BRITISH PHARMACEUTICAL CONFERENCE. 
169 
it, because the quantity of ammonia found in his experiments was far too large to have 
such a source. 
Mr. D. IIanbury had prepared the acid by each process, and subsequently tested 
it by boiling with caustic potash, when abundance of ammonia evolved from that made 
by heating the phosphate of ammonia, but no trace was present in the Pliarmacopoeial 
specimen. 
Mr. IIeathfield said that any traces of ammonia formed in the second process 
which he had named might be got rid of by heating nearly to redness in platinum, 
but this method was not applicable to the acid made from phosphate of ammonia. 
“ ON THE ASSAY OF THE ALKALOIDS IN MEDICINAL EXTRACTS. 
BY T. B. GROVES, F.C.S. 
[. Abstract .] 
“ The object of the author was to devise a process for estimating the strength of the 
vegetable extracts used in medicine. The method he employed was a volumetric one. 
Mayer, of New York, and Valser, of Paris, had worked upon the same subject, and all 
three had fixed upon the same liquid for precipitating the alkaloid, namely, the iodo- 
hydrargyrate of potassium. All three also had suggested formulae for the precipitate. 
Valser’s experiments corroborated those of the author, while Mayer’s pointed to a dif¬ 
ferent conclusion. Mayer’s experiments were then reviewed, and the details of some 
reactions given from which it seemed that, on adding the iodo-hydrargyrate to the solu¬ 
tion of the alkaloid, a point w'as arrived at when the addition of either liquid caused 
a precipitate. In this way some of the apparent anomalies might be explained. If, 
however, time were allowed for the completion of the reaction, more definite results 
might be obtained. lie described the reactions with strychnia, quinine, cinchonine, 
morphia, nicotina, and codeia, and reviewed Mayer’s results, which were quite, he 
said, anomalous. In estimating the amount of alkaloid in an extract, the alkaloid 
must first be isolated as far as possible by Stas’s well-known method. In estimating 
the medicinal value of an extract, more exact methods than those now known must 
be discovered before accuracy can be attained.” 
Mr. Schacht and other members spoke with warm approval of the laborious and 
able researches of the author, which had accomplished an end not less important than 
original discovery, viz. the pointing out of processes which, though highly praised by 
their authoi’S, could not be relied upon. 
“ A REPORT AS TO THE PURITY OF COMMERCIAL POWDERS OF IPECACUANHA, 
JALAP, AND OPIUM. BY F. M. RIMMINGTON. 
[Abstract.] 
“The indications relied on were principally microscopic, to which was added esti¬ 
mation of amount of ash, not assuming that variation in the latter particular would 
be proof of adulteration, but considering that such a series of estimations would be 
collaterally interesting. Eleven samples of ipecacuanha from different localities were 
examined ; all appeared to be genuine, and the amount of ash was tolerably constant, 
ranging from 2‘5 to 3'7 per cent., except in one case, where 7 per cent, was found. 
Nine samples of jalap had also been examined; seven of them appeared genuine, the 
amount of ash ranging from 5‘5 to 6 per cent., while two contained an abnormal 
amount of woody fibre, and in these the ash was reduced to 3‘5 and 4 per cent, re¬ 
spectively. Of eight samples of powdered opium, six were found to contain varying 
quantities of starch; the percentage of ash was pretty constant, from 5’ to G'5, the 
variations being independent of the presence of the starch. The author regards the 
starch as an impurity in the opiums imported, having met with it in this form.” 
“ON THE PREPARATION OF AN IMPROVED WINE OF IRON. 
BY H. N. DRAPER, F.C.S., AND MR. J. WHITLA. 
[Abstract.] 
“ The authors first described their observations of the action of light in promoting 
decomposition of the officinal wine of iron. To prevent this decomposition, which 
occurs even in the dark, they suggested that ammonio-citrate of iron should replace 
potassio-tartrate, and that citrate of ammonia should also be added, to prevent any 
