Am'octu,ril9!arm'}      Gleanings  from  the  German  Journals.  505 
GLEANINGS  FROM  THE  GERMAN  JOURNALS. 
By  Frank  X.  Moesk,  Ph.  G. 
Identification  of  Tinctures. — L.  von  Itallie  has  published  tests  of 
identity  for  the  following  tinctures  : 
Tincture  of  Aloes. — If  this  tincture  be  agitated  with  ether,  and  to 
the  separated  ethereal  solution  water  of  ammonia  added,  a  red -violet 
coloration  results. 
Tincture  of  Calumba. — The  yellowish-green  residue  obtained  by 
evaporating  a  little  of  the  tincture  is  dissolved  in  dilute  hydrochloric 
acid,  and  if  to  this  solution  is  added  a  small  quantity  of  chlorine  or 
bromine  water,  a  light-red  color  is  produced. 
Tincture  of  Cinchona. — Two  grams  are  precipitated  by  solution 
of  lead  subacetate,  filtered,  evaporated,  the  residue  dissolved  in  water, 
a  few  drops  of  sulphuric  acid  added,  and  again  filtered.  The  filtrate 
is  tested  for  quinine  or  quinidine  by  the  thalleioquin  test. 
Tincture  of  Colchicum. — Three  grams  are  evaporated,  the  residue 
dissolved  in  water,  the  solution  filtered,  the  filtrate  agitated  with  chlor- 
oform, and  the  chloroformic  solution  evaporated;  the  residue  with 
nitric  acid,  will  be  colored  violet,  changing  to  brown,  on  addition  of 
potassium  hydrate  solution,  becoming  orange  colored. 
Tincture  of  Digitalis. — Five  grams  are  evaporated,  2  cc.  water 
a  ided,  and  precipitated  with  a  small  quantity  of  solution  of  lead  ace- 
tate. After  filtering  the  filtrate  is  agitated  with  chloroform,  and  to 
the  residue,  after  the  chloroformic  solution  has  evaporated,  is  added  a 
little  sulphuric  acid  and  a  few  drops  of  bromine  water  ;  a  violet  color- 
ation appears. 
Tincture  of  Gelsemium. — One  gram  is  evaporated,  1  cc.  acidulated 
water  added,  filtered,  the  filtrate  rendered  alkaline  with  water  of  am- 
monia and  shaken  with  chloroform.  Gelsemine  remains  upon  evapo- 
ration of  the  chloroformic  solution,  which,  with  sulphuric  acid  and 
potassium  bichromate,  yields  a  red-violet  color.  The  alkaline  solution 
(after  the  removal  of  the  chloroform  solution)  diluted  with  water  pos- 
sesses a  blue  fluorescence. 
Tincture  of  Guaiac  is  colored  blue  by  oxidizing  agents;  a  blue 
color  is  also  obtained  upon  addition  of  cupric  sulphate  and  bitter 
almond  water. 
Tincture  of  Ipecac  is  evaporated,  the  residue  taken  up  with  acidu- 
lated water,  filtered,  made  alkaline  with  potassium  hydrate  solution 
and  shaken  with  ether.    The  residue  from  the  ethereal  solution  gives 
