Varieties.

Willow Leaves in Ague.—The "Lancet" says that an Indian surgeon, Chetan Shah by name, has recently revived the use of willow leaves in intermittent fever. This is an old remedy, now almost forgotten in Europe, while the leaves of several species of willow are still largely prescribed by hakims of India and Afghanistan, especially in the form of a distillate. Among the lower classes of Cabul, and especially in women, quinine was found to irritate the bowels, while the juice of the fresh willow leaves, largely diluted with water, rarely failed to cure intermittent fever. In pregnant women the willow leaf is almost always found preferable to quinine.—Med. and Surg. Reporter.

The Action of Quassin.—Dr. Comparden finds that quassin, the active principle of Quassia amara, in moderate dose, produces an increase in the salivary, hepatic and renal secretions, and acts as a stimulant to the muscular fibre of organic life. In doses of 15 milligrams to 15 centigrams, it causes in man a burning pain in the esophagus, headache, nausea, vertigo, dimness of vision, vomiting and diarrhea, and cramps of the muscles of the leg. These symptoms are removed by chloral or chloroform.—Bull. Gén. de Thér.—Phila. Med. News.

Powdered Capsicum as a remedy in sub-acute and chronic rheumatism has been recommended by Mr. A. Drummond MacDonald in the "British Medical Journal." Two drachms to the ounce of lard, to which one of the essential oils may be added to make it more elegant, is the proportion mentioned. It is to be thoroughly rubbed over the affected part by a gloved hand for ten minutes at a time, night and morning, or at bed time only, according to the effect produced. Dry heat applied afterwards intensifies its effect, which lasts for some time.—Weekly Med. Review, March 3, 1883.

Asthma Cigarettes.—Impregnate well nitred paper with an alcoholic fluid extract of grindelia; let dry and use in cigarettes. Owing to the nitre they will continue to glow and develop.—Medical Record. N. Car. Med. Jour., Jan., 1883.

The American Journal of Pharmacy, Vol. 55, 1883, was edited by John M. Maisch.