WORKING FORMULAS. BY ALBERT E. EBERT, PH. M., PH. D., CHICAGO. Correspondence solicited. Numbered items are answers to questions. Also see Quiz and Prescription Case Departments. Shoe Polish in Collapsible Tubes (13). —Add more oil or turpentine to the ordinary, so as to thin it sufficiently to answer the purposes. To Darken the Hair (14).-"What additions may be made to hair preparation containing resorcin, bay rum, alcohol, glycerin, water and tincture cinchona compound that will tend to darken the hair, not as a dye, but to restore gray hair, or make blonde hair slightly darker?" Add an infusion of henna leaves. Flavoring for Artificial Cider Vinegar (15).— There is on the market an apple ether or essence which is generally employed by manufacturers of cider vinegar, and which is similar to the above formula. Good But Cheap Perfumes (16).—What I use apparently satisfies my customers but not myself. Have used most everything I have seen published, but am still dissatisfied. Now, then, if you can give me formulas in correct proportions for two odors, I shall feel greatly indebted to you. First, a rose odor; second, a bouquet or a distinctive odor of some kind. Of course, the retail price, 50 cents a pound, has been a barrier and is still.-[J. WILSON HOFFA, Harrisburg, Pa. Paste for Labeling Turn Wood Boxes (17).—“One that, when made, would keep for some time without spoiling, if possible." Make a smooth mixture of the starch, 2 fluid drachms of acid, and 6 fluid ounces of water, and set aside in a warm place for 48 hours, stirring frequently; then boil the mixture until it becomes thick and translucent. Now dissolve the gum and sugar in 5 fluid ounces of water, add the remainder of the acid, heat to boiling and add this mixture to the preceding. This paste is used by bookbinders. The Lactates (18) for the soda fountain are made like the "phosphates," the only difference being that lactic acid is substituted for the solution of acid phosphates and the names would be the same as those of the corresponding "phosphates." A preparation may be prepared from the U. S. P. lactic acid by mixing 2 fluid ounces of the latter with 13 fluid ounces of water. The U. S. P. acid contains 75 per cent of absolute acid. A weaker acid may be employed in its place, providing a correspondingly smaller amount of water be used for dilution. For example: 2 fluid ounces of 50 per cent acid should be diluted with 8 fluid ounces of water, or 3 fluid ounces with 12 fluid ounces, or 2 fluid ounces of 25 per cent acid with 3 fluid ounces of water, or 6 fluid ounces with 9 fluid ounces, etc. What Explanation Is There for an English Hundred Weight to contain 112 pounds? What is the weight of the German Loth, and of the Quenthgen?-[C. W. T. The Roman government allowed the merchants of old Rome, in paying custom duties on merchandise, 20 ounces to the pound, or 4 ounces for waste, so that the 100 pound, or centenarius, was 125 common pounds. Subsequently, the allowance was lowered to 18 ounces to the pound, so that the hundred pound (cwt.) was 112 common pounds. The fraction of the pound is now omitted, and only 112 avoirdupois pounds are allowed. The German weight Quenthgen, or Quintlein, consists of 56.44 troy grains, and the Loth 225.76 troy grains-for the first a drachm, and for the second four drachms are generally used. Theatrical Cold Cream (19).-Have been using a modification of the formula for "Theatrical Cold Cream" (as given in MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST for February) for three years with much success. Made according to the "Alper's Formula," however, I had considerable complaint that it did not "cut" the grease paint, and seldom made the second sale. After considerable experimenting by changing the proportions, I finally hit upon glycerin as the secret. This I add in the proportion of one half ounce to two pounds. One little point must be observed here: The glycerin must be added after the cream has cooled, and beaten in. At any other time it causes a sort of granulation which is almost impossible to obliterate and produce a smooth cream.— [J. WILSON HOFFA, Harrisburg, Pa. Formula for a Catarrh Inhaler (20).— Mix. Water of ammonia.... 2. Carbolic acid liquified. Tincture of iodine............. Water of ammonia.. Mix. 3. Carbolic acid, crystals.. Compound tincture of iodine Water enough to make 7 fl. drs. 3 fl. drs. 15 fl. drs. 8 fl. drs. 3 fl. drs. 3 fl. drs. 2 fl. drs. 20 grs. 1 fil. dr. 10 fl. drs. 8 fl. ozs. Mix the glycerin with the carbolic acid liquified at a gentle heat, add the tincture and the water and expose the mixture to sunlight until it has become colorless. This is the "carbolized solution of iodine" of the National Formulary, and is used by inhalation. Nos. 1 and 2 are known as "Hager's Catarrh Inhalation." FORMALDEHYDE. We have had so many inquiries for information about this chemical that we have collected the following information: Formula.