Am.  Jour.  Pharm. ) 
Aug.,  1878.  J 
Varieties. 
401 
VARIETIES. 
A  new  test  for  carbolic  acid  has  been  proposed  by  Prof.  E.  W.  Davy,  of  Dub- 
lin. The  reagent  is  sulpho-molybdic  acid,  prepared  by  dissolving  1  part  of 
molybdic  acid  in  10  or  even  in  100  parts  of  pure  concentrated  sulphuric  acid,  and  3 
or  4  drops  of  this  solution  are  added  to  one  or  two  of  the  liquids  under  examina- 
tion placed  on  white  porcelain.  Immediately  a  light  yellow  or  yellowish-brown 
tint  is  produced,  which,  passing  into  a  maroon  or  reddish-brown,  soon  develops  a  beau- 
tiful purple  coloration,  the  development  of  which  will  be  hastened  by  the  applica- 
tion of  a  gentle  heat,  and  which  remains  unchanged  for  a  considerable  time.  If 
undiluted  carbolic  acid  is  used,  the  reagent  will  produce  a  dark,  olive,  quickly 
changing  to  a  very  deep  blue,  but  not  to  purple. 
The  same  reagent  applied  to  an  aqueous  solution  of  uoood  tar  creasote  will  pro- 
duce a  brown  or  reddish-brown  color,  which,  on  standing  or  warming  slightly, 
becomes  fainter,  passing  to  a  light  yellowish-brown.  Eve/i  small  quantities  of  car- 
bolic acid  may  be  detected  in  the  creasote  by  dissolving  5  or  10  drops  of  it  in  half 
an  ounce  of  water  and  distilling  the  solution  j  the  first  portion  of  the  distillate  will 
give  the  creasote  reaction,  while  the  purple  coloration  of  carbolic  acid  will  be 
obtained  with  subsequent  portions  of  the  distillate.  The  presence  of  1  per  cent,  of 
carbolic  acid  in  creasote  may  thus  be  detected.  In  the  same  way,  the  adulteration 
of  oil  of  cloves1  with  carbolic  acid  may  be  recognized. — Phar.  Jour,  and  Trans. , 
June  22,  p.  1021-1023. 
Undurability  of  Linen. — A  linen  manufacturer  explains  the  reason  why  linen 
wears  out  much  faster  now  than  formerly,  as  follows  :  In  the  first  place,  rice  starch 
is  usually  used  now,  which  always  contains  caustic  soda,  used  in  its  manufacture, 
which  can  be  easily  recognized  by  its  peculiar  salty,  disagreeable,  alkaline  taste  and 
its  alkaline  reaction  on  litmus  paper.  This,  not  being  removed  by  water,  but 
remaining  in  the  linen,  destroys  it  gradually.  Besides  the  enormous  weight  of  the 
flat-irons,  often  weighing  over  20  lbs.,  and  the  additions  for  producing  a  polish, 
consisting  of  steafin,  tallow,  spermaceti,  paraffin,  etc.,  although  of  a  harmless  char- 
acter, do  their  share  in  ruining  it  by  forming  a  solid  coating,  the  removal  of  which 
necessitates  considerable  otherwise  unnecessary  rubbing  on  wash-day.  The  author 
concludes  in  recommending  the  old-fashioned  cooked  wheat  starch  without  any 
additions,  stating  that  it  will  give  an  equal  gloss  without  ruining  the  \men.--Apoth. 
Ztg.,  May  ii,  p.  78. 
Rice  is  of  more  use  and  of  larger  cultivation  than  any  other  cereal  grown.  It 
is  almost  the  only  diet  of  hundreds  of  millions  of  people  in  China,  Asia,  and  all 
Eastern  countries.  In  those  countries  it  is  used  the  same  as  potatoes,  and  is  a  sub- 
stitute for  them.    Only  at  the  North  is  rice  looked  upon  as  a  luxury,  to  be  used 
1  Oil  of  cloves  produces  with  Froshde's  reagent  a^deep  blood-red,  afterwards  a  deep  cherry-red 
coloration. — Editor. 
26 
