540  Gleanings  from  the  European  Journals \  { 
Am.  Jour.  Pharm.. 
Dec.  1,  1872. 
contained  few  stigmas  of  crocus,  but  consisted  mainly  of  narrow  yelL 
low  petals  saturated  with  a  thick  oil,  which  was  readily  dissolved  by 
ether.  This  so-called  saffron  is  easily  recognized  by  its  imparting  a 
yellow  color  to  petroleum  ether,  which  is  not  colored  by  true  saffrono. 
—Pharm.  Centr.  Halle,  1872,  No.  40. 
Detection  of  morphia  in  quinia. — Several  fatal  cases  of  poisoning- 
by  quinia  containing  morphia,  having  of  late  occurred  in  Europe,  the 
Schweiz.  Wochenschr.  f.  Pharmacie  proposes  the  following  test,  which 
is  with  slight  modifications  also  recommended  by  Pharm.  Centr.  Halle  : 
O'l  grm.  ferricyanide  of  potassium  is  dissolved  in  15  grm.  water  ;  3 
drops  of  this  solution  are  mixed  with  16  drops  of  a  mixture  obtained 
from  12  drops  solution  of  ferric  chloride  with  50  grm.  of  water.  The 
reagent  is  mixed  with  a  drop  of  the  quinia  solution,  which,  if  pure, 
scarcely  affects  it;  but  if  containing  only  one  ten-thousandth  morphia, 
a  distinctly  blue  coloration  is  at  once  produced,  and  a  precipitate  of 
Prussian  blue  if  a  few  drops  of  morphia  solution  are  added.  The  ab- 
sence of  all  coloration  is  proof  of  the  absence  of  morphia.  A  blue- 
color  or  precipitate,  however,  may  be  produced  by  all  deoxidizing 
substances,  and  a  further  examination  is  necessary. 
Acetate  of  iron  in  scales  may  be  obtained  if  a  solution  of  the  salt 
is  evaporated  upon  glass  plates  in  a  dark  place  at  a  temperature  of 
15°  to  17°  C.  (59°  to  63°  F.)  It  is  of  a  deep  chestnut  brown  color, 
dissolves  readily  and  clear  in  water,  and  must  be  kept  in  a  dark  place. 
—Pharm.  Centr.  Halle,  1872,  No.  42. 
Adulterated  quinia. — J.  Biel  has  met  with  sulphate  of  quinia,  pre- 
tending to  be  of  German  manufacture,  which  was  adulterated  with  10 
per  cent,  of  anhydrous  sulphate  of  soda.— Ohem.  Centr.  Bl.,  1872, 
No.  40,  from  Pharm.  Zeitschr.f.  Russl.  xi,  367. 
Preparations  of  Eucalyptus  globulus. — L' Union  Pharmaceutique? 
1872,  September,  publishes  the  following  formulas  : 
Syrup  of  eucalyptus. — Distilled  water  of  eucalyptus,        500  p. 
Sugar,  .        .  .        .        950  p. 
Dissolve  without  heat  and  filter. 
Tincture  of  eucalyptus. — Eucalyptus  leaves,  dried  and  cut,     1  p- 
Alcohol  of  80  per  cent.       .  5  p. 
Digest  for  six  days  and  filter. 
