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official. The conditions demanded in properly executing the cinchona 
assay are so exacting as to render it unfit for the use of the chemist or 
pharmacist who is lacking in very considerable skill, and more par- 
ticularly a great deal of experience. — Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 1906, 
v. 54, p. 453. 
Lyons, A. B., reports that 9 of the 12 replies received were in 
favor of the U. S. P. standard of 4.0 gm. of anhydrous ether soluble 
alkaloids in 100 cc. of fluid extract of cinchona. He calls attention 
to several changes he would like to see incorporated in the assay for 
ether soluble alkaloids in cinchona. He thinks the directions should 
direct reducing the temperature of the fluids to 15° C. and main- 
taining this temperature during the shaking process. — Proc. Am. 
Pharm. Ass., 1906, v. 54, pp. 437-440. 
Gordin, H. M., asserts that the use of aliquot parts in alkaloidal 
assaying is objectionable and outlines a method for the assay of cin- 
chona, in which he extracts the alkalized fluid extract with a mixture 
of ether and chloroform, shakes out the resulting solution with dilute 
sulphuric acid, and extracts the alkaloids from this solution with 
chloroform. — Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 1906, v. 54, pp. 380, 381. (See 
also Am. J. Pharm., Phila., 1906, v. 78, pp. 455—462.) 
Kebler, L. F., reports the results obtained in a cooperative investi- 
gation of the assay of cinchona. The results obtained by seven 
analysts, with three methods given in detail, are reported in a table 
for ready reference and are commented on at some length by the 
referee. The variation in the total alkaloids found was from 3 to 
3.93 per cent and the variation of ether soluble alkaloids by the 
U. S. P. VIII was from 2.16 to 3.14 per cent. — Proc. Ass. Off. Agric. 
Chem. 23d Ann. Conv., pp. 134-136. (Bull. Bur. Chem. U. S. Dept. 
Agric., 1907, Xo. 105.) 
Dohme, A. R. L., believes that in the assay of high-grade cinchona 
bark the amount of solvent should be increased to extract all the 
alkaloids.- He reports a variation of from 3.51 to 4.28 per cent in 
the amount of alkaloid found in the same sample of F. E. cinchona, 
by the same process, by seven analysts. — Am. Druggist, X. Y., 1906, 
v. 49, pp. 267, 268. 
Panchaud, A., discusses the assay of cinchona and the relative 
value of titrimetric and gravimetric estimations. He points out that 
in using a mixture of ether and chloroform it is important to avoid 
decomposition of the chloroform and the partial or even complete 
neutralization of the alkaloids by the resulting hydrochloric acid. — 
Schweiz. Wchnsehr. f. Chem. u. Pharm., 1906, v. 44, pp. 580-582. 
Matolcsy, X. (Pharm. Post. 1906, v. 39, pp. 345-347), presents a 
method of quantitative analysis of the alkaloids in the bark, extract, 
and tincture of cinchona by means of amyl alcohol. — J. de pharm. et 
de chim. Par., 1906, v. 24, p. 316. 
