131 
BETANAPHTHOL. 
Lemaire, P., enumerates the several characteristics of the two 
naphtliols and of the methods and tests best suited for their differen- 
tiation. — Bull. Soc. Pharm., Bordeaux, 1905, v. 45, pp. 230-242. 
Riedel’s Berichte reports some investigations as to the boiling point 
o^ betanaplithol and notes variations in current literature. The new 
determinations would appear to indicate that the boiling point of this 
substance, at 760 mm. pressure, is about 296° C. — Riedel’s Berichte, 
Berlin, 1905, p. 47. 
Edlefsen, G., reports a study of betanaphthol, its elimination and 
the demonstration of its presence in the urine after ingestion of 
naphtlialin, benzonaphthol, and betanaphthol. — Arch. f. exper. Path, 
u. Pharmakol., 1905, v. 52, pp. 429-458. 
BISMUTHUM. 
The reviewer of the U. S. P., VIII, points out that the term “ bis- 
muthum ” is objectionable in view of the fact that well-known scien- 
tists have agreed on wismut and bismutum without the h. — Pharm. 
Ztg., Berlin, 1905, v. 50, p. 701. 
von Lippmann, Edward C., in a contribution to. the history of bis- 
muth, expresses the belief that the salts of this metal were known and 
used in the arts as early as the fourteenth century. — Chemiker Ztg., 
Cothen, 1905, v. 29, p. 719. 
Belavoine (Chem. Ztg., 1905, p. 333) discusses the several methods 
proposed for the quantitative estimation of bismuth and points out 
their defects. He asserts that good results may be obtained by reduc- 
tion with formaldehyde, the only objection being that the finely 
divided precipitate is readily oxidized on exposure to air. The most 
satisfactor} 7 results have been obtained by the electrolytic precipita- 
tion in the form of a bismuth-mercury amalgam, the objection to 
this method being that a minute error in the estimation of the mercury 
will materially change the accuracy of the results. — Pharm. Zentralh., 
1905, v. 46, p. 555. 
Miller and Cruser (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1905, v. 27, pp. 116-121) 
discuss the application of bismuth ammonium molybdate to gravi- 
metric analysis and particularly to the development of a gravimetric 
method for the estimation of bismuth. — Abstr. J. Soc. Chem. Ind., 
Bond., 1905, v. 24, p. 292. 
Hollard and Bertiaux discuss the estimation of bismuth in the 
presence of other metals, particularly of copper and of lead. They 
also outline a method for separating these substances by means of 
electrolysis. — Ann. de chim. analyt., Paris, 1905, v. 10, p. 11. 
Reichard (Pharm. Prax.) outlines a method for detecting traces 
of bismuth, in the presence of antimony, by the use of brucine or its 
