into  the  receiver,  and  provided  efficient  means  for  keeping  the  condenser  and 
receiver  cold,  cautiously  apply  heat  to  the  flask,  until  by  slow  distillation  the 
liquid  in  the  receiver  is  increased  to  10  fluid  ounces.  Add  to  the  product  as 
much  water  as  may  be  sufficient  to  bring  the  acid  to  the  required  strength. 
Characters  and  Tests.  —  A  colorless  liquid.  Specific  gravity,  0*994.  A 
fluid  drachm  of  it  leaves  on  evaporation  no  fixed  residue.  It  gives  no  precipi- 
tate with  chloride  of  barium,  but  with  nitrate  of  silver  it  yields  a  white  pre- 
cipitate, entirely  soluble  in  boiling  concentrated  nitric  acid.  Its  strength,  as 
determined  by  the  process  of  the  British  Pharmacopoeia  by  means  of  volu- 
metric solution  of  nitrate  of  silver,  corresponds  to  4  per  cent,  of  hydrocyanic 
acid. 
Dose. — 1  to  4  minims. 
Dissolve  the  hypophosphite  of  barium  in  36  fluid  ounces  of  hot  distilled 
water.  Add  slowly  to  the  solution  17  fluid  ounces  of  diluted  sulphuric  acid, 
after  which  continue  the  addition,  drop  by  drop,  until  no  further  turbidity  is 
produced.  Set  aside  in  a  warm  place,  and  pass  the  clear  liquid  through  a  filter. 
Wash  the  precipitate  by  decantation  with  successive  portions  of  hot  distilled 
water,  until  the  washings  have  no  longer  an  acid  reaction.  Filter,  unite  the 
filtrates,  and  evaporate  the  liquid  on  a  water-bath  to  the  prescribed  density. 
The  product  will  weigh  about  \\%  ounces. 
Characters  and  Tests. — Colorless.  Specific  gravity,  1*1367.  Its  strength,  as 
determined  by  volumetric  solution  of  soda,  corresponds  to  30  per  cent,  of  hypo- 
phosphorous  acid.  Its  aqueous  solution  is  not  precipitated  by  diluted  sul- 
phuric acid,  nor  by  an  excess  of  ammonia,  nor  by  oxalate  of  ammonia  after 
neutralization,  and  gives  not  more  than  a  faint  opalescence  with  chloride  of 
barium.  if  solution  of  ammonio-sulphate  of  magnesium  be  added  after  an 
excess  of  ammonia,  no  precipitate  is  produced.  Chloride  of  calcium  added  to 
a  neutralized  solution  yields  no  precipitate. 
Dose. — 2  to  5  minims. 
Acidum  Hypophosphorosum — Hypophosphorous  Acid. 
Take  of — 
Hypophosphite  of  barium,  8  oz. 
Containing  not  less  than  95  per  cent. 
Ba2(PH202)H20). 
Chloroformum  Aconiti — Chloroform  of  Aconite. 
Take  of— 
Aconite  root,  2< 
Strong  solution  of  ammonia,  1 
Distilled  water,  1 
Chloroform,  a  sufficient  quantity. 
20  oz. 
\%  fl.  oz. 
1  pint. 
Bruise  the  aconite  root,  and  moisten  thoroughly  with  the  strong  solution  of 
ammonia  and  distilled  water  previously  mixed.  Macerate  for  four  hours,  dry 
carefully,  and  reduce  to  No.  40  powder.    Pack  tightly  in  a  percolator  provided 
