PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION B. — SUB-SECTION, PHARMACY. 129 



Some of the original solution of hydrocyanic acid was, on 11th 

 April, diluted to contain 2 per cent.^ the B.P. strength. On 7th Novem- 

 ber it contained 1 '9665 per cent, of HON after being opened from time 

 to time. 



Small quantities were exposed in an open vessel at a temperature 

 of 29 '5° C. and assayed. After a ten-minutes exposure, it contained 

 1*680 per cent. HCN. In 30 minutes it contained 1*3245 per cent., 

 and after one hour 0*8734 per cent. 



On 25th November, when the temperature was 29° C, a solution 

 of hydrocyanic acid, assaying 1*948 per cent, after exposure in a 

 1-oz. bottle unstoppered for one hour was found to contain 1*793/ 

 per cent., losiug approximately 8 per cent, of its HCN. 



On 9th December a sample containing 2 per cent. HCN, after 

 exposure in a 1-lb. bottle, partially filled, and uncorked at a temperature 

 of 31° C, assayed 1*969 per cent. HCN, thus losing 1*55 per cent, 

 of its original HCN. 



It would therefore appear that the time-honoured cu.stom of 

 preserving hydrocyanic acid in small phials is wrong, that this method 

 of storing favours loss of HCN ; furthermore, the loss of hydrocyanic 

 acid stored in bulk is not as rapid as it is usually thought to be. 



I have to draw your attention to the temperature under which 

 these tests were applied. Although they are by no means the maximum 

 temperatures reached in Southern Queensland, they are higher than 

 those usually reached in the British Islands. 



3.— SOLUTIONS OF ETHYL NITRITE— SOME HITHERTO 

 UNRECORDED FACTS CONCERNING THEIR DE- 

 TERIORATION. 



Bij R. C. Cowley. 



It is not my intention to discuss the matter contained in the 

 voluminous published literature dealing with solutions of ethyl nitrite — 

 indeed, it is difficult at this date to say much that is new concerning it. 



In the early part of last year a question was put to me by a Vic- 

 torian chemist regarding the keeping qualities of spirit of nitrous 

 ether of the B.P. in connexion with the regulations under the Food and 

 Drugs Acts then being framed in the various States of the Common- 

 wealth. As I was then conducting some experiments on this compound, 

 I did not feel disposed to ofEer an opinion pending the results. 



Ethyl nitrite itself is so very volatile that in the climate of South 

 Queensland it can only be stored in ampoules — glass-stoppered bottles 

 are quite useless. 



6117 E 



