STEAM  APPARATUS  FOR  PHARMACEUTICAL  PURPOSES.  223 
by  further  evaporation,  yielded  another  crop  of  crystals — nearly 
as  white  as  the  first,  making  about  half  a  drachm  in  all.  It  is 
probable  that  the  pickle,  taken  after  the  herring  have  been  re- 
moved, so  as  to  have  been  more  in  contact  with  the  fish,  would 
contain  a  greater  amount  of  the  alkaloid.  The  best  way  to 
prescribe  propylamin  will  probably  be  as  a  chloride,  so  as  to 
avoid  loss  by  evaporation,  and  its  disagreeable  odor  when  in  a 
free  state.  After  solution  in  water,  the  addition  of  an  equiva- 
lent of  liquor  potassse  will  liberate  it  if  desired.  But  should  it 
be  considered  preferable  to  have  the  alkaloid  itself,  the  chloride, 
placed  in  a  small  retort,  with  sufficient  liquor  potassae  to  disen- 
gage the  propylamin,  will  yield  that  principle  to  distillation, 
using  an  apparatus,  close  joints  and  thorough  refrigeration.  ^ 
The  salt  as  thus  obtained  is  perhaps  sufficiently  pure  for  me- 
dicinal purposes,  but  it  may  contain  a  little  muriate  of  ammonia, 
from  which  it  may  be  freed  by  solution  in  strong  alcohol  and 
recrystallization. 
STEAM  APPARATUS  FOR  PHARMACEUTICAL  PURPOSES. 
By  J.  R.  Nichols. 
To  the  Editor  of  the  American  Journal  of  Pharmacy  : 
Having  devised  a  steam  apparatus,  which  answers  so  admira- 
bly the  purposes  of  the  chemist  and  pharmaceutist,  I  am  induced 
to  send  you  a  description  of  it,  together  with  a  cut  illustrating 
the  same.  The  apparatus  is  automatic  in  several  important 
particulars,  regulating  its  air  draft,  and  steam  pressure,  and 
supplying  itself  with  water.  It  also  feeds  its  own  fire  with  fresh 
coals  as  combustion  proceeds,  so  that  it  is  only  necessary  to 
supply  them  once  in  twenty-four  hours.  The  cut  will  aid  in 
explaining  its  construction. 
An  annular  boiler  is  placed  in  a  vertical  position,  and  encased 
within  cylinders  of  sheet  iron,  so  as  to  afford  space  for  draft, 
and  for  insulation  by  confined  air.  Its  lower  opening  is  placed 
over  a  grate,  so  that  the  boiler  forms  its  own  fire  pot,  the  fire 
being  built  within  the  annular  space.  It  is  thus  made  very 
efficient,  without  the  annoyance  and  expense  of  tubes,  and  there 
is  no  obstruction  of  flues.  The  boiler  may  be  made  of  iron  or 
copper.    The  door  which  is  shown  as  removed,  covers  two  open- 