-HCO.H+water. Discovery.-By Hoffman, in 1868, who prepared it by passing air and methyl-alcohol vapor over heated platinum. Manufacture. For commercial purposes, is conducted on about the same plan. Copper oxide is substituted for platinum. The liquid obtained is carefully fractioned. Properties. --A colorless gas at ordinary temperature, but condenses to a mobile liquid at 21o C.; when heated above this it decomposes, forming paraformaldehyde. The gas is exceedingly irritating and causes violent inflammation of the respiratory tract when inhaled. Commercial Form.-A forty per cent aqueous solution is the one commonly sold. If made stronger than this the gas decomposes. This solution can be diluted to any required degree for use. A five per cent solution of the com mercial article is often used. mination of formaldehyde. Aqueous solutions of the chlorhydrate of this hydrazine base give, with formaldehyde in dilute solutions, a flocculent yellow precipitate, which is immediate when warmed to 50-60° C., and forms fine crystals when allowed to separate slowly. The hydrazone so formed is characterized by insolubility in aliphatic alcohols, benzene, ether, chloroform and other organic solvents. The crystals melt at 220° C., but the melting point is wanting in sharpness. Formaldehyde solutions 1:5000, when warmed with a few drops of the reagent, are colored momentarily yellow until the separation of the crystalline precipitate. In dilutions 1:8000 the test is unreliable. Should other aldehydes or ketones be present, double the volume of alcohol is added, which holds the compounds produced by them with the reagent in solution.-[Pharmaceutical Review, October, 1899, 463; from Ber. d. D. Ch. Ges., 32, 1961. Comparison of Formaldehyde Tests.-B. M. Pilashy finds that the published tests for formaldehyde are in some instances not as delicate as is claimed, while in others the reactions are shared by other aldehydes. He regards phenylhydrazine hydrochloride as being the best reagent, and finds that when it is used in conjunction with sodium nitroprusside and concentrated solution of sodium hydroxide it is capable of indicating the presence of one part of formaldehyde in one million parts. He finds that Schiff's reagent-fuchsine decolorized by sulphurous acid-is not alone affected by most aldehydes, but that similar results are obtained by simply exposing the reagent to the air, or by warm Liquid Formaldehyde.-P. N. Raikow (Chem. Zeit.) has succeeded in obtaining formaldehyde in a liquid form. If anhydrous potassium carbonate is added to a forty per cent solution of formaldehyde, the liquid acquires a violet-blue color, changing gradually to a grayish-yellow. When the solution is completely saturated with potassium carbonate it separates into two distinct colorless layers, the lower layer consist-ing the suspected liquid with it in the absence of an ing of the aqueous solution of potassium carbonate and the upper layer of liquid formaldehyde (probably a mixture of polymeric modifications). This substance, when filtered, forms a mobile liquid, sp. gr. 1.19, which may be mixed in all proportions with water, alcohol and ether to clear solutions. It can be distilled at ordinary pressure, some carbon dioxide being evolved. If the liquid formaldehyde be dried with potassium carbonate or calcium chloride, and distilled, the portion passing over between about 110 and 112° C. solidifies into a colorless gelatinous body, which, after standing several months, is converted into an amorphous gelatinous body soluble in water. Source of Supply.-At the present time, formaldehyde is supplied in the United States from German factories, the article paying a duty of twenty-five per cent. It is likely that the great demand in this country will soon induce home manufacturers to arrange and supply the market. While retail pharmacists and physicians usually handle formaldehyde in one-pound bottles, it is supplied the wholesale trade and large consumers in carboys, holding about ninety pounds each. Detection and Determination of Formaldehyde. -C. Neuberg finds paradihydrazine diphenyl an excellent reagent for the qualitative and quantitative deter aldehyde. Phenol with sulphuric acid gives a reaction with most aldehydes, as does also diazobenzene sulphuric acid. Nessler's Reagent reacts with both acetaldehyde and formaldehyde; Trillat's reagent (dimethylaniline and sulphuric acid) does not show the presence of formaldehyde, while Lebbin's reagent (resorcinol with sodium hydroxide) is not near as delicate as is claimed, detecting only one part of formaldehyde in two hundred thousand and not one in ten million parts. Finally, morphine hydrochloride with sulphuric acid is not sensitive enough to detect formaldehyde in a solution containing less than one part in one thousand.-[Journal of the American Chemical Society, 1900, 22, 132. Commercial Uses for Formaldehyde.