The claim is made that this preparation contains no belladonna--yet it admittedly contains hyoscyamus! This manifests either ignorance on the part of the manufacturers, or an effort to impose on the medical profession. Both belladonna and hyoscyamus contain variable amounts of similar alkaloids, chiefly hyoscyamin. Hyoscyamus is feebler than belladonna in its action, as it contains less alkaloid. The qualitative differences between the two drugs, with reference to their use as laxatives, is so slight as to make the company’s claim for hyoscyamus appear either deliberately misleading or to be the result of crass ignorance. Promoting this mixture of well-known laxatives and cathartics as an “ideal aid to any remedial agent when a mild, medium or strong alimentary stimulant is needed” is a slur on the intelligence of physicians. Pil. Cascara Compound-Robins is not acceptable for New and Nonofficial Remedies.--(_From The Journal A. M. A., Jan. 27, 1917._) CASTA-FLORA Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry Casta-Flora is one of those complex preparations which are offered to the medical profession, with plausible arguments in support of the claims made. It is put out by the Wm. S. Merrell Chemical Co., Cincinnati. Each fluidounce is said to represent: “Castanea, fresh leaves, 40 gr.; Passiflora, fresh plant, 40 gr.; Gelsemium, green tincture, 8 minims; Inula, represented by the camphoraceous stearoptene Helenin, 20 grs.; Iodized Lime, 8 grs.; Menthol, 1-4 grs.; Aromatic Syrup Yerba Santa, 60 minims.” It is said to be: “A new combination of well-tried remedies of especial value in pertussis and other spasmodic coughs. It is composed of astringent, antispasmodic, sedative and expectorant agents, that control the paroxysms, relieve the irritation, promote expectoration, and give tone to mucous membranes involved.” Still more exaggerated claims are made for the individual constituents of Casta-Flora, partly by direct statement, partly by inference. For example: “Castanea is almost a specific in whooping cough and other spasmodic coughs. “Passiflora is a narcotic, sedative and antispasmodic without habit-forming properties, nor does it lock up the secretions and upset digestion like opiates. “Inula (elecampane) has been employed as a cough remedy in England for centuries. Its action is similar to guaiacol and creosote. Its active principle, helenin, is destructive of tubercle bacilli in dilutions of 1 to 10,000. “Iodized Lime, Menthol, and Yerba Santa are too well known as expectorants and antiseptics to require more than passing mention.”