U. S. P. formula all right, although he admits that it is somewhat complicated.-Ibid., Aug. 12, 1907, 70.

Elixir Glycerophosphates Compound - Darkening Prevented by the Omission of Sugar.-Professor D. V. Whitney gives a formula for a compound elixir of glycerophosphates in which he directs as a solvent for the various salts employed a vehicle composed of 2.5 Cc. oil of orange, 100 Cc. alcohol, 100 Cc. angelica wine, 300 Cc. glycerin, and sufficient water to make 1000 Cc. of elixir. The preparation does not darken. The other ingredients are mentioned as "glycero-phosphites" in one instance, and in all the others-sodium, iron, manganese, quinine and strychninesimply as "phosphites." It is suggested that the darkening of other preparations is due to the sugar present in them.-Proc. Mo. Pharm. Assoc., 1907, 109–110.

Elixirs of Terpin Hydrate-Formulas.-H. D. Morgan recommends the following formulas for preparing

Dissolve the terpin hydrate in the glycerin by aid of heat, then add the alcohol gradually and mix. In this way the loss of alcohol is lessened. Elixir of Terpin Hydrate and Codeine Sulphate is made in the same way, dissolving in the glycerin 16 grains of codeine sulphate.

Elixir of Terpin Hydrate and Heroin is made by dissolving 5% grains of heroin hydrochloride, along with the terpin hydrate, in the glycerin, and substituting 1⁄2 ounce of tincture of vanilla for the same quantity of alcohol.-Pacific Pharm., Nov., 1907, 349-352.

:

"Absinthe" Liqueur-Cultivation of Plants Employed for its Production. -According to J. Boyer the following plants come under consideration for the "absinthe" industry (see also "Absinthe," Oils under Organic Chemistry) The common wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), small-sized wormwood (Artemisia pontica), hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), balm (Melissa officinalis). The common wormwood serves to give the "liqueur " the characteristic spicy and bitter taste; the other herbs help to form the aroma and pleasant taste. Artemisia absinthium is gathered by cutting the shrubs close to the ground with a pair of hedge-shears; the cut-off plants are spread out on frames to dry; when dry cut in the same way as chaff and packed in bags which, when filled, weigh 80 to 90 kilos. Artemisia pontica is usually cut with a scythe, gathered on linen sheets of 1 square meter, and finally tied into a bale. What has been cut off during the day is brought into the storehouse every evening, as the plant must not be left in the open air over night. The cultivation of Hyssopus offici

nalis and Melissa officinalis is carried on in the same manner. The young plants are partly grown from seed and partly obtained from the old shrubs, which are divided into several parts; the use of cuttings is also common. For gathering the plants a kind of sickle is employed; they are dried on a frame similar to that used for common wormwood.-Schimmel's Rep., Oct., 1907, 98; from Rep. of Roure-Bertrand Fils.

EMPLASTRA.

Plasters and Protective Tissues-Bacteriology.-G. Pinchbeck has investigated the subject of plasters and protective tissues with two objects in view-first to ascertain the relative sterility of commercial samples of spread plasters and protective dressings, stored under and exposed to varying conditions; the second, to suggest, where practicable, modifications of existing formulae so as to reduce the liability to infection from pathogenic organisms during manufacture to a minimum, and render the finished preparation as sterile as possible. The results of his investigations on the first question warrant the conclusion that all plasters, unless sterilized, are septic, and that atmospheric exposure diminishes the degree of sterility. As regards the most effective methods of rendering plasters aseptic, these, depending on the nature of the plaster, etc., may be accomplished by means of heat, solvents, chemicals, or fractional sterilization, examples of which are given. The author, however, suggests that the plasters at present official (B. P.) should be dismissed, in favor of improved formulae, founded on a rubber basis and sterilization.— Trans. Brit. Pharm. Conf. (Yearbook of Pharmacy), 1907, 418-430.

Emplastr. Hydrargyr. Molle, Unna-Formula.-Triturate 20 p. metallic mercury and 10 p. turpentine together until the globules of metal are completely extinguished; then carefully combine the mixture with 60 p. lead plaster, 5 p. castor oil and 5 p. wool-fat, previously melted together.Pharm. Ztg., lii (1907), No. 53, 555.

EMULSA.

