134 THE ALUMNI JOURNAL 



Although Mr. Mclntyre is in his decHning years, he still retains a 

 vigorous and helpful interest in the business and educational manage 

 met of our College. He is unfailing in his attendance at all meetings 

 and takes an active part in all discussions. 



In closing, we would say that the deep interest and love that Mr. 

 Mclntyre has for the College, its inmates past and present, are re- 

 turned by them ten- fold. May he be with us for many years to come ! 



DETECTION OF METHYL ALCOHOL IN ETHYL ALCOHOL. 



By Anton Vorisek, Phar. D. 



That the detection of methyl alcohol in the presence of ethyl alcohol 

 is not a very simple matter, would appear from the number and variety 

 of methods devised for that purpose. Even the methods now accepted 

 as standard present some difficulties when the task is to detect small 

 amounts, say two per cent, or less. When the quantity of the sample 

 available happens to be limited the detection of small amounts is al- 

 most impossible. 



Before the methods of purification of wood spirit were perfected, the 

 detection of acetone, which always accompanied methyl alcohol, was 

 practised and regarded as sufficient evidence of the presence of methyl 

 alcohol. Other methods for the detection of methyl alcohol since 

 devised may be, for convenience, divided into three groups. 



1. Physical methods. — In a method originated by Duelaux, the sur- 

 face tension of the liquid is measured, and from the value obtained, 

 the calculation of the proportion of the two alcohols made. Leach 

 and Lythgoe (^) employed an immersion refractometer, there being 

 an observed difference of 83.4° between the two alcohols of 91 per 

 cent, strength. A. Lam (-) bases his method on the difference in 

 specific gravities of methyl and ethyl iodides. Separation of a com- 

 pound of methyl alcohol with calcium chloride has also been practised. 



2. Estcrification. — The production of methyl salisylate, which has 

 a characteristic odour, is well-known, but unsuitable for small 

 amounts. Conversion into methyl oxalate and separation of this com- 

 pound was devised by Hager. Here may be also included the method 

 of Riche and Bardy (^), in which methyl iodide, dimethylaniline and 

 methyl violet are successively formed. 



3. Oxidation methods. — These are the more numerous. Commonly, 

 the products of oxidation, giving characteristic reactions, are tested, 



