1^6  Determination  of  Phenacetin.       {  Am'IpSi  ^iT™' 
The  intensity  of  color  produced  is  used  as  the  measure  of  the  quan- 
tity of  novaspirin  present. 
Dissolve  from  .200  g.  to  .500  g.  of  powder  (containing  novaspirin 
or  a  mixture  of  novaspirin  and  aspirin)  in  25  mils  of  95  per  cent, 
alcohol ;  add  sufficient  water  to  make  50  mils.  Measure  portions  of 
this  solution  into  Nessler  tubes  and  treat  as  directed  below  in  prep- 
aration of  standards. 
Standards  are  prepared  in  Nessler  tubes  as  follows :  A  solution  is 
made  by  dissolving  .100  g.  of  novaspirin  in  25  mils  of  alcohol  and 
then  adding  sufficient  water  to  make  50  mils. 
One  mil  of  this  solution  contains  .002  g.  of  novaspirin. 
Tube2  A  —  1  mil  of  st.  sol.  +  25  mils  of  water-}- 2  mils  of  N/5  sodium 
hydroxide  =  .002  g.  novaspirin. 
Tube  B —  2  mils  of  st.  sol.  -f  25  mils  of  water +  2. mils  of  N/s  sodium 
hydroxide  =  .004  g.  novaspirin. 
Tube  C  —  3  mils  of  st.  sol. +25  mils  of  water +  2  mils  of  N/5  sodium 
hydroxide  =  .006  g.  novaspirin. 
Tube  D  —  4  mils  of  st.  sol.  +  25  mils  of  water +  2  mils  of  N/5  sodium 
hydroxide  =  .008  g.  novaspirin. 
After  the  addition  of  the  water  and  sodium  hydroxide,  more 
water  is  added  to  each  tube,  making  a  volume  of  50  mils. 
The  tubes  containing  the  standards  are  compared  after  an  elapse 
of  5  minutes  with  those  containing  the  samples  until  two  are  found 
which  correspond  in  depth  of  color  (one  standard  tube  and  one  con- 
taining the  sample).  Computations  are  then  made  using  the  stand- 
ard tube  as  a  basis.3 
Chemical  Laboratory, 
Department  of  Health,  City  of  New  York. 
RAPID  APPROXIMATE  DETERMINATION  OF  PHE- 
NACETIN WHEN  MIXED  WITH  ACETANILID. 
By  Reginald  Miller. 
This  method  is  based  upon  the  well-known  nitric  acid1  test  for 
phenacetin,  which  gives  an  intense  yellow  to  orange-red  color,  and 
2  More  satisfactory  results  are  obtained  by  following  the  procedure  out- 
lined in  this  table.    A  more  staple  color  is  produced  this  way. 
3  The  readings  should  be  made  after  an  elapse  of  about  five  minutes  but 
before  an  elapse  of  fifteen  minutes  when  the  color  gradually  fades  and  is 
untrustworthy. 
1  Autenreith-Hinsberg  Test,  Archiv  der  Pharmacie,  Band  229,456  (1891). 
