THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY
MARCH, 1897.
ACETIC ACID AS*A MENSFRUUM AND SOLVENT. By JOSEPH P. REMINGTON.
Any one who has delved, even moderately, into the pharmacy of the ancients, must have noticed the frequency with which the vine- gar of that time was used as a solvent, but the nineteenth century has witnessed the gradual decline of the use of acetic acid in phar- macy.
The alcohol question, which is so perplexing, and which is still unsettled, furnishes a reason for diverting the attention of the phar- macist to some liquid which will, occasionally, take its place. The object of the following experiments is to determine whether acetic acid cannot be made to replace alcohol in at least some of the preparations now in common use.
The antiseptic power of acetic acid is frequently overlooked, and there is no question that the vinegars, if properly made, could ad- vantageously replace many tinctures.
Slightly acidulated liquids are palatable to most patients, and these, when combined in prescriptions with syrups, are particularly acceptable, inasmuch as the acid counteracts the cloying sweetness of the syrups.
Then again, it is very desirable for physicians to have alternative preparations of the same drug to give to patients who are liable to become victims of the alcohol habit, and it cannot be denied that the prescribing of tinctures, elixirs and other alcoholic preparations have been the innocent means of working disaster.
The writer, four years ago, made a number of fluid extracts, using acetic acid in place of alcohol. These have been allowed to stand
(121)
122 Acetic Acid as a Menstruum and Solvent. {4% ig
alongside of others which have been made with alcohol, and most of them have proved their superiority. It is the intention to report upon these later.
It will at once occur to the reader that the presence of strong acetic acid in a fluid extract would be objectionable on account of its taste; but it can be shown that it is possible to evaporate the fluid extract at a very low temperature, thus getting rid of the acetic acid, and then re-dissolving a proper portion of the extract in a sol- vent. If this extract be standardized,a definite preparation is se- cured. It is true that a portion of the extractive seems to be ren- dered insoluble during the evaporation; but the experiments will show that this can be re-dissolved by varying the menstruum, and, in addition, it can be shown that this insoluble extractive usually represents inert substances.
In the following experiments the acetic extract of nux vomica was prepared with a IO per cent. acetic acid, made by Dr. E. R. Squibb & Sons, and proved by assay to contain 15 per cent. of alkaloids.
These acetic extracts can be made dry and pulverulent, and to dis- tinguish them the writer proposes for them the name of “ Acetracts.”
No. I.—2 gm. acetract nux vomica, treated with 100 c.c. alcohol, sp. gr. 819, yielded a light-colored tincture; the residue weighed I 112 gm., and was not devoid of bitterness, plainly indicating that the alcohol was too strong.
No. 2.—2 gm. acetract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 75 c.c. alcohol and 25 c.c. water, yielded a residue weighing 0-502 gm. The residue was very slightly bitter and practically an inert substance. The tincture was limpid, transparent and of a dark amber color.
No. 3.—2 gm. acetract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 70 c.c. alcohol and 30 c.c. water, yielded a residue weighing 0°444 gm. This had a very slightly bitter taste, and was practically exhausted, producing a limpid, dark brownish-red liquid.
No. 4.—2 gm. acetract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 65 c.c. alcohol and 35 c.c. water, yielded a residue weighing 0 360 gm. The liquid was not clear, a fine, brownish-red precipitate mak- ing its appearance. The liquid could not be filtered satisfactorily, and a small portion which was filtered continued to let fall a pre- cipitate.
|
Am; Jour Acetic Acid as a Menstruum and Solvent. 123
No. 5.—2 gm. acetract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 60 c.c. alcohol and 40 c.c. water, yielded a residue weighing 0-410 gm. The liquid was not clear, filtering with great epee: the precipitate not settling.
No. 6.—2 gm. acetract.nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 55 c.c. alcohol and 45 c.c. water, yielded a residue weighing .0°340 gm. The liquid was not clear, filtering with great difficulty, the precipitate not settling.
No. 7.—2 gm. acetract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 50 c.c. alcohol and 50 c.c. water, yielded a residue weighing 0 320 gm. The liquid was muddy, precipitate not settling, and not easily filtered.
