365 
Reichard, C., outlines a modification of the formaldehyde reaction 
for morphine. He suggests the use of stannous chloride in place of 
the sulphuric acid, and asserts that the resulting violet color will be 
permanent. — Pharm. Zentralh., 1906, v. 16, pp. 247-249. 
Mai and Rath discuss the colorimetric estimation of minute quan- 
tities of morphine. They were able to get the most satisfactory 
results from the use of a mixture of a small quantity of formaldehyde 
1 solution with sulphuric acid, Marquis’s reagent, which gives an in- 
tense violet color with morphine. — Arch. d. pharm. Berl., 1906, v. 244, 
pp. 300, 301. 
Radulescu, D., (Bull. Soc. Scient. d. Bucuresci.) outlines what he 
believes to be a characteristic color reaction for morphine. To an 
aqueous solution of morphine is added a crystal of sodium nitrite 
with sufficient acid to liberate the nitrous acid. Before effervescence 
has ceased, an excess of solution of potassium hydroxide is added. 
In the presence of morphine a pale rose to ruby red tint will be devel- 
oped, according to the amount present. — Pharm. J., Lond., 1906, v. 
' 22, p. 501. 
Georges and Gascard outline a colorimetric process for the detec- 
tion of morphine in toxicologic work. — J. de pharm. et de chim., 
Par., 1906, v. 23, pp. 513-516. 
Francis, John M., notes that morphine acetate loses a portion of 
the acetic acid with age and becomes less soluble. This can of course 
1 . & 
be easily corrected by the use of a little acid in dispensing. — Bull. 
Pharm., Detroit, 1906, v. 20, p. 98. 
The Ph. Brit. Committee of Reference in Pharmacy report on 
morphine hydrochloride, says the solubility in water is 1 in 25, and 1 
gram dissolves in 69 c. c. of alcohol (90 per cent). In the precipita- 
tion test the salt should be dissolved in 50 c. c. of warm morphinated 
water (not 250 c. c.) and the precipitated morphine should weigh 1.5 
to 1.51 gm. — Client. & Drug., Lond., 1906, v. 69, p. 864. 
Lowe, C. B., points out that the average dose in the U. S. P. VIII 
for morphine sulphate is one-fourth grain, while the average dose of 
tincture of opium is given as being 8 minims, equaling a morphine 
strength of one-tenth grain, whereas 20 minims would have been 
equal to one-fourth grain. — Proc. Pennsylvania Pharm. Ass., 1906, 
pp. 101, 102. 
Garceau, Edgar, warns against the use of morphine to relieve the 
pain from injections of corrosive sublimate in the treatment of tuber- 
culosis of the urinary tract in women if it can be avoided. — J. Am. M. 
Ass., 1906, v. 47, p. 1441. 
Hare, Francis, states that the relief afforded by morphine in 
asthma is entirely consistent with the theory of bronchial constric- 
tion as well as with the vasomotor theory in his article; in the latter 
