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Information Service
RM'A TION SERVICE Members of the American Pharmaceutical Association are invited to submit their professional problems to the Journal, 2215 Constitution Ave., N. W., Washington 7, D. C., giving all pertinent details. Advisory service is provided by the A. Ph. A. library and technical staff and the Journal panel of technical consultants.
HISTAMINE IN TREATMENT OF HEADACHE We have a physician inquiring as to the use of histamine in treatment of a chronic type headache. Do you have any information on this subject?- P. 0., New York
above ointment, but in this case it would be advisable to add a small amount, about 5%, of Carbowax-4000 to the mixture in order to prevent its melting at high temperatures. This may be objectionable in cooler weather, however, since it might make the ointment too stiff for easy application. Therefore, it seems it would be better to prepare smaller quantities of the ointment and use the Carbowax-4000 only for those lots that will be used during the summer.
Horton [J. Am. Med. Assoc., 116, 377 (1941)] reported 72 cases of a peculiar type of headache (histaminic cephalgia) which was promptly relieved by desensitization with histamine. We suggest you refer your physician to this reference.
PHARMACISTS AT SEA
HEAT AFFECTS OINTMEN'f
Can you tell me if ocean-going passenger ships employ registered pharmacists?-Z. L., Ohio
Liquid separation of the following ointment occurs during hot summer weather: Salicylic acid Ppi. sulfur Sol. coallar . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Carbowax 1500 . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
aa 5% q. s., ad
I would appreciate your comments.- M. B., New York This question has been investigated by our laboratory and we believe the ointment probably separates because of melting of the Carbqwax at high temperature. Under these conditions, the liquid Carbowax would separate and rise to the top of the mixture. In the past it has been the practice of the U. S. P. to allow incorporation of small quantities of spermaceti into the ointments made from fatty bases so as to prevent the ointments from melting during summer heat. We would advise a similar practice with the
We have been advised by the American President Lines and the United States Lin'es that registered pharmacists are not employed on their vessels. The Cunard White Star Limited line employs pharmacists; however, as a British company, all engagements for their sea-going staff must be made directly through their home office in England. OF QUESTIONABLE VALUE I should appreciate information regarding a proprietary medicine made from Cineraria maritima L. It is used empirically in the treatment of cataracts of the eyes.-A. D., New York We have searched the references readily available to us and fail to find such a product now being manufactured. However, in the 20th Edition of the U. S. Dispensatory (1918) Page 109
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION
the following statement appears in the monograph of Cineraria marilima L. in connection with its stated use as an absorbent of cataracts: " We do not know, however, of any sufficient scientific justification for a , belief in this improbable property." PHENYLMERCURIC NITRATE Can you assisl me in purchasing small quanlilies of medicinal grade phenylmercuric nilrale?-E. J., Massachusells
We believe that the Hamilton Laboratories, Inc., Asheville, N. C., can supply you with small quantities of the proper grade of phenylmercuric nitrate. Their product is , labeled "Medicinal Grade Merphenyl" and "For Manufacturing Use." SOURCE OF SUPPLY Kindly forward inform,ation concerning a source of supply for micro-cryslalline sulfadiazine, micro-crystalline sulfamerazine and unslerile sodium sulfadiazine powder.-S. K'., Colorado
On checking our catalogues, we note that all three of these chemicals are available from Calco Chemical Division, American Cyanamid Company, Bound Brook, New Jersey. STILBAMIDINE Can you supply informalion as lo the availabilily of slilbamidine ampuls?- P. M., California
The New Drug Division of the U. S. Food and Drug Administration has informed us that a new drug application has not been filed for stilbamidine. Therefore, it is our belief that stilbamidine is available for investigational use only from Merck and Co., Inc., Rahway, N. J. A procedure for the preparation of stilbamidine injection (25 mg.jcc.) has been pub-
lished in The Bullelin of lhe American Sociely of Hospital' Pharmacists (January-February issue, 1947, p. 28). STREPTOI(INASE Can you advise me as lo lhe source and nalure of lhe subs lance called streptokinase being used in lhe lrealmenl of luberculosis meningitis?- A. M., France
Streptokinase is a bacterial enzyme, produced by most strains of hemolytic streptococci, which has the property of bringing about the dissolution of human fibrin clots. According to Cathie (The Lancel, NIarch 12, 1949) it has been shown that in tuberculosis meningitis the tubercle bacilli are surrounded by an exudate consisting mainly of fibrin and that this fibrin exudate is resistant to streptomycin. Therefore, the possibilities of bacterial streptokinase as an adjuvant to streptomycin in the treatment of tuberculosis meningitis are being investigated. It is our understanding that streptokinase is available in the United States for investigational use only and that it is being supplied in limited quantities by Lederle Laboratories Division, American Cyanamid Co., New York 20, N. Y. It is also our understanding that, at present, the complete supply of streptokinase is allocated to the New York University Hospital, New York City. TABLET MAI{ING Can you send me lhe name of an up-to-dale texlbook on lhe subject of lhe manufacture of tablels?- J. P., j\1exic?
The latest textbook on the subject of tablet making which has been called to our attention is the recently published book entitled "Tablet Making" by Arthur Little and K. A. Mitchell. I t is published by the Northern Publishing C'o., Ltd., Liverpool 1, England. The price is 15 shillings.
B.Sc. degree courses in PharIllacy, CheIllistry, Biology and Bacteriology offer opportunities for interesting and successful careers. Graduate studies lead to M.Sc. and D.Sc. degrees. Coeducational. Write for catalog to the College.
