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Lefelclt, Max, discusses the determination of the ester number of 
wax, and asserts that the determination as directed by the Ph. Germ. 
IV, gives false, invariably low results. He outlines a method for 
determining the acid, ester, and saponification number of wax. — Ber. 
d. pharm. Gesellsch., Berl., 1906, v. 16, p. 331. 
Bohrisch and Richter discuss the physical and chemical properties 
of yellow wax and record analytical data. — Pharm. Zentralh., 1906, 
v. 47, pp. 201-213, 227-233, 270-278, 299-304. 311-313. 
G. Hell & Co., in Troppau, consider the determination of the acid, 
saponification, and ester numbers as being of prime importance. 
They do not recommend the cold method, as the resulting figures are 
frequently low. Of 9 samples submitted 4 were refused as being 
unsatisfactory. Two of the samples refused contained stearic acid, 
1 contained paraffin and ceresin, and 1 contained rosin and tallow. — 
Pharm. Post, Wien, 1906, v. 39, p. 150. 
Bedall, C., asserts that wax can not be saponified by the method 
directed by the Ph. Germ. IV in one-half hour and suggests that the 
boiling be directed for at least one hour in connection with a reflux 
condenser. — Apoth. Ztg., Berl., 1906, v. 21, p. 852. 
Lackey, R. H., quotes a correspondent who asserts that yellow 
beeswax is one of the articles nearlv alwavs adulterated. He has 
*/ c/ 
little hesitation in stating that every manufacturer of yellow beeswax, 
on an order for pure yellow beeswax, will supply an article that is not 
pure, and the strictly pure can only be obtained if the lots as delivered 
are carefully tested. — Proc. Pennsylvania Pharm. Ass., 1906, p. 117. 
Fernan, Albert, reports 2 samples of wax, out of 14, adulterated 
with stearin and paraffin. Recommends that the Weinwurm test for 
paraffin be included in the pharmacopoeia. — Ztschr. cl. allgen. osterr. 
Apoth. -Ver., 1906, v. 44, p. 79. 
Mansfeld, M., reports a sample of wax which was found to contain 
from 8 to 10 per cent stearic acid. Another sample of “ guaranteed 
genuine beeswax ” consisted of 30 per cent of wax and 70 per cent of 
ceresin or paraffin artificially colored. — Ibid., v. 44, p. 617. 
Dieterich, Karl, reports on a total of 60 samples of yellow wax 
and 3 samples of white wax. The specific gravity of the several 
samples varied from 0.9180 to 0.9670, and the melting point from 
57.0° to 65.0° C. The acid number of the samples of yellow wax, 
varied from 1.86 to 20.53 and the white wax from 21.46 to 23.40. Of 
the total number of samples, 51 did not comply fully with all the re- 
quirements. — Helfenberger Annalen, 1905, 1906, v. 18, pp. 134-136. 
Barnard, H. E., reports that of 87 samples of yellow or natural 
beeswax examined, 60 contained paraffin in quantities ranging from 
10 to 100 per cent, while but 2 out of 70 samples of white wax were 
free from paraffin. He also discusses the use of the butvro refracto- 
meter of Zeiss in determining the purity of beeswax, the refractive 
