Am'Decr,'if92arm'}  Abstracts  from  the  French  Journals.  607 
cholesterin  may  be  still  further  purified  by  converting  it  into  the 
benzoate,  crystallizing  repeatedly  from  alcohol  and  saponifying. 
Prepared  from  cryptogamous  plants  by  a  similar  process,  choles- 
terin gives  the  reactions  of  Tanret's  ergosterin,  but  the  melting  point 
and  the  rotatory  power  differ  to  some  extent. 
The  physiological  action  of  cinchonamine  has  been  studied  by  Dr. 
Chauin.  In  a  report  to  the  Biological  Society  the  author  stated  {La 
Tribune  medicate)  that  this  alkaloid  has  a  toxic  action  upon  animals 
and  effects  a  considerable  reduction  of  temperature  in  animals  which 
had  been  rendered  feverish  by  inoculation,  or  by  the  administration 
of  chemical  compounds. 
Recognition  of  nickel  in  presence  of  cobalt. — L.  Lafay  (Journ.  de 
Pharm.  et  de  Chim.y  1892,  24,  p.  67)  publishes  a  method  for  the 
recognition  of  these  metals  which  is  based  on  the  following  reaction: 
Prepare  a  5  per  cent,  solution  of  chloride  of  cobalt  and  add  an  equal 
volume  of  a  concentrated  solution  of  potassium  bichromate  and  a 
large  excess  of  ammonia ;  on  adding  to  4  or  5  cc.  of  this  solution  a 
large  excess  of  solution  of  potassium  hydrate,  a  precipitate  is  formed 
which  redissolves  in  the  liquid  forming  a  greenish  and  limpid  solu- 
tion. A  salt  of  nickel  treated  in  like  manner  yields  a  precipitate 
which  does  not  redissolve.  In  case  of  a  mixture  of  the  salts  potassa 
yields  a  precipitate  from  which  the  cobalt  is  extracted  by  a  large 
excess  of  the  precipitant. 
Dermatol  in  purulent  otorrhcea. — Dr.  Chaniavsky  {Med.  Obozr., 
through  Nouv.  Remedesy  1 892,  408)  treats  purulent  otorrhcea  in  the 
following  manner :  The  ear  is  washed  with  an  aqueous  solution  of 
boric  acid,  and  then  some  absorbent  cotton  on  which  dermatol  is 
placed  is  inserted. 
A  neiv  antiseptic  mixture. — Dr.  Cavazzini  {Rif.  Med.  through 
Nouv.  Remedes,  1892,  436)  recommends  for  dressings  the  following 
antiseptic  powder :  Iodoform  55  parts,  salicylic  acid  and  bismuth 
subnitrate  each  20  parts,  camphor  5  parts.  The  powder  is  of  a 
yellow  color  and  free  from  disagreeable  odor.  Torpid  and  fungoid 
granulations  are  favorably  influenced  and  suppuration  is  greatly 
diminished. 
Treatment  of  croup. — Dr.  Bonain  [Rev.  laryng.,  otolog.  et  rhi- 
nolog.,Aug.,  1892)  advises  the  following  treatment  of  cases  of  croup: 
(1)  Potion :  lactic  acid,  3  gm,;  syrup  of  tolu,  50  gm.;  water,  100  gm* 
