MISCELLANY. 
235 
tion is rapid when grape-sugar is used, such as that of diabetes. 
The yellow zone, and the red one which succeeds it, are true cha- 
racteristics of the presence of sugar in diabetic urine ; for they are 
not produced in the normal state, nor in any other diseased condition 
of the urine. It might be feared that the presence of sugar of milk 
in certain urines, might cause the same appearances, because, as is 
well known, it approaches very nearly to grape-sugar ; but such 
does not occur save when the milk-sugar is in very considerable 
quantity, and then it requires a much longer time. The same holds good 
with urines containing the volatile oils of turpentine, copaiba, &c. The 
author, in acting upon urines to which an addition of honey or grape- 
sugar has been made, has constantly obtained the red zone, nearly al- 
ways preceded by the canary-yellow colour. The rapidity with which the 
reaction occurs, and the brightness of the tints, depend either on the more 
or less complex composition of the urine or excess of potash or sugar. 
Moreover, when the phenomenon is not produced within 24 hours, the 
addition of a little potash causes it to appear. — Juurn. de Pharm., from 
Gaz. Toscane. 
Pills of Extract of Aloes. — Extract of aloes readily absorbs moisture 
from the atmosphere, which renders it difficult to preserve in the form of 
pills. This inconvenience may be perfectly avoided, according to Mr. 
Rottcher, by adding a fourth part of carbonate of magnesia. — The Chem- 
ist, from Archiv. der Pharm. 
Precipitation of Morphia from Tincture of Opium by Ammonia. — As is 
well known, tincture of opium and Liq. Ammoniac anisatus are frequent- 
ly prescribed in combination. M. Reinsch observed, that such a mix- 
ture after standing twenty-four hours, deposited morphia in the crystal, 
line form ; this may be prevented by the addition of alcohol. — Ibid, from 
Jahrb. fur Prakt. Chem. 
[The carbonate of the aromatic spirit of ammonia, which is more fre- 
quently ordered in this country, produces the same decomposition. — Ed. 
Chem. Gaz,] 
Extractum Taraxaci. — Dr. Bley, who has made some comparative 
experiments on this extract, states that he obtained in the spring, from 
32 lbs. of fresh root with green parts, by pressure 10 oz. , by infusion 18 
oz., by decoction 19 oz. of extract; in autumn, from fresh roots with 
the green parts, by infusion 37 oz.; and from 13 1-2 lbs. of dry roots 
(equal to 40 lbs. of fresh,) by infusion 38 oz. of extract. The extracts 
