178  Abstracts  from  the  French  Journals.  {^^Aprii.T^''™- 
Administering  medicines  warm. — Prof.  L.  Lewin,  in  Berlin.  Klin. 
Wochensclirift,  calls  attention  to  the  advantage  for  most  purposes  of 
giving  liquid  medicines  warm.  The  medicine  already  at  a  tempera- 
ture of  40°  C.  (104°  F.)  is  absorbed  much  quicker  and  the  results  are 
more  energetic,  than  when  given  cold.  Warmed  medicines  need  there- 
fore be  given  in  smaller  doses.  For  subcutaneous  injection  warming 
is  likewise  recommended. — Fhar.  Rundschau,  1887,  p.  284.  Fhar. 
Zeitschrift  f.  Buss.,  1887,  p.  327. 
Absolution  of  mercury  by  the  shin. — According  to  experiments  of 
Ferrari  and  Asmondo  metallic  mercury  is  not  absorbed  by  the  skin, 
at  least  not  when  the  mercurial  ointment  does  not  contain  mercury 
salts.  The  mercury  cure  depends  upon  the  inhalation  of  the  mercury, 
which  is  volatilized. — Fhar.  Centralh.,  1887,  p.  645. 
Fumigating  Wax. — Kratzer  in  Chem.  &  Drug,  recommends  the 
following  formula  yielding  a  very  fragrant  product :  Styrax  35  grams, 
shellac  50  grams,  benzoin  195  grams,  linden  charcoal  58  grams, 
balsam  of  Peru,  and  oil  of  bergamot  each  18  drops,  oil  of  rose 
10  drops.  Melt  the  ingredients  together  roll  out  the  mass  and 
form  into  sticks. — Rundshau,  Frag,  1887,  p.  1000. 
Remy^s  Antiseptic  Solution  is  prepared  by  dissolving  5  centigrams 
of  red  iodide  of  mercury  in  a  mixture  of  30  grams  of  alcohol  and 
1000  grams  of  water. — Fharm.  Fost,  1887,  p.  777. 
Kephalgina  a  remedy  for  headache,  according  to  Ztschft.  A.  V., 
consists  of  a  mixture  of  antyfyin  5  parts,  roasted  coffee  5  parts,  and 
caffeine  and  salicylate  of  sodium  each  2  parts,  divided  into  10 
wafers.    Rundshau,  Frag,  1887,  p.  942. 
ABSTRACTS  FROM  THE  FRENCH  JOURNALS. 
Translated  for  the  American  Journal  of  Pharmacy. 
Hydrastis  Canadensis. — In  a  clinical  and  pharmaceutical  study 
of  the  root  by  Givopiszew  {These,  St.  Petersburg,  Bull,  gen,  de  therap., 
Feb.  29,  1888),  the  writer  presents  the  following  results,  which,  so  he 
states,  are  ^' based  upon  a  large  number  of  clinical  observations  and 
experiments  upon  animals : 1 .  The  aqueous  extract,  even  in  large 
quantities,  did  not  produce  toxic  effects  in  warm-blooded  animals. 
2.  It  always  caused  a  diminution  of  blood  pressure  without  a  previ- 