No. 8.—2 gm. acetract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 45 c.c. alcohol and 55 c.c. water, yielded a residue weighing 0-246 gm. Liquid cloudy, precipitate settling in three days, filtering with difficulty.
No. 9.—2 gm. acetract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 40 c.c. alcohol and 60 c.c. water, yielded a residue weighing 0-450 gm. Liquid muddy, not easily filtered. The addition of a little talc improved filtering.
No. 10.—2 gm. acetract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum ot 35 c.c. alcohol and 65 c.c. water, yielded a residue weighing 0:3 38 gm. Liquid not clear; not easily filtered.
No. I11.—2 gm. acetract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 30 c.c. alcohol and 70 c.c. water, yielded a residue weighing 0-360 gm. Liquid not clear, filtered with difficulty, and filtrate does not remain clear.
No. 12.2 gm. acetract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 25 c.c. alcohol and 75 c.c. water yielded a residue weighing 0°378 gm. Liquid not clear, but filtered more easily than No. II.
No. 13.—2 gm. acetract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 20 c.c. alcohol and 80 c.c. water, yielded a residue weighing 0-476 gm. Liquid not quite clear, filters without much difficulty, but slowly.
No. 14.—2 gm. acetract nux vomica, treated with a menstroum of 15 c.c. alcohol and 85 c.c. water, yielded a residue weighing 0-426 gm. The liquid was not quite clear, but filtered fairly well.
No. 15.—2 gm. acetract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of to c.c. alcohol and go c.c. water, yielded a residue weighing 0-376
124 Acetic Acid as a Menstruum and Solvent,
gm. Liquid not clear, deposits some sediment, and showed evi- dence of decomposition ten days after preparation.
No. 16.—2 gm. acetract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 65 c.c. alcohol, 10 c.c. glycerin, and 25 c.c. water, left very slight residue, filtered easily and remained clear.
No. 17.—2 gm. acetract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 50 c.c. alcohol, 25 c.c. glycerin and 25 c.c. water, left very slight residue, filtered easily but slowly, and remained clear.
No. 18.—2 gm. acetract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 40 c.c. alcohol, 30 c.c. glycerin and 30 c.c. water, left very little res- idue, filtered easily, and remained clear.
No. 19.—2 gm. acetract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 20 c.c. alcohol, 20 c.c. glycerin and 60 c.c. water, left very slight residue, filtered very slowly, but clear.
No. 20.—2 gm. acetract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 10.c.c. alcohol, 10 c.c. glycerin and 80 c.c. water, left very slight residue, filtered easily, but not quite clear.
No. 21.—2 gm. acetract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 100 c.c. diluted acetic acid, and I gm. ground nux vomica added to the percolate to aid in filtration. The liquid was not quite clear.
No. 22.—I gm. acetract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 100 c.c. diluted acetic acid, gave a liquid which was not easily filtered, but which remained clear.
No. 24.—2 gm. extract nux vomica, treated with 100 c.c. alcohol, left a residue 0352 gm. The liquid was light-colored, filtered easily and remained perfectly clear.
No. 25.—2 gm. extract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 75 c.c. alcohol and 25 c.c. water, left a residue weighing 0-122 gm. The liquid was dark brownish-red, remaining perfectly clear, but throwing down a very slight dark precipitate after filtering.
No. 26.—2 gm. extract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 70 c.c. alcohol and 30 c.c. water, left a residue weighing 0-188 gm, The liquid remained clear after filtering, but with a slight precipi- tate.
No. 27.—2 gm. extract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 65 c.c. alcohol and 35 c.c. water, left a residue of 0-212 gm. The liquid was clear,a slight precipitate settling after the liquid was filtered.
No. 28.—2 gm. extract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of
am eer} Acetic Acid as a Menstruum and Solvent. 125
60 cc. alcohol and 40 c.c. water, left a residue of 0-232 gm. The liquid was clear.
No. 29.—2 gm. extract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 55 c.c. alcohol and 45 c.c. water, left a residue of 0-31 gm. The liquid was clear, a slight precipitate settling after filtration.
