■^'"'oXim^'™  }    Abstrads  from  the  French  Journals.  511 
50  parts  of  a  solution  of  36  parts  of  silicate  of  soda  in  100  parts  of 
water,  and  heating  to  50°C.  (122°  F.).  The  mass  is  then  poured 
into  tin  receptacles  and  granulated  masses  resembling  gum  arabic,  de- 
posit by  degrees.   (See  also  August  number,  p.  406). 
Alcohol  Mixtures  are  Dangerous  to  use  in  the  middle  ear  in 
cases  where  suppuration  is  present.  The  cause  of  trouble  is  said  to  be 
{Boll.  d.  mol.  delortcchio)  the  consequent  dehydration  of  the  healthy 
tissues  of  the  neighboring  parts. — Monit.  tMrap. 
Alkaloids  of  Cod  Liver  Oil. — Gautier  and  Mourgues  have 
separated  a  number  of  these,  about  one-half  of  which  are  fixed  bases. 
They  found  butylamine,  amylamine  and  hexylamine,  together  with 
three  new  bases,  hydrolutidine,  aselline  and  morhuine.  They  found 
also,  a  small  quantity  of  lecithine  and  a  crystallizable  azotic  acid 
which  they  call  gaduinic  acid.  ^'  It  is  at  once,"  say  the  authors,  "a 
quite  powerful  acid,  and  an  alkaloid  capable  of  giving  crystallizable 
chloroplatinates.'^ — Union  m6d.,  July  21,  1888. 
Chardon  Marie,  or  Semen  Cardui  Mari^. — In  a  long  study 
of  visceral  varices  {Bull.  g^n.  de  Therap.,  June  15,  1888),  Dr.  A. 
Tripier  claims  to  have  had  remarkable  success  with  this  drug  in  the 
treatment  of  abdominal  varix,  hemorrhoids,  certain  cases  of  urethral 
and  uterine  engorgement,  and  other  forms  dependent  upon  conditions 
of  local  congestion  with  painful  tension.  The  treatment  was  adopted 
from  indications  given  by  Rademacher,  followed  by  Worms,  who 
used  a  decoction  made  from  the  seeds.  Tripier  uses  a  tincture  (made 
from  the  seeds),  in  doses  of  20  drops  in  a  tumbler  of  water,  night  and 
morning. 
To  Render  Santonin  Very  Active. — Santonin  does  not  dis- 
solve freely  in  ordinary  alcohol,  ether,  or  the  fixed  oils.  Complete 
solution  is  obtained  by  treating  as  follows  :  Crystallized  santonin,  1 
gm.;  strong  alcohol,  120  gm.;  ol.  ricini,  240  gm.  Dissolve  the  san- 
tonin in  the  alcohol,  mix  with  the  oil,  and  remove  80  gm.  of  the  alco- 
hol by  distillation.  The  product  is  a  very  clear  and  active  prepara- 
tion, which  Dr.  Bayon  (Monit  therap.,  Aug.  6,  1888),  claims  to  have 
long  administered  with  the  best  results. 
Hydroquinone  is  said  to  act  best  in  moderate  doses  (30  to  50 
cgm.  for  an  adult),  as  it  sometimes  produces  gastro-intestinal  troubles, 
which  obstruct  its  action.    It  acts  rapidly  in  ileo-typhus,  acute  rheu- 
