Am.  Jour.  Pharm.  ) 
Januan-,  1910.  j 
Standards  and  Changes. 
25 
under  each  of  these  preparations,  together  with  satisfactory  tests 
for  the  identification  of  the  separated  alkaloid. 
Oleoresina.Zingiberis. — A  test  for  capsicum  should  be  included 
in  the  requirements  for  this  preparation.  Many  commercial  samples 
used  in  making  ginger  ale  extracts  contain  capsicum  and  these  occa- 
sionally find  their  way  into  the  pharmaceutical  trade.  The  method 
already  given  under  fluidextractum  zingiberis  is  satisfactory,  using 
1  c.c.  or  1  Gm.  of  oleoresin  of  ginger  in  place  of  the  5  c.c.  of  fluid- 
extract,  the  other  quantities  and  the  manipulation  remaining  the 
same. 
Pilulce  Ferri  Carbonatis. — The  same  requirements  for  a  minimum 
percentage  of  ferrous  carbonate  are  applicable  here  as  in  the  case 
of  massa  ferri  carbonatis,  previously  referred  to.  Theoretically 
21.73  per  cent,  by  weight  of  ferrous  carbonate  is  present.  Prac- 
tically it  never  is  found  to  be  below  20  per  cent,  nor  should  a  lower 
amount  than  this  be  permitted. 
Pulvis  Acetanilidi  Compositus. — Methods  for  the  estimation  of 
the  several  constituents  in  this  preparation  are  necessary,  in  view  of 
the  importance  of  accurately  declaring  acetanilid  under  the  various 
laws. 
Sodii  Phosphas  Exsiccatus. — A  method  for  estimating  the  mois- 
ture usually  found  in  commercial  samples  of  this  salt  is  desirable. 
Spiritus  Ammonia  Aromaticus. — A  minimum  degree  of  alka- 
linity, preferably  calculated  as  gaseous  ammonia,  would  be  an  ad- 
vantage for  this  preparation,  which  is  very  prone  to  deteriorate. 
Spiritus  Camphorce. — The  specific  gravity  of  this  preparation 
should  be  stated.  A  method  for  the  determination  of  camphor 
should  be  given.    The  following  is  suggested : 
Spirit  of  camphor  should  have  an  optical  rotation  of  not  less 
than  -f-  12.20  when  observed  in  a  100  mm.  tube  in  a  polariscope 
having  a  sugar  scale.    Or : 
The  angular  rotation  of  spirit  of  camphor  observed  in  a  100  mm. 
tube,  when  divided  by  .442,  will  give  the  number  of  grammes  of 
camphor  in  each  100  c.c.  of  the  spirit. 
Spiritus  Mentha  Piperita. — The  specific  gravity  of  this  prepara- 
tion should  be  stated.  A  method  for  the  determination  of  alcohol 
should  be  included,  and  that  given  in  the  Bulletin  107,  A.A.O.A.C. 
for  flavoring  extracts  containing  volatile  oils  is  very  satisfactory. 
A  method  for  the  determination  of  the  volatile  oil  is  also  neces- 
sary.   In  view  of  the  fact  that  most  of  the  published  methods  re- 