No. 30.—2 gm. extract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 50 c.c. alcohol and §0 c.c. water, left a residue of 0-316 gm. The liquid was not quite clear, a slight precipitate settling after filtration.
No. 31.—2 gm. extract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 45 c.c. alcohol and 55 c.c. water, left a residue of 031 gm. The liquid was not clear, a precipitate settling.
No. 32.—2 gm. extract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 45 c.c. alcohol and 60 c.c. water, left a residue of 0-342 gm. The liquid was cloudy, a very slight precipitate after filtration.
No. 33.—2 gm. extract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 35 c.c. alcohol and 65 c.c. water, left a residue of 040 gm. The liquid was cloudy.
No. 34.—2 gm. extract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 30 c.c. alcohol and 70 c.c. water, left a residue of 0.430 gm. The liquid was cloudy.
No. 35.—2 gm. extract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 25 c.c. alcohol and 75 c.c. water, left a residue of 040 gm. The liquid was cloudy.
No. 36.—2 gm. extract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 20 c.c. alcohol and 80 c.c. water, left a residue of 0-372 gm. The liquid was cloudy.
No. 37.—2 gm. extract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 15 c.c. alcohol and 85 c.c. water, left a residue of 0.420 gm. The liquid was cloudy.
No. 38.—2 gm. extract nux vomica, treated with a menstruum of 10 c.c. alcohol and 90 c.c. water. The residue not weighed. The liquid was not clear.
No. 39.—2 gm. extract nux vomica, dissolved in 100 c.c. water, left residue 0:40 gm. The liquid was muddy, and, upon stand- ing, showed evidence of decomposition. .
No. 40.—2 gm. extract nux vomica, dissolved in 100 c.c. diluted acetic acid. The liquid was a clear, light amber color.
No. 41.—2°4 gm. extract nux vomica, dissolved in 2,400 c.c.
126 Frangula and Cascara Barks.
diluted acetic acid. The liquid was clear and of a light amber color.
It will be observed that the object of these experiments is to as- certain whether acetic acid can advantageously replace alcohol in the extraction of a drug like nux vomica. Theanswer is decidedly in the affirmative. Acetic acid may be used for exhausting a drug known to be difficult to exhaust, like nux vomica.
A solid preparation can be made from it; this can be assayed and standardized, and the liquid preparations made by re-dissolving the solid in various mixtures of alcohol and water, with or without gly- cerin, and of different strengths of acetic acid.
If the proper menstruum be chosen, the residue will be inert, and may be filtered out. A number of other drugs have been exhausted with varying strengths of acetic acid, such as sanguinaria, kola, ipecac, squill, cinchona and coichicum seed.
A number of samples are presented, and especial attention is called to sanguinaria with aceticacid 60 percent. This fluid extract has been made four years, and does not show the least sign of precipitation.
It, doubtless, would be just as satisfactory if made with U.S.P. acetic acid, and experiments are being conducted now, which will prove this view.
FRANGULA AND CASCARA BARKS.
TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN RHAMNUS PURSHIANA AND RHAMNUS FRAN-. GULA, AND TO EXCLUDE RHAMNUS CALIFORNICA, IN THE STATE OF POWDER,
By L. E. SAYRE,
Member of the Research Committee C, of the Committee of Revision of the United States Pharmacopceia.
One of the problems submitted to this committee is embraced in the title to the present paper. For the purpose of the investi- gation, authentic specimens of the barks were received from the chairman of the sub-committee, Dr. Rusby, who had them specially collected for the work.
