256 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. XXXIV. No. 



Estimation of Morphine iy Extraction with 

 Phenyl-ethyl Alcohol: A. D. Thorburn, Indian- 

 apolis. 



An aqueous solution containing morphine is 

 made alkaline and shaken with a mixture of 

 phenyl-ethyl alcohol and benzene; the solution of 

 the alkaloid in phenyl-ethyl alcohol is then par- 

 tially evaporated and titrated. The method is 

 designed for quantities of sample representing less 

 than .175 gm. anhydrous alkaloid and can be com- 

 pleted in about four hours. 



The Belation of the Alkaloids of Gelsemium to 

 One Another: L. E. Sayre. 



The Volatile Acidity of Tragacanth and other 

 Gums: W. O. Emery. 



A Modified Form of Meper eolation: E. G. Eber- 

 HARDT, Indianapolis, Ind. 



The author discussed the advantages of reper- 

 colation, gave results obtained on cimicifuga and 

 gentian by triple percolation, as shown by ex- 

 tractive determinations made in successive frac- 

 tions of percolate and describes a continuous or 

 serial method of percolation giving results ob- 

 tained in its use. 



Tincture Cantharides: E. G. Eberhardt, Indian- 

 apolis, Ind. 



The sparing solubility of cantharidin in alcohol 

 makes a 10 per cent, alcoholic tincture imprac- 

 ticable. The author gives results obtained in 

 various attempts to secure a full-strength tincture 

 and gives two methods by which cantharides may 

 be exhausted, one of these depending on the con- 

 version of cantharidin into cantharidate, and ex- 

 traction with dilute alcohol, but yielding a prepa- 

 ration which is but weakly irritant, the other de- 

 pending on the liberation of combined cantharidin 

 in the drug by an acid and extraction with acetone, 

 yielding an actively vesicant preparation. 

 Notes on the lodometric Determination of 

 Strength of Formaldehyde Solutions: Joseph S. 

 Chamberlain. 



The PharmacopcBial Standard for Desiccated Thy- 

 roid Glands: Eeid Hunt and Atherton Sei- 

 dell. 



The Manufacture and Testing of Drugs (illus- 

 trated) : W. A. Pearson. 



Acetate Collodion: Edward C. Worden. 



Attention is called to the combustibility of the 

 pharmacopreial pyroxylin, and to the inflammabil- 

 ity of the oificial solvents directed to be used in 

 the preparation of the collodions. The replace- 



ment of pyroxylin by cellulose acetate is advo- 

 cated, and attention drawn to the use of acetate 

 collodion in photography, where it has long since 

 passed beyond the experimental stage. Uninflam- 

 mable cellulose acetate combined with chloroform, 

 carbon tetrachloride or tetrachlorethane, all of 

 which fluids are unburnable, the author believes 

 would result in the formation of transparent, 

 clear, adhesive solutions, possessing all the de- 

 sirable properties of the present pharmacoposial 

 and National Formulary collodions, with entire 

 absence of inflammability. A bibliography of 300 

 citations is appended. 



Aromatic Spirits of Ammonia: Linwood A. 



Brown. 

 Sapid Determination of Beeswax and Honey: 



Fred Klein. (Eead by Frank E. Eldred.) 

 The Accelerating Action of Hydrochloric Acid 



upon the Starch-converting Properties of Pan- 



creatin and Malt: A. Zimmerman. 

 The Estimation of Minute Quantities of Nitro- 

 glycerine: Wilbur L. Scoville. 



Nitroglycerine given medicinally in doses of 

 1/1000 to 1/20 grain. The material used a 10 

 per cent, alcoholic solution or a 20 per cent, 

 powder mixture containing some carbonated alkali. 

 Both materials variable in strength and somewhat 

 unstable, and a loss also occurs in the process of 

 manufacturing, so that an accurate and reliable 

 method of estimation in mixtures is needed. The 

 alkaline-titration method of no value. The nitro- 

 meter requires special skill for good results. 



By the use of phenoldisulphonic acid colorimet- 

 rically, as in the estimation of nitrates in water, 

 quantitites of 1/100 grain or less can be accu- 

 rately estimated. The process is rapid and re- 

 quires no special skill. It is particularly adapted 

 to the estimation of nitroglycerine in tablets, pUls, 

 solutions, etc. 



The Determination of Camphor in Spirits of Cam- 

 phor: L. D. Havenhill. 



A New and Accurate Method fer Determining the 

 Tryptic Value of Pancreatin: C. F. Eamsay. 

 The U. S. P. method for testing pancreatin on 

 milk is indefinite and inaccurate because of the 

 end reaction. By the use of rennin for deter- 

 mining when the milk has been peptonized, an 

 accurate method for determining the tryptic value 

 of pancreatin has been worked out. 



Commercial samples of pancreatin are found to 

 vary in strength from 1:120 to 1:1,750. 

 (To be continued) 



