{317}VARIA—EDITORIAL.QUINIDINE.—Sulphate of quinidine is advertised, “eo nomine,” for sale in the London Journals. What we get, as yet, occurs only as an adulteration of the sulphate of quinine. The same virtues, and to an equal extent, are ascribed by the advertisers to the new article, that are possessed by quinine. We do not know what authority there is for this statement, but it is exceedingly desirable that careful and well conducted experiments should be made to determine the properties and relative value of quinidine, quinoidine, and cinchonine. The great importance of quinine and its immense and constantly increasing consumption, long ago created a well founded anxiety lest the sources whence we obtain it should become exhausted or materially diminished. If the allied alkaloids will in any degree replace it, it is a fact of the highest value. Quinidine, in particular, is contained in some varieties of bark in which little or no quinine is found, and if the statements which have been made of the identity of its effects with quinine, probably without any better foundation than the closeness of resemblance of the two substances, should prove correct, the destruction of the cinchona Calisaya which is going on, may be in some measure stayed.EXTRACTOFBARK.—A new article has appeared in our markets under the name of Extract of Bark. The specimen that came under our observation was a dark brown substance, homogenous, and about the consistence of dry opium. It was very little soluble in water, much more so in alcohol, and completely so in diluted sulphuric acid. From chemical examination it would appear to contain about 46 per cent of quinine, with perhaps traces of quinidine and cinchonine. At the price at which we hear it is offered it will be sought for by the manufacturers of sulphate of quinine.SYRUPOFTURPENTINE.—M. Trousseau often uses the syrup of turpentine in chronic catarrh of the bladder and the lungs, in old copious suppurations, etc., but as the standard works contain no formula, the preparation intended is not always obtained.{318}The following is the formula which has been published by M. Dorvault, according to the indications furnished by M. Trousseau, as being at once the most rational, and as furnishing a product preferable in all respects to that of the two formulæ given in the officine.Turpentine,24100 grammes.Water,375 grammes.Digest during two days, taking care to agitate frequently; afterwards make a syrup after the manner of the balsam of Tolu, by addingWhite sugar,750 grammes.This syrup contains besides the resinous principles, the nature of which is not well ascertained, from 1-40 to 1-100 of its weight of the essence of Turpentine.It is limpid, of an aromatic odor—very sweet, and of an agreeable taste; it may be employed pure, or used to sweeten appropriate drinks.Dose: from one to a number of tablespoonsful per day.—Bulletin de Therap.24The turpentine recommended by M. Dorvault is a variety of the Strasburg turpentine, having an agreeable odor of lemon.ALOINE.—Our readers will recollect that Dr. Pereira has found Aloine, the chrystalline neutral principle recently discovered in Barbadoes aloes, by Mr. Smith of Edinburgh, in Socotorine aloe juice, (New York Journal of Pharmacy, No. 6, p. 177.) Since then Mr. Smith has succeeded in procuring it from Socotorine aloes. It was much longer in crystallizing than when obtained from Barbadoes aloes, but did so at last. When the impure product is recrystallized from rectified spirits it presents the same appearance as the purified crystal of Barbadoes aloes (the crystals obtained by Dr. Pereira which were spontaneously deposited from the juice, were much smaller) and seems identical with that substance. It has not yet been obtained from Cape aloes, but undoubtedly exists in that substance, though probably from its inferior activity in much smaller quantity.Aloine has been introduced into the practice of medicine in Edinburgh, and the Messrs. Smith have already (June) sold a quarter of a hundred weight of it. It is five times more active than good aloes—a single grain producing all the effect of a large aloetic pill; the Edinburgh physicians describe it as acting “tuto, cito, et jucunde,” safely, speedily, and pleasantly. If this is meant altogether seriously, in the second of the characteristics it presents a marked contrast with the crude drug. From the convenience with which it may be exhibited, it bids fair to come into general and extensive use.Action of Sulphuric Acid on the insoluble residue left by Opium, exhausted by water. Formation of a new Alkaloid, byM.STANISLASMARTIN.