136 ON CYANIDE OF POTASSIUM. 
11 grains of cya- 
nide of silver, or 
The first was prepared according to 
the process of U. S. Pharmacopoeia, 
modified hy the use of a water bath [> about 109 grains of 
in evaporating the salt.* 5 grains | prussic acid, 
yielded, J 
No. 2, prepared from alcoholic solu-1.5 grains cyanide 
tion — [See Maryland Medical Jour- (of silver, or 49 
nal, Vol. 1, No. 2, p. 201.] 5 grains [minims of prussic 
yielded/!* J acid. 
No. 3, prepared recently as No. 1. 5^ 9| grs. cyanide sil- 
grains yielded, 5 ver,or 94 prus. acid. 
~) 6 grains cyanide of 
No. 4. 5 grains yielded, > silver, or 59 grains 
3 prussic acid. 
No. 5, prepared by one of the most") 7 grains cyanide 
careful and experienced manufactur- { of silver or 69 
ing chemists in Philadelphia. 5 grs. (minims of prussic 
yielded, J acid. 
No. 6, French manufacture. 5 grains^ 6 grs. cyanide of 
yielded, > silver, or 59 mi- 
3 nims prussic acid. 
I think we have now proved from the best authority, and 
from actual experiment, 
First, That if cyanide of potassium could be prepared of 
a definite strength, its effects must vary exceedingly, and 
that its use may be attended with the most dreadful conse- 
quences, should several doses accumulate in the stomach or 
intestines, and be followed by an acid. 
Second, That it is liable to be decomposed during the 
most careful preparation. 
* G. W. Andrews, M. D., suggested this modification at a meeting 
of Maryland College of Pharmacy. 
£ The gentleman from whom I obtained this sample has since given 
me the assay of five grains recently prepared by the same formula which 
indicates 95 grains of prussic acid. 
