AMFebUtmrM'}  Morphia  Strength  of  Tincture  of  Opium.  55 
the  arrowroot,  which  gave  a  negative  result,  and  by  a  comparative  test 
with  the  solution  of  glucose  obtained  by  the  above  action  of  the  pan- 
creatin  upon  the  arrowroot.  Fifty  minims  of  this  solution,  containing 
less  than  one  grain  of  lactin,  reduced  the  cupric  solution  much  more 
readily  than  a  similar  solution  containing  ten  grains  of  lactin,  the 
purity  of  both  specimens  of  milk  sugar  having  been  ascertained  be- 
fore using. 
Although  the  strength  of  saccharated  pancreatin  is  given  as  i(  ten 
grains  emulsify  two  fluid-drachms  of  cod- liver  oil,"  yet  when  ten  grs. 
were  dissolved  in  one  fluid-drachm  of  water,  and  one  fluidounce  of  oil 
added,  perfect  emulsification  was  effected  in  a  very  few  minutes. 
The  experiment  of  digesting  the  pancreas  in  cod-liver  oil  was  tried, 
and  with  this  is  presented  samples  thereof. 
The  bottle  labled  No.  1  consists  of  a  portion  of  cod-liver  oil,  in 
which  a  pancreas  was  digested  with  frequent  agitation.  As  will  be 
found  upon  inspection,  the  oil  is  much  changed,  having  the  appear- 
ance and  smell  of  a  badly  oxidized  oil.  This  change  was  very  rapid 
from  the  moment  of  the  introduction  of  the  pancreas. 
The  bottle  labled  No.  2  consists  of  a  portion  of  the  same  oil  in  which 
a  pancreas  was  digested  under  precisely  similar  circumstances,  with  the 
exception  of  the  addition  of  half  a  fluidounce  of  hydrochloric  acid  to 
the  mixture.  This  sample  will  be  found  presenting  the  appearance  of 
a  fine  oil,  free  from  any  indication  of  rancidity.  When  to  this  pan- 
creatized  oil  a  portion  of  water  is  added  a  perfect  emulsion  is  formed, 
to  which  more  oil  may  be  readily  added  without  disturbing  the  emul- 
sion. It  is,  however,  deemed  inferior  to  the  emulsion  of  oil  prepared 
according  to  the  directions  given,  in  which  such  good  evidence  is  af- 
forded of  the  superiority  of  saccharated  pancreatin. 
Philadelphia,  1st  month,  1874. 
THE  MORPHIA  STRENGTH  OF  TINCTURE  OF  OPIUM. 
By  George  W.  Kennedy. 
Tincture  opium  of  our  Pharmacopoeia,  when  made  of  proper  strength, 
should  represent  in  each  gallon  the  active  ingred  ents  of  ten  troy 
ounces  of  the  powdered  drug ;  as  opium  varies  in  morphia  strength, 
it  is  evident  that  the  tincture  must  likewise  vary  ;  powdered  opium  is 
not  used  by  apothecaries  generally,  but  the  opium  as  it  is  found  in 
the  market.*    There  is  a  serious  objection  to  it  as  found  in  commerce, 
*  The  Pharmacopoeia  directs  the  opium  to  be  dried  and  in  moderately  fine 
powder. — Ed. 
