AmFe°bU^2arm*}  Gleanings  from  the  German  Journals.  79 
Gallic  Acid,  when  heated  for  several  hours  to  6o°  C,  with  zinc 
powder  and  ammonia  solution,  is  converted  into  benzoic  acid,  accord- 
ing to  C.  E.  Guignet  (Compt.  rend.,  nj,  200).  The  same  result  is 
produced  by  heating  gallic  acid  with  zinc  and  dilute  sulphuric  acid. 
Tannin  treated  in  a  similar  manner,  is  first  transformed  into  gallic 
acid,  and  yields  finally  benzoic  acid. 
Kola  nut. — Monavon  and  Perrond  have  made  comparative  physio- 
logical experiments  {Lyon  med.,  1891,  No.  46),  which  lead  them  to 
the  conclusion  that  caffeine  is  not  the  only  tissue-economizing 
principle  present,  but  that  other  compounds  of  kola  nut  likewise 
diminish  tissue-waste.  In  this  direction  is  the  action  of  kola  red, 
although  it  has  only  a  slight  effect  upon  the  elimination  of  nitrogen 
compounds  and  phosphates.  The  extract  of  kola  has  the  same 
effect  as  the  powder. 
Vapors  of  Napthalin  are  recommended  as  a  remedy  in  whoop- 
ing cough,  by  Chavernac  (Bull.  gen.  de  Ther.,  Oct.  30,  1 891).  About 
15  to  20  gm.  of  the  compound  are  slowly  vaporized  from  a  porce- 
lain dish,  taking  care  that  the  naphthalin  is  not  ignited,  since  the 
smoke  is  acrid  and  irritating.  The  vapors  give  prompt  relief  in  the 
disease  named,  unless  complicated  with  tubercular  or  emphyse- 
matous affections,  when  they  are  apt  to  cause  distress. 
Antipyrin,  in  doses  of  0-25  gm.  every  two  hours,  is  recommended 
by  Dr.  Guibert  of  Montpellier  (Sent,  med.,  1891,  No.  34)  for  check- 
ing the  secretion  of  milk ;  no  unpleasant  effects  have  been  observed. 
GLEANINGS  FROM  THE  GERMAN  JOURNALS. 
By  Frank  X.  Moerk,  Ph.G. 
The  iodine-absorption  of  fixed  oils. — In  the  Am.  Journ.  of  Pharm., 
1891,484,  the  method  proposed  by  Dr.  Holde  was  published.  In 
the  Chemiker  Zeitung  1891,  p.  1791,  Dr.  W.  Fahrion  published 
an  article  upon  the  same  subject  which  offers  some  very  decided 
improvements  over  the  method  of  Dr.  Holde:  These  are  (1)  a 
simple,  although  not  new  method,  for  the  standardization  of  the 
thiosulphate  solution ;  (2)  the  excess  of  iodine  solution  is  exactly 
stated ;  (3)  the  iodine  solution  is  capable  of  being  used  even  after 
standing  for  several  months ;  and  (4)  that  the  determination  for 
both  drying  and  non-drying  oils  is  identical. 
The  necessary  reagents  are  as  follows:    Mercuric  chloride  solu- 
