119 
Ehman, J. W., reports that H. Seidman found great variations in 
the strength of diluted acetic acid obtained from both wholesale and 
retail sources: three from wholesale stores assa} T ed 8.25 per cent, 10.44 
pea’ cent, 13.09 per cent; three from retail stores, 5.25 per cent, 5.83 
per cent, 11. 04 per cent; none of the six showed more than traces of 
impurities. — Am. J. Pharm., Phila., 1906, v. 78, p. 417. 
Caspari, Chas. E., reports 3 samples examined : 1 U. S. P. ; 1 con- 
tained sulphuric acid; 1 reduced potassium permanganate. — Proc. 
Missouri Pharm. Ass., 1906, p. 100. 
Blome, W. H., reports on ten samples of acetic acid varying from 
5.55 to 31 per cent of absolute acid ; almost all of these contained 
empyreumatic matter. The odor of some was quite unpleasant. The 
facts adduced, he thinks, suggest the necessity of all manufacturers 
and wholesalers declaring the strength of this article on the label. — 
Proc. Michigan Pharm. Ass., 1906, p. 106. 
Miller, Wayne T., reports on three samples of acetic acid which 
contained, respectively, 98.61 per cent, 4.55 per cent, and 27.16 per 
cent of absolute acid ; one contained a small amount of sulphuric acid 
and two empyreumatic substances. The article gives the calculations 
in full. — Proc. Indiana Pharm. Ass., 1906, pp. 200-202. 
ACIDUM ACETICUM GLACIALE. 
Fernan, Albert, reports that a sample of concentrated (glacial) 
acetic acid contained 94.1 per cent of absolute acid, but evidenced a 
decided empyreumatic odor. Ztsch. d. allg. osterr. Apoth.-Ver., 
Wien, 1906, v. 18, p. 79. 
The Ph. Brit. Committee of Reference in Pharmacy reports that 
for glacial acetic acid titration requires 98.9 per cent, and melting 
point 99.5 per cent. They recommend to change the latter from 
15.5° to 14.7° C. — Chem. & Drug., Loud., 1906, v. 69, p. 862. 
ACIDUM BENZOICUM. 
Graham, Willard, points out that the physical properties of ben- 
zoic acid are not necessarily an indication of its quality. Several 
samples were examined, and in one or two cases the acid was found 
to be unfit for manufacturing purposes, as it contained a coloring 
matter which produced a bright purple color with solution of sodium 
carbonate. — Proc. Pennsylvania Pharm. Ass., 1906, p. 153. 
Cormimboeuf and Grosman find that the odor developed by the 
addition of carbonate of soda to a hot solution of natural benzoic 
acid is aromatic, very agreeable, and sui generis , while that developed 
by the synthetic product is pungent, very different, and resembles 
parsley; this latter odor, however, is easily masked. For further 
