaline 
solutions.  Ovogal  is  directed  to  be  given  in  doses  of  one  teaspoon- 
ful  suspended  in  a  suitable  vehicle,  or  given  in  cachets  or  capsules. 
{Phar.  Zeit.,  1906,  page  460.) 
Propylbarbituric  acid  is  being  sold  in  Germany  as  a  substitute  for 
proponal,  di-propyl  barbituric  acid,  a  recently  introduced  hypnotic. 
According  to  Dr.  F.  Zernik,  who  has  recently  reviewed  the  litera- 
ture relating  to  proponal  and  veronal,  the  latter  is  to  be  considered 
the  more  active  in  smaller  doses  (below  0.3  gm.),  while  proponal 
undoubtedly  possesses  the  advantage  of  being  more  active,  but  the 
disadvantage  of  being  less  safe,  in  doses  of  0*4  or  0  5  grammes 
{Apothek.  Zeit.,  1906,  page  524). 
Salicin  versus  Salicylates. — An  abstract  in  the  Pharmaceutical 
Journal  (May  12,  1906,  page  548)  calls  renewed  attention  to  the 
repeatedly  made  claims  that  salicin  is  preferable  to  the  salicylates 
for  the  treatment  of  acute  rheumatism.  Salicin  acts  as  a  tonic, 
whereas  the  salicylates  are  powerful  depressants.  Cases  treated  with 
salicylates  are  very  apt  to  drift  into  endocarditis,  with  permanent 
valvular  lesions. 
Sambunigrin. — Bourquelot  and  Danjou  have  isolated  a  glucoside 
from  the  leaves  of  Sambucus  nigra  which,  when  decomposed  with 
emulsin,  yielded  hydrocyanic  acid,  benzoic  aldehyde  and  glucose. 