—The smallest object added to a kaleidoscope produces new shades and different images; so it is{319}with vegetable chemistry; every practical man knows that a foreign body, an hours delay in executing a work already commenced, changes the nature of the products. Two experiments on the inert residue of opium, exhausted by water give another illustration of this truth.The residue of opium submitted to fermentation, affords us a substance which has a great analogy to paramorphia; this substance has since been studied by M. A. Guergy. The account of the labor of that chemist has been reproduced in the review of the Journal de Pharmacie, 1849.Our second operation consists in treating the residue of opium exhausted by water, with water acidulated with sulphuric acid. The result is the formation of an alkali which has many of the chemical properties of narcotine, but which differs from it completely by its insolubility in ether.This alkali has no relation with codeine or narceine; besides we obtain an extractive matter, soluble in all proportions in water, to which it communicates the property of frothing like soap.The following is the method of proceeding. The residue of opium, exhausted with water, is boiled in distilled water acidulated with sulphuric acid, after ten minutes ebullition it has the appearance of a thick magma; it is strained with strong expression; when the colature is cold it is filtered through paper.The colature is highly colored; its odor is similar to that of opium, its taste is exceedingly bitter.Ammonia is added until litmus paper is no longer altered; the liquid is filtered, the precipitate washed with distilled water, and permitted to dry; afterwards it is boiled with a sufficient quantity of rectified alcohol and again filtered. The alcoholic solution deposits on cooling, numerous needle like crystals, colored by a brownish bitter resin. It is purified in the ordinary manner.What are the therapeutic properties of this alkaloid, of the extractive saponaceous matter, and of the brown bitter resin! Do they partake of the properties of opium? We know not; the physician alone can determine their value.—Bulletin de Therapeutique.GELATINIZATIONOFTHETINCTUREOFRHATANY.—Mr. Editor,—Some years ago having occasion to prepare some saturated Tincture of Rhatany, about eighteen, ounces were put aside in a glass stoppered bottle. The tincture being examined but a short time since, was found to be gelatinized, as is generally the case with old tincture of kino. Having never seen such a change before, I sought information, and ascertained through the United States Dispensatory that a French Pharmaceutist in Paris has remarked the same phenomenon, What is the cause of this remarkable change, attended as it is, with the loss of astringency? Is it not, perhaps, caused by the same action which produces peculiar exudation from the bark of certain trees possessed of tannin, retaining it for a{320}while and afterwards, when cut up in logs, losing their tanning properties and exuding a species of ulmine? Is it not the same process which takes place in the decomposition of the kino and rhatany? But why is catechu exempt from such a decomposition? If you can enlighten me, and especially can explain how to prevent this change, you will much oblige myself and numerous readers.LISTOFDELEGATESTOTHECONVENTION.—On the Sixth of this month the National Convention will meet in Philadelphia, and we see that our Philadelphia friends, with a reference to the convenience of the Delegates, have fixed upon 4 o’clock in the afternoon as the hour for assembling. The meeting will be held in the Hall of the College of Pharmacy, in Zane Street, above Seventh, which has been placed at the disposal of the Convention. As far as heard from, the following is a list of Delegates:—Philadelphia College of Pharmacy,DANIELB.SMITH,CHARLESELLIS,WILLIAMPROCTER,JR.,Massachusetts College of Pharmacy,JOSEPHBURNETT,SAMUELCOLCORD,SAMUELR.PHILBRICK,Richmond Pharmaceutical Society,ALEXANDERDUVAL,JOHNPURCEL,JOSEPHLAIDLEY,Maryland College of Pharmacy,GEORGEW.ANDREWS,DAVIDSTEWART,M. D.Cincinnatti College of Pharmacy,WILLIAMB.CHAPMAN,EDWARDS.WAYNE,CHARLESA.SMITH,College of Pharmacy of the City of New York,GEORGED.COGGESHALL,L. S.HASKELL,JOHNMEAKIM.