-The value of this disinfectant in destroying disease germs, parasitic insects, moths, etc., has been well established. Its use in disinfecting books, clothing, furniture, etc., is very common-in fact, more so than the general public realizes. Among the heaviest consumers of formaldehyde are the railroad companies, the Pullman and Wagner Palace Car Companies and the steamship lines. Sleeping cars are now cleaned by means of compressed air, which operation is followed by the liberal use of formaldehyde. It is difficult to learn how extensively formaldehyde is employed in the preservation of meats, vegetables and other food stuffs. A prejudice exists in the public mind against the use of any food preservatives. This renders it difficult to obtain information as to the actual practices in canning establishments and other food factories. ordinary menstruum, which is claimed to be a chemical union of formaldehyde with starch. It can be heated to 180° C. without decomposition, and therefore is readily sterilized. It is said to be non-poisonous, and has been used by Langgard, Krabbel, and others as a dusting powder in the treatment of infected ulcers and wounds of all kinds. It is said to act more energetically in lessening secretion and as a disinfectant than iodoform. Dextroform is a combination of formaldehyde and dextrin, soluble in water and glycerin. It affords, according to Bongartz, in from ten to twenty per cent solution, a very useful injection in gonorrhea and other toxic diseases, or may be used for irrigation in half strength. Formaldehyde in Museums and Laboratories. The use of alcohol as a preservative for some specimens is being largely replaced by formaldehyde. It has the advantage of being much cheaper, and when properly mixed with other ingredients forms preserving fluids which keep the specimens in a natural condition. Alcohol always discolors and distorts natural history specimens. It must be remembered that formaldehyde solutions freeze, and unless the proper temperature is maintained, much damage may result. Formaldehyde is used to some extent in the dis-hyde to crystallization, is recommended as an anti secting room for the preservation of human bodies, but is not without objection on account of its 'hardening the cadavers. Formaldehyde has found many uses in the hands of the microscopist, who employs it in both animal and vegetable histology and pathology. Orth's Solution for Microscopic Purposes consists of one hundred parts of Müller's solution with ten parts of a forty per cent solution of formaldehyde. The constituents must be mixed at the time of use, as the solution rapidly undergoes decomposition. Kaiserling's Solution is highly recommended for the preservation of pathological specimens without change of color, provided the specimen in the solution be stored in the dark. The solution and method of using are as follows: Formaldehyde (forty per cent), 750 Cc.; distilled water, 1,000 Cc.; potassium nitrate, 10 gm.; potassium acetate, 30 gm. The heart, kidneys and brain are kept during a period of twenty-four hours in Kaiserling's fluid, though no harm is done if they remain thirty-six to forty-eight hours. The specimen is then transferred to alcohol of eighty per cent, where it should remain for not longer than twelve hours. Subsequently it is to be put in alcohol of ninety-five per cent for two hours, and finally preserved in a mixture of equal parts of water and glycerin, to which thirty parts of potassium acetate have been added. Therapeutics.-Formaldehyde is a wonderful antiseptic. This was discovered by Trillot in 1888. It is superior to carbolic acid and but little inferior to corrosive sublimate. Its main use is as a disinfectant. Its gaseous form facilitates this use, but the irritating properties prevent its use as a wash for foul ulcers, infected wounds, etc. Formaldehyde Medicinal Combinations.-Manufacturers have been enterprising in placing upon the market various preparations and combinations of formaldehyde under trade names. Among them are the following: Amyloform is a white, ordorless powder, insoluble in Formaldehydbisulphite, obtained by evaporating an aqueous solution of sodium bisulphite and formalde septic in L'Union Pharm., 1900, No. 6. Formalin or Formol, which is a forty per cent solution of formaldehyde in water. This percentage was probably selected by the manufacturers on account of the fact that the fifty per cent solution undergoes decomposition upon standing. Fortoin is the name given by Overlach to a compound obtained by the action of formaldehyde on cotoine. It is recommended as an antidiarrhoeicum in doses of 0.25 gm. thrice daily.- [Pharm. Ztg., March 17, 1900, 211. It is chemically "menthylenedicotoine" and occurs in handsome yellow crystals, or in powder, m. p. 211-213° C.; readily soluble in chloroform, acetone and glacial acetic acid, sparingly in alcohol, ether and benzol, insoluble in water.