310  Gleanings  from  the  European  Journals.  {h^™i7m™* 
ness.  In  this  manner  I  have  generally  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  very 
uniform  powder. 
It  will  be  observed  that  the  quantity  of  menstruum  proper,  i*  et> 
mixture  of  glycerin,  alcohol  fort,  and  water,  directed  in  the  formula-,, 
is  slightly  in  excess  of  the  quantity  actually  required  to  yield  the  de- 
sired quantity  of  the  tincture.  This  is  done  in  order  to  afford  a, 
stratum  between  the  amount  of  the  menstruum  proper  required  to* 
yield  the  thirty-two  fluid-ounces  of  tincture  of  the  formula,  and  the 
diluted  alcohol  with  which  the  percolation  is  completed.  This  pre- 
vents any  admixture  of  the  latter  with  the  former,  and  thus  insures; 
to  the  finished  product  a  fixed  and  definite  constitution.  This  ap- 
parently trivial,  though  really  important  circumstance,  is  often  over- 
looked by  many  in  framing  formulae  for  tinctures,  fluid  extracts,  etc. 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  -Jane,  1873. 
GLEANINGS  FROM  THE  EUROPEAN  JOURNALS. 
By  the  Editor. 
Citric  (C-iil  fn>m  whortleberries,  Jraceinium  vitis-idtea,  Lin* — Dr. 
Graeger  expresses  the  juice,  mixes  the  residue  twice  with  water  £o 
dissolve  the  remaining  acid,  and  expresses.  A  third  maceration  does, 
not  pay,  unless  the  expressed  liquid  is  used  for  a  fresh  portion  of  ber- 
ries. The  liquids  are  mixed  and  a  solution  of  glue  is  added  until  tlie- 
tannin  is  precipitated.  The  clear  filtrate  is  assayed  with  normal  al- 
kali to  determine  the  amount  of  carbonate  of  calcyim  necessary  for 
the  complete  neutralization  of  the  acid,  and  decanted  after  carbonic 
acid  ceases  to  be  given  off".  The  liquid  is  heated  to  boiling  in  a  copper 
kettle  with  continued  agitation  ;  after  about  ten  minutes  the  super- 
natant liquor  is  syphoned  off,  the  precipitate  washed  upon  a  strainer 
with  boiling  water,  to  remove  coloring  matter,  and  dried.  By  incin- 
eration of  a  portion,  the  amount  of  lime  contained  in  it  is  ascertained,, 
and  from  it  the  sulphuric  acid  is  calculated  necessary  for  the  decom- 
position of  the  precipitate.  The  citrate  of  calcium  is  then  decom- 
posed by  digesting  it  for  several  hours  with  the  acid,  previously  di- 
luted with  ten  times  the  quantity  of  water  ;  the  precipitated  gypsum 
is  collected,  pressed  and  exhausted  by  mixing  with  water  and  press- 
ing. The  clear,  faintly  reddish  solution  is  decolorized  with  animal 
charcoal,  concentrated,  filtered  to  remove  gypsum,  crystallized,  and 
*  See  Analysis  in  Amer.  Journ.  Pharmacy,  1871,  p.  543. 
