Am.  Jour.  Pharm.  \ 
April,  1875.  J 
Official  and  OfficinaL 
even  the  last  particles  going  into  solution  very  slowly,  and  only  with 
the  prolonged  application  of  heat.  Two  of  the  samples,  however, 
deserve  credit  for  the  readiness  with  which  they  dissolved  at  a  moderate 
temperature.  The  only  remedy  for  the  objections  to  these  pills,  as 
well  as  other  pharmaceutical  products  obtained  from  manufacturers,  is 
in  the  persistent  vigilance  of  the  pharmacist,  so  as  to  guard  carefully 
against  impositions  of  this  character. 
When  the  products  of  the  manufacturer  come  to  be  more  frequently 
and  critically  examined,  a  great  step  will  be  gained  for  the  advancement 
and  elevation  of  our  profession  ;  thus  bringing  it  nearer  that  perfect 
standard,  which  is  of  such  vital  importance. 
PREPARATION  OF  MONOBROMATED  CAMPHOR. 
BY  J.  U.  LLOYD. 
Into  a  half  gallon  tubulated  retort  introduce  fourteen  avoirdupois 
ounces  of  powdered  camphor,  and  pour  upon  it  by  fractions  eight 
avoirdupois  ounces  of  bromine — agitating  after  each  addition,  then  add 
ten  fluidounces  of  warm  distilled  water,  and  place  the  retort  upon  a 
sand-bath,  allowing  the  neck  of  the  retort  to  project  into  a  flue  or  the 
open  air,  that  the  hydrobromic  acid  which  forms  may  escape.  Now 
apply  heat  until  the  liquid  within  the  retort  boils,  and  continue  the  boil- 
ing until  the  water  is  about  driven  off — to  accomplish  this  will  require 
nearly  two  hours — and  then  the  contents  of  the  retort  will  be  of  a  deep 
amber  color,  almost  transparent  ;  the  ebullition  will  be  attended  with 
violent  splashing  and  bumping.  The  heat  must  now  be  discontinued 
and  the  retort  allowed  to  cool  somewhat,  when  its  contents  are  poured 
into  a  dish  and  agitated  with  sixteen  fluidounces  of  warm  alcohol,  and 
allowed  to  remain  about  twelve  hours  in  a  cool  place  to  crystallize. 
The  mass  of  fine  crystals  are  now  to  be  separated  from  the  liquid  by 
filtration,  and  purified  by  dissolving  them  in  sixteen  ounces  of  hot 
alcohol,  and  recrystallizing,  which  operation  must  be  repeated  if  they 
are  still  colored. 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  March,  1875. 
OFFICIAL  AND  OFFICINAL. 
BY   ADOLPH   W.   MILLER,   M.   D.   PH.  D. 
[Read  at  the  Pharmaceutical  Meeting,  March  j6th.) 
"  The  Pharmacopoeia  and  all  in  it  are  oflicial  (office^  Fr.  from  L. 
officium^  an  office).    There  are  many  things  which  in  pharmacy  are 
