32 TRANS. ST. LOUIS ACAD. SCIENCE. 



trated to a great degree, and reactions obtained under all cir- 

 cumstances decided enough to leave no doubt as to its presence. 



For quantitative determinations of chloroform in chemico-legal 

 examinations the method of Hager is better than that of Mare- 

 chal, especially when the parts have undergone decomposition, 

 and there is danger of distillation of other substances than chlo- 

 roform which might reduce the Barreswil solution. Under th& 

 latter circumstances the Marechal method is not trustworthy and 

 should not be used. 



Hager's method, which depends upon the estimation of the 

 chlorine of chloroform by converting it into hydrochloric acid by 

 the action of nascent hydrogen, is applicable under all cir- 

 cumstances. 



However, considering the great uncertainty of the action of 

 chloroform upon the animal economy, actual quantitative deter- 

 minations will hardly ever be necessary. Generally the mere 

 determination of its presence will suffice. 



Laboratory Washington University, St. Louis, Mo. 



