ANovimberfi9oT"}    British  Pharmaceutical  Conference.  521 
Some  Powdered  Drugs. — F.  A.  Alcock  showed  in  this  contribu- 
tion the  value  of  the  solvent  action  of  water  on  certain  drugs  in 
determining-  their  purity ;  and  gave  data  on  the  ash  yielded  by  the 
exhausted  marc,  and  by  extracts. 
Note  on  the  Examination  of  Bismuth  Salicylate  for  Free 
Salicylic  Acid. 
By  J.  Bristowe  Harrison. 
The  author  of  this  paper  stated  that  he  found  the  B.  P.  and  B.  P. 
Codex  test  for  this  salt  useless.  He  claimed  the  following  test  is 
more  satisfactory :  Shake  one  gram  of  the  salt  with  10  c.c.  of  methyl- 
ated ether  sp.  gr.  0.720,  filter,  transfer  the  clear  filtrate  to  a  glass  dish, 
and  evaporate  the  ether  on  a  water  bath.  The  evaporation  should  be 
carefully  watched  and  the  dish  removed  just  as  the  last  traces  of 
ether  are  passing,  to  avoid  loss  of  salicylic  acid  by  volatilization. 
Treat  the  residue  with  0.50  c.c.  of  cold  distilled  water  and  test  with 
one  drop  of  dilute  ferric  chloride  in  the  usual  way. 
Charas. 
By  David  Hooper. 
This  was  really  a  very  complete  monograph  on  the  subject,  deal- 
ing with  the  history,  commerce,  chemistry,  and  physiology  of  the 
resin  of  Indian  hemp  as  naturally  obtained  in  India  and  nearby 
countries. 
Notes  on  Some  B.  P.  Codex  Formulas. 
By  Harold  Wyatt. 
The  author  gave  the  result  of  a  critical  examination  of  half  a  dozen 
preparations.  In  making  the  Elixir  Pini  et  Terpini  et  Acetomor- 
phinae  he  recommends  the  use  of  liquid  terpene  in  place  of  terpin 
hydrate  in  crystals,  liquid  terpene  being  as  active  medicinally  and 
possessing  a  more  pleasant  flavor. 
The  Examination  and  Valuation  of  Jalap  Resin. 
By  W.  B.  Cowie. 
The  author  makes  the  assertion  that  B.  P.  tests  are  of  little  value 
on  account  of  lack  of  specific  details,  U.  S.  P.  tests  being  in  advance 
of  those  of  the  B.  P.  in  that  regard.    He  gives  a  method  which 
