474 
f  Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
I      Sept.,  1880, 
VARIETIES. 
Hoof  Ointment.  — Very  satisfactory  results  are  said  to  have  been  obtained  with 
the  following  ointment  in  the  treatment  of  all  diseases  peculiar  to  hoofs,  such  as- 
cracks,  scratches,  cuts,  etc. : 
1^     Benzoin,  catechu,  bone  charcoal,  .         each     10  parts. 
Reduce  to  a  very  fine  powder  and  add  : 
Pure  carbolic  acid,        .  .  .  .8 
Petroleum  ointment,  ,  .  .  100 
Yellow  wax,  .  .  .  .10 
Mix,  with  a  gentle  heat. 
—  Pharm.  Centralh.,  Dec.  4,  1879,  P-  45  3- 
Pilocarpin  in  Skin  Diseases.- -Pick  give^  the  result  of  his  experience  with  pil'o- 
carpin  in  various  skin  diseases  as  follows:  After  a  two-weeks  course  of  pilocarpin  in 
a  case  of  alopecia  areata,  which  had  existed  six  months,  there  appeared  fine  white 
lanugo,  and  at  the  end  of  twelve  weeks  the  growth  of  hair  was  restored.  In  ten 
cases  of  alopecia  pityroides  the  result  of  the  treatment  was  favorable.  The  writer 
concludes  that  the  remedy  may  be  depended  upon  to  restore  the  growth  of  hair  in 
cases  where  there  is  no  strong  hereditary  tendency  to  baldness.  (Consult  ''Courier," 
vol.  ii,  p.  356.)  In  a  case  of  chronic  intractable  urticaria  a  cure  was  effected  with 
one-tenth  grain  dose  of  the  drug,  twice  daily.  No  effect  was  observed  from  its  use 
in  psoriasis  j  acute  eczema  was  aggravated,  while  the  chronic  form  was  apparently 
benefitted  under  its  administration.  In  pruritus  cutaneus,  and  particularly  in  pru- 
ritus vulvae,  good  results  were  obtained. — Vierteljahr.  f.  Derm.  u.  Syph.y  Heft  i,  1880, 
from  Ibid. 
Benzoic  Acid  in  Rheumatism.— Senator  has  employed  this  remedy  in  forty-six 
cases  of  polyarticular  rheumatism.  From  a  clinical  point  of  view  it  much  resem- 
bles salicylic  acid.  Salkowski  attributes  to  it  the  same  anti-putrescent  and  stronger 
anti-fermentative  properties.  In  order  not  to  irritate  the  primas  viae,  moderate  doses 
are  to  be  given  at  first :  10  to  12  grams  (2^  to  3  drachms)  of  benzoic  acid  j  or  better 
12  to  15  grams  (3  to  3!  drachms)  of  benzoate  of  soda.  The  acid  was  given  as  a 
powder  in  wafers  or  capsules  5  the  benzoate  in  100  to  140  grams  (3  to  4  oz.)  of  an 
aromatic  draught,  with  or  without  syrup. 
It  may  be  considered  a  specific  for  rheumatism,  though  in  a  less  degree  than 
salicylic  acid.  As  a  rule,  the  latter  is  more  prompt  in  its  action,  though  in  some 
cases  where  that  failed  the  benzoic  acid  succeeded.  No  relapses  nor  cardiac  com- 
plications have  been  observed.  Benzoic  acid  seems  to  have  no  tendency  to  irritate 
the  stomach  or  bowels. — Geneeskund  Cour.  der  Nederl.^  La  Presse  Med.  Belge^  April 
25,  1880,  from  Ibid. 
Metaphosphoric  Acid. — W^.  C.  Grigg  pronounces  metaphosphoric  acid  a  much 
more  delicate  test  for  albumen  than  nitric  acid.  The  acid  should  be  freshly  made 
and  dissolved  without  heat.    A  piece  of  about  the  size  of  a  pea  is  to  be  dissolved  in 
