'*"""May  ^188?^™' I       Analytical  Researches  and  Investigations,  2l61 
ANALYTICAL  RESEARCHES  AND  INVESTIGATIONS. 
Collated  by  Prof.  Frp:derick  B.  Power,  Ph.D. 
The  Methods  for  the  Desti'uction  and  Extraction  of  Cadavers  with  a  Viev) 
to  their  Examination  for  Inorganic  Constituents.  By  Paul  Jeserich. — 
The  application  of  hydrochloric  acid  and  potassium  chlorate  for  the 
•destruction  of  organic  substances  has  the  disadvantage  that  large 
amounts  of  foreign  bodies,  potassium  salts,  are  introduced  into  the 
substance  under  examination,  which  thereby  render  many  operations, 
such  as  evaporation,  slow  or  more  difficult ;  and  in  many  cases  where 
the  detection  of  abnormal  amounts  of  potassium  salts  is  required,  in 
cases  of  poisoning  with  potassium  oxalate,  potash  soap,  and  similar 
substances,  the  method  is  not  at  all  applicable.  The  author  recom- 
mends upon  the  basis  of  several  years'  experience,  the  application  of 
chloric  acid  instead  of  potassium  chlorate.  The  well  divided  mass  is 
mixed  with  water  to  a  thin  paste,  chloric  acid,  in  small  portions,  is 
then  gradually  added,  and  the  mixture  carefully  heated  on  a  water- 
bath.  After  a  short  time  the  organic  matter  swells  up  to  a  sponge- 
like mass,  and  by  the  addition  of  small  amounts  of  hydrochloric  acid 
a  vigorous  development  of  chlorine  and  very  energetic  action  ensues. 
In  the  course  of  from  two  to  three  hours  the  mass  is  converted  into  a 
thin  paste  and  becomes  separated  by  the  continued  development  of 
chlorine  into  a  supernatant  layer  of  nearly  pure  fat,  and  a  lower, 
slightly  yellowish,  clear  solution.  After  moderate  dilution  with  dis- 
iilled  water  it  is  allowed  to  cool  slowly,  the  solidified  fatty  layer 
punctured,  and  the  clear  liquid  which  contains  the  metals  decanted. 
The  treatment  of  the  mass  to  be  destroyed  with  chloric  acid  is  best 
^accomplished  in  an  open  capsule,  and  a  flask  with  a  receiver  js  only 
employed  in  cases  when  volatile  chlorides  might  escape.  It  is  to  be 
•carefully  observed  by  the  addition  of  the  hydrochloric  acid  that  chloric 
acid  is  always  in  excess  in  order  that  lower  products  of  oxidation 
which  might  be  formed  shall  not  be  volatilized,  and  also  that  the 
concentration  is  not  carried  too  far,  as  otherwise  the  action  is  too 
energetic,  the  mass  may  become  black,  and  slight  explosions,  accom- 
panied by  flame,  may  readily  occur.  If  the  destruction  of  the  organic 
substances,  after  concentration  with  the  chloric  acid  is  not  sufficiently 
complete,  the  liquid  is  diluted  with  water,  and  chloric  acid  again 
:added.  For  the  preparation  of  the  chloric  acid  the  barium  is  precipi- 
tated from  a  solution  of  barium  chlorate  by  means  of  sulphuric  acid,. 
