Am.  Jour.  Pharm. ) 
Dec,  1877.  J 
Abstract  of  Papers. 
587 
Samples  were  found  containing  a  considerable  proportion  of  ultra- 
marin,  which  after  several  days'  standing  was  deposited.  Syrups  made 
from  sugars  having  the  ultramarin  impurities  are  discolored,  being  usu- 
ally of  a  pale  straw  color. 
This  adulteration  and  additions  of  sulphate  of  tin,  alum,  etc.,  are 
used  by  refiners  in  the  interest  of  dollars  and  cents,  and  are  designed 
to  neutralize  the  yellow  tint  in  imperfectly  refined  sugars.  The  prac- 
tice is  known  among  refiners  as  adding  the  complementary  color. 
Unquestionably  ultramarin  adulteration  is  chemically  injurious,  being 
decomposed  by  fruit  or  organic  acids  with  evolution  of  sulphuretted 
hydrogen,  which  produces  a  disagreeable  taste  ;  aside  from  this  serious 
objection,  the  officinal  syrups,  instead  of  being  colorless  and  bright, 
are  tainted  and  dull  in  appearance.  Pure  sugars  can  be  had  by  pur- 
purchasing  from  first-class  manufacturers,  and  paying  a  slight  advance 
on  the  price  of  ordinary  marketable  granulated  white  sugar. 
Quantitative  Test  for  Carbolic  Acid.  By  A.  F.  Nietsch, 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. — The  writer  recommended  the  conversion  of  car- 
bolic acid  into  a  sulpho-carbolate,  by  digesting  equal  volumes  of  phe- 
nol and  concentrated  sulphuric  acid  until  they  have  combined.  Water 
is  added  to  dissolve  the  sulpho-carbolic  acid,  which  is  filtered  and 
treated  with  oxide  of  lead  or  carbonate  of  barium  in  excess.  The 
solution  of  sulpho-carbolate  of  lead  or  barium  is  filtered,  and  decom- 
posed with  dilute  sulphuric  acid.  The  precipitated  sulphate  of  barium 
or  lead  is  washed,  dried  and  calcined. 
One  hundred  parts  by  weight  of  sulphate  of  barium  is  equal  to 
eighty,  and  one  hundred  parts  by  weight  of  sulphate  of  lead  is  equal  to 
sixty-two  parts  by  weight  of  carbolica  cid,  from  which  the  percentage 
composition  of  the  tested  sample  can  be  easily  calculated. 
Note. — This  process  was  recommended  by  Schaedler  in  1872.  See 
"Amer.  Jour.  Phar.,"  1872,  p.  352. — Editor. 
Pellitory  Root. — Mr.  G.  C.  Close  pointed  out  an  error  in  the 
Dispensatory  under  the  head  of  Pellitory.  The  statement  that  pelli- 
tory was  a  powerful  irritant  he  had  found  incorrect.  It  seemed  to 
have  only  mild  stimulant  properties,  and  was  used  considerably  in  tooth 
washes. 
Note. — The  fresh  roots  of  both  Anthemis  Pyrethrum,  Lin.,  and 
