268 
Editorial. 
(  Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
(      May,  1878. 
'88  and  of  iron  "ii,  glucose  2-45,  gummy  and  albuminoid  matters  '68,  phosphates 
and  other  salts  "06  and  water  89  09. 
Mr.  Stan.  Martin  presented  a  branch  of  Satia  tabernamontana,  nat.  ord. 
apocynaceae,  a  shrub  growing  in  rocky  places,  near  the  Senegal,  where  its  root  is 
used  in  elephantiasis. 
Mr.  Plauchud  communicated  the  results  of  his  observations  in  relation  to  the 
decolori'z.ation  of  solution  of  litmus ;  it  is  caused  by  the  presence  of  organized  and 
living  germs,  which,  while  developing,  do  not  seem  to  act  alike  energetically. 
Mr.  Yvon  reported  on  the  application  of  glycerin  in  the  preparation  of  certain 
oleo-stearates  (like  mercury),  which  are  decomposed  by  contact  with  water. 
At  the  March  meeting  a  note  by  Mr.  Ch.  Tanret  was  read,  in  which  he  recom- 
mends, when  testing  for  small  quantities  of  glucose  in  uriney  to  precipitate  the  latter 
first  with  nitrate  of  mercury,  and,  without  filtering,  to  add  an  excess  of  caustic  soda 
before  testing  with  Fehling,s  solution  5  if  inosite  be  present  a  slight  green  precipitate 
takes  place,  but  a  decided  precipitate  of  cuprous  oxyde  in  the  presence  of  but  little 
glucose.  Some  albuminous  matter  in  the  urine  interferes  with  the  prompt  action  of 
Fehling's  test  liquid. 
Mr.  Yvon  described  the  preparation  of  iodide  of  ethyl  [hydriodic  ether).  He 
recommends  the  process  of  Personne  and  uses  a  tubulated  retort,  which  is  placed  in 
a  sand  bath  and  has  the  neck  connected  with  a  receiver,  which  is  plunged  in  cold 
water.  5  grams  of  phosphorus  and  60  grams  of  alcohol  are  introduced  into  the 
retort,  20  grams  of  iodine  are  now  added,  and  after  a  few  minutes  20  grams  more. 
Heat  is  carefully  applied,  care  being  taken  that  the  whole  of  the  liquid  is  uniformly 
heated,  which  is  facilitated  by  the  introduction  of  some  pieces  of  platinum.  With 
this  precaution  the  liquid  boils  slowly,  without  concussions,  and  distils  completely. 
The  distillate  may  be  colorless  or  colored  by  iodine  ;  it  is  agitated  with  an  aqueous 
solution  of  an  alkaline  carbonate,  decanted,  rectified  and  dried  by  a  second  distilla- 
tion over  calcium  chloride.  This  last  operation  is  indispensable  for  the  preservation 
of  the  ether.  To  prevent  the  presence  of  free  iodine,  some  silver  foil  is  placed  into 
the  ether. 
EDITORIAL  DEPARTMENT. 
The  present  number  of  the  "Journal"  opens  with  an  exhaustive  article  by  Dr. 
Squibb  on  a  subject  of  great  importance  to  the  pharmacist.  Notwithstanding  its 
length,  it  was  deemed  but  just  to  the  author,  as  well  as  to  the  readers,  that  it  should 
appear  undivided.  Although  this  number  has,  like  the  preceding  one,  been 
increased  from  48  to  64  pages,  we  have  been  compelled  to  reserve  for  the  June 
number  several  original  essays,  letters  and  translations,  and  would  embrace  this 
occasion  to  thank  our  contributors  and  ask  their  indulgence  at  the  delay  of 
publication. 
Naval  Apothecaries.— The  following  letter  explains  itself: 
To  the  Editor  of  the  fournal  of  Pharmacy : — I  desire  to  call  the  attention  of  pharmacists  to  a  bill 
row  before  Congress,  giving  the  rank  of  "  Warrant  Officers  "  to  the  apothecaries  of  the  navy.  Should 
