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Russian Pharmacopoeia. 



The new Edition of the Russian Pharmacopoeia published in the 

 year 1902 affords us an occasion for discussing in the same manner 

 as with the other Pharmacopoeias, the articles relating to essential oils, 

 in order to correct, or supplement (as the case may be), various state- 

 ments respecting the oils. This appears to us all the more desirable, 

 as a perusal of the work gives the impression that the Russian Pharma- 

 copoeia Committee has not paid sufficient attention to the recent literature 

 on the subject of essential oils. 



In order to discuss the details, we reproduce below the requirements 

 specified for the oils. We wish to point out that the strength of alcohol 

 is given in per cent, by volume. 



Anise Oil (01. anisi). Colourless or slightly yellowish; d 15 o 0,980 

 to 0,990!); «d not to the right; congeals below -f-io° to a crystalline 

 mass, which melts again at -f-17 to -f-21 02 ); soluble in 2 to 3 parts 

 90 per cent, alcohol, the solution should be neutral, and not be coloured 

 violet by ferric chloride; for medicinal purposes anise oil possessing higher 

 congealing and melting points (-[-15 to 21 , and 22 ) is permitted 3 ). 



x ) As an anethol separation sometimes occurs spontaneously already at 15 , it 

 is advisable to determine the specific gravity at 20°; the limits of value remain the 

 same also under these conditions. 



2 ) This is not sufficiently precise. The congealing point of good anise oil lies 

 above 17 . For the purpose of determination, the oil is cooled down below its 

 solidifying point, say about -j- 1 3 , and if necessary the solidification is promoted 

 by inoculation with a small crystal of anethol. 



3 ) This clearly means that for medicinal purposes anethol may also be employed 

 (congealing point 21 to 2 2°). 



Bergamot Oil (01. bergamottae) '. Yellowish or greenish; d 15 o 0,880 

 to 0,886; «d to the right; residue on evaporation 4 to 6°/ 1 ); must 

 form a clear solution with a feeble acid reaction when mixed with 

 V 2 volume 90 per cent, alcohol. 



*) The residue on evaporation in the case of pure oils should be between 5 and 

 6°/ ; a residue of less than 5 °/ would point to adulteration with oils of turpentine, 

 sweet orange, etc. 



Cade Oil (01. cadi?ium). A thick, dark brown liquid, with a peculiar 

 empyreumatic odour; lighter than water 1 ); dissolves with difficulty in 

 water 2 ), more readily in 90 per cent, alcohol; is readily soluble in 

 ether 3 ), chloroform, carbon disulphide, and amyl alcohol. 



J ) Occasionally cade oil is also slightly heavier than water. 



2 ) The oil ist almost insoluble in water; the latter acquires an acid reaction 

 when shaken with the oil. 



3 ) From the solution, which is at first clear, flakes are generally separated off 

 after a short time. 



Cajuput Oil (01. cajuputi). Bright green or yellowish with neutral 

 reaction; d 15 o 0,915 to 0,930; soluble in alcohol and ether, insoluble 



