312 MINUTES OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL MEETINGS. 
particular attention to the examination of blue pill, to have 
a more explicit statement of the method of ascertaining the 
proportion of mercury, the following wood cut is annexed : 
a A bulb of green glass 
of the capacity of half a 
fluid ounce, with the tube 
bent and inserted through 
the cork of a one ounce 
wide mouthed vial; b nearly 
filled with alcohol ; c the 
blue pill previously mixed 
with about one fourth of 
its weight of iron filings, 
and rolled into little pellets, 
(50 grs. of blue pill mixed with 15 grs. of iron filings is a 
convenient quantity.) The tube of the bulb should descend 
a little below the surface of the alcohol, and another tube 
should pass through the cork to permit the escape of the 
uncondensed gases. The heat should be gently applied 
until the vegetable matter is entirely decomposed, and then 
increased until the bulb is heated to bright redness, which 
heat should be continued until all the mercury has distilled 
over. 
Ambrose Smith, 
Robert Bridges, 
On behalf of the Committee. 
Philadelphia, January 5th, 1S46. 
On motion the report was adopted and directed to be pub- 
lished with the minutes. 
William Procter, Jr., presented specimens of oleic, marga- 
ric, stearic, and sebacic acids, artificial camphor, and va 
lerianate of zinc. He found that three ounces of crystallized 
artificial camphor (hydrochlorate of camphene,) may be 
readily obtained by passing slowly the muriatic acid gas 
yielded by the reaction which takes place when two pounds 
of sulphuric acid are poured gradually on a pound and a 
quarter of chloride of sodium, through eight ounces of re- 
cently distilled oil of turpentine. 
