496  Abstracts  from  the  French  Journals.  {Am'octuriS3.arm' 
for  the  preparation  of  cinnamic  acid  is  as  follows :  The  filtered 
ethereal  solution  of  benzoin  is  agitated  with  a  dilute  solution  of 
soda  to  remove  the  free  benzoic  acid  and  vanillin  ;  the  ether  is  dis- 
tilled off  and  the  pure  esters  saponified  by  boiling  with  solution  of 
soda  for  several  hours  ;  after  acidifying,  the  mixture  is  boiled  and 
filtered,  the  filtrate  upon  cooling  separating  the  acid  which  is  puri- 
fied by  recrystallization,  the  resinous  mass  upon  the  filter  is  saponi- 
fied as  often  as  necessary  to  ensure  complete  decomposition  of  the 
esters  (until  the  alkaline  solution  warmed  with  potassium  perman- 
ganate ceases  to  develop  the  bitter  almond  odor). 
The  extraction  of  benzoic  acid  from  Siam  benzoin  is  effected  by 
repeatedly  boiling  the  benzoin  for  several  hours  with  fresh  portions 
of  solution  of  soda  (this  must  not  be  too  concentrated)  until  the 
resin  loses  the  gummy  nature  and  becomes  brittle  and  pulverulent 
by  acidifying  the  boiling  liquid,  filtering  and  cooling  the  crude,  ben- 
zoic acid  is  obtained  and  then  purified  by  recrystallization  and  the 
acid  of  animal  charcoal.  This  method  is  superior  to  the  older  one, 
in  which  milk  of  lime  is  used  for  saponifying,  because  of  the  greater 
yield  and  the  rapidity  of  the  process.  Two  specimens  of  Palem- 
bang  benzoin  contained  benzoic,  but  no  cinnamic  acid  ;  this  is  remark- 
able since  this  variety  of  benzoin  comes  from  Sumatra.  The  price 
of  this  benzoin  is  very  low  and  the  manufacture  of  benzoic  acid 
from  it  therefore  suggests  itself.  Three  specimens  of  Penang  benzoin 
gave  varying  results  :  one  contained  benzoic  acid  with  a  very  small 
quantity  of  cinnamic  acid  ;  in  the  second  only  cinnamic  acid  was 
present,  while  the  third  contained  chiefly  cinnamic  acid  with  smaller 
quantity  of  benzoic  acid. — F.  Liidy,  Arch,  der  Pharm.,  1893, 
500-513.  
ABSTRACTS  FROM  THE  FRENCH  JOURNALS. 
Translated  for  The  American  Journal  of  Pharmacy. 
Estimation  of  Camphor. — M.  Manseau  gives,  in  Bull,  de  pharm.  de 
Bord.}  July,  1893,  p.  222,  several  processes  for  the  estimation  of 
camphor,  taking  as  a  basis  for  them  the  following  experiments : 
Place  I  or  2  gm  of  camphor,  purified  by  several  crystallizations  from 
alcohol,  on  a  small  funnel,  below  which  a  tared  platinum  capsule  is 
attached,  and  add  10  cc.  of  65  per  cent,  ether,  for  dissolving  the 
camphor  and  washing  the  funnel.  Evaporate  the  ether,  and  place 
on  a  sensitive  balance,  although  the  camphor  is  still  moist ;  if  now 
