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POTASSII CYANIDUM. 
Kebler, Lyman F., reports finding two samples of potassium 
cyanide ; one labeled “ Keagent,” contained 94.6 per cent of potassium 
cyanide, the balance largely chloride ; and another, labeled “ C. P.,” 
contained but 89.64 per cent of the pure chemical. — Proc. Am. Pharm. 
Ass., 1905, y. 53, p. 188. 
Jollyman, W. H., reports being able to detect the presence of potas- 
sium cyanide some time after the death of the animal, thus demon- 
strating the resistance of potassium cyanide during decomposition. — 
Apoth. Ztg., Berlin, 1905, p. 972, v. 20 (from Ann. de Chim. analyt.). 
POTASSII HYDROXIDUM. 
Kebler, Lyman F., reports finding a sample of potassium hydroxide 
labeled “Strictly C. P. (free from sulphur)” which contained sul- 
phate and chloride. — Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 1905, y. 53, p. 188. 
Thiele and Marc outline the preparation of a stable alcoholic 
potash solution prepared by decomposing potassium sulphate with 
barium hydroxide and dissolving the resulting potassium hydrate in 
alcohol. — J. Soc. Chem. Ind., Lond., 1905, v. 24, p. 103 (from Ztsch. 
f. offentl. Chem.). 
Haupt suggests that a permanently colorless alcoholic solution of 
potassium hydroxide can be prepared by dissolving 35 gm. of potas- 
sium hydroxide in sticks in 100 cc. of absolute alcohol, removing the 
insoluble carbonate and diluting the resulting solution with 90 per 
cent alcohol to the desired concentration. 4 N. solution will remain 
colorless for months at a time. — Pharm. Zentralh., 1905, v. 46, p. 569. 
Alvarez, E. P., asserts that a 5 per cent solution of eikonogen or 
sodium amino-naphthol-sulphonate is a more delicate reagent for 
potassium in neutral solutions of potassium salts than is platinic 
chloride.— J. Soc. Chem. Ind., Lond., 1905, v. 24, p. 637 (from Compt.- 
rend., 1905, v. 140, pp. 1186-1187). 
POTASSIUM IODIDI. 
Caspari, Charles E., examined forty samples of potassium iodide, 
only ten of which answered all of the tests of the U. S. P. Five con- 
tained an excess of alkali, five contained sodium, ten samples con- 
tained sulphate, nitrate, and chloride, and in twelve samples small 
quantities of iodate were found. — Proc. Missouri Pharm. Ass., 1905, 
p. 74. 
The committee on adulteration examined eight samples of potas- 
sium iodide, only two of which answered all of the requirements of 
the U. S. P. Two samples had a small amount of iodate, three had 
sulphates and chlorides, and one had an excess of alkali. — Proc. Mich- 
igan Pharm. Ass., 1905, p. 79. 
