550 
NOTES AND ABSTRACTS IN CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACY. 
the normal carbonates, containing two atoms of alkali-metal in eacli molecule, 
must combine on equal terms—equivalent for equivalent—with a bivalent 
acid like the oxalic, whose formula, in the free state, exhibits two atoms of 
basic hydrogen. Therefore half an equivalent, or 63 grains of oxalic acid, will 
only neutralize half an equivalent of Potassae Carbonas or Sodse Carbonas, the 
weights of these, as shown by the table, being 83 and 143 grains respectively. 
The latter part of the sentence quoted above should consequently stand thus, 
“or alkaline bicarbonate,” or preferably “acid carbonate of the alkaline bases.’’ 
Dover , February 19 th, 1870. 
[It may be as well at once to state with reference to this communication, 
that, although it contains some useful information, the author is in error with 
reference to the test for diluted phosphoric acid. The Pharmacopoeia does 
not say that 355 grains of the acid yield 2155 grains of phosphate of lead 
P 2 O g , but that the fixed residue after being heated to dull redness will 
weigh 215 , 5 grains. This of course will consist of phosphate and oxide of 
lead. In the solution of bismuth, the quantity of oxide in fyj, which is really 
2'994 grains, has certainly been taken, in round numbers, as 3 grains. The 
reduction ot some of the iron in citrate of iron and quinine to the state of fer¬ 
rous salt is a well-known result in similar cases. 'We do not admit the just¬ 
ness of the remarks on arseniate, phosphate, and magnetic oxide of iron, on 
iodide of iron pill, and bromide and iodide of potassium. In the description 
of the volumetric solution of oxalic acid the terms used are right or wrong ac¬ 
cording to the notation or system referred to.—E d. Ph. J.] 
NOTES AND ABSTRACTS IN CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACY. 
A Uew Sulphur Acid. 
By the action of nascent hydrogen, developed either by the use of metallic 
zinc or by means of a voltaic battery upon sulphurous acid, M. Schutzenberger 
has succeeded in isolating a new acid, which possesses striking and peculiar pro¬ 
perties. The most stable derivative he has examined is the sodium salt, which 
lie prepares in the following manner :—A strong solution of bisulphite of soda 
is placed in contact with granulated zinc in a closed vessel, and the mixture 
kept cool. At the end of about half an hour the reaction is terminated, aud a 
pretty abundant crystallization of the double sulphite of zinc and sodium is de¬ 
posited. The liquid is then decanted, and mixed with three times its volume 
of strong spirit of wine. The clear alcoholic solution is, after a time, removed 
from the second crystalline deposit of double sulphite into a closed flask, which 
should be quite full, aud left in a cool place for some hours. 
In a longer or shorter time, according to the strength of the solution of bisul¬ 
phite employed, the liquid beeomes converted into a mass of fine colourless 
needles. These must now be collected on a cloth and pressed rapidly ; the 
moist mass thus obtained becomes heated instantly in contact with the air ; it 
is therefore necessary to remove it into a vacuum as quickly as possible. Once 
dry, the effloresced crystals are transformed into a white powder, which bears 
the action of oxygen without becoming heated. The remarkable compound 
thus obtained exhibits all the powerful deoxidizing powers of nascent hydrogen. 
The solution instantly decolorizes sulphate of indigo and litmus, precipitates hy¬ 
dride of copper from the sulphate of copper, and silver from nitrate of silver. 
The salt is very soluble in water, soluble in weak alcohol, but insoluble in strong 
alcohol. During the action of the zinc on the bisulphite in its preparation no 
hydrogen is evolved ; and the crystals, after their oxidation by the air, leave a 
residue formed colely of bisulphite of soda, aud the oxidation is not accompanied 
by the disengagement of sulphurous nor any other gas. 
