^°^Aug.?i8S8*'^°^°}     Gleanings  from  the  German  Journals.  403 
Grains  of  Paradise  in  Pepper. — The  detection  is  based  on  the 
former  containing  tannin  from  which  both  black  and  white  pepper  are 
free.  The  tannin  is  extracted  with  a  mixture  of  two  parts  alcohol  and 
one  part  ether,  and  after  maceration,  separation,  and  evaporation  of 
the  solvents,  the  addition  of  FgClg  produces  green  color. — Ztschr.  f 
Nahrungsm.  Unters.  1888,  p.  88. 
To  prevent  Mould  in  solutions  of  Gum. — Hirschberg  (Pharm.  Post, 
1888,  p.  394),  recommends  the  addition  of  a  few  drops  of  sulphuric 
acid  which  precipitates  the  lime  as  calcium  sulphate,  after  the  deposi- 
tion of  which  the  clear  solution  is  decanted  or  strained.  This  solution 
shows  no  tendency  to  become  mouldy  even  after  standing  eighteen 
months. 
Sodium  Salicylate  in  Tooth-ache.— Dr.  G.  Hofmann  has  used  this 
salt  successfully  in  half-hourly  doses  of  0.75  gm.  It  does  not  always 
afford  a  permanent  cure,  but  will  give  relief  for  one  or  more  days. 
—Pharm.  Ztschr.  f  Russl.  1888,  p.  366. 
Detection  of  Acetanilid  (Antifebrin)  in  Phenacetin. — This  latter  com- 
pound used  to  a  considerable  extent  in  Europe,  owing  to  its  similarity 
to  the  acetanilid  is  liable  to  adulteration  with  this,  the  prices  of  the  two 
favoring  this.  E.  Mylius  proposes  the  following  as  a  test  to  indicate 
traces  of  acetanilid  in  phenacetin :  O'l  gm.  phenacetin  is  warmed  with 
2  cc.  solution  of  soda  over  a  Bunsen  burner ;  after  addition  of  three 
or  four  drops  of  chloroform  the  mixture  is  again  warmed  when,  if 
acetanilid  is  present,  the  characteristic  offensive  odor  of  isonitril 
is  evolved.  Phenacetin  itself  gives  rise  to  a  rather  pleasant  aromatie^^ 
odor.— PAam.  Ztg.,  1888,  p.  359. 
JEnglish  Smelling  Salts  consist  almost  exclusively  of  ammonium: 
carbonate,  leaving  only  a  slight  residue,  on  evaporation,  of  ammonium 
bi-carbonate.  A  superior  product  can  be  made  by  very  carefully 
subliming  the  commercial  carbonate,  so  that  only  the  carbamate  i& 
volatilized. — E.  Mylius,  Pharm.  Ztg.,  1888,  p.  359. 
Codeine  is  recommended  by  Dr.  Lauder  Brunton  (Brit.  Med.  Jour.,  June 
2, 1888),  in  pain  affecting  the  intestine  and  lower  part  of  the  abdomen.  He 
advises  J  grain  three  times  a  day,  and  increases  the  dose  to  a  grain  if  the 
patient  is  not  relieved ;  it  does  not  cause  drowsiness  nor  does  it  interfere 
with  the  digestive  functions.  In  long  continued  enteralgia,  not  due  to  or- 
ganic disease,  it  has  continued  to  relieve  pain  tor  months  together. 
