^5i,viv,'*mL  •}     ^^^^y  Processes  of  the  V.  S.  P,  519 
In  regard  to  the  various  drugs  and  the  galenical  preparations 
thereof,  we  beg  to  offer  the  following  suggestions : 
AconUe  Root. — To  avoid  hydrolysis  as  much  as  possible, 
ammonia  might  be  replaced  by  sodium  carbonate  or  bicarbonate 
solution.  The  present  process  is  very  tiresome ;  only  in  the  case  of 
a  larger  dilution  can  a  somewhat  rapid  filtration  be  effected.  Kel- 
ler's aliquot  part  process,  using  ether-chloroform  and  sodium;  bicar- 
bonate for  extracting  the  drug,  and  ether  alone  for  the  final  extrac- 
tion of  the  alkaloid,  after  having  made  the  acid  solution  alkaline 
with  sodium  bicarbonate,  gives  very  good  results.  The  wording, 
"  not  less  than  0.5  per  cent,  of  aconitine,"  should  be  replaced  by 
"  not  less  than  0.5  per  cent,  of  ether  soluble  alkaloids,"  since  the 
residue,  although  it  consists  for  the  greatest  part  of  true  aconitine,  is 
always  contaminated  with  other  basic  substances.  The  Squibb's  test 
has  been  found  to  be  too  much  dependent  on  individuality. 
Extract  Aconite. — No  matter  how  carefully  this  extract  is  pre- 
pared, a  deterioration  of  the  alkaloids  is  liable  to  take  place,  and 
the  physiological  strength  consequently  is  largely  reduced.  Extract 
aconite  should  never  be  prepared.  In  assaying  extract  of  aconite, 
the  following  simple  process  gives  rather  accurate  results :  Dissolve 
the  extract  (2  grams)  in  10  c.c.  of  dilute  alcohol,  transfer  the  solu- 
tion to  a  separator,  make  alkaline  with  sodium  bicarbonate  solution 
and  shake  out  with  several  portions  of  ether.  From  the  ethereal 
solution  the  alkaloids  are  extracted  by  shaking  with  several  portions 
of  acidulated  water,  and  from  the  latter,  after  making  alkaline  with 
sodium  bicarbonate,  the  alkaloids  are  removed  by  shaking  with 
several  portions  of  ether.  From  the  etheral  solutions,  after  filtering 
to  remove  any  suspended  bicarbonate,  the  ether  is  distilled  off,  etc. 
Fluidextact  Aconite. — Ten  c.c.  are  transferred  to  a  separator, 
made  alkaline  with  sodium  bicarbonate,  and  then  assayed  as  just 
given. 
Tincture  Aconite. — One  hundred  c.c.  of  the  tincture  are  evapo- 
rated at  a  temperature  not  exceeding  60°  C,  the  residue  taken  up 
in  10  c.c.  of  dilute  alcohol,  and  this  solution  assayed  as  given  under 
extract. 
Aqua  Hydro  genii  Dioxidi. — The  method  for  determining  the 
acidity  should  be  revised.  By  evaporating  25  c.c.  of  hydrogen 
peroxide  solution  to  10  c.c.  in  the  presence  of  5  c.c.  of  n/io  potas- 
sium hydroxide  solution,  not  all  the  hydrogen  peroxide  is  destroyed. 
