AMERICAN  PHARMACEUTICAL  ASSOCIATION.  523 
list  of  subjects  for  investigation  the  ensuing  year,  report  the 
following,  viz.  : 
1.  Have  we  an  indigenous  vesicating  agent  or  agents  which  may  be  ad- 
vantageously substituted  for  the  imported  cantharides  ? 
Accepted  by  William  H.  Warner,  Rome,  Georgia. 
2.  It  is  alleged  that  commercial  citric  acid  contains  a  variable  amount 
of  water  of  crystallization,  according  to  the  temperature  at  which  it  is 
crystallized,  and  that  it  is  adulterated  with  tartaric  acid.  Query, — Is  this 
true  ?  If  so,  does  the  variation  materially  affect  the  value  of  the  acid?  and 
what  is  the  best  practical  test  to  demonstrate  the  presence  of  tartaric  acid 
for  commercial  use  ? 
Accepted  by  Charles  T.  Carney,  of  Boston. 
3.  What  proportion  of  aconitia  does  the  commercial  aconite  root  yield  by 
the  process  of  Headland,  (noted  in  the  U.  S.  Disp.)  and  what  impurities 
remain  in  it  not  separated  by  the  process  ? 
Accepted  by  Israel  J.  Grdhame,  of  Baltimore. 
4.  The  subject  of  the  production  of  alcohol  in  the  United  States,  viewed 
in  reference  to  its  manufacture  from  various  sources,  its  commerce,  its 
impurities,  adulterations,  tests  of  purity,  and  the  statistics  of  its  commer- 
cial relations.  Accepted  by  Frederick  Stearns,  of  Detroit,  Michigan. 
5.  Several  varieties  of  garlic  are  in  use  in  Philadelphia  and  other  parts 
of  the  country.  Query, — Are  these  modifications  of  the  same  plant,  or 
are  they  distinct  species. 
Referred  to  Prof  Robert  P.  Thomas,  of  Philadelphia. 
6.  Aloin  as  discovered  by  T.  and  H.  Smith,  of  Edinburgh,  has  been  in- 
troduced into  therapeutics.  Question, — "What  is  the  best  and  most  practi- 
cable process  for  its  manufacture  on  a  considerable  scale,  and  what  are  the 
best  tests  of  its  purity  as  a  commercial  substance. 
Accepted  by  Edward  Parrish,  of  Philadelphia. 
7.  Sulphate  of  ammonia  derived  from  gas  liquor  is  now  used  by  some 
manufacturers  for  preparing  liquor  ammonias  and  other  preparations  of 
free  ammonia.  Question, — What  are  the  advantages  and  disadvantages  of 
using  this  salt  instead  of  sal  ammoniac  ? 
Accepted  by  Charles  Bullock,  of  Philadelphia, 
8.  Chamomile  flowers  of  commerce  are  occasionally  attacked  by  an  in- 
sect, and  greatly  injurod  in  value  •  and  it  is  alleged  that  the  flowers  of  a 
chrysanthemum  and  of  another  genus  are  sometimes  found  admixed  as  an 
adulteration  in  France.  Question, — What  are  the  best  means  of  destroying 
the  insect  without  injury  to  the  flowers,  and  what  are  the  adulterations  of 
this  drug  as  found  in  American  commerce  ? 
Accepted  by  Frederick  L.  John,  of  Philadelphia. 
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