-Ibid., 240. Glutol (Glutoform) is made by the action of the solu tion of formaldehyde upon gelatin. It is a hard, clear, transparent mass, which may be pulverized. Fatal Case of Formaldehyde Poisoning.—The Medical Press points out that the formaldehyde solutions usually employed for germicidal purposes are usually quite strong enough to cause harmful and even fatal effects. A case is recorded of a young man who drank two ounces of a four (4) per cent solution of formaldehyde, which was used for treating seed potatoes. The immediate effect was to cause vomiting of matter containing traces of blood, and death occurred about twenty-nine hours after, as the result of heart failure. A post-mortem examination showed that the oesophagus was slightly inflamed, and escharotic changes were visible in the stomach.-[Pharm. Journ., Sep. 23, 1899, 295. PUBLIC EXPRESSIONS. Read This Before You Write. Contributions on subjects of interest to the pharmaceutical profession are always welcome. Write upon but one side of the sheet and spell out in full the names of medicines; never use abbreviations. The editor pays no attention to anonymous communications. Percentage Solutions.-Referring to percentage solutions, page 87, MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST for April: From the fact that the liquid preparations of the U. S. P. are based on the relation of weight to a given value, why should we not calculate all percentage solutions likewise? I believe that 99% of our physicians expect us to do so.-[A. A. CULVER, Ortonville, Minn. The Next Pharmacopœia (Concluded).—As indicated in previous statements, I think there is room for concentration and exactness in our Pharmacopoeia. Recent developments in the creasote controversy have taken a decided turn for the better. The great house of Merck is to be commended in the stand it takes, and it is hoped that all will join them in this matter, so that but the one creasote will be sold. That this firm is heartily supported can readily be seen from letters published in the last Merck's Report. Almost without exception have the manufacturers and jobbers hailed with delight this step. Let the same thing be done with oil of wintergreen and other things in like condition. These things can be done if those in power only say so. This will simplify matters very much, and at the same time check the nefarious practice of substitution. There is entirely too much inclination in this direction. Manufacturers push the sale of substitutes, and the retailer, through desire for better profits, takes advantage of the situation. There is even danger of grain alcohol being displaced by other products in many ways. Men of high standing claim that wood alcohol will do for all preparations used externally. Chemically, we are told, the two products are entirely different from each other. The only reason that can be given for such a practice, is that wood alcohol is cheaper; and our profit will be greater. Is this all there is in the point? Do profits stand preeminent in the consideration of medicine? Can we overlook the point of merit? Don't we owe some consideration to suffering humanity upon whom our experiments are placed? We are drifting into dangerous paths and habits. The reaction on the practice of medicine and pharmacy from the pursuit of such a course will not be the healthiest. The editors of the next Pharmacopoeia can do a great deal towards checking the duplication of medicine, and consequent habit of substitution. I would like to see the next Pharmacopoeia plain and exact, and its descriptions and definitions free from all over scientific tests and technical language.-[WM. MITTELBACH, Boonville, Mo. New Evidence on the Prescription Ownership Question.—“Possession is Nine Points in Law," and since I hold in my possession a well-bound book in which the physician treating my family from 1853 to 1858 wrote all the prescriptions, I am safe in claiming that I own the prescriptions, and that is about the only safe proposition that was ever advanced in this mooted question. Before me is a job lot of supreme court decisions, some holding that the doctor owns the prescription, some that the druggist and some that the patient does. "You Pays Your Stuff and you takes your choice," but beyond all appeals, mandamuses, quo warrantos and rehearings, I do hold the prescriptions written for my family. I Enjoy This Collection so much that I want you to enjoy it with me and look it over. Out of a collection of over 100 you will not find one solitary pill mass; only mixtures, salves, self-spread plasters, teas and powders, and, what pleases me most, not one proprietary article. The physicians of 1853-58 knew enough about therapeutics to make up their combinations, and did not "go it blind" on anything. If they wanted to combine acetanilid with this, that and the other, they put