560 
PhospJiorus  in  Fatty  Mixtures. 
JAm.  Pharm.  Jour. 
|     Dec.  1,  1873. 
odor  which  is  given  off  from  the  profuse  suppuration  of  severe  and 
extensive  burns,  the  simple  oil  may  be  replaced  by  camphorated  oil. 
Dr.  Lagarde,  who  used  this  preparation  in  the  treatment  of  the 
soldiers  injured  in  the  before-mentioned  explosion,  reports  that  it 
fulfils  the  principal  requisites  sought  for  in  application  to  burns ;  that 
it  efficaciously  protects  the  injured  surface  from  contact  with  the  air, 
does  not  adhere  to  the  wound,  diminshes  the  pain,  modifies  the  sup- 
puration, and  hastens  and  controls  the  cicatrization.  It  is  easily 
used,  and  may  be  renewed  without  causing  pain  to  the  patient.  Dr. 
Muller  has  also  used  the  liniment  in  the  same  hospital,  in  cases  of 
erysipelas  of  the  face. — Pharm.  Jour,  and  Trans.,  Oct.  25,  1873. 
THE  ESTIMATION  OF  PHOSPHORUS  IN  FATTY  MIXTURES.* 
In  order  to  separate  phosphorus  from  articles  of  food,  vomits  and 
other  matters  containing  fatty  substances,  in  such  a  state  of  purity 
that  it  may  be  unfailingly  recognized  by  characteristic  properties, 
and  produced  in  court  as  evidence,  D.  A.  van  Bastelaer  gives  a  pro- 
cess already  found  of  advantage  in  several  judicial  inquiries,  which  is 
based  essentially  on  the  solubility  of  phosphorus  in  ether,  and  its  al- 
most perfect  indifference  towards  solution  of  ammonia  if  in  contact  with 
it  for  only  a  short  time.  If  the  substance  from  which  phosphorus  is 
to  be  separated  is  not  fluid,  e.  g.,  phosphor  paste,  it  is  first  reduced 
by  addition  of  water  to  the  condition  of  a  sufficiently  thin  pap,  in 
order  that  it  may  be  thoroughly  mixed  with  ether  by  agitating  for 
some  seconds.  Not  only  the  weight  of  the  original  substance  taken, 
but  also  that  of  the  added  water  is  noted.  After  the  reduction,  about 
100  grams,  or  any  other  suitable  weighed  quantity  of  the  fluid  mass 
is  taken,  mixed  with  as  much  ether,  and  left  in  contact  therewith  in 
the  cold  for  four  or  five  hours,  during  which  period  the  mixture  is  to 
be  violently  shaken  at  frequent  intervals.  The  ether  being  now  de- 
canted, is  replaced  with  an  equal  quantity  of  fresh  ether,  and  these 
operations  are  repeated  about  three  times.  The  united  ethereal  liquids, 
protected  from  dust,  are  allowed  to  evaporate  spontaneously  at  15° — 
20°  C.  in  a  shallow  dish.  At  this  point  some  water  is  added,  that 
the  phosphorus  may  be  protected  from  the  action  of  the  air  after 
evaporation  of  the  ether.  If  what  remains  after  removal  of  the  ether 
be  gently  warmed  to  50° — 60°  C,  the  phosphorus  unites  itself  with 
*  N.  Jahr.  f.  Pharm. 