_Inorder toarrive ata conclusion as to the best method of distinguish- ing the barks in the state of powder, it was, of course, necessary, first to study them microscopically, and, if possible, find distinctive elements which might survive pulverization, and be recognizable in the state of powder.
| | |
collenchyma ; d, stone cells; ¢, medullary ray; _/, bast bundle; g, paren-
chyma; 4, crystals of calcium oxalate.
epidermis ;
A
¢ ( Nata
Frangula and Cascara Barks. cross section.
ena
> E n 2 n n n n fe) on ° Nn
Ze = vo
& as &s
g = Ou 25 Ss 2 = QO + ~
> e
Rhamnus Purshiana,
Taking the specimens, furnished as above stated, I should say that the pharmacopceial description of Rhamnus Purshiana is some- Rhamnus Purshiana.—In quills or curved pieces, about 3 to 10 centimeters long, and about 1 millimeter thick; outer surface dark gray and much encrusted by ashen gray lichen patches, with longi-
March, 1897. Fig. 1,
¢, sclerenchyma a description of the external characteristics of the three barks,
using the specimens furnished as a guide, I should perhaps adopt in substance the following :
tudinal grooves from 3 to 10 millimeters apart; inner surface yellowish to light brownish, becoming darker by age; smooth, glossy and finely striate; fracture short, yellowish; in the inside
what faulty; the color of the bark on the outside cannot be con- sidered as a “brownish gray,” but a dark gray; the thickness,
an item of interest to every worker in pharmacopeceial revision. instead of being “about 2 millimeters,” is about 1 millimeter.
Am. Jour. Pharm.
a t
128 Frangula and Cascara Barks.
layer of thick bark, somewhat fibrous and slightly bitter. When chewed the bark imparts a ye!lowish color to the saliva.
Rhamnus Californica.—tin quills or curved pieces about 3 to 10 centimeters long, and about 1-5 millimeters thick; outer surface grayish brown, beset with numerous lenticels, which are from round to transversely elongated, infrequently longitudinally elongated, and often longitudinally confluent. On scraping the surface of the bark a reddish brown color is observed, which is due to the contents of
Fig. 2, Rhamnus Purshiana, longitudinal section. 4, epidermis; 6, collen- chyma; ¢, sclerenchyma; d, stone cells ; ¢, medullary ray; 4, bast bundle; g, parenchyma; 4, crystals of caleium oxalate.
the cork cells. Inner surface reddish brown to dark brown ; smooth, glossy and finely striate ; fracture short (inner layer of thick bark, although somewhat fibrous; breaks with ashort fracture); inodorous
and slightly bitter. When chewed the bark imparts an orange-red-
ish color to the saliva.
Frangula.—See U.S.P. External character of this bark answers well to official description. From the marked physical distinction between these barks, one
ES
—
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d-
ing at their outer ends. A, epidermis ; 5, collenchyma ; ¢,
gt
“4
Frangula and Cascara Barks.
> 8 oO o ai 5 £ 0
& es 2 a, a3 w Es
The points of similarity may be stated briefly as fol-
(2). Numerous small groups of bast scattered somewhat regularly throughout nearly the whole bark, the number of fibres in the bast
bundle varying from 2 to 3 to perhaps 25 in each bundle. (3) Each bundle of bast is bordered by a layer of thin-walled
(1) Narrow medullary rays, which extend nearly to the cork, cells, filled with cubical crystals of calcium oxalate; these crystal
these ravs in Rhamnus Purshiana conver,
Fig. 3, Rhamnus Frangula, cross section. sclerenchyma; ¢, medullary ray; , bast bundle; g, parenchyma ; 4, crystals
Am. Jour, Pharm, March, 1897, pearance, they possess very similar microscopical or anatomical structure. of calcium oxalate.
lows cells appearing very distinctly in longitudinal section, and in the
powder. (See drawings.)
130 Frangula and Cascara Barks. aay
(4)SIn each, the relative amount of cork, of collenchyma and of parenchyma is about the same.
These structural similarities would seem to make the distinction between the pulverized barks quite difficult, but fortunately, for this purpose, there are a very few points of dissimilarity revealed by the compound microscope and reagents, which may serve the pharma- cologist.
¢
Fig. 4, Rhamnus Frangula, longitudinal section. A, epidermis; 4, collen- chyma ; ¢, sclerenchyma; ¢, medullary ray ; f, bast bundle; g, parenchyma; A, crystals of calcium oxalate.