{317}
QUINIDINE.—Sulphate of quinidine is advertised, “eo nomine,” for sale in the London Journals. What we get, as yet, occurs only as an adulteration of the sulphate of quinine. The same virtues, and to an equal extent, are ascribed by the advertisers to the new article, that are possessed by quinine. We do not know what authority there is for this statement, but it is exceedingly desirable that careful and well conducted experiments should be made to determine the properties and relative value of quinidine, quinoidine, and cinchonine. The great importance of quinine and its immense and constantly increasing consumption, long ago created a well founded anxiety lest the sources whence we obtain it should become exhausted or materially diminished. If the allied alkaloids will in any degree replace it, it is a fact of the highest value. Quinidine, in particular, is contained in some varieties of bark in which little or no quinine is found, and if the statements which have been made of the identity of its effects with quinine, probably without any better foundation than the closeness of resemblance of the two substances, should prove correct, the destruction of the cinchona Calisaya which is going on, may be in some measure stayed.
EXTRACTOFBARK.—A new article has appeared in our markets under the name of Extract of Bark. The specimen that came under our observation was a dark brown substance, homogenous, and about the consistence of dry opium. It was very little soluble in water, much more so in alcohol, and completely so in diluted sulphuric acid. From chemical examination it would appear to contain about 46 per cent of quinine, with perhaps traces of quinidine and cinchonine. At the price at which we hear it is offered it will be sought for by the manufacturers of sulphate of quinine.
EXTRACTOFBARK.—A new article has appeared in our markets under the name of Extract of Bark. The specimen that came under our observation was a dark brown substance, homogenous, and about the consistence of dry opium. It was very little soluble in water, much more so in alcohol, and completely so in diluted sulphuric acid. From chemical examination it would appear to contain about 46 per cent of quinine, with perhaps traces of quinidine and cinchonine. At the price at which we hear it is offered it will be sought for by the manufacturers of sulphate of quinine.
SYRUPOFTURPENTINE.—M. Trousseau often uses the syrup of turpentine in chronic catarrh of the bladder and the lungs, in old copious suppurations, etc., but as the standard works contain no formula, the preparation intended is not always obtained.{318}
The following is the formula which has been published by M. Dorvault, according to the indications furnished by M. Trousseau, as being at once the most rational, and as furnishing a product preferable in all respects to that of the two formulæ given in the officine.
Turpentine,24100 grammes.Water,375 grammes.
Turpentine,24100 grammes.Water,375 grammes.
Digest during two days, taking care to agitate frequently; afterwards make a syrup after the manner of the balsam of Tolu, by adding
White sugar,750 grammes.
White sugar,750 grammes.
This syrup contains besides the resinous principles, the nature of which is not well ascertained, from 1-40 to 1-100 of its weight of the essence of Turpentine.
It is limpid, of an aromatic odor—very sweet, and of an agreeable taste; it may be employed pure, or used to sweeten appropriate drinks.
Dose: from one to a number of tablespoonsful per day.—Bulletin de Therap.24The turpentine recommended by M. Dorvault is a variety of the Strasburg turpentine, having an agreeable odor of lemon.
Dose: from one to a number of tablespoonsful per day.—Bulletin de Therap.
24The turpentine recommended by M. Dorvault is a variety of the Strasburg turpentine, having an agreeable odor of lemon.
24The turpentine recommended by M. Dorvault is a variety of the Strasburg turpentine, having an agreeable odor of lemon.
ALOINE.—Our readers will recollect that Dr. Pereira has found Aloine, the chrystalline neutral principle recently discovered in Barbadoes aloes, by Mr. Smith of Edinburgh, in Socotorine aloe juice, (New York Journal of Pharmacy, No. 6, p. 177.) Since then Mr. Smith has succeeded in procuring it from Socotorine aloes. It was much longer in crystallizing than when obtained from Barbadoes aloes, but did so at last. When the impure product is recrystallized from rectified spirits it presents the same appearance as the purified crystal of Barbadoes aloes (the crystals obtained by Dr. Pereira which were spontaneously deposited from the juice, were much smaller) and seems identical with that substance. It has not yet been obtained from Cape aloes, but undoubtedly exists in that substance, though probably from its inferior activity in much smaller quantity.
Aloine has been introduced into the practice of medicine in Edinburgh, and the Messrs. Smith have already (June) sold a quarter of a hundred weight of it. It is five times more active than good aloes—a single grain producing all the effect of a large aloetic pill; the Edinburgh physicians describe it as acting “tuto, cito, et jucunde,” safely, speedily, and pleasantly. If this is meant altogether seriously, in the second of the characteristics it presents a marked contrast with the crude drug. From the convenience with which it may be exhibited, it bids fair to come into general and extensive use.
