416 
Reichard, C., reviews the reactions and tests for narcein. — Ibid., 
v. 47, pp. 1028-1031. 1048-1051. 
Weigel, G., points out that the Ph. Ndl. IV, requirement that 
opium contain not more than 15 per cent of moisture is rather 
difficult to meet, as many commercial samples contain from 16 to 18 
per cent. — Ibid., v. 47, p. 422. 
Vanderkleed, C. E., points out that powdered and deodorized 
opium and the tinctures of opium and deodorized opium have been 
nominally decreased m strength. Gum opium remains the same, and 
extract of opium has been increased in strength. Actually, however, 
on account of the newly required lime-water purification of the crvs- 
tallized morphine obtained by the process of assaying, the strengths 
are, in effect, all increased — the two tinctures and the powdered and 
deodorized opium very slightly, the gum markedly, and the extract 
much more than a simple consideration of the nominal increase from 
18 to 20 per cent of morphine would indicate. — Proc. Pennsylvania 
Pharm. Ass., 1906, p. 122. 
Caesar and Loretz suggest the estimation of the moisture content of 
opium and outline a method for the determination of morphine 
present. For the latter they prefer the estimation of the amount of 
anhydrous morphine in the water-free opium. — Geschafts. Ber. v. 
Caesar & Loretz, 1906, pp. 107, 108. 
Dohme, A. R. L., points out that in the preliminary work relating 
to the adoption of assays for the U. S. P. VIII, seven reputable 
chemists, operating on the same sample of drug by the same process, 
differed in the percentage quantity of morphine found in opium 
from 14.44 to 16.02 per cent. — Am. Druggist, X. Y., 1906, v. 49, p. 268. 
Kebler. L. F., submits results obtained by nine analvsts with 
powdered opium by three different methods: (1) IT.. S. P. VIII. 
with additions; (2) IT. S. P. VIII, modified by Lamar; (3) combi- 
nation method. The results obtained are presented in the form of a 
table, for ready comparsion. The results obtained varied from 10.68 
to 13.15 per cent of morphine. Average, 12.29. — Proc. Off. Agr. 
Chem., 23rd. Ann. Conv., pp. 132-134. (Bull. Bur. Chem. IT. S. 
Dept. Agric., 1907, Xo. 105.) 
Moerk, Frank X., points out that all of the opium assays, except- 
ing that for the extract, are directed to have uniform concentration 
and uniform quantities of alcohol, ether, and ammonia are directed. 
To secure uniformity in all of the opium assay processes it would 
onlv be necessarv to increase the weight of the extract and the 
aqueous solution to 6 and 20 gm. respectively. — Proc. Pennsylvania 
Pharm. Ass., 1906, p. 160. 
Puckner, W. A., reviews some of the literature relating to the assay 
of opium and points out that to the disappointment of the many 
who have been favorably impressed with the concordant results 