Rhamnus Frangula contains no stone cells, while the Rhamnus Californica and the Rhamnus Purshiana contain a large number of them, scattered in large, irregular groups below the cork, and usually outside the region of bast. The presence or absence of stone cells is very easily noted by one familiar with vegetable tissues, and this one characteristic is suggested as a means of distinction between Rhamnus Frangula and the other two barks.
In the case of Rhamnus Purshiana and Rhamnus Californica, it
| SS — = fy / SS ]
Fig. 5, Rhamnus Californica, powder. collenchyma; c, sclerenchyma (cross); c’, sclerenchyma (longitudinal); d, stone cells; ¢, medullary ray ; /, bast bundle; g, parenchyma; 4, crystals of calcium oxalate.
Fig. 6, Rhamnus Frangula, powder. collenchyma; c, sclerenchyma (cross); c’ sclerenchyma (longitudinal); ¢, medullary ray ; 4, bast bundle; g, parenchyma ; 4, crystals of calcium oxalate.
4 i | 1
132 Frangula and Cascara Barks. a
seems that no microscopical element can be detected sufficiently reliable to depend upon as a means of distinguishing the two species, the one from the other. However, if the powder be macerated several days in diluted alcohol, a very marked difference may be noted; the powder of Rhamnus Purshiana will be of an orange- yellow color, when mounted for microscopical examination, and when viewed by a moderately high power the various tissues will come out clearly, while the powder of Rhamnus Californica, sub-
qe
<
ts ©
Fig. 7, Rhamnus Californica, cross section. A, epidermis; 5, collenchyma ; ¢, sclerenchyma; d, stone cells; ¢, medullary ray; /, bast bundle; g, paren- chyma ; 4, crystals of calcium oxalate.
jected to the same treatment, assumes a purplish color, and when viewed through the lens the tissues seem to be obscured more or less by a dark coloring matter. If to a small quantity of the powdered barks an alkaline solution be added, the color developed in the Rhamnus Californica is a deep red, while that of the Purshi- ana is orange. This test may be briefly stated as follows: If 0-2 gramme of the powdered bark be placed in a small test tube, and
et essssss CY CR « 2 \\\\ » Sots £
Am. Jour. March, 1897.
Frangula and Cascara Barks. 133
there be added 2c.c. of solution of potassa, T. S., Rhamnus Californica will immediately produce a blood-red color, while Rhamnus Purshi- ana will produce an orange-red. These differences in intensity of color, thus developed, are very marked.
The deep red coloring matter so abundant in Rhamnus Califor- nica is just beneath the outer cork layer, including the phellogen. It can be very plainly seen in the whole bark by the aid of a simple lens.
Fig. 8, Rhamnus Californica, longitudinal section. 4, epidermis; 4, collen- chyma; ¢, sclerenchyma ; d, stone cells; ¢, medullary ray; 4, bast bundle ; g, parenchyma ; 4, crystals of calcium oxalate.
The above outline seems to answer well the purpose of distin- guishing between the three barks named; but to detect one powder mixed with another would, perhaps, be very difficult even to one perfectly familiar with the drugs. Rhamnus Californica, when used as an adulterant for Rhamnus Purshiana, could be distinguished by the color test if in considerable quantity; small amounts could hardly be detected.
The following addition to the descriptions of the two official
4 > — = —._
4
134 Phytolacca Decandra. barks, Frangula and Rhamnus Purshiana is suggested. To the de- scription of Frangula add: Medullary rays not converging at the outer ends (distinction from Rhamnus Purshiana). Stone cells absent (distinction from Rhamnus Purshiana and Rhamnus Californica).
To the description of Rhamnus Purshiana add: Medullary rays in groups converging at their outer ends (distinction from Rhamnus . Californica). Stone cells present (distinction from Rhamnus Fran- gula).
Drawings.—The description accompanying each one of the draw- ings presented will aid somewhat in pointing out the structural characteristics above referred to, Figures were drawn, usinga I inch ocular and } objective.
A CHEMICAL STUDY OF PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA.! By G. B. FRANKFORTER. PART FIRST.