Aloine has been introduced into the practice of medicine in Edinburgh, and the Messrs. Smith have already (June) sold a quarter of a hundred weight of it. It is five times more active than good aloes—a single grain producing all the effect of a large aloetic pill; the Edinburgh physicians describe it as acting “tuto, cito, et jucunde,” safely, speedily, and pleasantly. If this is meant altogether seriously, in the second of the characteristics it presents a marked contrast with the crude drug. From the convenience with which it may be exhibited, it bids fair to come into general and extensive use.
Action of Sulphuric Acid on the insoluble residue left by Opium, exhausted by water. Formation of a new Alkaloid, byM.STANISLASMARTIN.—The smallest object added to a kaleidoscope produces new shades and different images; so it is{319}with vegetable chemistry; every practical man knows that a foreign body, an hours delay in executing a work already commenced, changes the nature of the products. Two experiments on the inert residue of opium, exhausted by water give another illustration of this truth.
The residue of opium submitted to fermentation, affords us a substance which has a great analogy to paramorphia; this substance has since been studied by M. A. Guergy. The account of the labor of that chemist has been reproduced in the review of the Journal de Pharmacie, 1849.
Our second operation consists in treating the residue of opium exhausted by water, with water acidulated with sulphuric acid. The result is the formation of an alkali which has many of the chemical properties of narcotine, but which differs from it completely by its insolubility in ether.
This alkali has no relation with codeine or narceine; besides we obtain an extractive matter, soluble in all proportions in water, to which it communicates the property of frothing like soap.
The following is the method of proceeding. The residue of opium, exhausted with water, is boiled in distilled water acidulated with sulphuric acid, after ten minutes ebullition it has the appearance of a thick magma; it is strained with strong expression; when the colature is cold it is filtered through paper.
The colature is highly colored; its odor is similar to that of opium, its taste is exceedingly bitter.
Ammonia is added until litmus paper is no longer altered; the liquid is filtered, the precipitate washed with distilled water, and permitted to dry; afterwards it is boiled with a sufficient quantity of rectified alcohol and again filtered. The alcoholic solution deposits on cooling, numerous needle like crystals, colored by a brownish bitter resin. It is purified in the ordinary manner.
What are the therapeutic properties of this alkaloid, of the extractive saponaceous matter, and of the brown bitter resin! Do they partake of the properties of opium? We know not; the physician alone can determine their value.—Bulletin de Therapeutique.
What are the therapeutic properties of this alkaloid, of the extractive saponaceous matter, and of the brown bitter resin! Do they partake of the properties of opium? We know not; the physician alone can determine their value.—Bulletin de Therapeutique.
GELATINIZATIONOFTHETINCTUREOFRHATANY.—Mr. Editor,—Some years ago having occasion to prepare some saturated Tincture of Rhatany, about eighteen, ounces were put aside in a glass stoppered bottle. The tincture being examined but a short time since, was found to be gelatinized, as is generally the case with old tincture of kino. Having never seen such a change before, I sought information, and ascertained through the United States Dispensatory that a French Pharmaceutist in Paris has remarked the same phenomenon, What is the cause of this remarkable change, attended as it is, with the loss of astringency? Is it not, perhaps, caused by the same action which produces peculiar exudation from the bark of certain trees possessed of tannin, retaining it for a{320}while and afterwards, when cut up in logs, losing their tanning properties and exuding a species of ulmine? Is it not the same process which takes place in the decomposition of the kino and rhatany? But why is catechu exempt from such a decomposition? If you can enlighten me, and especially can explain how to prevent this change, you will much oblige myself and numerous readers.
LISTOFDELEGATESTOTHECONVENTION.—On the Sixth of this month the National Convention will meet in Philadelphia, and we see that our Philadelphia friends, with a reference to the convenience of the Delegates, have fixed upon 4 o’clock in the afternoon as the hour for assembling. The meeting will be held in the Hall of the College of Pharmacy, in Zane Street, above Seventh, which has been placed at the disposal of the Convention. As far as heard from, the following is a list of Delegates:—