18  Abstracts  from  the  French  Journals.  {Amj^\marm' 
ABSTRACTS  FROM  THE  FRENCH  JOURNALS. 
Translated  for  the  American  Journal  op  Pharmacy. 
Decoloration  of  Solutions  of  Iodide  of  Ammonium. — These 
are  colorless  when  recently  prepared,  but  soon  become  yellow  owing 
to  a  portion  of  the  iodine  being  set  free.  Ammonia  may  be  used  as 
a  decolorant,  but  an  excess  is  required  ;  hyposulphite  of  sodium  acts 
well,  but  introduces  too  much  tetrathionate  of  sodium  ;  ether  and 
chloroform,  also,  are  used,  but  these  are  not  perfectly  soluble  in 
water.  M.  Soucheire  recommends  that  a  small  quantity  of  fecula  be 
added  to  the  solution  of  ammonium  iodide,  which  is  then  well  shaken 
and  filtered.  The  iodide  of  starch  thus  formed  remains  upon  the  fil- 
ter. The  filtered  solution  contains  no  dissolved  fecula  ;  if  a  drop  of 
tincture  of  iodine  be  added  to  it  no  deposit  or  blue  coloration  is 
observed. — Bull,  de  la  Soc.  du  Phar.  du  Sud-Ouest,  Aug.,  1889. 
Properties  of  "  Absolute  "  Iodoform. — Suillot  and  Raynaud 
described  their  process  of  making  iodoform  from  acetone,  early  in  the 
year  1889  (Am.  Jour.  Phar.,  1889,  p.  175).  The  process  is  based  upon  the 
reaction  of  a  hypochlorite  upon  an  alkaline  iodide,  and  the  reaction  of 
an  alkaline  hypoiodite  upon  acetone,  thus  giving  rise  to  iodoform.  In 
a  communication  by  M.  Casthelaz  to  the  Congres  de  Therapeutique 
it  is  explained  that  at  ?he  factories  near  Rouen,  iodoform  is  now  made 
directly  from  the  sodic  mother-liquors  of  sea-weed.  The  iodide  of 
sodium  is  taken  from  the  cinders,  and,  on  the  following  day,  the 
total  amount  of  iodine  is  precipitated  as  iodoform.  The  bromides  of 
potassium  and  of  sodium  remain  in  the  liquors,  whence  they  are 
taken  by  the  usual  processes.  Iodoform  made  by  this  process  is  called 
by  Casthelaz,  "absolute  iodoform,"  because  "  iodoform  by  acetone  is 
the  result  of  a  complete  reaction,  without  production  of  free  iodine 
capable  of  giving  rise  to  iodic  compounds  ;  it  is  obtained  directly 
from  the  alkaline  iodides  in  a  state  of  great  purity,  and  may,  per- 
haps, be  considered  absolute."  In  consequence  of  its  purity,  the  odor 
of  iodoform  thus  made  is  very  weak ;  the  substance  appears  in  pale 
yellow,  mica-like  scales  and  is  soluble  without  residuum  in  alcohol, 
ether,  chloroform  and  the  sulphide  of  carbon. — Congres  de  Therapeu- 
tique, 1889. 
Solutions  of  Salicylic  Acid. — M.  Barnouvin  writes  as  follows 
to  the  Bepert.  de  Phar.,  Nov.  10 :  The  name  of  solution  as  applied  to 
the  mixture  of  salicylic  acid  now  in  use,  composed  of  salicylic  acid, 
1  gm. ;  glycerin,  20  gm.,  and  distilled  water,  80  gm.,  is  a  misnomer, 
