504 
American  Pharmaceutical  Association.  {A 
Add  3  fluidrachms  water  of  ammonia  U.  S.  P.  to  5  fluidrachms  of  water,  and  in 
this  dissolve  256  grains  ammonium  valerianate,  which  solution  is  now  added  to 
12  fluidounces  of  aromatic  elixir  ;  then  add  chloroform,  tincture  of  vanilla,  and 
compound  tincture  of  cudbear  (in  quantities  as  per  N.  F.),  and  agitate  ;  now 
add  q.  s.  aromatic  elixir  to  make  16  fluidounces. 
A  method  for  the  estimation  of  mono-  and  bicarbonate  of  sodium  in  commer- 
cial bicarbonate  of  sodium  was  submitted  by  Prof.  W.  T.  Wenzell.  After  the 
estimation  of  the  mixed  carbonates,  the  amount  of  each  is  ascertained  by  a 
carbon  dioxide  determination  simply — the  process  being  based  on  the  following 
data : 
(r)  The  percentage  amount  of  carbon  dioxide  contained  in  sodium  bicarbonate 
=  52-38095. 
(2)  The  percentage  amount  of  carbon  dioxide  contained  in  sodium  mono- 
carbonate  =  41  '50943. 
(3)  The  difference  between  the  two  percentage  amounts  of  the  two  carbon- 
ates, 52*38095  —  4i'50943  =  10*87152. 
(4)  A  factor  representing  1  per  cent,  of  this  difference,  10-87152  -5-  100  = 
•1087 152. 
From  the  foregoing  amounts  the  following  data  have  been  proposed  for 
formulating  the  analytical  process  : 
A.  =  Percentage  amount  of  C02  obtained  by  the  actual  analysis  of  the 
sample. 
B.  =  Theoretical  percentage  of  C02  contained  in  the  sample,  calculated  as 
NaHC03. 
C.  =  The  difference  between  the  respective  amounts  of  A  and  B. 
D.  =  The  factor  representing  1  per  cent,  of  the  difference  of  the  amounts  of 
CO 2  contained  respectively  in  NaC03  and  NaHC03. 
E.  =  The  percentage  amount  of  Na2C03. 
F.  =  The  percentage  amount  of  NaHC03. 
G.  =  The  total  percentage  amount  of  mixed  carbonates  in  the  sample. 
Analytical  Alkaloidal  Chemistry. — Lyman  F.  Kebler,  after  reviewing  the 
development  of  the  various  methods  of  extracting,  separating  and  estimating 
these  principles,  discussed  the  relative  value  of  gravimetric  methods,  Mayer's 
reagent  and  tritration  with  volumetric  acid  solutions  in  assaying  alkaloidal 
drugs  and  galenical  preparations. 
A  table  of  the  results  of  the  three  methods  is  given  for  the  more  frequently 
used  alkaloidal  drugs,  an  examination  of  which  shows  the  mean  percentage 
results  obtained  by  the  use  of  volumetric  acid  to  be  in  most  cases  about  ten 
per  cent,  lower  than  those  from  the  gravimetric  method.  Uniform  success  was 
not  had  by  use  of  Mayer's  reagent. 
The  adoption  of  a  certain  method,  both  for  the  extraction  of  the  alkaloid 
and  the  titration  with  a  volumetric  acid  solution,  is  recommended  to  insure 
uniform  results  with  every  drug. 
FORMULA. 
A. 
C. 
E. 
B.  =  C. 
D.  =E.  (E.  =Na2C03.) 
G.  =  F.  (F.  =  NaHCQ3.) 
