306 
PHARMACEUTICAL  NOTES. 
cence,  and  the  mixture  after  being  agitated  and  set  at  rest,  de- 
posited white  crystals  of  bitartarate  of  potassa.  Since  no  trace 
of  yellow  color  could  be  detected  in  the  flame  of  the  blow-pipe 
when  directed  on  the  salts  remaining  after  the  expulsion  of 
water  from  the  lye,  but  only  a  delicate  purple  tinge,  the  pres- 
ence of  potassium  was  inferred  in  the  following  combinations  : 
sulphate  and  carbonate  of  potassa,  and  chloride  of  potassium. 
After  the  lye  had  been  oxidized  with  nitric  acid,  a  blue  color 
was  produced  on  the  addition  of  ferrocyanide  of  potassium,  while 
previous  to  oxidation  the  blue  color  was  not  formed  immediately 
with  that  test,  proving  the  existence  of  a  protosalt  of  iron. 
The  insoluble  portion  of  the  ash  was  treated  with  dilute  ni- 
tric acid,  much  carbonic  acid  being  evolved.  The  filtered  solu- 
tion gave  a  dense  white  precipitate  with  binoxalate  of  ammonia, 
indicative  of  carbonate  of  lime.  Magnesia  was  detected  by 
white  gelatinous  precipitates  with  liquor  potassse,  liquor  ammo- 
nias and  carb.  of  potassa. 
PHARMACEUTICAL  NOTES. 
By  James  T.  Shinn. 
Acetate  of  Potassa  On  account  of  the  deliquescence  of  this 
salt,  it  is  difficult  to  keep  in  the  dry  state,  and  as  it  is  usually 
prescribed  in  liquid  form,  I  have  found  it  very  convenient  to 
have  on  hand  a  solution  of  definite  strength.  The  crystallized 
salt  consists  of  acetic  acid  51,  potassa  47-2,  water  18,  so  that 
for  every  116-2  parts  of  acetate  we  require  47-2  of  potassa,  or 
69-2  of  carbonate,  the  latter  being  the  cheapest  form  for  use. 
For  8  ounces  of  acetate  of  potassa  we  decompose  (116-2  : 
69-2  :  :  8  :  4-76)  4f  ounces  of  carbonate  of  potassa  or  salt  of 
tartar,  with  sufficient  acetic  acid.  Every  one  hundred  grains 
of  officinal  acid  s.  g.  1-041  requires  sixty  grains  bicarbonate  of 
potassa,  or  (100-2  :  69-2  :  :  60  :  41-43)  41-43  grains  of  the  car- 
bonate to  neutralize  it,  so  that  4|  ounces  of  carbonate  of  potassa 
need  about  (41-43  :  100  :  :  4-75  :  1146)  eleven  and  ahalf  ounces 
by  weight  of  the  U.  S.  P.  acid.  Therefore  to  make  a  solution 
containing  one-half  acetate  of  potassa, 
Take  of  Carbonate  of  potassa      4  ounces  6  drachms, 
Acetic  acid  11 J  ounces  or  sufficient. 
