6o4  Gleanings  from  tke  Foreign  Journals,  { 'Vec^'isso"'"" 
Different  specimens  obtained  from  the  pharmacies  of  Stockholm 
were  found  to  contain  o-2  to  0*3  and  2*5  per  cent.,  while  a  specimen 
prepared  in  the  pharmaceutical  institute  of  Stockholm  contained  3  per 
cent,  of  ethyl  nitrite.  An  attempt  to  obtain  a  considerably  stronger 
preparation  by  means  of  refrigeration  with  ice  was  unsuccessful,  the 
resulting  preparation  containing  but  3*2  per  cent. — Pharm.  Zeitung,, 
from  Farmaceutisk  Tijdschrift^  No.  14,  p.  209. 
Terebinthina  chia  [Chian  Turpentine),  By  A.  Janssen  of  Flor- 
ence.— The  author  having  had  an  opportunity  of  obtaining  through  a 
Grecian  physician  an  authentic  specimen  of  Chian  turpentine,  collected 
on  ihe  island  of  Chios  from  Pistacia  terebinthus,  has  considered  it  of 
interest  to  describe  its  properties  and  appearance,  particularly  as  the 
small  yield  and  increased  demand  for  the  drug  has  given  rise  to  its  falsi- 
fication, and  the  difference  between  it  and  that  exported  from  England 
being  considerable.  The  turpentine  obtained  from  England  had  the 
appearance  of  Canada  balsam  mixed  with  more  or  less  Venice  turpen- 
tine, with  a  decided  terebinthinous  odor  and  taste,  a  golden  yellow  color, 
and  brightly  liquid,  without  any  observable  impurities.  That  collected 
by  himself  had  the  consistence  of  old  liquid  storax,  brittle  and  but 
slightly  sticky  when  handled. 
By  transmitted  light  is  is  not  transparent,  but  appears  tolerably  so 
when  thin  layers  are  held  towards  the  light,  and  would  then  appear 
quite  transparent  were  it  not  for  the  many  dispersed  black  spots  arising 
from  small  enclosed  particles  of  the  bark  of  the  tree.  The  color,  as 
observed  in  a  mass,  is  brown  with  a  greenish  tint  and  in  some  pieces 
appears  brownish-yellow.  The  odor  is  neither  that  of  turpentine  nor 
of  fennel,  as  stated  by  some,  but  has  much  similarity  to  the  odor 
developed  when  colophony  and  yellow  wax  are  melted  together ;  a 
peculiar  aromatic  odor  must  be  admitted  which  has  some  resemblance 
to  that  of  lemon.  The  taste  is  exceedingly  mild,  neither  bitter  nor 
acid.  A  solution  in  rectified  spirit  is  not  perfectly  clear,  gives  upon 
standing  an  insignificant  precipitate,  and  feebly  reddens  litmus  ;  in  ether, 
acetone  and  amylic  alcohol  it  dissolves  to  form  a  nearly  clear  liquid. 
For  internal  use  it  is  best  prescribed  in  the  form  of  pills,  and  the  fol- 
lowing formula  is  recommended  :  Terebinth,  chia  4*0  grams,  sulphur 
depurat.  1-5  grams,  pulv.  rad.  glycyrrh.  q.  s.  ut  ft.  pilul.  No.  30.  Signa. 
Two  pills  every  4  hours. 
For  external  use  it  is  best  employed  according  to  the  following 
