554 
Current  Literature. 
f  Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
*-     August,  19 19. 
The  Salts  of  the  Complex  Acid:  Catechol-Boric  Acid. — 
Two  metallic  and  ammonium  salts  were  prepared  by  shaking  con- 
centrated solutions  of  boric  acid,  catechol,  and  the  respective 
hydroxide  together  in  the  molecular  proportions  1:2:  1.  The  three 
salts  separated  in  the  form  of  white  leaflets.  Similarly  salts  of 
organic  bases  were  prepared  and  crystallized  in  needles.  Am- 
monium salts;  (CGH402)3B204(NH4)2 ;  potassium  salt; 
(C6H402)3B204K2  or  (C6H402)3B204H2K2. 
The  aniline,  dimethylaniline,  and  p-chloraniline  salts  are  described. 
(J.  Boeseken  (with  A.  Obreen  and  A.  van  Haeften),  Rec.  trav. 
chim.,  37,  184-194,  1918.) 
J.  F.  C. 
Note. — Considering  their  constitution,  the  above  described  salts 
ought  to  be  of  value  in  the  treatment  of  certain  skin  diseases  and 
deserve  pharmacologic  investigation.  The  number  and  efficacy  of 
available  remedies  for  cutaneous  affections  certainly  could  not 
prejudice  us  against  new  and  promising  drugs. 
J.  F.  C. 
Quisqualis  Indica,  a  Substitute  for  Santonin. — Davenport 
finds  that  an  ancient  Chinese  drug  called  Shih-chun-tzu,  prepared 
from  the  seeds  of  Quisqualis  indica,  a  satisfactory  substitute  for  the 
more  expensive  santonin.  (C.  J.  Davenport,  China  Med.  J.,  32, 
133  (1918)  ;  C.  A.,  12,  2404,  1918.) 
J.  F.  C. 
Gentiana  Asclepiadea  as  a  Substitute  for  Gentiana  lutea. 
— Gentiana  asclepiadea  L.  contains  only  half  as  much  total  bitter 
substances  as  G.  lutea;  it  contains  less  gentiopicrin  than  earlier  re- 
ported. .  If  it  is  to  be  used  as  a  substitute  for  G.  lutea  twice  as  much 
must  be  taken  to  produce  the  same  effects.  Gentiopicrin  is  not  a 
cure  for  malaria.  (O.  Hoyer  and  R.  Wasicky,  Pharm.  Post,  51, 
145- ) 
J.  F.  C. 
Castor  Oil  in  Dermatology. — The  value  of  castor  oil  in  der- 
matological  practice  is  the  subject  of  a  communication  by  D.  W. 
Montgomery  (Jour.  Cutan.  Dis.,  1918,  36,  466;  Sept.).    He  points 
