706 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



methyl alcohol completely, the author proposes the use of small amounts of 

 chromic acid for the oxidation and the elimination af the sulphuric acid in the 

 reagent. 



The procedure is as follows : From 0.5 to 1 cc. of the alcoholic sample is 

 taken in a small test tube. 1 cc. of 0.8 per cent chromic acid solution added, 

 and diluted with water to a bulk of 4 to 5 cc. Two or three small pieces of 

 pumice stone are then put in the test tube and the whole connected with an 

 ordinary air condenser. The mixture is then boiled briskly and from 3 to 4 cc. 

 of the distillate is collected in a test tube. The distillate is treated with 1 drop 

 of a 4 per cent ferric chlorid solution and 2 drops of an albumin solution 

 (white of 1 egg + 50 cc. of water filtered and preserved with a few drops of 

 chloroform), and finally after mixing the above a layer of 4 to 5 cc. of sulphuric 

 acid is added, taking especial care to prevent heating. A zone of sharply 

 defined violet appears when methyl alcohol is present to the extent of 5 per 

 cent. When there is less than 1 per cent, the color appears after several 

 minutes. Organic substances which can not be removed in the mixture with 

 methyl alcohol give a yellow to a reddish coloration. 



The analysis of malt extract, E. S. Richards (Rpt. Austral. Assoc. Adv. Sci., 

 11 {1901). pp. 350-352). — Water, ash, dextrose, maltose, dextrin, albuminoids, 

 the diastatic power, and the specific I'otatiou were determined. The results of 

 6 analyses are given, with the methods employed. 



On the action of Fehling's solution on malt sug'ar, W. L. Lewis (Amer, 

 Chem. Jour., ^2 (1909), No. 4, pp. 301-319). — This is a preliminary Investigation 

 of the products formed during the oxidation of malt sugar by cupric hydroxid in 

 alkali. 



The influence of pectin substances on the polarization in the analysis of 

 sugar beets according to the Zscheye and von Strohmer and Fallada methods, 

 H. Pellet (Abs. in Chcm. Ztg.. 33 (1909), No. 67, p. 598). — Sugar beets contain 

 pectin bodies which are dextrorotary and with an optical activity 3 to 3.3 times 

 as great as that of sugar. They are precipitated by lead acetate providing it is 

 added in sufficient amoimt. Inverted solutions containing pectin bodies do not 

 alter the rotation. 



A colorimetric method for the determination of lactose in milk, K. Binaghi 

 (Rer. Gen. Lait, 7 (1909). No. 20. pp. I,.'j7-'i6'i, pi. I. fig. /).— This is dependent 

 upon the cherry-red coloration produced by a 40 per cent solution of sodium 

 hydroxid in distilled water compared with a standard containing known amounts 

 of lactose. 



Clarification of milk for the lactose determination, C. Careez (Rcpert. 

 Pharm. et Jour. Chim. Med., 3. .srr.. 21 (1909), p. 102; ahs. in Jour. Pharm. et 

 Chim., 6. ser., 30 (1909), No. 1, pp. 36, 37).— To 10 cc. of the milk in a 100 cc. 

 flask are added in turn 40 to 60 cc. of water, 2 cc. of 15 per cent potassium fer- 

 rocyanid solution, 2 cc. of a 30 per cent acetate of zinc solution, a drop of 1 per 

 cent phenolphthalein solution, and just enough sodium hydroxid solution to 

 make a pink color. The contents are then made up to 100 cc. shaken, and 

 filtered. 



The method can be employed for both human and cow's milk, but attention is 

 drawn to the fact that in the case of human milk the polariscope can not be 

 used, as in this case bodies are present which can not be removed by reagents 

 and which are very active. 



Esculin bile salt media for milk analysis, F. C. Harrison and J. \'an der 

 Leck (Amer. Jour. Puh. Hyg.. 19 (1909), No. 3. pp. 56.',-566). — Since esculin 

 in the presence of iron gives the colonies of Bacillus acrogcncs and B. coli a 

 black color, the use of esculin bile salt media is proposed for the detection of 

 the pollution of milk from stable manure, dirt, etc. The method consists of 