Emulsite-Formula of the Belgian "Formulaire." *-The following formula for an emulsifying preparation is proposed for the Belgian National Formulary of Pharmaceutical Preparations, under the title "Emulsite," with the requirement that oil emulsions, unless otherwise specified, shall be made by its aid: Tragacanth, 10.0; gum arabic, 5.0; gluten, 5.0; glycerin, 20.0; dist. water, 50.0; alcohol, 10.0. The tragacanth, gum-arabic and gluten are mixed, then triturated with the glycerin and water, the alcohol being added last, so that a homogeneous mixture results. From this

Emulsite 1:10 is prepared by mixing 10 parts of it with 10 p. of gly

*"Formulaire national de preparations pharmaceutiques."

cerin and 80 p. of water; and of this emulsite 1:10, again, 30 parts are to be used for emulsionizing 10 parts of oil-as exemplified in the following formula for

Looch blanc: Ol. amygd. dulc., 10.0; syrup. simpl., 25.0; aq. flor. aurant., 10.0; emulsite, 1: 10, 30.0; aq. distill., 25.0. The almond oil, emulsite and orange-flower water are mixed by agitation until an emulsion results, and the syrup and distilled water are then added.-Apoth. Ztg., xxiii (1908), No. 13, 127; from Journ. de Pharm. d'Anvers, 1908, p. 17. Emulsionizing Apparatus-Efficient Construction.-Dr. A. Kirchner has devised the emulsionizing apparatus shown in two illustrations (Figs. 58 and 59), which rapidly and efficiently produces emulsions of cod-liver FIG. 58.

oil either extemporaneously on a small scale or in quantities. The essential parts of the apparatus, all of stout construction, consist of the mixing cylinder with flaring mouth, of brass, tin-lined; of the stirring-apparatus proper, which can be raised or lowered at will from the mixing cylinder; and of the upright supports, upon which the horizontal bar supporting the stirring-apparatus slides. The stirring-rod is provided with wings which are rapidly revolved in opposite directions by means of the cog-wheel attachment. When the process of emulsification is ended, the stirrer is easily elevated from the cylinder by the aid of the handle, and maintained in position by interlocking springs.-Apoth. Ztg., xxii (1907), No. 66, 687.

Emulsions-Rapid Method of Detecting Soap.-Duyk recommends the following rapid and quantitative method for the detection and estimation of soap in emulsions: A known weight of the emulsion, about 20 Gm., is diluted with a known volume of warm water; sufficient sugar is added to the mixture to form a strong syrup; this is then warmed on a water-bath until it separates into two layers, the lower syrupy layer being clear or only faintly opalescent. The latter is separated and mixed with a strong solution of sodium chloride; any soap present is thus salted out and may be collected, washed with salt water, and redissolved in strong alcohol,

FIG. 59.

Emulsionizing Apparatus,

which removes it in a state of purity. The method is quantitative.— Pharm. Journ., April 18, 1908, 518; from Annal. de Chim. Analyt., 12 (1907), 345.

Emulsion of Castor Oil-Soap as Emulsifier.-M. I. Wilbert applies the principle of emulsification with soap, which has recently been favorably discussed in several European journals, to the preparation of an emulsion of castor oil, and gives the following simple formula:

To the powdered soap, in a clean, dry mortar, add the castor oil and the spirit of peppermint, mix well and gradually add, with constant stirring, the solution of saccharin and enough water to make 100 Cc. A white, limpid emulsion results, which separates partially on long standing, but will readily mix again on shaking.

By substituting 5 Cc. of the liquid soap proposed by the author (see Proceedings, 1907, 119-120), for the powdered soap, the emulsion may be made by simply shaking the ingredients in a bottle.-Amer. Journ. Pharm., Nov., 1907, 524.

Castor Oil Emulsions-Various Formulas.-With the object of improving on the method of emulsification with acacia, generally in use, whereby inconveniently thick emulsions are obtained which even in 30 per cent. concentrations are frequently not acceptably taken, L. Bourdier has experimented with various emulsifying agents, with results as follows: Egg Yolk, No. 1; castor oil, 30.0; water, 10.0; yields a good emulsion, but does not keep well.

Tragacanth, in powder, 1.5; castor oil, 30.0; water, 60.0; yields a stable emulsion of good fluid consistence, by triturating the powder and oil together and, after scraping off the triturate from the pestle, adding all the water at once and thoroughly agitating. With more than 30 per cent. of oil, the emulsion is too thick; with less tragacanth, it loses its stability.

Lime Water, on vigorous shaking with castor oil, is capable of producing acceptable emulsions up to 75 per cent. concentration, but the emulsions separate after standing several hours into the original components.

Casein, in form of the 10 per cent. casein saccharate proposed by Léger twenty years ago (see Proceedings 1888, 600), is well adapted for the production of 60 per cent. emulsions, which are best prepared as required according to the following formula: Casein saccharate, 5.0; castor oil, 30.0; water, 15.0. The saccharate is triturated with the oil, the water added, and the mixture well agitated.

Soap is capable of yielding acceptable emulsions of still greater concentration, according to the following formula: Powdered almond-oil soap (of the "Codex"), 2.5; castor oil, 80.0; water, 20.0. The manipulation is the same as with casein saccharate, and a creamy-white emulsion is formed which keeps well for several months. The aperient action of the soap adds to the effectiveness of the preparation, so that it may be given in the same doses as the pure castor oil. The taste of all these emulsions