88  Minutes  of  the  Pharmaceutical  Meeting.  {^"""■^Z;!^^''^' 
Prof.  Maisch  suggested  the  probability  of  the  light  oil,  and  the  impure  oil  noticed 
at  the  last  meeting  [see  "Am.  Jour.  Phar.,"  1875,  p.  37),  being  derived  from  cinna- 
mon leaves,  which  are  said  to  have  an  odor  somewhat  reminding  of  cloves. 
Dr.  Bridges  exhibited  a  large  collection  of  anilin  colors,  and  Dr.  Miller  a  speci- 
men of  anilin  black,  soluble  in  water,  and  writing  ink  made  from  it  by  dissolving  i^r 
ounce  of  the  former  and  i|-  fluidounce  of  mucilage  of  gum  arable  in  one  gallon  of 
water. 
The  practical  uses  to  which  anilin  colors  had  been  put  for  coloring  candies, 
syrups,  liquors,  hair-oils  and  the  like,  were  commented  upon  by  several  speakers, 
and  attention  was  drawn  to  the  formulas  for  inks  by  C.  H.  Viedt  {^see  page  64  of 
this  number).  Insoluble  anilin  black  is  used  for  indelible  stencil  inks  and  for  calico 
printing.  The  cheaper  grades  of  anilin  colors  sometimes  contain  arsenic,  and 
should  be  used  with  care.  Ordinary  anilin  red  does  not  answer  for  boiled  candies^ 
being  changed  to  a  pale,  dull  purple;  cochineal  coloring  is  used  for  this  purpose. 
Dr.  Miller  exhibited  specimens  of  a  garlic,  which  is  probably  a  hybrid,  and  en- 
tirely different  from  the  officinal,  consisting  of  a  bud  enclosed  in  a  solid,  fleshy  mass^ 
which  has  a  strong  garlicky  odor. 
The  following  note,  from  H.  N.  Wilder,  on  an  indispensible  implement  for  the 
prescription  counter  was  read  : 
"The  accompanying  style  of  funnel  I  have  been  using  for  several  years  for  strain- 
ing mixtures.  Let  the  component  parts  of  a  mixture  be  ever  so  clear  when  ready, 
the  mixture  will  seldom  fail  to  exhibit  particles  floating  about.  Straining  through 
linen  is  quite  w^asteful  and  disagreeable — through  the  funnel  the  liquid  passes  quickly., 
and  to  the  last  drop.  The  funnel  is  tin,  the  strainer,  soldered  into  the  lower  part, 
of  brass,  yet  it  is  so  short  a  time  in  contact  with  the  liquid,  that  a  contamination 
with  this  metal  becomes  quite  an  impossibility  5  however,  if  any  fears  are  entertained, 
it  may  be  tinned  previous  to  soldering.  The  wire  gauze  is  of  the  finest  to  be  had — 
I  think,  a  hundred  meshes  to  the  inch.  I  make  it  a  rule,  as  soon  as  used,  to  put  the 
funnel  under  the  hydrant  for  a  miiUite  or  two," 
Other  methods  of  accomplishing  the  same  end  were  spoken  of  by  members,  as 
fine  Swiss  muslin,  loose  cotton  in  a  glass  funnel,  etc.  The  Chairman  cautioned 
against  straining  out  precipitates  which  may  contain  the  virtues  of  a  mixture. 
E.  M.  Boring  exhibited  ointment  of  mercuric  nitrate,  made  by  the  formula  of 
Mr.  Rother,  published  in  the  "Am,  Jour.  Phar.,"  1870,  p.  419.  This  specimen,  al- 
though one  month  old,  and  exposed  in  an  ordinary  dispensing  jar  in  the  shop  for 
that  time,  still  retains  its  citrine  color,  and«looks  as  nicely  as  when  first  made.  Dr. 
Pile  said  he  had  used  this  formula  for  some  time,  and  excepting  a  little  alteration  in 
the  temperature  when  making  large  quantities,  had  found  it  satisfactory.  Mr.  Bor- 
ing also  exhibited  glyconin,  made  of  five  parts  of  glycerin  and  four  parts  of  the 
yolks  of  eggs,  by  weight  5  also,  two  samples  of  emulsion  of  cod-liver  oil,  made  with 
it.  Mr.  Hirsh,  in  the  "Am  Jour.  Phar.",  1870,  p.  155,  says  that  it  is  perfectly 
stable,  and  will  keep  for  years.  The  oil  emulsions  were  made  by  emulsionizing  four 
parts  of  oil  with  one  of  glyconin,  and  diluting  so  that  the  emulsions  contain  re- 
spectively 50  and  66t  per  cent,  of  oil.  The  former  is  quite  mobile,  while  the  latter 
has  about  the  consistence  of  a  50  per  cent,  emulsion  made  with  gum  arabic  and  sugar. 
Mr.  Boring  exhibited  coca  leaves,  from  Erythroxylon  coca^  and  the  Fuller's  teasel. 
