134  Gleanings  from  the  German  Journals,  {^il^k^ml^' 
the  residue  dissolved  in  25-30  cc.  absolute  alcohol  placed  into  a 
graduated  tube  of  12-16  mm.  diameter  ;  into  a  similar  tube  is 
placed  an  equal  quantity  of  a  0*02  per  cent,  solution  of  salicylic  acid 
in  absolute  alcohol.  To  both  solutions  a  5  percent,  alcoholic  ferric 
chloride  solution  is  added  until  the  maximum  intensity  of  color 
results ;  by  adding  alcohol  to  one  of  the  tubes  until  the  colors  are 
of  the  same  intensity  and  then  noting  the  volume  of  each  solution 
the  data  are  obtained  for  calculating  the  salicylic  acid.  It  was 
found  possible  to  make  estimations  even  if  the  phenols  were  present 
in  the  proportion  of  800  parts  to  one  part  salicylic  acid. —  Chemiker 
Ztg.,  1893,  69. 
For  the  detection  of  iodine  in  organic  compounds,  H.  Thorns 
recommends  the  addition  of  concentrated  sulphuric  acid  assisted  by 
heat  if  necessary ;  the  evolution  of  violet-colored  vapors  is  very 
characteristic. — Pharm.  Centralhalle,  1893,  10. 
l'odoso-benzoic  acid,  C6H4(OI)COOH,  is  made  by  the  action  of 
fuming  nitric  acid  upon  ortho-iodo-benzoic  acid,  C6H4I,COOH; 
purified  by  recrystallization  from  water  it  forms  small,  pale  yellow 
laminae,  melting  at  2090  C.  with  decomposition.  With  warm, 
acidulated  potassium  iodide  solution  iodine  is  liberated  and  the 
ortho-iodo-benzoic  acid  regenerated.  Medicinal  uses  are  to  be  found 
for  this  new  compound. — Pharm.  Centralhalle,  1893,26. 
The  melting  point  of  cocaine  hydrochlorate  given  as  181-5°  C.  in 
a  number  of  standard  works  of  reference  is  erroneous  ;  Dr.  W.  Kin- 
zel  ascertained  that  the  melting  point  of  the  pure  salt  was  201- 
202°  C.  and  this  was  confirmed  by  other  investigators.  The  low 
melting  point  is  ascribed  to  the  presence  of  small  quantities  of 
other  alkaloidal  salts. — Pharm.  Ztg.y  1893,  25. 
The  adulteration  of  saffron  with  wheat-flour  has  been  shown  by 
Dr.  Herz  and  Professor  Hanausek.  To  decrease  the  loss  occasioned 
by  drying  the  stigmas  are  dusted  with  a  fine  powder,  capable  itself 
of  absorbing  moisture  and  coloring  matter  ;  mineral  powders  being 
so  readily  detected,  flour  is  used  as  a  substance,  cheaply  and  con- 
veniently obtainable,  which  is  a  good  absorbent,  and,  what  is  more 
to  the  point,  something  that  no  one  looks  for.  The  microsopic 
examination  for  flour  must  be  conducted  with  care,  since  the  strong 
coloring  power  of  the  coloring  matter  notably  interferes  with  the 
recognition  of  the  adulteration ;  the  best  method  for  detecting  the 
starch  granules  consists  in  suspending  the  sample  in  the  finest  olive 
