106 Scientific Intelligence. 
feeces of a healthy man when extracted with spirits and tested, did not 
show any indication of the presence of bile, whereas in adding a little 
bile previously to the feces, the test did not fail to indicate it. In all 
cases of diarrheea bile is found in the stools,—so after the administra- 
tion of calomel and other purgatives. This test reversed, may be used 
for the detection of sugar, that is to say, a mixture of bile and sulphu- 
tic acid is first made, and the suspected liquid added ; if sugar be pre- 
sent, the violet red color will appear. This is a ready way of testing 
diabetic urine. 
To test the blood for bile, the albumen is first separated by boiling 
with alcohol, and the concentrated solution tested as already mentioned. 
eis 
11. Ferrate of Potash; by M. Fremy, (Ann. de Chim. et de Phys., 
ov. 1844.)—After numerous experiments upon this salt, the author 
points out the following methods as the best for obtaining it. Surround 
a Hessian crucible with burning charcoal, and introduce 80 grains of 
pure iron filings ; as soon as these are red hot, throw upon them 160 
grains of pulverized nitre that has been fused; the action is instan- 
taneous and violent. After allowing the crucible to cool, a reddish 
violet mass remains, containing a large quantity of ferrate of pot- 
ash, with a little of the peroxide of potassium that becomes decompo- 
sed when mixed with water. The iron must not be heated too long be- 
fore the addition of nitre, as the coat of oxide formed prevents the re- 
action. Another way proposed, is to pass a current of chlorine gas in- 
to a concentrated solution of potash, containing hydrated sesquioxide of 
iron in suspension ; the liquid soon acquires a purplish red color, and 
the oxide is dissolved. When the potash is in great excess, a blackish 
powder is precipitated, which is the ferrate of potash, that has mixed 
with ita considerable quantity of chloride of potassium; to purify it, 
it is redissolved, and precipitated by a concentrated solution of potash. 
It must be dried on absorbent pieces of porcelain. The dry salt should 
be quickly inclosed in tubes hermetically sealed, as the moisture of the 
atmosphere decomposes it. LS. 
12. Separation of Oxide of Cobalt from the Onide of Manganese ; 
by M. Créz, (Jour. de Pharm., Feb. 1845.)—This is done by treating 
a neutral solution of the two oxides with an excess of the persul phuret 
of calcium or potassium, which dissolve the sulphuret of cobalt form- 
ed, the sulphuret of manganese remaining undissolyed. This method 
is particularly well adapted to cases where the quantity of the oxide of 
. JILL. 8. 
See = cobalt present is very small. 
