426  Abstracts  from  the  French  Journals.  {AmAugr;i8warm' 
Solutions  of  Borate  of  Sodium  and  Cocaine  — At  a  meeting  of 
the  Soci'et'e  de  Pharmacie,  M.  Julliard  advised  the  addition  of  a  small 
quantity  of  glycerin  to  these  solutions  to  prevent  the  precipitate 
caused  by  the  alkalinity  of  the  sodic  salt.  M.  Patein  thought  the 
salt  was  not  alkaline,  but  that  alkalinity  was  developed  by  solution, 
M.  Grimbert  said  that  the  glycerin  did  not  re-dissolve  the  cocaine, 
but  caused  a  well-known  acid  reaction  in  the  borate  of  sodium. 
The  members  finally  agreed  with  M.  Thibaut  that  it  was  not  worth 
while  to  resort  to  the  use  of  glycerin  in  these  solutions,  as  the  pre- 
cipitated cocaine  would  easily  re-dissolve  on  the  addition  of  a  small 
quantity  of  boric  acid. 
Estimation  of  Ash  in  Glycerin. — M.  Vizern  proposes  the  follow- 
ing method  as  giving  more  exact  results  than  the  processes  usually 
employed.  Weigh  10  gm.  of  glycerin  in  a  porcelain  capsule  and 
burn  it  so  as  to  obtain  a  charred  mass,  which  should  be  moistened 
with  distilled  water.  Place  upon  a  filter  and  wash  several  times 
with  small  quantities  of  water,  saving  all  the  liquids.  Then  calcine 
the  filtrate  in  a  platinum  capsule.  The  charred  mass,  being  now 
deprived  of  nearly  all  of  its  salts,  burns  well.  After  cooling,  pour 
in  the  filtered  liquors  and  evaporate  in  a  bath,  being  particular  to 
avoid  ebullition.  After  desiccation  the  temperature  should  be  raised 
so  as  to  drive  off  all  the  water. — R'epert.  de  Phar.,  June. 
A  New  Colorant  from  Grapes. — According  to  M.  Carles  {Jour, 
de  Phar.  et  de  Chim.,  June  i),  such  a  substance  has  lately  been 
offered  in  the  market.  The  coloring  matter  of  grapes  consists,  he 
says,  of  a  blue,  a  yellow  and  a  red,  which  are  soluble  in  wines,  and 
in  sugar  and  water  to  which  a  small  quantity  of  alcohol  has  been 
added.  The  blue  portion  of  the  combined  pigment  becomes  slowly 
insoluble  and  passes  into  the  lees.  In  this  state  it  is  still  soluble  in 
strong  alcoholic  solutions  and  reddens  under  treatment  with  acids. 
With  tartaric  acid  it  gives  a  very  beautiful  color,  and  it  is  to  this 
colorant  that  M.  Carles  refers  as  having  become  a  commercial 
article.  It  appears  to  be  used  in  coloring  white  wines  and  raisin 
wines.  But  in  a  few  months  the  colorant  decomposes  and  the 
liquid  becomes  turbid.  The  addition  of  gum  simply  restores  to  the 
preparation  its  white  color. 
Sterilization  of  Catgut  by  Heat. — M.  Larochette,  a  Lyons 
pharmacist,  says  (Lyon  Medical)  that  the  operation  of  heating  cat- 
gut with  oil  does  little  more  than  fry  that  substance.    His  method  is 
