22 
Standards  and  Changes. 
(Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
\    January,  1910. 
Aqua  Hydro  genii  Dioxidi. — A  test  for  the  presence  of  acetanilid 
should  be  given.    The  following  is  suggested : 
If  100  c.c.  of  solution  of  hydrogen  dioxide  be  shaken  in  a  separa- 
tory  funnel  with  chloroform,  and  the  chloroformic  layer  drawn  off 
and  evaporated  spontaneously  to  dryness,  the  residue,  when  taken 
up  with  solution  of  potassium  hydroxide,  i  in  4,  and  heated  in  a 
test-tube  with  a  few  drops  of  chloroform,  should  not  evolve  the 
disagreeable  odor  of  phenylisocyanide  (isonitrile). 
Elixir  Ferri,  Quinines  et  Strychnine?  PhospJmtum. — A  method 
of  quantitatively  estimating  strychnine  in  the  presence  of  quinine  is 
needed.  In  case  of  an  error,  where  the  quantity  of  strychnine  might 
be  in  dangerous  excess,  there  is  no  method  of  ascertaining  whether 
the  proper  ratio  of  the  two  alkaloids  has  been  used. 
Ferri  Sulphas  Exsiccatus. — A  purity  rubric  should  state  the 
amount  of  allowable  moisture,  and  a  method  for  its  estimation  should 
be  given. 
Fluidextr actum  Zingiberis. — A  test  for  the  presence  of  capsicum 
is  advisable.    The  following  is  suggested: 
Five  c.c.  of  fluidextract  of  ginger  are  to  be  heated  in  a  shallow 
evaporating  dish  with  10  c.c.  of  half  normal  alcoholic  potassium 
hydroxide  solution  and  the  liquid  allowed  to  evaporate  to  dryness 
on  the  water-bath.  The  residue  is  then  dissolved  in  50  c.c.  of  water 
and  transferred  to  a  separatory  funnel,  20  c.c.  of  ether  are  added, 
and  the  liquids  are  thoroughly  mixed  by  agitation.  If  the  ethereal 
solution  be  drawn  off  and  allowed  to  evaporate  spontaneously  upon 
a  watch  glass  the  residue  left  by  its  evaporation  should  have  a 
warm,  camphoraceous  taste,  but  no  sharp  pungency  should  be  ob- 
served when  the  tip  of  the  tongue  is  applied  to  the  residue. 
Glyceritum  Ferri,  Quinines  et  Strychnince  Phosphatum. — As  pre- 
viously noted  under  elixir  ferri,  quininae  et  strychninae  phosphatum. 
Hydrargyrum  cum  Creta. — A  purity  rubric  should  be  given, 
together  with  a  process  for  estimating  the  amount  of  metallic  mer- 
cury present  in  this  preparation. 
Linimentuni  Camphorcc. — A  rubric  should  be  included  for  the 
required  percentage  of  camphor. 
An  identification  test  for  the  presence  of  cottonseed  oil  should 
be  given,  preferably  Halpen's  test,  which  gives  very  good  results  in 
practice. 
A  quantitative  test  for  the  amount  of  camphor  should  also  be 
included.    Either  of  the  methods  proposed  by  Prof.  E.  Fullerton 
