416  Gleanings  from  European  Journals.    j  Asep™Bi',i87A£M' 
phosphoric  acid.  The  reaction  is  readily  made  in  a  test-tube  containing 
the  liquid,  which,  after  the  introduction  of  a  fragment  of  phosphorus, 
gradually  assumes  a  brown-yellow  color,  and,  on  being  left  to  repose, 
deposits  small  scales  of  iodine  upon  the  surface  of  the  phosphorus. 
The  presence  of  free  iodine  may  then  be  demonstrated  by  starch  or 
bisulphide  of  carbon,  in  the  usual  manner.  Amorphous  phosphorus 
acts  upon  the  iodates  even  more  energetically  than  ordinary  phos- 
phorus, the  reduction  of  the  iodine  being  so  rapid  that  a  lively  agita- 
tion is  produced  in  the  liquid. 
On  the  other  hand,  iodate  of  potassium  may  be  employed  as  a  very 
delicate  test  for  free  phosphorus. — Jour,  de  Phar.  et  de  Chim.,  1874, 
August,  p.  104 — Gf-az.  Chim.  ItaL,  iii. 
Elixir  of  Tar. — Magnes-Lahens  proposes  to  triturate  5  grams  of 
tar  (of  Pinus  maritima)  with  15  grams  of  sugar,  and  then  with  100 
grams  of  67  per  cent,  alcohol,  which  is  to  be  added  gradually.  When 
the  sugar  is  dissolved  the  liquid  is  filtered,  and  contains  then  3  grms. 
of  the  hydro-alcoholic  extract  of  tar,  or  0*15  grms.  in  the  cofTeespoon- 
ful.  The  latter  quantity  is  sufficient  for  a  glassful  of  water,  and 
yields  a  good  tar  water,  containing  a  very  small  proportion  of  alcohol. 
—Ibid.,  p.  126. 
Suppositories  of  Chloral  have  been  recommended  by  Dr.  Const.  Paul 
in  cancer  of  the  uterus.  They  are  made  from  cacao  butter  11  grams, 
white  wax  7  grams,  and  chloral  hydrate  6  grams,  to  be  divided  into 
six  suppositories. — Ibid.,  128. 
Nitrite  of  Amyl. — Prof.  A.  Hilger  recommends  the  following  as 
the  best  process  for  preparing  this  medicinal  agent.*  Nitrous  acid, 
prepared  from  arsenious  and  nitric  acids  is  passed  into  chemically 
pure  amylic  arcohol  at  a  temperature  of  70°  to  90°  0.,  until  the  odor 
of  amylic  alcohol  is  no  longer  perceived.  The  distillate  is  rapidly 
agitated  with  magnesium  oxide  or  diluted  potassa  solution,  then  de- 
hydrated by,  and  finally  rectified  over  chloride  of  calcium,  which  must 
not  be  alkaline,  only  the  portion  distilling  between  90°  and  95°  C. 
being  collected.  It  is  then  free  from  acid  reaction,  has  a  pale  yellow 
color,  a  peculiar  characteristic  odor,  a  boiling  point  of  94-95°  C.  and 
a  specific  gravity  of  0*902  to  -9026.    In  contact  with  the  air  it  soon 
*The  author  was  evidently  not  aware  of  the  experiments  of  A.  B.  Tanner, 
whose  process  was  published  on  page  21  of  this  Journal  for  January,  1872. — 
Ed.  Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
