MINUTES OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL MEETINGS. 311 
the variable strength of blue pill mass, when within a reason- 
able approximation to the prescribed quantity. If the ex- 
periment of long attrition was repeated, with the precaution 
of controlling the temperature of the mill, or instrument of 
manufacture, it would be conclusive as to the volatilization 
of the mercury being a source of variability. 
In conclusion, the committee would observe that the ex- 
amination of the above specimens, as to the per centage of 
mercury they contained, was conducted with great care, and 
they are confident in the accuracy of the results. The 
method of analysis they found most convenient and at the 
same time most reliable, is a modification of that of Prof. 
Reid of the New York College of Pharmacy, described by 
Mr. Adamson in the XVIIth volume of the American Jour- 
nal of Pharmacy. The instrument was modified by blow- 
ing a bulb on the end of a tube, to contain the blue mass 
and iron-filings, and then inserting its open extremity, undi- 
minished in diameter and slightly curved, into a vial of 
alcohol. The heat was applied gradually by means of a 
spirit lamp, and continued in each experiment for nearly an 
hour, to insure the perfect separation of the mercury. By 
suffering the alcohol to rise in the tube by the cooling of the 
confined air, and again chasing it out by expansion, every 
particle of mercury was driven into the vial. The empy- 
reumatic oil, etc., was dissolved by the alcohol which was 
poured off from the mercury, and the latter washed with a 
second portion of alcohol, and put into a warm place, which 
evaporating the moisture enables the mercury to coalesce 
into one globule. In order to be assured of the perfect vo- 
latilization of the metal, the contents of one of the bulbs was 
heated to whiteness without any evidence of mercury. The 
alcohol, after removal from the mercury, was tested 
with proto-chloride of tin, without any indication of the 
'former metal, and it is believed that the treatment by boiling 
with that salt, as recommended by Dr. Reid, is an unneces- 
sary precaution. 
As it may be convenient for those who have not paid 
