223 
Nicloux, Maurice, concludes that while chloral may undergo de- 
composition with the formation of chloroform, the quantity of the 
latter is insufficient to produce anaesthesia, therefore the action of 
chloral is specific. — Compt. rend. Soc. de biol. Par., 1906, v. 60, pp. 
320-322. 
Fonteyne, A., gives a number of historical and pharmacological ref- 
erences in addition to the details of his own researches on the action 
of hydrated chloral on circulation and respiration. — Arch, internat. 
de pharmacod. et de therap. Par., 1906, v. 16, pp. 377-387. (See also 
“ General Conclusions,” Ibid., p. 4-19 ff.) 
Brower, D. B., uses chloral only with reluctance in the insomnia 
of insanity. — J. Am. M. Ass., 1906, v. 47, p. 84. 
CHLOEOFORMUM. 
Trechzinski, R. M. (Protoe. of the Russ. phys.-chem. Ass.), out- 
lines a method for the electrolytic production of chloroform from 
calcium chloride and alcohol. — Pharm. Ztg., Berl., 1906, v. 51, p. 523. 
The Ph. Brit. Committee of Reference in Pharmacy report on 
chloroform says: 
Test by odor with 10 cc., and revise the sulphuric acid test. — Chem. & Drug. 
Lond., 1906, v. 69, p. 863. 
Maillard and Ranc present a method for the purification of chloro- 
form. — Compt. rend. Soc. de biol., Par., 1906, v. 61, p. 483. 
Arzberger (Pharm. Post) points out that in the determination of 
the boiling point of chloroform it is important that the distillation 
be continued until the last drops have been vaporized and that a per- 
ceptible rise of temperature at this point indicates the presence of 
water, which tends to aid in the decomposition of chloroform. — 
Pharm. Ztg., Berl., 1906, v. 51, p. 321. 
Weigel, G., points out that the Ph. Ndl. TV requirements for 
chloroformum ad narcosin are rather stringent. They provide a test 
for decomposition products with sulphuric acid, Xessler's reagent, and 
the evaporation test. — Pharm. Zentralh., 1906, v. 47, p. 400. 
Schoorl and van den Berg discuss the influence of incandescent gas 
light on chloroform. On exposure up to four hundred and seventy- 
eight hours chloroform remained unchanged. — From Pharm. 
Weekbl., 1906, v. 43; Chem. Centralbl., Berl., 1906, v. 77, p. 696. 
Kicloux, Maurice, outlines a method for the quantitative determina- 
tion of minute quantities of alcohol in chloroform. — Bull. Soc. de 
Chirn., Par., 1906, v. 35, pp. 330-335. 
In the Department of Pharmacy attention is called to the insta- 
bility of chloroform, its liability to become resolved into simpler 
derivative bodies, the most objectionable of which are substances con- 
taining chlorine and hydrochloric acid. The pharmacist or the 
physician should assure himself that the chloroform used for an- 
