74 
3. ASH DETERMINATIONS. 
Frerichs, G., suggests that for uniformity and convenience the 
pharmacopoeia should direct the maximum quantity of substances 
that should leave no weighable residue on incineration. He sug- 
gests the quantities for a number of official substances, also gives a 
list of substances that should leave no residue, and a maximum 
ash content for a number of official drugs. — Apoth. Ztg., Berl., 1906, 
v. 21, pp. 937-939. 
Kebler, L. F., says it is undoubtedly impossible for a druggist to 
ascertain the quality of all his wares, but he ought to take sufficient 
professional pride in his business to apply a few simple tests to 
determine their purity, especially when the testing is of so simple a 
nature as an ash determination. — Drug. Circ. & Chem. Gaz., X. Y., 
1906, v. 50, p. 163. 
von Konek, F.. presents some observations of interest in connection 
with ash determinations. — Chem. Ztg.. Cothen, 1906. v. 30. pp. 567, 
568. 
Cowie and Dickson report on the ash percentage and its composi- 
tion in samples of commercial eclectic resinoids: Euonymin, iridin, 
leptandrin, and podophyllin. — Pharm. J., Bond., 1906, v. 22, pp. 
220 , 221 . 
The following table, adapted from the Gesclnifts Berieht von 
Caesar & Loretz (1906, p. 4). will serve to illustrate the requirements 
made by the several pharmacopoeias published in 1905 and 1906 in 
regard to ash content : 
Name of drug. 
U. S. P. 
VIII. 
Ph. Ndl. 
IV. 
Ph. Belg. 
in. 
Ph. Austr. 
VIII. 
Per cent. 
Per cent. 
Per cent. 
Per cent. 
Acacia 
4 
4 
5 
3 
Anisum 
12 
5 
Cardamomum 
4 
3 to 8 
10 
Cinnamomum 
4 
4 to 8 
7 
5 
Caryophyllus 
8 
6 
8 
Cinchona 
4 ' 
6 
Granatum 
8 to 15 
10 
Ipecacuanha 
1.8 to 6 
5 
Rhamnus purshiana 
10 
6 
Rheum 
5 to 12 
12 
4. ALKALOIDS. 
Puckner, AY. A., discusses the meaning of the term alkaloid, some 
applying the term to all vegetable bases, while others restrict the 
term to those bases which are related to pyridine, according to which 
definition caffeine and even morphine are excluded. — Pharm. Rev., 
Milwaukee, 1906, v. 24, p. 228. „ 
