PRESERVATION  OF  MEDICINAL  PREPARATIONS.  553 
12-5  grms.  ashes. — chiefly  composed  of  sand  and  peroxide  of 
iron. 
A  fresh  portion  of  kamala  left  28-85  per  cent,  ashes  ;  com- 
posed of  KO  and  NaO  -9,  MgO  -2,  CaO  44,  MnO+Mn2Os,  -7, 
Fe203  8-5,  Si03  (soluble)  12,  Si04  (insoluble)  83-8,  CI  and  S03 
traces  ;  =  994. 
The  author  recognized  sand  under  the  microscrope  ;  but 
attributes  its  presence  not  so  much  to  an  adulteration,  as  to  the 
dust  adhering  to  the  kamala  during  the  growth  of  the  plant  and 
the  drying  of  the  fruit. —  Wittst.  V.  Schr.  ix.  321—330. — J.  M.  M. 
ON  THE  PRESERVATION  OF  MEDICINAL  PREPARATIONS 
By  Jno.  B.  Enz. 
After  some  introductory  remarks  upon  the  frequency  with 
which  spoiled  drugs  and  preparations  are  met,  and  the  necessity 
for  adopting  some  means  to  prevent  such  losses,  the  author 
refers  to  Appert's  method  of  preserving  organic  substances,  and 
then  gives  his  experience  with  this  mode  of  preservation  as  adopt- 
ed by  him  a  number  of  years  ago,  without  claiming  originality 
for  his  suggestions. 
1. — Acidulous  Juices  and  Syrups. 
Most  pharmaceutists  keep  too  large  a  stock  of  syrups.  Though 
some  keep  very  well,  others  alter  their  bright  color,  become 
turbid  and  ferment.  To  preserve  the  juices,  the  author  uses 
Appert's  method;  the  fermented  and  expressed  juices  are  filled 
in  vials,  holding  4  or  5  oz.,  these  are  corked  and  immersed  in 
boiling  water  for  1  or  \  hour.  The  neck  of  each  vial  is  dipped 
into  fused  wax  so  as  to  cover  the  whole  cork  and  mouth,  after 
which  they  are  kept  in  a  cool  place  protected  from  the  light. 
Succus  berberidis,  ceras.  nigr.,  ebuli,  fragarise,  juniperi,  limonis, 
mororum,  myrtillorum,  oxycocci,  ribium  nigr.  and  rubr.,  rubi  idsei, 
rubi  fruticosi,  rhamni  cathart.,  sambuci,  and  vaccin.  vitis  idaese, 
were  kept  in  this  manner,  and  showed  no  sign  of  alteration  after 
a  period  of  eight  years  ;  a  little  pulverulent  matter  had  been 
separated  ;  but  the  fluid  possessed  its  original  bright  color  and 
was  perfectly  clear  and  transparent.  If  the  necessary  amount 
of  crystallized  cane  sugar  is  added,  a  clear  syrup  is  obtained 