The important medical properties of the root of the common poke weed, Phytolacca decandra, have made it the subject fora number of investigations. While many important facts have been learned, yet nothing of a definite character in connection with the chemical side of it has been discovered... Crystalline substances have been obtained, but none of them seem to have been carefully studied. It has been with the hope of adding more to the present knowledge of this interesting plant that the following experiments have been conducted.
The root, which has been the principal part of the plant under investigation, was personally obtained, dried and prepared for exami- nation. It has been stated that the root undergoes a change, so that after a year it virtually loses its medicinal properties. The writer has been unable to corroborate this statement. Samples were examined shortly after the roots were gathered, and again after two years. There was no apparent change. The writer there- fore believes that if the root is carefully dried immediately after gathering, it will retain its properties for a long time.
1 Read before the American Chemical Society, August, 1896, and communi- cated by the author,
Am. Jour. Pharm.
March, 1897. Phytolacca Decandra. 135
ANALYSIS OF THE ASH.
It seldom occurs that a common plant is characterized by the inorganic substance it contains. In this respect the poke weed seems to be an exception to the rule. Mention has been made of the large per cent. of potassium present, but beyond this the writer has been unable to find any analyses of the inorganic part of the plant. In order to verify the above statement, and to throw more light on the inorganic side of the plant, a complete analysis of the ash was made. The root was carefully cleaned, in order to remove any soil from the surface, carefully dried and analyzed. Three analyses gave the following average:
Per Cent. Ash or inorganic matter... .. ee ees eee 13°38 The ash contained the following constituents:
Per Cent.
Aluminum oxide 1°62 Magnesium oxide... ccc 6°25 Phosphorus pentoxide... ees eee vee 3°54
It will be observed that the plant is exceptionally rich in potas- sium. It was at first suspected that this high per cent. of potassium was characteristic of the locality from whence the samples came. Samples from different localities were examined with practically the same results, so that there is little doubt that the plant has the power of assimilating large quantities of potassium. It has been stated that the leaves and stems of the plant contain as high as 4 2 per cent. of potassium hydroxide. This is low as compared with the above analysis, inasmuch as the leaves and stems of plants invari- ably run higher than the roots in inorganic matter.
ANALYSIS OF THE GASES GIVEN OFF BY A DESTRUCTIVE DISTILLATION OF THE ROOT.
The gas obtained by a destructive distillation of the root of this plant has been briefly referred to as having a peculiar odor and pro-
136 Phytolacca Decandra. An
ducing dizziness if inhaled.1 With the hope of throwing some light on this physiologically active gas,a complete analysis of it was made. The gas was prepared by placing a known quantity of the dried root in a hard glass retort, removing the: air and heating as long as gas was given off. The gas was collected over mercury. It was found to vary widely at different stages of the distillation. That given off early in the process contained as high as 60 per cent. of gas soluble in water, while that near the end of the process contained less than 2 per cent. The gas at various stages of the distillation was tried on several persons without producing any physiological effects. There is a characteristic odor of ammonia and pyridine derivatives throughout the whole process.
Owing to the wide variation in the composition of the gas given off at different stages of the distillation, a series of analyses were made by heating the substance just long enough to drive off suffi- cient gas for a single analysis. For the experiment, 7-2 grammes of the dried root were taken. The apparatus used was that already mentioned. The distillation was continued until the gas ceased to come off at a bright red heat.
The following is the result of the twelve analyses in the order in which they were made:
‘ ANALYSIS. 2. 3. 4. 6. 8. 9. 10. | II. 12. 65 60°2 55° 46 37 32 26 24°2| 17°6| 6 2 Carbon dioxide ...| 13° | 13° | 14° 19°4| 23° | 24°6| 24° | 25° | 22°3/] 33° | x2" | 10° ee ae 0°4/ 00° | 00° | 00° | oO° | co” 00° 00° | 00° | 00° | 00° 00° Carbon monoxide ..| 12°2. 186) 201 14° 1§°8| 14° | 12° 6° | 88] 10° | 9 Hydrogen ...... 00° 26 4° 6 86 | 9 6'4| 10° | 4 4 5°2| 8: 9° 10° 16° | 19°4 Witrowem 8° 12° 14°2 16°2 22'5 | 26°3} 33°2) 45° 45° | 40°8 100°0 100°0 | 100°0 100°0O | 100°0 100°0, 100°0 | I00°0 | I00°0 100°0 | 100°0 100°0
The gas estimated as ammonia, upon examination, was found to contain other gases, as the amines, but no determinations of the latter have as yet been made. The gas estimated as carbon dioxide