down what they wanted and did not help a lot of highway adventurers (or rather advertisers) to make up a combination, call it "anti" so-and-so, at the rate of $1.00 per ounce, costing not more than five cents at the most. Our Physicians of 1853-58 were either better educated or more honest than the latter-day saints. I, for my part, can not call it either scientific or honest to prescribe at exhorbitant prices a lot of stuff that the prescriber knows absolutely nothing about. I Give a Few Selections from my collection for the amusement of the younger of your readers. You will find more pharmacy, more common sense, and more honesty in the combination than in the present outfit of ready-made hold-ups. Laudanum liquid. (Sydenham's). (These two are for Ebert's history of opium.) Ungt. flavum. Extr. chinæ regiæ frigide parat. Inf. laxat. Vienn. Inf. semin. cynæ. Syrup emulsions. Tinct. rhei aquosa. -[W. BODEMANN, Chicago, Ill., April 16, 1902. We Can't Help the Past, but we can look out for the future.-[PHILIP D. ARMOUR. N. A. R. D. St. Mary's Parish Auxiliary, Morgan City, La., was recently organized. Secretary H. L. Squires writes: "Full market prices are being received on all patent medicines. Prices were restored on March 1, and everybody is happy." Pharmacists are Liberal.-It is pleasing to note that instead of the picayunish spirit noticeable among the druggists a year ago, we have now a spirit of The greater liberality toward the N. A. R. D. treasurer reports that many people are making individual donations. You Can't Carry a Five-Dollar Gold Piece in your pocket without wearing some of the gold off. Druggists can't get together without learning something to their advantage. That druggists are cultivating sociability is one of the most hopeful signs of the times. Will Make Good Use of It.-Attention is again called to the fact that the national association needs more money with which to carry on the work. Organizations should send in their dues promptly and should not be backward with their individual contributions. In the proportion that we give, we receive. When we donate money to the national association we help it to be national in fact as well as in name and hasten the time when the evils which have beset the drug trade shall have an end. The stronger the national association becomes the greater is the assurance that it will be the shield of every member. The April Issue of the Association News, the organ of the Northern Ohio Druggists' Association, this month contains eight pages of matter, including the advertising. The single column, middle-of-theroad style is the one adopted, with the ads. lined up on each side. A brief account is given of a special meeting of the N. O. D. A., during which important action was taken toward averting unfavorable legislation. The Cain and Nihart bills, one to prevent druggists from carbonating their own water for soda fountains, and the other compelling a license fee of $350 for the privilege of selling liquor for medicinal purposes, were discussed and the N. O. D. A. congratulated on the fact that it has been largely instrumental in arousing the druggists of the State to the seriousness of the situation threatened. The importance of demanding the salesman's card, the new cocaine law, a remarkable letter from the Cincinnati Bottlers' Protective Association urging the passage of the bill forbidding the druggists to carbonate water for their fountains, and other topics, are among the matters discussed. Painters' Aprons, soaked in turpentine twenty-four hours before washing, lose all oil paint spots. .15 grs. Mould and dry. over with equal Linoleum Polishes.-First wash parts of milk and water. When dry, rub well with one of the following polishes. (1) Yellow wax, 150; oil of turpentine, 330 fluid parts; amber varnish, 150. (2) Paraffin wax, 54; kerosene, 12. (3) Yellow wax, 30; carnauba wax, 60; oil of turpentine, 300 fluid parts; benzene, 306 fluid parts. Melt and shake until cold. -[Bull. de la Soc. de Pharm. de Brux., 44, 343. Sodium Glyceroborate.-According to Schazki this is best prepared by heating glycerin (1.255), 120, with borax, 100, in a porcelain dish, until a glasslike fused mass is obtained. This is rolled out into rods, wrapped in wax-paper, and preserved in well-stoppered bottles. It is easily soluble in water and alcohol, melts between 153-153° C., and remains stable for a long time.-[Oesterr. Zeits. für Pharm., 55, 192. Wax-Lined Bottles for Hydrofluoric Acid.—According to the Deutsche Photograph. Zeit., a convenient substitute for the gutta-percha bottles usually employed for storing hydrofluoric acid may be made by coating an ordinary glass bottle, with a suitable lip, with hot wax. Care should be taken to coat the neck and lip as well as the interior of the bottle. A stopper may be made with a piece of glazier's putty. -[Scientific American, 83, 389. Theatrical Cold Cream. |