Amjune,ri87h^rm'}      Mist .  Guaiaci  in  Clear  Solution.  315 
lucent  jelly  is  formed.1  In  this  process  the  loss  of  weight  by  evapora- 
tion will  be  from  half  to  one  ounce,  according  to  manipulation,  thus 
leaving  the  desired  proportions  of  glycerin  and  water  in  the  resulting 
product.2  In  this  way  a  plasma  is  obtained  that  will  resist  the  action  of 
moisture  and  retain  indefinitely  its  firm  and  plastic  condition.  The  pres- 
ence of  the  water,  so  far  from  being  objectionable,  will  be  a  decided 
advantage,  since,  in  application,  there  will  be  less  proneness  to  smarting; 
and  irritation. 
The  value  of  plasma  as  a  substitute  for  fatty  substances  in  oint- 
ments, etc.,  I  do  not  now  discuss,  but  it  may  be  stated  that  Mr.  Schacht 
continues  to  favor  its  use  as  a  medium  for  the  exhibition  of  such  topi- 
cal remedies  as  are  soluble  in  glycerin.3  This  being  the  case  after 
twenty  years'  trial,  so  useful  a  combination  should  scarcely  be  allowed 
to  fall  into  desuetude  through  the  absence  of  any  suggestions  as  regards 
those  special  properties  which  may  tend  to  preserve  it  at  all  times  in  a 
suitable  condition  for  use. — Pharm.  Journ.  and  Trans. ,  April  5,  1879- 
A  MISTURA  GUAIACI  IN  CLEAR  SOLUTION. 
By  Balmanno  Squire,  M.B.,  Lond. 
Surgeon  to  the  British  Hospital  for  Diseases  of  the  Skin. 
The  unpleasant  taste  of  guaiacum  and  its  uninviting  appearance  when 
made  into  a  draught  are  inconveniences  which  have  long  hampered  a 
valuable  remedy  and  are  worth  attempting  to  remove.  With  these  im- 
pressions I  paid  a  visit  to  my  neighbor,  Mr.  Martindale,  to  try  what 
could  be  done.  The  "  Companion  to  the  British  Pharmacopoeia  "  had 
told  me  that  the  resin  was  soluble  in  alkaline  solutions,  so  I  asked  for 
a  mixture  made  by  rubbing  down  a  dose  of  guaiacum  (ten  grains)  with 
not  more  than  a  dose  of  liquor  potassae  (n^  xx).  The  resin  was  at 
once  dissolved  almost  completely,  but  when  the  solution  came  to  be 
mixed  with  an  ouce  of  water  I  found  that  I  was  baffled  by  the  milky 
precipitation  of  probably  all  of  the  guaiacum.    I  then  asked  for  a  solu- 
1The  stirring  should  be  continued  while  the  mass  cools. 
2  In  an  unusually  dry  atmosphere  the  proportions  should  be  arranged,  and  the  pro- 
cess conducted  so  that  the  glycerin  may  exist  in  the  plasma  to  the  extent  at  least  of 
three-fourths  of  the  entire  weight. 
3 This  statement  is  made  on  the  authority  of  a  communication  very  kindly  for- 
warded by  Mr.  Schacht  in  reply  to  the  writer's  inquiries. 