Philadelphia College OF PHARMACY AND SCIENCE 43rd St., Kingsessing & Woodland Aves., Philadelphia 4, Pa. Founded 1821
Page 110
HISTAMINE IN TREATMENT OF HEADACHE We have a physician inquiring as to the use of histamine in treatment of a chronic type headache. Do you have any information on this subject?- P. 0., New York
above ointment, but in this case it would be advisable to add a small amount, about 5%, of Carbowax-4000 to the mixture in order to prevent its melting at high temperatures. This may be objectionable in cooler weather, however, since it might make the ointment too stiff for easy application. Therefore, it seems it would be better to prepare smaller quantities of the ointment and use the Carbowax-4000 only for those lots that will be used during the summer.
Horton [J. Am. Med. Assoc., 116, 377 (1941)] reported 72 cases of a peculiar type of headache (histaminic cephalgia) which was promptly relieved by desensitization with histamine. We suggest you refer your physician to this reference.
PHARMACISTS AT SEA
HEAT AFFECTS OINTMEN'f
Can you tell me if ocean-going passenger ships employ registered pharmacists?-Z. L., Ohio
Liquid separation of the following ointment occurs during hot summer weather: Salicylic acid Ppi. sulfur Sol. coallar . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Carbowax 1500 . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
aa 5% q. s., ad
I would appreciate your comments.- M. B., New York This question has been investigated by our laboratory and we believe the ointment probably separates because of melting of the Carbqwax at high temperature. Under these conditions, the liquid Carbowax would separate and rise to the top of the mixture. In the past it has been the practice of the U. S. P. to allow incorporation of small quantities of spermaceti into the ointments made from fatty bases so as to prevent the ointments from melting during summer heat. We would advise a similar practice with the
We have been advised by the American President Lines and the United States Lin'es that registered pharmacists are not employed on their vessels. The Cunard White Star Limited line employs pharmacists; however, as a British company, all engagements for their sea-going staff must be made directly through their home office in England. OF QUESTIONABLE VALUE I should appreciate information regarding a proprietary medicine made from Cineraria maritima L. It is used empirically in the treatment of cataracts of the eyes.-A. D., New York We have searched the references readily available to us and fail to find such a product now being manufactured. However, in the 20th Edition of the U. S. Dispensatory (1918) Page 109
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION
the following statement appears in the monograph of Cineraria marilima L. in connection with its stated use as an absorbent of cataracts: " We do not know, however, of any sufficient scientific justification for a , belief in this improbable property." PHENYLMERCURIC NITRATE Can you assisl me in purchasing small quanlilies of medicinal grade phenylmercuric nilrale?-E. J., Massachusells
We believe that the Hamilton Laboratories, Inc., Asheville, N. C., can supply you with small quantities of the proper grade of phenylmercuric nitrate. Their product is , labeled "Medicinal Grade Merphenyl" and "For Manufacturing Use." SOURCE OF SUPPLY Kindly forward inform,ation concerning a source of supply for micro-cryslalline sulfadiazine, micro-crystalline sulfamerazine and unslerile sodium sulfadiazine powder.-S. K'., Colorado
On checking our catalogues, we note that all three of these chemicals are available from Calco Chemical Division, American Cyanamid Company, Bound Brook, New Jersey. STILBAMIDINE Can you supply informalion as lo the availabilily of slilbamidine ampuls?- P. M., California
The New Drug Division of the U. S. Food and Drug Administration has informed us that a new drug application has not been filed for stilbamidine. Therefore, it is our belief that stilbamidine is available for investigational use only from Merck and Co., Inc., Rahway, N. J. A procedure for the preparation of stilbamidine injection (25 mg.jcc.) has been pub-
lished in The Bullelin of lhe American Sociely of Hospital' Pharmacists (January-February issue, 1947, p. 28). STREPTOI(INASE Can you advise me as lo lhe source and nalure of lhe subs lance called streptokinase being used in lhe lrealmenl of luberculosis meningitis?- A. M., France
Streptokinase is a bacterial enzyme, produced by most strains of hemolytic streptococci, which has the property of bringing about the dissolution of human fibrin clots. According to Cathie (The Lancel, NIarch 12, 1949) it has been shown that in tuberculosis meningitis the tubercle bacilli are surrounded by an exudate consisting mainly of fibrin and that this fibrin exudate is resistant to streptomycin. Therefore, the possibilities of bacterial streptokinase as an adjuvant to streptomycin in the treatment of tuberculosis meningitis are being investigated. It is our understanding that streptokinase is available in the United States for investigational use only and that it is being supplied in limited quantities by Lederle Laboratories Division, American Cyanamid Co., New York 20, N. Y. It is also our understanding that, at present, the complete supply of streptokinase is allocated to the New York University Hospital, New York City. TABLET MAI{ING Can you send me lhe name of an up-to-dale texlbook on lhe subject of lhe manufacture of tablels?- J. P., j\1exic?
The latest textbook on the subject of tablet making which has been called to our attention is the recently published book entitled "Tablet Making" by Arthur Little and K. A. Mitchell. I t is published by the Northern Publishing C'o., Ltd., Liverpool 1, England. The price is 15 shillings.
B.Sc. degree courses in PharIllacy, CheIllistry, Biology and Bacteriology offer opportunities for interesting and successful careers. Graduate studies lead to M.Sc. and D.Sc. degrees. Coeducational. Write for catalog to the College.
Philadelphia College OF PHARMACY AND SCIENCE 43rd St., Kingsessing & Woodland Aves., Philadelphia 4, Pa. Founded 1821
Page 110