THE AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY. 
11 
of leaves, &c., are now much more minute and correct, and will require the 
attention of our lecturers and students. Under radix aconiti we have now 
intelligible description of the root. How different from the vagueness of the 
old B.P. 
I am glad to notice that the quantity of benzoin has been reduced in adept 
benzoatus. I have always found the quantity excessive. The mode of preparing 
adeps preparatus is entirely and very wisely altered. The old method with 
water was very objectionable in every way. The quantity of lime is increased 
in the formula for ether purus. 
Aloes. The characteristics of Barbadoes and socotrine aloes are given more 
minutely. “ Cura^oa aloes’* is mentioned in this edition, and its difference pointed 
out. It “is more glossy and translucent” than ordinary Barbadoes aloes, and has 
a distinctive odour. The true species is given which yields socotrine aloes — aloe 
Perryi. Aloin is introduced, with which we are familiar. 
Alumen exsiccatum is now very properly ordered to be made from potassium 
alum. 
To the tests for bromide ammonium a volumetric standard is added. 
Ammonium carbonate has now a different formula, H X1 C 2 0 5 = 1G7 ; it 
was H 16 C 3 0 8 . This salt is now considered to be a compound of one molecule 
each of carbonate and carbamate of ammoniun — 62*3 grains equal to 1000 grains 
of standard oxalic acid, instead of 59 grains; 20 grains equal to 26 J of citric 
acid and 28J of tartaric, instead of 23| and 25| respectively. The sp. gr. of 
amyl nitrite is now 0*880 — it was 0*877 — and the tests are more exact. Under 
amylum we have microscopic tests given to enable the pharmacist to distinguish 
wheat starch from maize and rice. In the description of fructus anethi and 
other fruits the botanist has evidently been at work carefully. The fruit of the 
illicium anisatum is now made official. Pharmaceutical students will do well to 
carefully study the botanical description of the new Pharmacopoeia . 
Black antimony is now purified by treatment with ammonia to ensure the 
absence of arsenious compounds. 
All the waters, with the exception of camphor and "chloroform, are to be dis- 
tilled. In the United States Ph. the oils can be used, being dissolved in the 
water by means of cotton wool. Aq. rosa and sambuci now make 5 gallons 
instead of 2 from the same quantity of petals and flowers. The test for silver is 
made more definite. 
We are now informed that 50 or 60 per cent, of asafeetida should be soluble 
in rectified spirit. Formerly “it dissolved almost entirely in spirit.” A neat 
test is given for balsam of Tolu. A thin film is to be pressed between two 
pieces of glass, and examined with a lens, and should exhibit an abundance of 
crystals of cinnamic acid. The characters and tests for belladonna root are now 
much extended, and demand careful attention by those who prepare the 
liniment or extract. The solution of bismuth is now to be prepared from the 
citrate, and is a great improvement upon the old method, freedom from arsenio, 
etc., being assured. The purification of metallic bismuth is now in accord 
with correct metallurgical methods, but we cannot go into details, as I find 
the time at my command too short. I must confine my remarks now to only 
salient points. 
Calx chlorimata — formerly chlorata, which was very incorrect — must have 33 
per cent, of available Cl. ; it was 30 per cent. Calx sulphurata is a new 
preparation, and not much used, but well known to us. It is difficult to keep, 
and only very small quantities should be made at a time. I notice that the 
vague and often unintelligible term “ lines,” as a measure of parts of an inch, is 
now discarded. Under carbo. animalis the word charcoal is changed to carbon. 
