AVr°in,i873RM'}  Examination  of  some  brands  of  Liquorice.  151 
This  test  gives  an  easy  and  delicate  method  of  distinguishing  be- 
tween strychnia  and  brucia,  and  also  for  detecting  the  adulteration  of 
quinia  with  either  salicin  or  phloridzin.  The  first  color  produced 
may  be  regarded  as  the  real  reaction,  as  the  final  change  is  due  to 
deoxidation. 
AN  EXAMINATION  OF  SOME  BRANDS  OF  LIQUORICE. 
By   Wm.    N.  Martindell, 
From  an  Inaugural  Essay. 
I  procured  for  my  examinations  the  following  well-known  brands, 
viz.,  "  Corigliano,"  "  Guzolini,"  and  "  P.  &  S.,"  all  Calabria  makes; 
I       "G.  H."  and  "Noel  &  Co.,"  both  Spanish;  and  "M.  k  R.,"  a  do- 
mestic article,  made  in  this  city  by  Messrs.  Mellor  &  Rittenhouse. 
Exactly  500  grains  of  each  brand  was  weighed,  and  macerated  in 
f^viii  of  water,  at  the  temperature  of  39°  F.  After  24  hours  the 
specimens  were  all  softened  down  into  a  smooth  paste,  by  occasion- 
ally stirring  and  shaking.  When  perfectly  smooth  they  were  thrown 
upon  tared  filters,  washed  with  cold  water,  dried  and  weighed,  show- 
ing the  following  results  after  being  thus  exhausted  in  cold  water  : 
"  Corigliano," 
"Noel  &  Co.," 
"P.  &S.,"  . 
"Guzolini,"  . 
"G.  H," 
"M.  &  R.,"  . 
Residue. 
Est.  soluble  in 
cold  water. 
Loss. 
218  grains 
280  grains 
2  grains 
253 
176 
71 
248 
225 
27 
175 
284 
41 
233 
210 
57 
116 
317 
67 
The  variableness  in  the  amount  of  loss  is  to  be  attributed  to  the  dif- 
ferent degrees  of  dryness  in  the  specimens  examined.  I  am  informed, 
however,  by  those  who  have  had  experience  in  the  matter,  that  where 
liquorice  is  dried  for  powdering  the  loss  is  10  per  cent. 
The  residue  which  was  left  upon  the  filters  as  insoluble  in  cold  wa- 
ter, when  treated  with  boiling  water,  gave  the  usual  color  test  for 
starch  upon  the  addition  of  iodine. 
The  figures  above  given  are  not  intended  to  be  absolutely  correct. 
They  are  very  well  ascertained  for  practical  pharmaceutical  and  com- 
mercial purposes,  however,  and  if  they  are  received  as  such  my  ob- 
ject has  been  accomplished. 
