108 REPORT OF SCHIMMEL & Co. APRIL 1914. 
balsams and with artificial products. The result of the experiments, which are not a 
yet quite completed, may be summarised as follows: The estimations of specific gravity, 
acid value, saponification value, iodine value, cinnameine-content, saponification and 
iodine-values of the cinnameine, resin-esters and constituents insoluble in ether, each 
taken by themselves, are incapable of establishing a differentiation of artificial from . 
genuine balsam, let alone the detection of an adulteration with artificial balsams. But 
when all the methods of testing are carried out successively, and, when the values 
thus obtained are compared with the corresponding values of a pure sample, it is 
quite possible to identify the genuine balsam on the one hand, and the artificial 
product on the other, as such. It is also possible in this way to detect the presence 
of considerable proportions of an artificial balsam in a genuine balsam, because in 
every case some determination or another gives an abnormal value. It is absolutely 
indispensable however, in such cases, always to have at one’s disposal a really genuine 
sample for purposes of comparison. Owing to the diversity of the artificial products 
it is also, of course, necessary not to be satisfied with quantitative methods, but to 
amplify them by qualtitative tests, for only by these combined methods is it possible 
to detect adulteration of the grosser kind, especially because no absolute but only 
relative requirements can be set up in testing. For there can be no doubt that even 
those imported balsams which have been pronounced genuine have been more or less 
sophisticated in the country of origin, and care should be taken that they remain in 
the condition in which they were imported, and are not still further adulterated in 
the country of destination. Hence those values and reactions should be used as a 
basis which experience has shown to apply to a product purchased from reliable 
commercial firms. 
Of the numerous qualitative tests only a few are of use. First among these 
Hager’s light petroleum test as modified by Enz should be mentioned: when 5 drops 
of genuine balsam are shaken up with about 8 cc. of cold light petroleum (temp. below 
12°C.), a resinous separation ensues, which immediately adheres firmly to the side of 
the test-tube. The light petroleum remains quite clear and no flocks or sandy or 
powdery constituents are separated out from it. It is important that light petroleum 
of a low density (0,650 to 0,660), should be used for the test. Another suitable test 
is that with nitric acid, applied by the method proposed by Fromme’): 2 grams of 
balsam are vigorously shaken in a medicine-bottle with 10 grams of light petroleum; 
the light petroleum is then filtered off into a dry porcelain dish which has previously 
been most carefully cleaned, first with sulphuric acid and afterwards with water; 
evaporated on a steam-bath, and the residual cinnameine again heated for 10 minutes 
more on the steam-bath. After cooling 5 drops of nitric acid (d 1,38) are added to it, 
and both liquids are mixed together quickly and thoroughly in a porcelain mortar 
which has also been most carefully cleaned, first with concentrated sulphuric acid and 
afterwards with water. Pure Peru balsam immediately gives a golden-yellow colour, 
artificial products take a different colour. 
In addition to the above, the two following qualititative tests of the Swiss Pharma- 
copeeia are said to deserve commendation. The first, the so-called carbon disulphide 
test, requires that 3 parts of Peru balsam shall give a clear solution with 1 part of 
carbon disulphide; when 9 parts more of carbon disulphide are added, a sticky brown 
resin is separated out which is soluble in dilute potash-liquor, and is again precipitated __ 
from the solution by dilute hydrochloric acid. The yellow carbon disulphide solution 
1) Compare Jahresbericht von Cdsar § Loretz, Sept. 1918, p. 115. 
