BRITISH PHARMACEUTICAL CONFERENCE. 
155 
codeia might be due to its containing more of the poppy capsule, since this yielded 
much codeia. 
In reply to Mr. Reynolds, who inquired if crystals of sulphate of lime had been de¬ 
tected, the authors said that they had not, but as only half an ounce of solution was 
used, it did not seem probable that much would be present. Distilled water ought 
alone to be used if the condition of the alkaloids was to be kept unchanged. 
“on the purity of sulphate of quinine of commerce. 
BY MR. W. WALTER STODDART. 
[. Abstract^ 
“ The author’s experiments showed that quinidiue, and not cinchonine, must be 
generally sought for as the chief impurity in commercial sulphate of quinine. After 
pointing out the objections to the tests of Bouchardat and Pasteur, Stokes, Herapath, 
Brande and Pelletier, Mr. Stoddart proposed a modification of Liebig’s, and gave the 
details of its application. A second trustworthy and ready test, for all possessing 
microscopes, was snlphocyanide of potassium. If a drop of a solution of the latter 
salt were added to a drop of saturated and neutral solution of the suspected quinine, 
and the mixture observed by the microscope crystals of sulphocyanide of quinidine 
and sulphocyanide of cinchonine, both of highly characteristic form and wholly dis¬ 
tinct from the sulphocyanide of quinine formed at the same time, would be observed 
if either quinidine or cinchonine were present. For quantitative determination, the 
Reporter employed De Try’s iodide of potassium reaction, and detailed the results of 
his analyses of samples of sulphate of quinine from Messrs. Howards and Sons, De 
Lisle and Co. (Pelletiers), Mr. J. Hulle, Messrs. Herring and Co., and a German spe¬ 
cimen. It was, he said, gratifying to be able to affirm that sulphate of quinine, if 
purchased in bottles or sealed packets, as sent out by the makers or obtained through 
well-known wholesale houses, is commercially pure and quite fit for medicinal use. 
It was the chemist’s own fault if he were not supplied with an article of sufficient 
purity.” 
The President and Mr. Brady claimed an excellent illustration of the good fruits 
of the Conference from this paper. In continuing their investigations upon micro¬ 
scopic analysis, they would gladly avail themselves of the method of precipitation as 
sulphocyanides which Mr. S. liacl brought forward, instead of confining themselves to 
evaporation only. 
Dr. Attfield said that the paper furnished had two important desirata, firstly, a qua¬ 
litative test for alkaloids that was not in practical use before, and secondly, an improved 
method of employing a quantitative test. 
Mr. D. Hanbury said that the Commissioners of the International Exhibition of 
1862 analysed nearly every specimen of quinine exhibited, and found all to be practi¬ 
cally pure. But it was obvious that specially prepared samples like these were no 
criterion of usual quality. 
There was a practice amongst some foreign makers of sending for export to such 
countries as South America, a much less pure salt than they dare introduce upon the 
European market. An excess of moisture was the only impurity he had found in 
foreign quinine sold in England. 
“ON COMMERCIAL PODOPHYLLIN. BY MR. JAMES SPEARING. 
[. Abstract .] 
“ After giving a short history of this drug, the author described the three processes 
usually followed in its preparation, and gave the results of an analytical examination 
of the product of each process. The method of the British Pharmacopoeia was found 
to be the most economical and satisfactory of the three. He had examined twelve 
commercial specimens, and from the presence of alumina in five, inferred that they 
were prepared by the inefficient method of shaking the tincture with solution ol alum ; 
two contained iron, and one copper.” 
The President added that the author had sent him some podophyllin containing 
the mycelium of a peculiar fungus of a silvery-white colour. It was of large size, 
and readily seen amongst the dark-coloured powder. He was disposed to think 
that it was similar to the mould which attacked powdered coriander and chamomile. 
