Syrup of Hydriodic Acid-Pharmacopæial Assay.-P. S. Lane assayed eight samples of syrup of hydriodic acid by the U. S. P. method, showing percentages of HI ranging from 0.44 to 1.18 per cent.-average 0.91 per cent. Three of the samples gave decided tests and the other five slight reactions for H,PO2. Difficulty was experienced in determining the end reaction on account of the reducing action of H,PO, upon AgNO3, causing a blackening of the solution. The reduced silver may be removed by filtration, but in any case high results are obtained owing to reduction of a portion of the AgNO,.-Amer. Journ. Pharm., Aug., 1907, 366.

Syrup of Raspberries-Ellagic Acid the Cause of Spontaneous Turbidity. -The slight turbidity which frequently manifests itself in carefully prepared and originally perfectly bright syrup of raspberries on standing has been the subject of investigation by Dr. Kunz-Krause and Dr. Schweissinger, who have determined that this is not attributable to yeast or pectin, but to the presence of ellagic acid, which separates in the form of small rhombic prisms, and has been fully identified by its properties and by its elementary analysis, which leads to the formula CHO,, established by Wöhler and Merklein. As a practical result of their investigation the authors conclude that it is a mistake to endeavor the clarification of the syrup, rendered turbid by ellagic acid, by either boiling or filtration, and that a permanently clear syrup of raspberries can only be obtained by allowing the ellagic acid to subside and then decanting it.-Pharm. Ztg., lii (1907), No. 75, 786.

Raspberry Syrup.-Detection of Cherry Juice.-The method of Elsner for the detection of cherry juice in raspberry syrup is based upon the dissimilar reaction of coloring matters of the two fruit juices with basic lead acetate-raspberry juice giving a dense blue-green precipitate and colorless filtrate whilst cherry juice gives a blue-red, although faintly colored filtrate. Jonscher finds, however, that this test is not available for raspberry juice as syrup freshly prepared from unfermented fruits, such also yielding a blue-red filtrate. On the other hand, genuine raspberry juice which has been kept some time and treated with preservatives, such as alcohol, formic acid, salicylic acid, etc., will yield colorless filtrates under the conditions of the test.-Pharm. Ztg., liii (1908), No. 19, 192; from Ztschr. f. öffentl. Chem., 1908, No. 2.

Syrupus Scillae Compositus, U. S. P. VII-A Faulty Formula.-Alfred I. Cohn notes that in the compound syrup of squill of the U. S. P. VIII, no account has apparently been taken of the fact that the fluidextract of squill is acid (made with acetic acid), while the fluidextract of senega is made with potassium hydroxide, and that the ultimate result is the neutralization of the alkali and the probable separation of polygalic acid. It might perhaps be well to assure the preparation being faintly alkaline rather than acid. Such a condition would not effect the squill prepara

tion, while it would tend to prevent any possible precipitation of the polygalic acid of the senega fluidextract.-Amer. Drugg., July 8, 1907, 6.

Syrupus Thymi Compositus-Formula.-The following formula for a compound syrup of thyme, one of the preparations of thyme which in recent years are exploited as specialties for the relief of spasmodic coughs, asthmatic affections, etc., is given in "Svensk Farm. Tidskrift:" Compound fluidextract of thyme (see under "Fluidextracts"), 60.0; alcohol, 30.0; distilled water, 30.0; potassium bromide, 2.5; syrup, 450.0.— D-Amer. Apoth. Ztg., March, 1908, 11.

Syrup of Tolu, B. P.-Improved Manipulation.-Alexander McCutcheon, referring to the persistency with which the tenacious balsam residue adheres to the bottom of the pan in which tolu balsam is boiled with water, as directed in the B. P., states that by placing the balsam on a sheet of parchment paper covering the bottom and sides of the vessel, pouring on the water and boiling, the trouble is entirely obviated. The sticky residue may then be removed with the paper to which it adheres completely. Pharm. Journ., Feb. 22, 1908, 221.

