Am.  Jour.  Pharm.T 
March,  1899.  / 
Official  Fluid  Acids. 
143 
Acidum  HypopliospJwrosiim  Dilutum. — Ralph  L.  Haus,  P.D., 
found  the  physical  properties  of  the  five  samples  of  diluted  hypo- 
phosphorous  acid  sold  to  him  to  correspond  to  the  description  given 
by  the  Pharmacopoeia.  The  total  acidity  of  each  sample  calculated 
as  hypophosphorous  acid  was  first  determined  according  to  the 
official  method.  By  this  process  the  samples  showed  i6-o,  n*o, 
i6-i,  TO'i  and  14-5  per  cent.,  respectively.  They  were  then  titrated 
with  potassium  permanganate  volumetric  solution  as  further  directed 
by  the  Pharmacopoeia.  The  corresponding  results  by  this  method 
were  15,  10,  16,  9  and  14  per  cent.,  showing  the  presence  of  foreign 
acids  in  the  samples.  The  Pharmacopoeia  requires  about  10  per 
cent,  of  absolute  hypophosphorous  acid ;  the  allowable  variation 
implied  by  the  word  about  being  2  per  cent,  of  the  10  per  cent,  of 
hypophosphorous  acid,  either  way. 
Acidum  Lacticum. — William  R.  Bready,  Jr.,  P.D.,  examined  four 
samples  of  lactic  acid  of  different  makes.  The  first  sample  con- 
tained chlorides,  sugars  and  glycerin.  It  showed  73-9  per  cent,  of 
absolute  lactic  acid.  The  second  sample  showed  traces  of  chlorides, 
sulphates  and  sugars;  it  assayed  74-8  per  cent,  of  absolute  lactic 
acid.  Simples  3  and  4  contained  sugars  only.  Both  of  these  were 
found  to  represent  75  per  cent,  of  lactic  acid.  All  of  the  sam- 
ples were  free  from  sarcolactic  acid,  iron  and  lead. 
Acidum  Phosphoricitm  Dilutum. — Theodore  S.  Schlauch,  P.D.,  in- 
vestigated twelve  samples  of  this  substance.  All  the  samples  ex- 
cept No.  1  were  colorless  and  odorless  ;  it  had  a  milky  white  color 
and  a  disagreeable  odor.  Samples  1,  8  and  9  contained  sulphates. 
Sample  1  alone  showed  chlorides,  phosphates  and  heavy  metals. 
All  were  free  from  nitric  and  phosphorous  acids.  The  percentages 
of  phosphoric  acid  present  were:  10-5,  il-'0}  io-o,  16-5,  10-9,  5*0, 
io-o,  19  5,  240,  22-5,  8-5  and  7*3. 
Acidum  Sulphuricum. — Ernest  A.  Troth,  P.D.,  procured  samples 
of  the  sulphuric  acid  put  upon  the  market  by  seven  different  manu- 
facturers, and  sold  as  the  official  article.  Samples  I,  3  and  7  were 
entirely  free  from  impurities.  Samples  2  and  6  contained  a  small 
amount  of  nitrous  acid  and  a  large  amount  of  hydrochloric  acid. 
Sample  4  held  an  appreciable  amount  of  lead  sulphate  in  solution. 
Sample  5  showed  a  considerable  amount  of  hydrochloric  acid. 
All  were  free  from  arsenic,  copper  and  iron.  The  amounts  of  abso- 
lute sulphuric  acid  calculated  from  the  total  acidities  of  the  several 
samples  were  :  79-39,  9403,96-68,  91-99,  97*43,  97"38  ar>d  98-06  per 
