AmiSsM9oaiym'}     Recent  Literature  Relating  to  Pharmacy.  405 
word  a  research  laboratory  conducted  on  broad  grounds  and  con- 
ducted by  men  of  unimpeachable  education. 
The  question  is,  then,  in  thinking  over  this  matter,  can  such  a 
laboratory  be  founded  ?  A  research  laboratory  that  will  not  only 
last  for  a  day,  or  for  a  year,  but  for  a  period  of  time  that  will  credit 
the  laboratory  established  by  a  great  society  on  its  fiftieth  anniver- 
sary of  existence.  In  matters  of  this  kind,  the  thought  problem 
which  I  present  herewith,  is,  in  my  opinion,  the  first  problem  to 
consider,  and  in  matters  of  this  kind  it  strikes  me,  persons  enthu- 
siastic, and  justly  so,  in  behalf  of  the  work  to  be  accomplished 
should  properly  consider  it  fairly  and  squarely. 
I  will  sum  up  by  the  single  sentence.  Admit  without  a  question 
that  a  research  laboratory  for  the  American  Pharmaceutical  Asso- 
ciation is  desirable  and  could  be  made  creditable  and  useful  under 
proper  conditions,  ate  the  conditions  such  as  to  warrant  us  in  moving 
in  this  direction  f  Let  me  hope  that  the  answer  may  be  yes,  and 
that  the  answer  to  this  part  of  the  question  may  be  a  reply  which 
will  make  no  doubt  concerning  the  question  of  finances. 
Cincinnati,  O.  John  Uri  Lloyd. 
RECENT  LITERATURE  RELATING  TO  PHARMACY. 
PRESENCE  OF  COPPER  IN  NUX  VOMICA. 
There  have  recently  appeared  in  the  pharmaceutical  press,  reports 
of  considerable  quantity  of  copper  found  in  nux  vomica,  even  to 
of  1  per  cent.  A.  Beitter  (Ber.  dtsch.  Ph.  Ges.,  1900,  411) 
discusses  the  subject,  reporting  that  his  examinations  of  nux  vomica, 
while  showing  copper,  indicated  such  minute  quantities  that  assay- 
ing was  out  of  the  question.  He  found  in  many  cases  that  the  cop- 
per was  not  indicated  by  its  well-known  tests  with  hydrogen  sul- 
phide and  with  ammonia  water.  He,  however,  obtained  positive 
results  from  practically  every  specimen  of  nux  vomica  and  ignatia 
bean,  and  also  from  the  seed  of  Strychnos  Gaultheriana  by  testing 
with  the  Klunger-Schar  reaction,  viz.:  treatment  of  the  suspected 
copper  compound  with  dilute  solution  of  aloin,  when  a  yellow  color 
results.  A  trace  of  sodium  chloride  and  gentle  warming  brings  red 
color.  This  test  he  finds  indicates  copper  in  a  I  to  100,000 
solution.  H.  V.  Arny. 
