Varieties.

PILOCARPUS.—Dr. Sidney Thompson has for several years been treating erysipelas locally with the fluid extract of jaborandi, and usually in the following prescription:

The glycerin is necessary, as the jaborandi has a tendency to produce a desquamation if used alone; the laudanum is added simply to relieve pain. Therapeutic Gazette, Nov., 1884, p. 504.

Dr. W. W. Claybaugh has used a similar mixture, increasing the laudanum and glycerin each to 12 grams, and reports favorable results in erysipelas, in inflammation caused by croton oil, and in severe scalding of the hand by a boiling liquid; in the latter case the inflammatory action was totally prevented.—Med. and Surg. Rep., Feb. 7, 1885, p. 188.

Rhamnus Purshiana, De Candolle.—Limousin believes this bark, cascara sagrada, to contain chrysophanic acid, and derivatives of this compound, which cause the red color, on the addition of potassa to the resinous principles obtained by Professor Prescott (see "Amer. Jour. Phar.," 1879, p. 166), and induce the change of the yellowish color of the powdered bark when kept in an atmosphere containing ammoniacal vapors.—Jour. Phar. Chim., Jan., 1885, p. 80.

USE OF OIL OF PEPPERMINT AND MENTHOL.—Dr. Brame states that oil of peppermint gives immediate relief of the pain in burns if applied after immersing the parts burned in water (Lancet). The itching of urticaria and mosquito bites is said to be much alleviated by the application of menthol.—Cinc. Lanc. and Clinic.

NEW ANESTHETIC COMPOUND.—An experimental and clinical study on a new method of producing anesthesia is the subject of a work, recently published, from the pen of M. Colombel. A combination of atropine (two centigrams), morphine (twenty centigrams), and chloroform (twenty grams), is the mixture recommended. Some of the surgeons at Lyons speak very favorably of its use.—Lancet, Oct. 25, 1884; Quarterly Ther. Review.

OIL OF THYME.—Camperdon (Bull. gén. de thérapeut.) arrives at the following deductions:

1. In therapeutical doses (three to fifteen grains), oil of thyme causes mental excitement or stimulation; hence it is a valuable diffusible stimulant in depression following anemia, in conditions of collapses, etc.
2. It is an active diaphoretic and diuretic.
3. From its direct action upon mucous surfaces it is to be recommended in catarrhal affections of the respiratory and genito-urinary tracts.
4. It is a prompt hemostatic.
5. Thyme possesses powerful antiseptic properties, and is well adapted for use in surgery.
6. It is recommended that the internal administration of the drug be supplemented by its employment in the form of baths, fumigations and inhalations—New York Medical Journal.

The American Journal of Pharmacy, Vol. 57, 1885, was edited by John M. Maisch.