I

Syrupus Visci Albi—Formulc.—Delassus suggests a syrup of mistletoe, prepared as follows: Dissolve 1 Gm. of aqueous extract of mistletoe (which see under "Extracta") in 10 Gm. of boiling water, and add the solution to 990 Gm. of simple syrup.-Pharm. Ztg., lii (1907), No. 71, 739; from L'Union Pharm., 1907, No. 8.

Syrup of Wild Cherry-How Should It Be Prepared?-J. C. Buckner calls attention to the scanty literature on the subject of wild cherry bark and the syrup, and that hardly any two investigators had agreed on the active constituents of the bark. Severals years ago Prof. Cline called attention to the fact that the syrup of wild cherry of the U. S. P. was not a very desirable preparation, his objection being that in the official process an undue amount of tannin was extracted. As an improvement, the drug was macerated with water of the formula, warmed to 60° C., for two to four hours, percolated and the glycerin added. In this the sugar was dissolved in the proportion of 75 Gm. of sugar to 100 Cc. of syrup. In the experiment made by Mr. Buckner, he obtained by this method a pretty,. clear brown, and less astringent syrup, containing 0.028 per cent. HCN, or 0.002 per cent. less than in a syrup prepared according to the U. S. P. VIII directions. Among the other experiments, also, the tannin was removed by means of rasped hide (5 per cent.) from the percolate, in one case, and by recently precipitated and thoroughly washed ferric hydrate. (20 Gm.). The syrup detannated by the hide process, while of a strawcolor, has a much finer flavor than the syrup made by Prof. Cline's process, which in turn is preferable to the U. S. P. product on account of its comparatively less astringency. The objection to the detannated syrup, on account of absence of color, may be overcome by adding caramel and

The author quotes Wood, syrup of wild cherry pos

tincture of cudbear to give the requisite shade. Cushny, Wilcox, and Sollman, as agreeing that sesses practically no therapeutic properties, as being merely a pleasant vehicle, and that the minute amount of HCN having little if any medicinal effect.-Proc. Texas Pharm. Assoc., 1907, 77-80.

TABLETTE.

Tablet Chemicals are the subject of a critical discussion in a paper of C. S. N. Hallberg, in the "Proceedings" of this Association, 1907, 177178.

Tablet Making-Evolution and General Instruction.-W. J. Uglow Woolcock has written a very instructive paper on the "Art of TabletMaking," with particular reference to the compressed form. Preliminarily he directs attention to the fact that preparation of compressed tablets (pills) of medicaments, although of comparatively recent growth, is by no means new, since more than sixty years ago attention was called in "The Pharmaceutical Journal" (May 1, 1844) to "a specimen of bicarbonate of potash compressed into the form of a pill by a process invented by Mr. Brokedon, and for which he has taken out a patent." The patent appears to have been issued on December 8, 1843, under No. 9,977, describing the details of "Shaping Pills, Lozenges, and Black Lead by Pressure Dies." It relates to manufacturing pills and medicated lozenges, by causing the proper materials, when in a state of granulation, dust, or powder, to be made into form and solidified by pressure. Mr. Woolcock observes that modernly the manufacture of compressed tablets has attained large proportions; the advantages and disadvantages of this form of medication have been discussed at considerable length, and the discussion has led to improvements in processes which undoubtedly left something to be desired. The ideal tablet would combine accuracy of dose with perfect disintegration and a polished exterior--conditions which can be attained only with attention to minute details. These are discussed by the author under five headings, viz.: (1) The construction of a formula. (2) The reduction of the substance or substances to powder and incorporation with a granulating agent. (3) Granulation. (4) Lubrication. (5) Compression. Referring to the original for the details of these several operations, it may be mentioned in conclusion that in compressing the granules care should be taken to regulate the pressure to suit the requirements of each tablet. Lozenges and tablets which have to be sucked slowly require to be compressed very hard. In the case of lozenges a larger percentage of gum is used than in any tablet which is required to break up in the stomach, and naturally no disintegrator is used. Tablets which are intended to be crushed to powder before administration-such as mercury with chalk-are compressed as lightly as possible. Other tablets should

be made just hard enough to bear rough handling without breaking.Pharm. Journ., Feb. 29, 1908, 249-252.

