Am.  Jour.  Pharm. ) 
Dec  ,  1876.  J 
Editorial. — Reviews,  etc. 
573 
Opium  Antidotes. — On  page  464  of  this  journal  for  1873,  De  found  the 
analysis  of  a  "cure  for  the  habitual  use  of  opium,"  manufactured  in  Cincinnati,, 
and  containing  a  considerable  amount  of  morphia.  Similar  preparations  are  made 
elsewhere,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  annexed  report  made  to  the  Cumberland  Medical 
Society,  Ind.,  which  we  copy  from  the  "  Boston  Med.  and  Surg.  Jour."  for  Oct.  26  5, 
we  desire  to  direct  the  especial  attention  of  our  readers  to  it  so  that  they  may  use 
their  influence  to  expose  this  and  similar  frauds. 
The  committee  to  whom  was  assigned  the  duty  of  investigating  the  so-called  "opium  antidote  "preparec 
by  Mrs.  J.  A.  Drollinger,  of  La  Porte,  Indiana,  beg  leave  to  report  that  a  sample  bottle  of  the  article, 
which  was  obtained  directly  from  the  manufacturer,  was  sent  to  Dr.  Edward  R.  Squibb,  of  Brooklyn,  N . 
Y.,  for  quantitative  analysis.  His  onerous  engagements  rendered  it  impossible  for  him  to  conduct  the 
investigation  in  person,  but  he  sent  the  specimen  to  Messrs.  Walz  and  Stillwell,  chemists,  New  York,  a 
firm  which  he  thoroughly  confides  in  and  indorses.  So  deeply  interested  did  he  become  in  the  project 
that  he  insisted  upon  bearing  the  expenses  of  the  analysis,  in  spite  of  the  committee's  expressed  unwill- 
ingness to  have  him  assume  such  a  tax. 
Walz  and  Stillwell  report  that  "  this  sample  is  glycerin  colored  with  anilin  red,  and  containing  in 
solution  crystallized  sulphate  of  morphia  1*383  per  cent,  by  weight" — about  seven  grains  to  the  ounce. 
_  While  this  investigation  was  progressing,  the  committee  found  another  alleged  "  opium  antidote," 
prepared  by  "  Dr.  S.  B.  Collins,  the  Great  Narcologist  of  the  Age,"  likewise  of  La  Porte,  Indiana.  A 
specimen  of  this  was  submitted  to  Dr.  Henry  Carmichael,  Professor  of  Chemistry  in  Bowdoin  College 
and  Assayer  of  the  State  of  Maine,  who  arrived  at  the  following  conclusions : — 
"  (1.)  The  opium  antedote  contains  morphia. 
"(2.)  The  morphia  is  combined  with  sulphuric  acid. 
"k(30  The  sulphate  of  morphia  amounts  to  3-2  per  cent.,  or  fourteen  grains  to  the  ounce." 
Dr.  Walz  says  that  he  made  an  analysis  of  Collins's  "  antidote"  in  1871,  and  found  that  it  contained 
morphia,  though  he  did  not  ascertain  the  quantity. 
In  conclusion,  your  committee  respectfully  suggests  that  the  society  take  some  action  which  will 
result  in  the  wide  dissemination  ofth*  information  which  has  been  acquired  concerning  these  dangerous 
preparations. 
FREDERICK  HENRY  GERR1SH,  ) 
GEORGE  F.  FRENCH,  l  Committee. 
THOMAS  A.  FOSTER,  J 
REVIEWS  AND  BIBLIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 
A  systematic  Handbook  of  Volumetric  Analysis,  or  the  quantitative  estimation  of  chem- 
ical substances  by  measure,  applied  to  liquids,  solids  and  gases.  Adapted  to  the 
requirements  of  pure  chemical  research,  pathological  chemistry,  pharmacy,  metal- 
lurgy, manufacturing  chemistry,  photography,  etc.,  and  for  the  valuation  of  sub- 
stances used  in  commerce,  agriculture  and  the  arts.  By  Francis  Sutton,  F.C.S.? 
etc.  Third  edition.  Philadelphia:  Lindsay  &  Blakiston.  1876.  8vo,  pp.  430. 
Cloth,  price  $5.50. 
The  author  first  gives  a  table  of  the  commonly-occurring  elements  with  their 
symbols  and  atomic  weights,  and  gives  then  a  concise  explanation  of  the  technical 
terms  employed  in  volumetric  analysis,  such  as  normal  solution,  titration,  etc.  Part 
I  is  devoted  to  the  general  principles  upon  which  this  method  of  quantitative  analysis 
is  based,  the  description  of  the  instruments  and  apparatus,  the  preparation  of  the 
solutions  and  the  explanation  of  the  direct  and  indirect  processes  of  analysis. 
Part  II  describes  the  analysis  by  saturation  or  neutralization,  embracing  the  vari- 
