168 
BRITISH PHARMACEUTICAL CONFERENCE. 
at 212°. The amount of alkaloid obtained from each of the above (dried at 212°) was 
79 , 7, 76‘7, and 7T3,—the quantities thus varying inversely as the amount of water. 
“ It was noticed that the samples containing the most moisture dissolved more readily 
in water, and their solution was less coloured than those which were originally drier. 
“Three samples of acetate w T ere then examined in a similar way, and found to contain 
respectively 5, 10, and 126 per cent, of moisture. It was found that the sample con¬ 
taining least water fused, and became dark-coloured, with loss of structure on applica¬ 
tion of a water-bath heat; while that containing the most water retained its pulveru¬ 
lent form unaltered at that temperature. 
“ The morphia precipitated from these samples was found to be remarkably pure, 
being perfectly soluble in caustic potash ; scarcely acted on by ether, and almost 
entirely free from codeia, as were also the mother-liquors from which they were sepa¬ 
rated. 
“ The author also quoted experiments by Mr. IIow to show that, however feasible 
the conversion of morphia into codeia might appear on a comparison of their formula?, 
it could not be carried out; a substance isomeric with codeia had been obtained, but 
it was by no means identical.” 
Mr. T. B. Groves alluded to the instance of patients in whom codeia produced in¬ 
tolerable irritation and itching, even when the amount w r as only small and existed as a 
contamination of a morphia salt. The demand for codeia now and its high price in¬ 
duced the maker to separate it, and there was now none present in morphia salts as 
used to be the case. 
Mr. Heathfield said that one manufacturer who had saved his morphia, residues 
for the past fifteen years, had now extracted some hundreds of ounces of codeia from 
them. 
“ON COMMERCIAL PHOSPHORIC ACID. BY R. PARKINSON, PH.D. 
\_A bstract . J 
“ Twenty-eight samples had been examined with reference to their strength and free¬ 
dom from impurity, the result as to strength being that three samples came up to the 
British Pharmacopoeia strength; five more were about the London Pharmacopoeia 
strength ; while the remainder were of various shades of declension. Phosphate 
of ammonia was present in six samples, sulphuric acid in one, nitric acid only 
traces in any. 'Jhe presence of ammonia was considered evidence that the samples 
containing it had been made from the glacial acid, which commercially is made 
by heating the phosphate of ammonia, the whole of the ammonia never being 
practically got rid of. One sample of German glacial contained 5 per cent, of am¬ 
monia, which is equal to l7i per cent, of tribasic phosphate of ammonia. If a pure 
glacial acid could be readily obtained commercially, that was suggested as the best 
and safest means of obtaining the dilute acid ; and the combustion of phosphorus, with 
arrangements for the supply of air and collection of acid, was suggested as the best 
mode of obtaining such a pure glacial acid. Other plans for its preparation, which 
were detailed, had been tried, and found unsatisfactory.” 
Mr. T. B. Groves alluded to a suggestion which he had made some years since for 
the use of amorphous phosphorus instead of the ordinary variety. He had continued 
the practice with much satisfaction, the ordinary danger being entirely avoided. A 
little strong nitric acid should be used towards the end of the process. 
Mr. Heathfield said that glacial phosphoric acid might have either of two sources : 
—1st. The heating of phosphate of ammonia strongly. The product of this process 
was always contaminated by ammonia. 2nd, The combustion of phosphorus in air or 
oxygen, and the concentration of the resulting acid liquor till it reaches a syrupy con¬ 
sistence, and will gradually deposit crystals. This product was very pure, and adapted 
for making syrups of the phosphates of iron, which was not the case with the im¬ 
ported acid made by the first method. 
Dr. Attfield said that the deoxidation of nitric acid w r as a source of the produc¬ 
tion of ammonia in making phosphoric acid by acting upon phosphorus with nitric acid, 
the hydrogen being supplied by the decomposition of water. This had been repeatedly 
found, though the quantity of the ammonia was very trifling. 
Dr. Parkinson was quite aware of this fact, but had purposely omitted to introduce 
