76 
THE CHEMIST AND DRUGGIST. 
January, 1883. 
experiments that the germs of diphtheria and scarlatina might 
soon be detected and isolated, and that they too, by cultivation, 
might be sufficiently mitigated in their virulence to permit of 
their injection in the prophylaxis of two of the most fatal 
diseases of the nursery, after the same manner that we now pre- 
vent small-pox ? A year has, however, passed without a 
realisation of the hope. Will it ever be realised ? 
Koch has detected, or at least has flattered himself that he 
has detected, the bacillus which on infesting the system causes 
consumption, the most fatal of the diseases to which human 
flesh is heir. This discovery has, however, not borne any fruit 
in practical results in either man or animal ; and granting that 
he has not deceived himself, as some observers claim that he 
has, it is somewhat difficult to see wherein any such result is 
to accrue. 
Tommasi-Crudeli, in Europe, and Sternberg, under the direc- 
tion of the National Board of Health, in this country, have 
been investigating the bacillus malarias, with, however, no 
harmony of result, the former claiming to have found the 
bacillus, and the latter either denying or doubting its exis- 
tence. Any hope that these experiments might settle for 
ever the vexed question of the material nature of the cause of 
fever and ague has not yet been justified, and although the 
investigations and speculations of these gentlemen are inter- 
esting from a scientific point of view, their fruit in practical 
lesults is as yet problematical. 
The investigations and experiments of Drs. Wood and 
Formad, into the origin and causation of diphtheria, have 
been extremely interesting. Their only practical result thus 
far has been in the direction of establishing the fact of the 
local origin of the disease— that is, that it originates on the 
mucous membrane of the throat and afterwards becomes 
systemic, instead of vice versa, as many have held. These 
experiments have moreover been decidedly in support of the 
view of the unity as opposed to the duality of diphtheria and 
croup. 
In the midst of the activity above indicated, and in spite of 
the fact that the practical outcome is as yet little or nothing, 
it will be seen that when such outcome is developed, if haply 
it ever is, it will not surprise us or find us unprepared to avail 
ourselves of the immense possibilities which they have in 
store . — Therapeutic Gazette. 
washed, and dissolved in the smallest quantity of hydrochloric 
acid. The solution so obtained is poured into an excess of an 
aqueous solution of pure caustic soda contained in a large 
platinum crucible. After heating for some time, the liquid is 
considerably diluted and filtered. The filtrate is acidulated 
with hydrochloric acid, a few drops of sodium phosphate 
added, and then a slight excess of ammonia. The liquid is 
kept hot till all smell of ammonia is lost, when it is filtered, 
and the precipitated aluminium phosphate washed, ignited, 
and weighed. Its weight, multiplied by 3'686, gives the am- 
monium alum, or by 3*873, the potassium alum in the 100 
grams of bread taken. The amount so found requires a correc- 
tion equal to the percentage of silica obtained. By multiply- 
ing the percentage of alum by 280, the number of grains of 
alum per four-pound loaf will be obtained. The number of 
miligrams of AIP0 4 per 100 grams of the bread gives, without 
calculation, a close approximation to the number of grains of 
ammonium alum per four-pound loaf. 
Throughout the foregoing process the use of porcelain vessels 
should be wholly avoided, and care should be taken that the 
alkaline liquids are not heated in glass. The caustic soda em- 
ployed should be scrupulously free from alumina. 
IN THE TRUST ESTATE OF 
HOOD & CO., 
NO, 147 ELIZABETH STREET, 
Wholesale & Retail Chemists & Druggists. 
TENDERS will be received at our Office, Gresham 
Chambers, No. 10 Elizabeth St., up to 12 noon on 
Wednesday, the 31st inst., for either one or more 
lots, or the whole of the assets in this estate, as 
undermentioned 
DETERMINATION OF ALUM IN BREAD. 
We take the following from Allen's Commercial Organic 
Analysis , Yol. II., 399, which work should be on the shelves of 
every library : — 
Of the constituents of alum, the only one which is of 
service for its determination in bread is the aluminium. Pure 
wheat grain appears to be wholly destitute of aluminium com- 
pounds, but commercial wheat flour, to which no alum has 
been added, is apt to contain small, but sensible traces of 
aluminium derived from extraneous mineral matter. Such 
aluminium is present as silicate, and gives no blue colour with 
the logwood test. On the„other hand, all the ordinary methods 
of quantitatively estimating the alum are incapable of dis- 
tinguishing between the aluminium present as silicate and 
that existing in a soluble form. Hence, it is usual to make a 
correction for the aluminium present as silicate. This is 
difficult to do with any approach to accuracy, but it may be 
taken as a rule that from the amount of alum calculated from 
the total aluminium in the bread should be subtracted a weight 
equal to the silica found, when the difference will be approxi- 
mately the true amount of alum added. 
The following method should be employed for the determi- 
nation of the total alumina and silica in bread — 100 grams’ 
weight oi the sample is dried at 100° C., and then incinerated. 
This is best done by heating it in a platinum tray (about 
five inches by three) in a gas-muffie, but may also be effected 
in a platinum dish or large crucible placed over a Bunsen’s 
burner. The heat should be moderate, so as to avoid fusion of 
the ash. The process is completed by adding pure sodium 
carbonate and a little nitre, and heating the mixture to fusion. 
The product is rinsed out with water into a beaker, acidulated 
with hydrochloric acid, and evaporated to dryness. The residue 
is taken up with dilute acid, and the liquid filtered from the 
silica, which is washed, dried, and weighed. To the solution 
dilute ammonia is added, till the precipitate barely redissolves 
on stirring, when a slightly acid solution of ammonium ace- 
tate is added, and the whole allowed to stand in the cold for 
twelve hours. The liquid is then filtered, the precipitate 
Lot 1 will consist of the stock of drugs, &c., in the shop 
and passage, amounting to £732 4s. Id. 
Stock of Hood’s Patent Sheep Dip. together with the plant, 
in good working order, and the exclusive right for 
manufacturing same subject to a royalty of £5 per ton, 
£212 8s. 8d. 
Fixtures and fittings, including large Tann’s iron safe, double 
door, £300. Total lot 1, £1244 12s. 9d. 
The goodwill of the business, including the trustees’ interest 
in the lease of the premises, having nearly five years to 
run, at a rental of £360 per annum ; also, premises at the 
back at a weekly rental of ten shillings, used for storage 
purposes and where the sheep dip is manufactured. 
Lot 2. — Stock in upper flat 
Lot 3. — Stock in middle flat 
Lot 4. — Stock in cellar 
Lot 5. — Stock in office 
Lot 6. — Stock in storeroom 
Lot 7. — Stock in shed and yard 
Lot 8. — Book debts, good ... 
,, doubtful 
£1068 18 10 
1402 2 2 
661 19 5 
600 12 0 
803 15 2 
1139 2 8 
601 17 2 
162 14 4 
The disposal of the above presents a desirable opportunity 
for any person in want of a really first-class business to which 
is attached a large and remunerative connexion. 
The business is being carried on, and intending tenderers 
will be afforded every facility for an inspection of the stock 
and books. 
Stock lists may be seen and forms of tender obtained on the 
premises, Elizabeth-street, or at our office. 
DAYEY, COLE & FLACK, 
Trade Assignees. 
All tenders must be accompanied by marked cheque or bank 
draft equal to ten per cent, of amount tendered. 
