PHARMACOPOEIA OF INDIA. 
553 
months, and it is now as sweet as when first made. I use jiv of salt to *viij of 
the colouring, and I find this an ample quantity. This colouring is, of course, 
much cheaper than the one made with spirit, and it also is not affected by citric 
acid. L make it in large quantities for Huntley and Palmer’s biscuit manufac¬ 
tory, and so have ample opportunity for testing its value. 
I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, 
W. It. Church. 
Heading, March 1 1th, 1865. 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL. 
Sir,—There can be no doubt that the “ Cochineal Colouring,” made accord¬ 
ing to the formula of I)r. George Dickson, of Edinburgh, published in the 
4 Pharmaceutical Journal ’ for February, is a very elegant preparation of its 
kind ; but we must guard against the risk of sacrificing usefulness to elegance, 
or rather aim at combining both. Now, it appears to me that the formula in 
question has two objectionable characteristics, viz. the large quantity of spirit 
and the delicacy of the ammonia tint. The first would have a tendency to 
cause a cloudy appearance in bright jellies and other preparations containing 
gelatine, and the ammonia colour would be liable to be completely changed when 
brought in contact with lemon juice, baked pears, and other acids met with in 
the many culinary purposes for which the article is largely used. 
If you think proper to publish the following formula, which I have used for 
many years with perfect success, those who try it will find that it remains bright 
for any length of time, does not throw down any precipitate, and is almost un¬ 
alterable by contact with either acids or alkalis, which is no small advantage. 
Take of Cochineal in Powder, 
Carbonate of Potash, 
Bitartrate of Potash, 
Alum,—of each one ounce. 
Water, seven ounces. 
Spirit of Wine, one ounce. 
Boil together in glazed vessel until the effervescence ceases (about ten minutes) ; 
when cold, pour on a filter and wash with water to make up eight ounces fluid. 
In this liquid dissolve an equal weight of refined sugar by means of sufficient 
heat, and set aside for use. 
I do not know how much this differs from the formulas in general use, but it 
is perfectly successful. 
I am, Sir, yours obediently, 
Walter Biggs. 
Hampstead, March 20, I 860 . 
PHARMACOPOEIA OF INDIA. 
For some months past, a proposition relative to a pharmacopoeia for India has 
been under the consideration of the Secretary of State for India. The Bengal 
Dispensatory of 1842 and Bengal Pharmacopoeia of 1844, both published at Cal¬ 
cutta under order of the Government, by Dr. W. B. O’Shaughnessy, have long 
been out of print, and copies of either work can only be obtained with difficulty. 
Meanwhile the study of medicine' has made great progress among the natives 
of India, and graduates in medicine and surgery are constantly quitting the 
Presidency colleges of Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay, and establishing them¬ 
selves in various towns of the empire. The European population is also upon 
