EXAMINATION OF HYDROGEN DIOXID SOLUTIONS. 7 



Tests were also made for boric acid, an agent which at one time 

 was largely exploited as an ideal preservative for hydrogen peroxid. 



Dr. E. R. Squibb, a in 1892, made an examination of nine samples 

 of prominent brands then on the market. All bore labels claiming 

 15 volumes strength. The findings, however, show that the actual 

 amount of hydrogen peroxid varied from one-half to two-thirds of that 

 claimed. 



The same year Dr. S. S. Wallian 6 published observations on nine 

 brands, determining the amount of available oxygen at intervals. 

 For example, the samples were examined when first received, then 

 reexamined three weeks later and again at the end of six months. 

 The amount of deterioration was marked in several cases, although 

 in most instances the loss in six months was comparatively small. 

 For example, one sample when originally tested showed an oxygen 

 volume of 1 5, while at the end of six months the amount present was 

 11.5 volumes. On the contrary, another sample contained when first 

 analyzed 8.25 volumes and at the end of six months only 0.5 volume. 

 The number of volumes stated to be present in the several packages 

 varied from 10 to 15. 



R. L. Lloyd c reported on five samples of medicinal hydrogen 

 peroxid, which were all represented to be chemically pure and of 15 

 volumes strength. The examination showed that the amount of 

 available oxygen varied from 10.5 to 13.5, and all of them contained 

 the usual impurities. 



H. Endemann d in 1894 examined 14 different brands and found the 

 amount of available oxygen to vary from 0.5 to 16.55 volumes. One 

 sample was found to contain 27.35 volumes, but this brand is repre- 

 sented and sold as containing a much higher volume of available 

 oxygen, and for this reason can not properly be classed with the usual 

 hydrogen peroxid sold to the public. 



PLAN OF THE INVESTIGATION. 



The results obtained by the investigators quoted clearly show that 

 the quality and character of the various brands of hydrogen peroxid 

 were not satisfactory, but during the past 10 years marked improve- 

 ments have been made in the manufacture of this commodity. It is, 

 however, a common experience that hydrogen peroxid is prone to 

 decompose, and for this reason it was deemed desirable to make a 

 full and exhaustive investigation, with a view, first, to determine the 

 keeping qualities of the various brands of hydrogen peroxid available 

 on the market; second, to ascertain the nature of the preservatives 

 used, if any; third, to establish an age or time limit; and fourth, if 



oN. Y. Med. J., 1892, 56: 149. c Amer. J. Phann., 1893, (4) 65: 276. 



6N. Y. Med. J., 1892, 66: 599. d Times and Register, 1894, 28: 372. 



