AmNov^i886arm'}        Germanium  and  its  Compounds.  547 
sulpho-acid,  the  natural  salt  being  "argyrodite.  Alkali  sulphides 
form  with  it  soluble  sulpho-salts,  from  which  solutions  of  the  heavy 
metals  seem  to  precipitate  insoluble  sulpho-germanates. 
Chlorides  of  Germanium. — Compact  germanium  takes  fire,  burn- 
ing with  a  blueish-white  flame  and  forming  vaporous  tetrachloride 
when  heated  in  chlorine  gas.  Powdered  germanium  burns  sponta- 
neously in  chlorine.  Germanous  chloride  (GeCl2)  is  obtained  by 
passing  gaseous  hydrochloric  acid  over  powdered  germanium  or  its 
sulphide.  Germanium  dichloride  is  a  thin  colorless  liquid,  fumes 
when  exposed  to  the  air ;  the  vapor  colors  cork  intensely  red.  The 
low  boiling  point  (about  72°  C),  i.  e.,  lower  than  the  tetrachloride, 
might  possibly  be  due  to  the  formation  of  a  germanium  chloroform 
(GeHClg),  similar  to  the  silicium  chloroform,  instead  of  the  dichlo- 
ride. A  little  water  causes  a  dense  white  precipitate  of  oxychloride 
to  fall.  Germanic  chloride  (GeCl4)  is  obtained  chemically  pure  by 
mixing  one  part  of  powdered  germanium  with  eight  parts  of  bichlo- 
ride of  mercury  and  distilling  at  a  moderate  heat.  The  tetrachloride 
is  a  thin,  colorless  liquid  of  specific  gravity  1*887  at  10°C. ;  it  does 
not  solidify  at  — 20°  C,  boils  at  86°  C.,  fumes  when  exposed  to 
the  air,  and  is  decomposed  by  water. 
Germanic  Iodide  (Gel4)  is  obtained  by  decomposing  the  tetrachlo- 
ride with  potassium  iodide,  or  by  direct  combination  of  the  elements. 
It  has  an  orange  color,  yellow  when  powdered,  fuses  at  144°  C., 
seems  to  boil  between  350  and  400°  C.,  is  very  hygroscopic  and 
gradually  forms  white  oxide  when  mixed  with  water. 
No  distinct  reaction  for  germanium  has  as  yet  been  found.  The 
best  test  is  the  formation  of  the  white  sulphide  with  ammonium  sul- 
phide in  alkaline  germanium  solutions  on  adding  a  large  quantity 
of  acid.  In  the  course  of  analysis  it  follows  in  the  arsenic,  antimony 
and  tin  group. 
ITse  or  Fluorides.— Dr.  J.  Lucas,  of  Bombay  (Lancet,  May  22, 1886),  has 
employed  fluoride  of  ammonium  in  the  treatment  of  enlargement  of  the  spleen. 
Nausea  was  produced  at  first,  but  afterward  large  doses  could  be  borne,  and 
after  a  time  the  appetite  improved.  The  nauseant  and  purgative  effects  are 
greatly  lessened  by  giving  the  drug  after  meals.  He  thinks  it  has  antipyretic 
and  antiperiodic  properties,  and  that  it  is  the  best  known  remedy  for  enlarge- 
ment of  the  spleen.  He  began  with  five-minim  doses,  but  is  disposed  to  give 
twenty  or  even  thirty  minims,  well  diluted.  He  suggests  that  fluoride  of  iron 
might  be  preferable  on  account  of  its  hsematinic  properties. — N.  Y.  Med.  Jour., 
June  12, 1886. 
