78 
unless vastly more than the amounts of ether, chloroform, etc., speci- 
fied be used. — Ibid . , v. 54, p. 441. 
Schaer, Edward, discusses the behavior of alkaloidal salts toward 
immiscible solvents and points out that during the contact of water 
immiscible solvents, such as chloroform, ether, etc., with neutral and 
especially acidulated solutions of alkaloidal salts, changes occur in 
consequence of which lesser or greater quantities of free alkaloid as 
well as alkaloidal salts are removed by these solvents. — Ibid., v. 54, 
pp. 425-427. 
Puckner, TY A., points out that in at least two particulars the 
verbiage of the directions in connection with the assav of mvdriatie 
drugs is not happily chosen. Thus, when extracting with immiscible 
solvents the specification shake the separator for half a minute “ is 
liable to convey the impression that vigorous agitation is required. 
Such action may be the cause of forming emulsions. Also, in the 
case of hyoscyamus, in the directions given for the evaporation of the 
chloroform prior to the titration, sufficient stress is not laid on the 
importance of insuring the complete evaporation of the volatile 
organic bases jmesent in the henbane. — Pharm. Rev., Milwaukee, 
1906. v. 24, p. 232. 
An editorial recounts some of the criticisms that have been made 
regarding the assay methods for aconite, ipecac, and physostigma. and 
suggests that thev and some of the other processes that have been 
criticised should be improved. — Am. Druggist, X. Y., 1906, v. 49, 
p. 159. 
Dohme, A. R. L., to illustrate the impracticability of obtaining 
absolutely accurate results in the assay of crude drugs, presents a 
table showing the results obtained bv seven well-known chemists 
using the same method of assay on the same drug. The figures for 
opium vary from 14.41 to 16.02 per cent: aconite from 0.81 to 1.21 
per cent: and belladonna leaf from 0.17 to 0.33 per cent of alkaloid 
sought. — Ibid., v. 49, p. 268. 
Yanderkleed, Charles E.. regrets that the pharmacopoeia does not 
more emphatically advocate the use of iodeosin as an indicator in 
alkaloidal assays. He outlines his method of using this indicator. — 
Proc. Pennsylvania Pharm. Ass., 1906. p. 134. 
Moerk, Frank X., points out that the difference in the quantity 
of tenth normal sulphuric acid consumed in the several titrimetric 
assavs necessarilv gives a wide range to the resulting error and sug- 
gests that the quantities that are directed to be used for the assays be 
readjusted so as to require a more uniform volume of the volumetric 
solution and thus make the error inherent in the assay process as near 
as possible an uniform one. — Ibid p. 159. 