1 AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY, 1888, p. 123.
—
AM Estimation of Ash in Various Drugs. 137
was largely the peculiar-odored gas which is under examination. It will be seen that the gases increase and decrease quite uniformly. The variations which occur were undoubtedly due to the uneven application of heat.
In order to determine whether or not the nitrogen estimated as. such was pure, the hydrocarbons were removed by combustion with pure oxygen, and the residue sparked with excess of oxygen over potassium hydrate until no further change took place. About 200 c.c. of the residue were taken, and at the end of the process there remained 2-6 c.c. of gas, which remained unchanged after several days’ sparking gave the spectrum for argon. No satisfactory ex- planation for this spectrum can as yet be given. The process is being repeated with larger quantities of gas. It seems impossible that this quantity could have come from the air which was left after exhausting the retort with a mercury pump.
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, Minneapolis, Minn.
ESTIMATION OF ASH IN VARIOUS DRUGS.
By CHARLES H. LAWALL. Sub-Committee of Research of the United States Pharmacopceial Committee of Revision.
The subject of the inorganic constituents of plants has received very little attention in itself; the existing data are scattered, and, in many cases, obtainable only after a laborious search. One exten- sive work on the ash in plants was published in 1871.1
This concerns itself mainly, however, with the per cent. of ash in various agricultural products. The work is in very few libraries in this country, and it was due to the kindness of Professor Trimble that the author was enabled to consult it before tabulating his results upon this subject.
Works on materia medica usually contain a list of the proximate organic constituents of each plant considered ; percentages of these constituents are only given in few cases, and then with no reference to the authority whose figures are used. This is often unsatisfactory,
11871, Aschen-analysen von landwirthschaftlichen Producten, Fabrikabfallen und wildwachsenden Pflanzen. Dr. Emil Wolf.
138 Estimation of Ash in Various Drugs.
as in one case which came under the author’s notice, the percentage of ash present in a certain drug was stated as “about 8 per cent.;” and, as authentic samples collected by the author gave a maxi- mum of 5-20 per cent., and the highest amount in the commercial _ drug was 3:42 per cent., the accuracy of the authority quoted is questionable.
Some scattering contributions to this subject have been made in the past few years, but in most cases the data are incomplete in some one respect. It is a matter of surprise to note what little importance has been attached to the moisture in the sample taken for estimation. It is obvious that the moisture content varies with the atmospheric changes to which the drug is exposed, and that the only reliable basis for comparison is the per cent. of ash calcu- lated to, or estimated in, the mozsture-free substance.
The therapeutic activity of any given drug is attributable to the constituents peculiar to that drug, irrespective of the physiological effects produced by so-called inert cellular tissue. It might, there- fore, truthfully be said that: Zhe therapeutic effect of any given drug as the algebraic sum of the effects of its proximate constituents. Effect is used in a relative sense only; no uniform or fixed value can be given, in view of the fact that, in no two cases of administration, are the conditions exactly similar. The inorganic constituents may play a very small part in the physiological action of a drug, but, in the present state of our knowledge, no factor, however slight, should be ignored.
Certain groups of plants show marked peculiarities in the amount of ash present. The leaves of those plants belonging to the Natural Order Solanacez are noted for the large amount of inorganic mat- ter present; in some instances over 25 per cent., or more than one-fourth their weight, is obtained as ash, upon ignition of a sample.
This work was begun for the purpose of collecting data on a number of the more commonly-used drugs, with the hope that they might be found of service in subsequent studies concerning identifi- cation of drugs. The subject proved to be one of great interest, and the results accompanying the present paper are published with the idea that by making occasional contributions of a limited num- ber each time, the tedium of a long, uninteresting list (dry reading at its best) would be avoided, and also that others who are in a po-
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142 Flores Dature Albe.
sition to verify or add to the figures here given may be interested enough to contribute additional data.
