612 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



lead method were in closer agreement than those of the Canadian method. In 

 the latter method practically no difference was noted when the precipitates 

 were washed at 80 and 100*. Almost identical results are obtained when 100 

 to 150 cc. of wash water was used, but higher results were noted when only 

 50 cc. was employed. 



*' Results obtained in the Canadian method, using the quantity of sirup con- 

 taining 5 gm. of dry matter, are higher than those obtained with the use of 

 5 gm. of sirup and calculated to the dry basis. On the other hand, in the 

 modified Winton method, prescribed in the Canadian standards, lower results 

 are obtained with the use of the quantity of sirup containing 25 gm. of dry 

 matter than when 25 gm. of sirup is used and the results calculated to the 

 dry basis. The u.se of cane-sugar sirup instead of acetic acid in the Winton 

 blank is suggested." 



Spica's method for determ^ining the citric acid in citrates and lemon 

 juice, F. ScuRTi and G. Tommasi {Ann. R. Staz. CMm. Agr. Sper. Roma, 2. 

 ser., 6 {1913), No. 1, pp. 61-65; ahs. in Chem. Ztg., 36 {1912), No. 139, p. 1362).— 

 The method, according to its originator, can always be used providing tartrates 

 and oxalates are absent. It has, however, been found in this investigation 

 that other substances such as grape sugar, levulose, arabinose, lactose, starch, 

 inulin, cellulose, wood, gum, lactic acid, egg albumin, etc., when treated in the 

 manner described by Spica will also yield carbon dioxid ; consequently the 

 method is imusable for most purposes. 



An investigation to determine the accuracy of a modified Meigs method 

 for the quantitative determination of fat in milk, with a description of an 

 improved form of apparatus, W. L. Cboll {Biochern. BuL, 2 {1913), No. 8, 

 pp. 509-518, pi. 1). — Although the Adams paper-coil method with a Soxhlet 

 extracting apparatus is considered the most accurate procedure for determin- 

 ing the fat in milk, it requires much time and care for its execution. The 

 original Meigs method (1882) is neither extremely rapid nor simple, but it 

 possesses certain advantages that make its use preferable for biochemical 

 and pediatric investigations. 



As the results obtained by the method compared favorably with those given 

 by the Soxhlet method, an investigation was made to determine whether this 

 was a mere coincidence or due to the efficiency of the method. " For this pur- 

 pose there were secured 12 samples of human milk from women in various 

 stages of lactation, and six of cow's milk from as many dairies, so widely 

 separated that in no two cases were the milks from the same herd. In all 

 determinations the milk for both the Meigs and the Soxhlet methods was taken 

 from one specimen and at the same time, so that the samples were as nearly 

 uniform as it was possible to get them. In every weighing the figures were 

 recorded to 0.01 mg. The average difference in the results of the 18 deter- 

 minations recorded in the table is 0.0234 per cent." 



In the manipulations it was found that the use of the pipette was exceed- 

 ingly tedious and required a great deal of skill and practice, and that the prob- 

 ability of error was great. An inexpensive piece of apparatus was therefore 

 devised which renders the use of a pipette unnecessary and obviates the need 

 of care in regard to the protein layer, " The improved Meigs method possesses 

 the following advantages over the Soxhlet: (1) The time in weighing out is 

 shortened and tlie danger of accidental loss is diminished, for no absorption 

 of tlie milk by fat-free material is nece.ssary ; (2) two or three hours are saved 

 as no drying is required; (3) the extraction requires ten minutes for its execu- 

 tion against three hours as the miniuuim for the Soxhlet process." 



