Amoc°tu,rx^rm}  Gleanings  from  the  German  Journals.  487 
GLEANINGS  FROM  THE  GERMAN  JOURNALS. 
By  Louis  von  Cotzhausen,  Ph.G. 
Goulard's  Cerate. — C.  Bernbeck  thinks  that  the  cerate  of  subace- 
tate  of  lead  ought  either  to  be  discarded  altogether  as  a  healing  salve  or 
at  least  be  made  extempore,  because  he  frequently  found  it  to  contain 
free  acetic  acid  when  a  few  days  old,  which  of  course  makes  the  cerate 
irritating  instead  of  healing.  The  presence  of  acetic  acid  can  be  readily 
determined  by  the  odor,  and  by  triturating  5  grams  of  the  cerate  in  a 
mortar  with  an  equal  quantity  of  alcohol,  and  testing  with  blue  litmus 
paper,  previously  moistened  with  water. — Pharm.  Ztg.,  July  30,  1879, 
p.  465. 
Determination  of  Adulterations  in  Balsam  of  Peru.  —  Hager 
suggests  the  following  three  tests: 
1.  The  Petroleum- Benzin  Test. — Shake  in  a  test  tube  2*5  grams  of  the 
balsam  with  6  to  7  cc.  of  petroleum-benzin,  when  a  thick  brown  liquid 
will  adhere  to  the  sides  of  the  tube  for  1  or  2  minutes  after  decanting 
the  benzin,  in  case  the  balsam  is  pure.  If  adulterated,  the  mass  is 
thin,  does  not  adhere,  but  collects  immediately  below  the  benzin.  The 
latter  is  clear,  almost  colorless  or  slightly  yellowish  if  the  balsam  is 
pure,  but  turbid,  yellowish-brown  or  brown  if  adulterated. 
2.  The  Specific  Gravity  Test. — If  the  specific  gravity  is  above  1*136 
the  balsam  is  either  pure  or  only  adulterated  with  benzoin;  if  below, 
it  contains  other  adulterations. 
3.  The  Alcohol  and  Water  Test. — Dissolve  1  part  of  the  balsam  in  7 
parts  of  alcohol  (with  pure  balsam  a  dark  brown  solution  is  obtained), 
and  shake  this  solution  with  4  or  5  times  its  volume  of  water.  In  case 
the  balsam  is  pure  the  resulting  mixture  will  remain  milky  for  several 
days,  even  if  heated. -—Pharm.  Centralbl.,  July  31,  1879,  p.  297. 
Effect  of  Tannic  Acid  on  Iodide  of  Starch. — E.  Heintz  observed 
that  the  blue  color  reaction  between  iodine  and  starch  is  entirely  pre- 
vented by  the  presence  of  tannic  acid.  5  grams  of  filtered  1  per  cent, 
wheat  starch  solution  yield  a  permanent  blue  color  with  1  drop  of 
of  tincture  of  iodine;  and  this  mixture  is  gradually  decolorized  by  add- 
ing 5  drops,  and  very  quickly  by  adding  10  drops  of  a  solution  of  1  part 
tannic  acid  in  5  parts  water. — Pharm.  Ztg.,  Aug.  6,  1879,  p.  481. 
Effect  of  Ergot  on  Musk  (see  "Amer.  Journ.  Pharm.,"  Jan,  1879, 
p.  25). — Dr.  Ad.  Bertrand  triturated  \  grain  unadulterated  musk  with 
\ 
