QUANTITATIVE MICROSCOPIC DETERMINATIONS 165 



7. Abundant crystals of basic mercuric sulphate (turpeth mineral). 



8. The starch granules, yellow lignified fibers and the crystal 

 bearing fibers of Glycyrrhiza glabra. 



As has been stated in Part I, one of the most important require- 

 ments or qualifications on the part of the microanalyst, is the ability 

 to interpret the finding intelligently and correctly. The above findings 

 are not numerous nor were they difficult to recognize. The interpreta- 

 tion proved very interesting, as follows : 



(a) Confection of Rose, U. S. P. indicated by (2) and (5). Turning 

 to the Pharmacopoeia, the formula for confection of rose was copied. 



Red rose petals (No. 60 powder) 80 grams 



Sugar 640 grams 



Clarified honey. 120 grams 



Stronger rose water 160 cc. 



(6) Blue Mass U. S. P., indicated by (1), (3) and (8). 



Mercury 35 grams 



Licorice powder 5 grams 



Althaea powder 25 grams 



Glycerin 33 cc. 



Honey of rose 34 cc. 



(c) Gray Powder U. S. P. indicated by (3), (4) and (5). 



Mercury 38 grams 



Clarified honey 10 grams 



Prepared chalk 57 grams 



Water, ad 100 grams 



(d) Calomel. 



(e) Turpeth mineral. 



Based upon the optical appearance of the several ingredients of the 

 smear as seen under the microscope, assisted by a number of trial 

 combinations which were compared with the smear (microscopically), 

 the following was given as the formula of the medicinal substance 

 represented by the material upon the bit of newspaper. 



Reconstructed Formula based upon the above. 



Confection of rose, U. S. P. . . 8 parts 



Blue mass, U. S. P 12 parts 



Gray powder, U. S. P 35 parts 



Calomel 15 parts 



Turpeth mineral . 30 parts 



Naturally, problems of the kind just illustrated require much time 

 and careful study, and as already indicated, much experience in the 

 practical use of the compound microscope. 



The following quantitative microanalytical determinations should 



