Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
June,  1876. 
V arieties. 
Solution  of  Salicylic  Acid.  Prof.  Emlen  Painter  proposes  the  following 
formula,  whereby  two  grains  of  salicylic  acid  can  be  given  in  ateaspoonful  of  solu- 
tion. Dissolve  salicylic  acid  gr.  xxxii  in  liquor,  aramon.  acet.  f^ii.  The  solution 
may  be  made  without  heat,  is  not  unpleasant  to  take,  and  possesses  quite  percepti- 
bly the  sweetish  taste  of  the  acid.  Besides,  solution  of  ammonium  acetate  would 
be  likewise  indicated  in  most  cases  where  salicylic  acid  would  be  prescribed  for  in- 
ternal uses.  Its  cumulative  action  (see  "Amer.  Jour.  Phar."  1876,  p.  68),  should 
not  be  lost  sight  of. — Pacif.  Med.  and  Surg.  Jour.  1876,  April. 
The  following  notes  are  taken  from  the  <s  Leaflets  for  the  Scrap-book,"  issued 
by  Mr.  M.  S.  Bidwell,  of  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  which  were  noticed  in  our  December 
number  : 
Hints  to  Prescribers. — Much  perplexity  might  be  saved  to  dispensers,  and  the  dan- 
ger of  error  materially  lessened,  by  the  observance  of  the  following  simple  sugges- 
tions : 
1.  If  the  remedies  prescribed  are  officinal,  use  the  officinal  terms;  if  not  officinal, 
describe  them  unmistakably.  The  writer  has  heard  of  three  different  liquids  called 
chloric  ether,  and  has  known  Tully's  Powder  to  be  made  of  three  very  different  de- 
grees of  strength. 
2.  Do  not  abbreviate  so  closely  as  to  cause  ambiguity  ;  hyd.  chl.  may  mean  calo- 
mel, corrosive  sublimate,  or  chloral  hydrate. 
3.  Write  the  directions  for  use  as  they  are  to  be  put  on  the  label. 
4.  Give  the  patient's  name,  and  mention  if  a  child  or  infant. 
5.  After  writing  the  prescription,  look  it  over  and  see  if  there  is  anything,  espe- 
cially in  the  numerals,  that  a  careless  or  ignorant  druggist  might  misunderstand. 
Solubilities. — The  following  list  gives  approximately  the  number  of  grains  of  the 
salts  mentioned,  that  can  be  readily  dissolved  in  one  ounce  of  water  at  the  ordinary 
Semperatare.    If  this  limit  is  much  exceeded,  a  clear  solution  cannot  be  expected. 
Potassium  iodide  500 
Ammonium  bromide      ........  300 
Potassium  bromide    .........  240 
do        bicarbonate    .        .       .       .       .  .  .120 
do        nitrate       .       .       .       .       .       .       .        .  .100 
Sodium  borate        .........  40 
Potassium  chlorate    .........  30 
Mercury  bichloride        .       .       .       .        .       .       .       .  25 
It  should  be  remembered  that  the  bulk  of  the  solution  exceeds  that  of  the  sol- 
vent;  thus  an  ounce  of  water  and  an  ounce  of  potassium  iodide  make  about  an 
ounce  and  a  half  of  solution. 
Curious  Incompatibility. — Chlorate  of  potassium  and  iodide  of  potassium  are  both 
entirely  harmless  in  suitable  doses.  Furthermore,  these  two  salts  do  not  react  upon 
each  other  in  solution,  even  at  a  boiling  heat.  Yet  it  has  been  proved  that  when 
they  are  administered  together,  they  do  combine  in  the  stomach,  producing  iodate 
of  potassium,  which  is  poisonous.  M.  Melsens  found  that  dogs  could  take  the  chlo- 
rate or  iodide  in  doses  of  five  to  seven  grams  with  impunity,  but  that  a  mixture  of 
