4 
Distilled  Water. 
(Am. Jour  Phurru. 
I     January,  1816 
laboratory,  the  permanganate  test  was  inoperative,  the  same  being 
true  in  the  presence  of  iodine  vapors.  Upon  carrying  the  same 
quality  of  water  to  localities  free  from  such  contaminations,  it  stood 
the  permanganate  reaction,  thus  showing  that  the  tests  should  not 
foe  made  in  the  presence  of  certain  atmospheric  impurities. 
From  the  results  of  the  first  series  of  investigations  (see  this 
Journal,  1895,  P-  I9°)»  H  is  seen  that  with  suitable  apparatus  dis- 
tilled water,  to  withstand  the  rigid  organic  test  of  the  U.  S.  P.,  may 
foe  obtained  direct  from  ordinary  river  water.  In  this  connection 
it  may  be  stated  that  the  same  good  results  have  followed  with  water 
distilled  during  the  entire  season,  both  in  summer  and  in  winter. 
Contrary  to  the  preconceived  opinion  of  the  writer,  no  organic 
disturbance  results  in  such  water  during  the  usual  time  that  would 
foe  employed  in  emptying  a  medium-sized  container.  Under  ordi- 
nary conditions,  and  without  special  precaution,  it  can  be  used  for 
dispensing  purposes  with  confidence. 
In  applying  the  permanganate  test  the  condition  of  the  atmos- 
phere might  lead  to  incorrect  conclusions  concerning  the  water. 
All  distilled  water  encountered  to  date  contains  inorganic  matter 
in  solution,  enough,  under  the  conditions  named  in  this  paper,  to 
deposit  a  sediment  in  time.  This  sediment  also  holds  organic  matter 
as  an  invariable  constituent,  which  it  seems  difficult  to  exclude 
entirely  in  the  making  and  keeping  of  the  distilled  water.  Still  the 
amount  contained  in  the  latter  is  so  small  that  it  does  not  percep- 
tibly interfere  with  the  permanganate  test. 
Conclusion.— (1)  It  is  impractical  (by  reason  of  inorganic  impurity) 
to  make  distilled  water  in  glass,  stone  or  ordinary  metal  condensers 
that  will  stand  the  pharmacopceial  test. 
"  When  1,000  c.e.  of  distilled  water  are  evaporated  on  a  water 
foath  to  dryness,  no  residue  should  remain." — U.  S,  P. 
(2)  The  pharmacopceial  test  (permanganate)  for  organic  impuri- 
ties is  not  too  rigid. 
(3)  Precautions  should  be  given  in  the  Pharmacopoeia  that  the 
permanganate  test  be  not  applied  in  a  very  impure  atmosphere. 
(4)  If  the  neck  of  the  bottle  be  protected  with  an  inverted  paper 
cap  or  other  cover,  and  the  operator  is  careful  not  to  touch  the  lip 
of  the  bottle  with  his  hand,  the  water  will  retain  its  purity  and  the 
Pharmacopoeia  can  demand  that  distilled  water  used  for  dispensing 
withstand  the  present  test  for  organic  matter. 
