March 29, 1873.] THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
763 
bark-like exterior, and consisting internally of a 
compact mass of considerable hardness, varying in 
colour from cinnamon brown to pure white.” He 
tells us they are found attached to the roots of fir 
trees, or sometimes buried in the ground in localities 
where firs no longer grow. 
They seem to occur in South Carolina, and parts 
of China and Japan. 
That these are not tubers, but the production of a 
fungus, there seems to be but little doubt, as they 
contain no trace of starch, but when examined under 
the microscope are found to consist of what appears 
to be a mass of mycelium. 
Dr. Macbride states that this Pachyma originates 
between the wood and the bark of the living roots : 
that it gradually detaches the bark while it spreads 
round the wood, and converts it into a substance 
similar to itself. 
It is curious that, as the old writers and natu¬ 
ralists considered this production to be a species of 
•China root, it should now be offered on our market 
as the same thing—the first time of its appearance 
in commerce in this country. Like many other 
strange things that from time to time are offered at 
our sales, it has probably been sent over here to see if 
there is any use for it, and, not being taken up by 
the medical profession or the trade, will probably 
never appear again for some years. 
But from accounts which have been published of 
this Pachyma cocos, it is by no means without its 
medicinal and economic value. In China it is used 
in a variety of complaints, and made into edible 
cakes, which are offered for sale in the towns. In 
America it has also been used as an article of food, 
and hence derived the name of Indian Bread, by 
which it is there known. 
It may readily be distinguished from true China 
root by its general appearance, and by its containing 
no traces of starch. In fact, it is difficult to under¬ 
stand how it could ever be mistaken for it. 
EXAMINATION OF CITRATE OF 
IRON AND QUININE. 
BY A. W. GERRARD, 
Pharmacist, Guy's Hospital. 
Eight samples of citrate of iron and quinine were 
obtained from various sources and different makers, 
for the purpose of ascertaining whether they con¬ 
tained the percentage of quinine directed to be 
obtained by the B.P., thus:—“ Fifty grains dissolved 
in a fluid ounce of water and treated with a slight 
excess of ammonia, give a white precipitate, which, 
when collected on a filter and dried, weighs eight 
grains. 
No. 
Weight taken. 
Weight 
of Precipitate. 
1 
50 grains 
6 
grains 
2 
11 
2'5 
11 
3 
11 
5 
11 
4 
ii 
8 
11 
5 
ii 
4 
11 
6 
ii 
8 
11 
7 
ii 
6 
11 
8 
11 
4-5 
11 
These results show that there is great variation in 
the strength of this preparation : a prescription pre¬ 
pared with number six would contain more than three 
times as much quinine as that dispensed with num¬ 
ber two. This may in some measure account for cheap 
dispensing. The sale of these lowered preparations 
is unjust and dishonest, for the prescriber is deceived, 
and the progress of the patient retarded, for no other 
purpose than increasing the gains of the seller. 
On reference to wholesale price lists, I observe that 
some of them quote three qualities, each I suppose 
containing variable quantities of quinine, one perhaps 
B.P., two undoubtedly lowered, and therefore not 
“legal pharmaceutical preparations,” although they 
are sold by the same name as the legal. Now it may 
not have occurred to those who sell and dispense 
these cheap preparations, that they render them¬ 
selves liable to a prosecution under the “Adultera¬ 
tion Act;” yet such is the fact, and it requires their 
serious consideration and attention, especially as 
those upon whom the working of the Act devolves are 
not at all inclined to view the retailer as innocent; 
they argue that he should have that knowledge of his 
business which will enable him to test and judge of 
the purity and strength of all preparations which 
have a definite standard. 
[As an appendix to the foregoing may be quoted 
from the New York Druggists' Circular some remarks 
of Mr. P. W. Bedford, who has recently had occasion 
to inquire into the respective value of six different 
specimens of this preparation, obtained from as many 
prominent American manufacturers. With the ex¬ 
ception of one (which probably was made strictly by 
the formula of the U. S. P.) ther specimens were of 
the variety which is soluble in cold water, the scales 
being of a greenish golden yellow colour, and some¬ 
what deliquescent, and containing more or less citrate 
of ammonia. 
One hundred grains of each specimen were dis¬ 
solved in water, in a test-tube, to which first ether, 
and afterward water of ammonia in slight excess 
were added, the ethereal solution was poured into a 
small porcelain capsule which had been previously 
carefully fared, and after another portion of ether 
had been shaken with the solution in the tube and 
decanted into the capsule, it was set aside to allow 
the ether to evaporate. Exposure to a temperature 
of 120° F. for a few moments completed the drying. 
The increase in weight gives the amount of quinia 
present. Three experiments were made with each 
specimen, and the result is as follows:— 
The weight of quinia obtained from 100 grains 
of the salt, in grains and tenths of a grain :— 
4'3 —8'2—lffiO—11-5. One specimen contained 
quinia 10 grains and cinchonia 2 grains, and another 
specimen contained quinia, 7*7 grains, cinchonia, P5 
grains. 
As this salt is a specimen of many others in which 
neither price nor appearance is any guide to the 
quality, we have been particular to give the mode of 
examination. If in applying this test there should 
be an insoluble white powder in a stratum between 
the ethereal and the watery solutions, it is cinchonia, 
and the amount may be found by carefully collecting 
it on a fared filter, and weighing. 
The weights given above are of the simple alkaloid 
quinia, not the citrate. As the combining equivalent 
of citric acid free from water is 165, and quinia 324, 