The general arrangement has been made alphabetical, the offi- cial drugs being distinguished by printing them in italics, using the pharmacopceial titles.
The present contribution contains all of the estimations made by the author to date, the lack of uniformity in many respects being due to an imperfect knowledge of what was required when the work was begun.
Those which are incomplete are merely included for comparative effect, and duplications will be made in every case, and, in the future, only those results will be published which are complete as regards the per cent. of ash, percent. of moisture in the air-dried drug and qualitative examination of ash.
The ash estimations were made in a platinum crucible in the usual manner ; the moisture was estimated by drying about § grammes to a constant weight at 110° C. In certain cases the alkaloidal or ex- tractive value is included, but this is merely for the purpose of gen- eral comparison ; the processes used for the estimation of such con- stituents are at all times obtainable upon application to the author, as a detailed record is kept of all estimations made.
FLORES DATUR By J. B. NAGELVOORT.
The task of investigating the alkaloidal strength of the flowers of Datura Alba, L., was undertaken after reading the article by Mr. Van der Wal, in Nederlandsch Tijdschrift voor Pharmacie, 1895, and re- produced in the Audlletin of Pharmacy, 1896, p. 153.
It was my intention to go a step further and extend Van der Wal’s experiments over the Solanacez, then Atropa and Hyoscya- mus, on which he reported, and to begin with Datura.
There was not, however, as much material on hand for the work as an English analyst, Mr. Frank Browne! had at his disposal.
The flowers of Datura are not used in the United States save for ornamental purposes, while Browne reports that they are considera- bly used in China as a medicine, as well as for criminal purposes.
1 “ Datura Alba,” by Frank Browne, Pharm. Jour., 1896, p 197.
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Am. Jour. Pharm. Flores Dature Albe. 143
arch,
It will be wise to take particular notice of this, because the Chinese element in our large cities amounts to something. Browne reports that the drug is easily administered in tea.
I might be allowed to remark that the use of Datura as a stupe- fying agent is practised, on a large scale, by all Asiatics, not by the Chinese exclusively.
Mr. Browne’s communication, with its local color, disposes effect- ually of a doubt expressed in Gehe’s Berichte, for September, 1896, p. 6. That firm state that they feel bound to call the attention of the public to the irregularity that Naou-yang-hwa is the Chinese name of a flower, which is mixed with aconite tubers, and that this mixture is used, in powder form, in surgery, to alleviate pain. Gehe further states: ‘ Hanbury records that the above name is the Chi- nese vernacular for Hyoscyamus. Naou-yang-hwa and Nau-young-fa (Datura) are semi-successful European experiments to reproduce one and the same Chinese hieroglyph.” This seems to be a small matter and easily disposed of. Of greater importance is what fol- lows in the same Berichte, in regard to Datura.
Dr. Pienemann made an analysis of the seeds, of the root, and of the leaves of Datura alba according to Keller’s process, so that we have now a fairly accurate knowledge of the value of this drug. Compare also a later investigation by R. A. Cripps in No. 1290, March 16, 1895, of the Pharm. Fournal.
Dr. Pienemann has, in all probability, exhausted his plants with Prollius’ fiuid.
Pienemann presumed that the alkaloid he obtained was atropine ; he intended to prove this by Vitali’s test. He mentioned also the hypothetical “ stramonine ;” but Vitali’s test is a test for mydria- tics in general, is a group reagent, not an identity reaction for atro- pine only,
Above is said that not as much material could be gathered for this investigation as Browne had at hiscommand. I had about 60 grammes of dry flowers.
Browne found in the dry flowers, Chinese growth, 0-485 per cent. of an alkaloid which he called hyoscine.
I found in flowers grown in parks in Chicago, 0-464 per cent. al- kaloid by weight. I presume that Browne’s figures are also obtained on the balance, and not by titration and calculation.
Of course, the coincidence of these figures is remarkable. But it
144 Flores Dature Albe.
is wise not to