96 
Syrupus  Croci. 
Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
Feb.,  1889. 
Between  21°  and  357°  the  coefficient  of  expansion  of  chlorine  is  to 
that  of  air  as  1*009  :  1*000. 
The  experiments  with  ferric  chloride  were  made  in  the  same  way 
as  those  with  aluminium  chloride.  Relatively  low  temperatures  were 
employ ed,  and  the  quantity  of  the  salt  used  was  such  that  chlorine 
was  always  present  in  considerable  excess.  The  ferric  chloride  vola- 
tilized completely  and  not  a  trace  of  ferrous  chloride  was  formed. 
Ferric  chloride  boils  at  280 — 285°,  and  melts  under  pressure  at  301°. 
The  following  results  were  obtained : — 
Temperature   321-6°     325*2°     356-9°     357-0°     442-2°  442*2° 
Vapor-density   11-41      12-47      12-04      11-85      11'66  11*30 
Between  321°  and  442°  the  vapor-density  is  practically  constant, 
and  corresponds  with  the  formula  Fe2Cl6. 
NOTE  ON  SYRUPUS  CROCI. 
By  O.  J.  S.  Thompson. 
Although  saffron  is  not  now  regarded  of  much  value  as  a  therapeu- 
tic agent,  the  syrup  is  still  frequently  used  and  prescribed  in  medical 
practice  of  to-day,  in  many  parts  of  the  country.  The  official  tincture, 
which  is  presumably  retained  in  the  Pharmacopoeia  on  account  of  its 
coloring  properties,  is  very  seldom  used,  but  there  seems  to  be  a  want 
of  a  good  formula  for  the  preparation  of  a  satisfactory  syrup. 
A  century  or  more  ago  saffron  occupied  an  important  position  in 
the  Pharmacopoeias  of  the  countries  of  Europe,  and  was  considered 
useful  as  an  emmenagogue,  and  also  for  its  stomachic  and  antispasmodic 
properties,  doubtless  due  to  the  action  of  its  volatile  oil. 
We  meet  with  it  in  the  form  of  aqueous  and  alcoholic  extract,  in- 
fusion, spirit,  aqueous  and  vinous  syrup,  tincture  and  wine.  When 
prepared  in  the  usual  way  by  means  of  sugar  simply  dissolved  in  a 
watery  infusion,  the  product  does  not  keep  satisfactorily,  and  does  not 
long  remain  bright  and  clear.  The  following  formulae,  taken  from 
several  old  Pharmacopoeias  and  Dispensatories,  are  interesting  : — 
No.  1.  (German)— 
R  Saffron  1  oz. 
Boiling  water  1  pint. 
Eefined  sugar  2£  lbs. 