TINCTURE.

Tinctures.-The identification of tinctures by chemical means is the

FIG. 65.

subject of a paper by Frederic E. Niece in the "Proceedings" of this Association, 1907, 479-485.

Tinctures, etc.—Convenient Macerating Bottle.-Hugo Kraft has devised the macerating bottle shown by Fig. 65, which is intended particularly for conveniently preparing tinctures, etc., by the maceration process directed in the G. P. After macerating the drug for the required period, the greater part of the tincture may be drawn off clear by the upper stop-cock shown in the drawing, after which the marc is drained as much as possible through the tube near the bottom, which is protected on the interior by a sieve, and is ordinarily closed with a cork. The drained marc, which is readily removed through the wide mouth of the bottle, is then expressed and, after filtration with the drained liquid, added to the clear decantate.-Pharm. Ztg., liii (1908), No. 30, 301.

Macerating Bottle.

Leaf-Tinctures-Method of Identification and Distinction from RootTinctures.-A. Richaud and Bidot recommend the following convenient method for distinguishing tinctures prepared from leaves and herbs from tinctures of roots and other drugs containing no chlorophyll: 5-6 drops of the tincture are diluted with water until a nearly colorless mixture is obtained, and a few drops of ammonia (or another alkali) are carefully added. In the case of a leaf-tincture a yellow-green zone will appear at the point of contact, and on shaking will develop throughout the liquid; whereas with preparations of drugs which contain no chlorophyll this reaction is not obtained, the only exception being senega root (radix polygalæ), the preparations of which are also colored green-yellow by alkalies. Extracts and other galenicals may be examined in the same way after suitable dilution.-Pharm. Ztg., liii (1908), No. 28, 278; from Journ. de Pharm. et Chim., xxvii (1908), No. 6.

Tincture of Benzoin-Method of Admixture with Glycerin and Rose Water-Valentine Schmidt recommends the following simple method to secure a perfectly white emulsion, free from separation of conglomerated resin, and perfectly stable, by mixing tincture of benzoin, glycerin and rose water in the following manner: Mix 1 oz. of glycerin and sufficient rose water to make 4 oz. of final mixture and shake well in a bottle. Then

pour 11⁄2 drachms of tincture of benzoin very slowly and carefully on the top of the mixture, cork the bottle and, holding it by the neck, invert it once or twice slowly without shaking. The result is a perfect emulsion. Other resinous tinctures may be emulsified in the same way with like satisfactory results.-Pacific Pharmacist, Nov. 1907, 346.

Tinctura Ferri Pomata-Direct Method of Preparation.-Hohn and v. d. Wielen recommend the following direct method of preparing tincture of ferrated extract of apples: 1000 p. of pulp, obtained in the usual way from sour apples, and 40 p. of powdered iron are carefully mixed, and set aside for two days at the ordinary temperature, then 14 days more at 40° C., with frequent stirring. The mixture is strongly expressed, the expressed liquid is heated on a steam-bath for at least an hour, so as to prevent further fermentation, and the iron-content determined in it. According to the quantity of iron found in this liquid, it is then diluted or evaporated so that on the addition of the necessary quantity.of water and of spirit of cinnamon it shall contain from 0.5 to 0.7 per cent. of iron and 6 per cent. of spirit of cinnamon.--Pharm. Ztg., lii (1907), No. 64, 670; from Pharm. Weekbl., 1907, No. 30.

Tincture of Iodine is the subject of a critical discussion by C. H. La Wall, in the "Proceedings" of this Association, 1907, 156-159.

Tincture of Iodine-Convenient Bottle for its Preparation.-C. J. Lötschert has secured a German patent on the bottle, the details of which

are plainly shown by Fig. 68, intended for the convenient preparation of tincture of iodine: The stopper consists of two parts, the outer, hollow, open at the top and provided with a perforated, sieve-like bottom, which