X898.] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 165 



Test for Semen.^ — Professor Florence, of Lyons, has 

 made a discovery which he thinks may prove to be of con- 

 siderable medico-leg-al importance, namely, that the addi- 

 tion of a strong- aqueous solution of iodine (1.65 parts of 

 iodine, 2.54 parts of potassium iodide, and enoug-h distilled 

 v^ater to make 30 parts) to human semen gives rise to the 

 immediate formation of dusky-brown microscopic crystals, 

 parti}' long rhombic tables, and partly fine needles 

 C. Posner has succeeded not only in eliciting this reaction, 

 but in determining that it is due to the combination of 

 iodine with spermine. Hence it results that the reaction 

 may be produced with any fluid containing spermine, and 

 therefore is not absolutely a test for semen, although it is 

 a valuable import as a corroborative test. Inasmuch as 

 suspected seminal stains are practically never due to 

 ovarian juice or other non-seminal fluids containing sper- 

 mine, the Florence test will be very valuable. 



Albuminuria. — The common reagents for its detection 

 are nitric acid, Robert's formula, Millard's formula, potas- 

 sium ferrocyanide, and heat. All five methods have been 

 applied by Dr. Garratt to fifty separate lots of urine each 

 containing a sediment whose character had been deter- 

 mined by microscopic examination and which indicated 

 abumin. The experiments were for the purpose of de- 

 termining the relative value of these five different 

 methods and resulted in showing Millard's formula to be 

 the best and almost perfect. His formula is as follows : 

 Potassium hydrate, five-per-cent solution, twenty-two 

 parts ; acetic acid, glacial, seven parts ; carbolic acid, two 

 parts. 



Cleaning Cover Glasses. — Braun recommends the fol- 

 lowing process for cleaning microscopical covers. Collect 

 the cover glasses to which cedar oil adheres, in a glass 

 containing methylated alcohol. Pour off the alcohol, wash 

 with benzine, boil for about half an hour with soda solution, 

 stirring with a platinum needle. When rinsing, rub the 

 glasses with the hands to remove any adhering matter. 

 Then place them for twenty-four hours into iicetic acid, 



