486  American  Pharmaceutical  Association,  {^pfembe^iassf* 
Dissolve  300  grammes  of  the  potassium  hydrate  in  2,000  c.c.  of  water,  and 
add  500  c.c.  of  this  solution  to  the  oil  in  a  suitable  vessel ;  place  over  a  mod- 
erate fire,  stirring  until  the  mixture  has  thickened  sufficiently.  Gradually  add 
the  remaining  solution,  and  continue  the  heat,  stirring  occasionally  until  the 
mixture  assumes  a  transparent  gelatinous  form.  Dissolve  the  remaining  60 
grammes  of  potassium  hydrate  in  1,000  c.c.  of  water,  add  this  to  the  mass,  and 
evaporate  to  the  proper  consistency.  Mr.  Eliel  had  found  this  to  afford  a  very 
good  product,  and  desired  that  this  formula  replace  the  one  now  official,  as  the 
product  of  it  is  entirely  unsatisfactory.  He  submitted  a  sample  of  his  product. 
It  was  destitute  of  the  objectionable  odor  usually  noted  in  this  preparation. 
The  report  of  the  committee  was  accepted  and  a  copy  of  it  ordered  to  be 
sent  to  the  Committee  on  Revision  of  the  U.  S.  Pharmacopoeia. 
NOTES  UPON  SOME  PHILIPPINE  ISLAND  DRUGS  UNDER  ANALYSIS 
FOR  ALKALOIDS,  ETC. 
By  A.  B.  Prescott. 
The  notes  were  taken  from  the  laboratory  work  of  Elgin  Mallett  and  F.  M. 
Marsh.  All  the  articles  have  repute  for  medicinal  virtue  among  the  native 
people  of  the  Philippine  Islands.  The  drugs  are  designated  by  the  English 
spelling  of  their  native  names  ;  the  botanical  determination  of  the  plants 
yielding  them  was  not  considered. 
Dolulugai. — A  seed  of  a  light  slate  color  and  having  a  very  hard  testa.  It  is 
nearly  spherical  and  about  half  an  inch  in  diameter.  The  kernel  is  of  a  very 
solid  texture,  having  a  characteristic  odor  and  a  bitter  taste.  It  is  said  that  the 
natives  dissolve  the  powdered  dolulugai  in  vinegar  and  employ  it  as  a  specific 
for  all  pains  of  the  stomach,  also  as  a  poultice  in  rheumatism.  It  was  said  to 
contain  strychnine,  but  this  is  positively  not  so,  since  on  analysis  it  gives 
entirely  negative  results.  The  principal  constituents  found  on  analysis  were 
fixed  and  volatile  oils. 
Mountain  Cinnamon. — A  bark  from  one-fourth  to  one-half  an  inch  thick,  of 
a  dark  brown  color  and  having  an  odor  resembling  a  mixture  of  spices  rather 
than  the  true  cinnamon.  It  contains  an  aromatic  volatile  oil,  tasteless  resins, 
and  a  very  large  amount  of  coloring  matter. 
Manugal. — A  very  hard  fibrous  rhizome  with  rootlets,  used  by  the  natives  as 
a  stomachic,  also  as  a  purge  by  boiling  thin  shavings  of  it  in  cocoanut  oil.  It 
contains  no  alkaloids,  but  has  a  considerable  portion  of  acid  resins. 
Vita. — A  bark  of  a  very  thick,  coarse  texture,  used  as  a  remedy  for  fevers.. 
Nothing  was  found  to  which  its  medicinal  properties  could  be  ascribed. 
Macbujai. — From  parts  of  drug  in  their  possession  the  authors  were  unable 
to  determine  to  what  plant  organ  it  belongs.  It  contains  considerable  resin^ 
coloring  matter  and  other  plant  constituents.  The  drug  is  excessively  bitter, 
and  is  used  in  the  form  of  a  decoction  as  a  remedy  for  fevers. 
Tagalaoi. — Small  branches  or  shoots  having  a  bark  about  one  sixteenth  of 
an  inch  thick.  The  only  important  principle  noted  was  a  thick,  balsam- 
like resin.  It  is  used  as  an  antiseptic.  The  usual  mode  of  application  is 
to  boil  the  inner  bark  in  cocoanut  oil,  and  then  use  it  in  the  treatment  of 
wounds. 
The  work  done  on  the  above-mentioned  drugs  was,  as  far  as  the  presence  of 
alkaloids  is  concerned,  of  a  decided  negative  character.  None  of  the  plants 
gave  the  slightest  trace  of  their  presence. 
