448 
Note  on  Chloral  Hydrate, 
K  Am.  Jour.  Pharm.^ 
\     Oct  1, 1871. 
The  solution  of  quinine  just  mentioned  is  somewhat  fluorescent,, 
but  not  quite  as  much  so  as  that  of  the  sulphate. 
When  chloral  and  glycerin  are  mixed  a  crystalline  substance  is 
formed  in  a  few  hours. 
Chloral  is  a  good  solvent  for  camphor  or  for  crystallized  carbolic 
acid,  which  it  deprives  of  odor  to  a  great  extent  and  renders  it  quite 
soluble  in  water. 
When  the  latter  solution  is  added  to  sulphuric  acid  a  pink-colored 
solid  is  produced,  which  is  probably  a  compound  of  sulpho-carbolic 
acid  and  chloral. 
When  benzoic  acid  is  added  to  chloral  and  slightly  heated  it  dis- 
solves, and  when  cold  the  mixture  solidifies  into  beautiful  radiating 
crystals. 
When  hydrate  of  chloral  is  added  to  a  strong  solution  of  the  bi- 
chromate of  potassa  and  heated,  after  the  addition  of  a  few  drops  of 
nitric  acid,  a  blue  color  is  gradually  developed.  If  liquid  ammonia 
is  afterwards  added  in  large  excess  it  assumes  a  currant-red  color. 
Chloroform,  treated  in  the  same  manner,  produces  a  deep  orange,, 
retaining  this  even  after  the  addition  of  ammonia. 
If  caustic  soda  is  added  to  the  mixture  of  chromic  acid  and  chloral 
a  bright  green  color  is  produced.  With  solution  of  potassa  in  con- 
siderable quantity,  a  blue  color  occurs. 
When  alcohol  is  mixed  with  solution  of  bichromate  of  potassa  and: 
nitric  acid  and  heated,  after  caustic  soda  is  added  in  excess,  a  green 
color  is  produced  which  quickly  changes  to  brown. 
I  have  placed  these  reactions  together  so  as  to  compare  them  with- 
one  another,  thinking  that  they  might  possibly  lead  to  the  discovery 
of  a  test  for  chloral. 
NOTE  ON  CHLORAL  HYDRATE. 
By  C.  J.  Rademaker,  M.  D. 
Receiving  several  samples  of  hydrate  of  chloral  from  different 
sources,  and  noticing  considerable  difference  in  their  physical  appear- 
ance, I  was  induced  to  make  a  chemical  examination  of  several  differ- 
ent samples. 
The  first  sample  was  manufactured  by  Messrs.  De  Haen  &  Co.,  Han- 
nover, Germany.  This  sample  was  moist  and  had  the  appearance  of 
acetate  of  potash  when  deliquescent.    Upon  opening  a  bottle  of  this 
