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AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ETHICS. 
Absolutely the same change is effected by copper, and it is impossible to dis¬ 
tinguish the colour caused by the one metal from that produced by the other. 
The author states that by this test an appreciable change of colour is produced 
in water, containing only one part of iron or copper in twenty millions, and 
that it will give indications when galls, sulphocyanide, and prussiate of potash 
fail. He has even found that water passing through an iron pump or a copper 
pipe will sometimes assume a blue tint with the tincture. In such a case he 
attributes the action on the metal to carbonic acid in the water, because he 
finds that, after boiling the water, the tincture ceases to react. 
The blue colour which results from the union of the hsematoxylin with one or 
the other metal, precipitates after several days in light voluminous flocks, in 
which it is easy to recognize either iron or copper. If an excess of the reagent 
has been employed the metals are completely precipitated, and the liquor 
remains violet or yellowish according to the nature of the water. An appreci¬ 
able blue deposit is obtained when the water contains only a five-millionth of 
the metal. 
Pyrophosphate of Iron and Soda. 
The ‘Journal d 1 Anvers ’ gives the following method for preparing this double 
salt:— 
A solution of 6 parts of pyrophosphate of soda in 120 parts of water is mixed 
with another solution containing 13 parts of liquid perchloride of iron of 
l - 44 sp. gr. and 78 parts of water. The precipitate is washed, and then dis¬ 
solved in a warm solution of 4 parts of anhydrous pyrophosphate of soda in 36 
parts of water. The liquor is evaporated till a pellicle forms, and allowed to 
crystallize. I he crystals are dried at the ordinary temperature. Or the con¬ 
centrated solution may be precipitated by the addition of four times its volume 
of strong alcohol. A translucid white precipitate is obtained. 
The ferric pyrophosphate of soda occurs in the form of yellowish transparent 
plates. Its composition is stated to be (Na 4 P 2 0 7 ) 3 (Fe 2 2P0 4 ) 2 20H 2 O. 
AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ETHICS. 
Sweet Quinine. 
A preparation has been sold and advertised in the United States under the 
name of “ biceet Quinine of "which the following description is given by the 
advertiser:— 
“Dr. Bullock’s preparation, entitled ‘Sweet Quinine,’ is made from the best Peruvian 
baik, and has as positive and reliable tonic and anti-periodic power as the common 
bitter quinine. Lmlike the latter, however, it has no bitterness, but a sweet taste 
instead. This important advantage constitutes its superiority for use by all—adults or 
children—who object to the nauseous bitterness of common quinine. 
“ Sweet quinine is not offered as a substitute for common, bitter quinine, but to re- 
place its use, representing it thoroughly, may be trusted in the most important and ob¬ 
stinate cases. 
“ Sweet quinine is to be used in all intermittent, or other diseases, requiring quinine 
or Peruvian bark. 
“ Sold in bottles containing one ounce. 
“Prices will always be at least ten per cent, less than common quinine.” 
Referring to this preparation and advertisement, the ‘ American Journal of 
Pharmacy’ for July last, contained an article entitled, “ Sweet Quinine : what 
is it ? ” by the editor, in which he says :— 
W e have been repeatedly asked the nature of the substance thrown into commerce 
by Mr. Frederick Stearns, under the name of ‘ Sweet Quinine.’ In the March number 
