May 2, 1913] 



SCIENCE 



685 



diiferent understanding of the assay processes by 

 various chemists. It directs special attention to 

 the difficulties involved in transferring the alka- 

 loid from an aqueous solution to one in chloroform 

 or ether, or from these solvents to an acid aqueous 

 liquid as is regularly done in these assay processes. 

 Also some of the peculiar difficulties involved in 

 the assay of the mydriatic drugs, and differences 

 liable to be caused by variations in the method 

 and time of shaking aqueous liquids with the 

 immiscible solvents, and in the final titration of 

 the alkaloidal residue where this volumetric 

 method is used. Experimental proof is also sub- 

 mitted of the liability to such variations when 

 these processes are applied by different men. 

 W. D. McAbee: Patent Medicine Ethics. 

 W. A. Peakson: Ergot. 

 L. E. Sayee: The Becovery of Alkaloids when 



Precipitated by Allcaloidal Beagents. 



There is, of necessity, an appreciable loss of 

 alkaloid in any analytical process designed for its 

 recovery. A complete recovery is practically im- 

 possible. In certain analyses consisting of a sepa- 

 ration of alkaloids from dilute solutions, it is 

 frequently desirable to precipitate them by well- 

 known alkaloidal reagents, as a first step in the 

 separation and estimation. The question arises: 

 What is the probable loss of alkaloid by such a 

 preliminary step and subsequent treatment for 

 recovery? 



Operating upon four well-known alkaloids with 

 different procedures for their recovery, certain 

 data were obtained and tabulated. The authors 

 feel this may be considered as a fair average of 

 loss, this opinion being based upon a much larger 

 number of experiments than are tabulated. 

 F. P. Summers and Chas. Eable: Oxysulpho- 



ienside, its Presence in Commercial Phenolsul- 



phonates. 



In applying the routine tests for phenol upon 

 the various phenolsulphonates of the market, there 

 was obtained an ether-soluble residue which in 

 some of its properties resembled phenol. On 

 further examination it proved to be oxysulpho- 

 benizide. This impurity has been found in quan- 

 tities of 0.1 to 0.4 per cent. It is a white crystal- 

 line body melting between 215° and 231° C. 

 F. P. Summers and H. McCausland: Boldine, 



an AlTcaloid from Peumus Boldus. 



A brief rgsumg of the literature on the chem- 

 ical constituents of Peumus boldus is given. The 

 method of producing the alkaloid boldine is de- 

 scribed. It is a white crystalline body melting at 



185° C. (corrected). Boldine hydrobromide is also 

 described. It is a white crystalline body melting 

 with decomposition at 240° C. Tables of reac- 

 tions with the various alkaloidal precipitants and 

 other reagents are given. An empirical formula 

 is promised for a subsequent paper. 



F. A. Miller and J. W. Header : The Alkaloidal 

 Content of Individual Plants of Datura stra- 

 monium, D. tatula and other Species and Varie- 

 ties. 

 P. A. Miller and E. N. Reed : A Study of Amer- 

 ican-grown Belladonna. 

 E. N. Eeed and W. J. EicE: The Stability of 



Tinctures and Fluid Extracts of Belladonna. 

 A. B. Davis: Improvements in Mercury Gas- 



Begulators. 

 Gr. H. Meeker and E. L. Maines: Prevention of 

 Emulsification in Extractions by Immiscible 

 Solvents. (Second paper.) 

 Frank E. Eldred: An Automatic Apparatus for 



the V. S. P. Pepsin Test. 

 W. O. Emery and S. Palkin: Crystalline Feri- 



odides of Antipyrine. 

 H. T. Graber: Laboratory Studies on Malt Ex- 

 tract. 

 C. H. Briggs: The Determination of Uncombined 

 Hydrochloric Acid in Solution Ferric Chloride. 

 The total chlorides are determined by titration 

 with silver nitrate in acid solution. The combined 

 chlorides are calculated from the amount of iron 

 present and subtracted from the total chlorides, 

 giving the amount of free hydrochloric acid. 

 0. A. Beath and Edward Kremers: An Oleo- 

 resin of Pseudotsuga taxifolia {Lam.) Britton. 

 A sample of this oleoresin was obtained through 

 the cooperation of the Forest Products Labora- 

 tory. Its examination was undertaken with a view 

 of throwing more light, if possible, on the possible 

 sources of the so-called Oregon balsam. The phys- 

 ical and chemical constants of the oleoresin, the 

 volatile oil and the resin were ascertained so far 

 as the limited amount of material permitted. 



Edward Kremers: Some Aspects of Pharma- 



The conflict between the pharmacopoeia as a 

 codex and a scientific treatise is unnecessarily 

 emphasized by the present mod« of revision. This 

 conflict and the attitude of certain critics is illus- 

 trated by means of data that have come to the 

 attention of the writer in the work in which he is 

 more particularly engaged. The revision of the 



