EXAMINATION OP HYDROGEN DIOXID SOLUTIONS. 23 



NONVOLATILE MATTER. 



The results show that a comparatively small number of samples 

 contain an excessive amount of solids. There should be little diffi- 

 culty in properly adjusting this matter, particularly in view of the 

 fact that the majority of those containing excessive amounts of solid 

 material come from the same factory. One manufacturer states 

 definitely that the amount of nonvolatile matter is in excess of that 

 prescribed by the Pharmacopoeia. The solid material on examina- 

 tion was found Jp contain one or more of the following: Chlorids, 

 phosphates, sulphates, and acetanilid. In no case was the presence 

 of fluorids established, but in several instances a trace of metals was 

 noted. Tests made on the solid material show that .the acetanilid 

 was neither completely decomposed nor volatilized at 120 C. 



Notwithstanding the fact that hydrogen peroxid solutions are 

 known to be more or less unstable, some manufacturers place such 

 statements as the following upon the labels: li Permanent, " " Guar- 

 anteed unsurpassed in keeping qualities," "A permanent * * * 

 preparation," "Unsurpassed in strength and keeping qualities," 

 "Full 10 volumes strength," etc. The analysis showed that "the 

 sample bearing the latter label was less than two-thirds of the stand- 

 ard strength. Why such statements should be made in connection 

 with products of this character is difficult to understand, since it is 

 well known that they are liable to deterioration. It should be noted, 

 however, that this investigation shows the quality of medicinal 

 hydrogen peroxid available on the market to be, on the whole, very 

 satisfactory. 



