842 
NOTE ON IRISH-GROWN JALAP. 
It may be a basin, a beaker, or a flask. This I think is not quite a matter of 
indifference, and a correct result, and a successful operation, is dependen 
UP Formv experimental operation I used a one-gallon tubulated retort and, in 
order to distribute any errois of manipulation over a quantity, 1 took eight tunes 
theproportions given in the Pharmacopoeia. Yery pure iron wire was ued 
and mir^acids of the proper strength. It was unnecessary to filter the solution 
of the protochloride, there being but very little carbon liberated so that the process 
consisted of but one operation, conducted from beginning to end m the same 
vessel. When the liquor had become cold, the product measured 76 oz. 
retort was rinsed out several times with small quantities of water, to make p 
the exact volume of 80 oz., which was measured in a 4-pint conical measure, 
so as to get a sharp and exact measure. It will be observed that there has been 
only one transference from the vessel it was not a drop^has been 
lost Ravin o- brought this fluid to the temperature of 60 ,1 determined Uie spe 
cific sravTty byTwo g weighings. One in a 1000-grain bottle and another m a 
700-main bottle both being reduced to the same expression, gave the numbem 
1-4485 and 1*4497, the difference being-8 in tke ^ 0 ^rtb place ^ 
ao-reeing so closely with Mr. Abrahams result, that I think 1 44o-l 449 may 
fairly be adopted as the true gravity of liq. fern perchlondi foitior 
As a further corroboration, I next proceeded to estimate the amount of I 2 0 3 , 
and for this purpose I measured with a 1-drachm pipette one drachm of the 
linuor and precipitated with N H 3 ; the precipitate, after ignition weighed 
15-7 ’ This involves an excess that is impossible, if all be correct and I recel- 
w'd having washed out the pipette. A second trial, but only draining the 
niDette as much as possible, gave a result that weighed 15 5 grains ; and, con- 
sidering that pipettes are not always absolutely exact, I think these results come 
re-isonablv elose-to the theoretical quantity. 
I may add that I found, when 8 oz. N Q fi had been added all further action 
ceased, and the solution no longer gave any reaction with 
uotassium. All the H Cl is necessary. When finished and cold, the liquo 
almost without smell, of a clear, bright, dark-brown colour. 
It was now only necessary to determine what is the true specific gravi y 
the tincture and for this purpose I used two graduated flasks, a 1000-gram and 
a 3000-grain. The alcohol and the liquor, being both brought to the proper 
temperature, were then measured, the capacity of each flask being the exact 
volumetric proportion required. After mixing and cooling 
+n GO° two weighings gave respectively 1*0064 and 1 0061. . . 
this a pint of The tincture will weigh 20 oz. and 50 or 60 grams, being 
^TromthTamount of detail I have felt it necessary to give this letter has ex¬ 
tended more than I desired ; but, if it suffices to set the question at rest, it may 
not be deemed too long. Tours 
E. M. Rimmington. 
Bradford, June 2nd, 1S.0. 
NOTE ON IBI8H-GROWN JALAP. 
BY WALTER G. SMITH, M.B. DUEL. 
FELLOW AND CENSOR OF THE COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS, ASSISTANT-PHYSICIAN TO THE 
ADELAIDE HOSPITAL. 
Tn the > Pharmaceutical Journal’ for February 1869, a short paper of mine 
on home-grown podophyllum and jalap was published. Some account was there 
