FALSIFICATION  OF  CREAM  OF  TARTAR. 
451 
soon,  without  heating,  the  reaction  commences  and  becomes  very 
active,  the  temperature  rises,  the  liquid  enters  into  ebullition,  and 
all  would  be  lost  but  for  the  refrigerated  receiver,  which  should 
previously  be  attached.  The  result  of  the  reaction  is  aniline, 
acetate  of  aniline,  and  a  little  nitrobenzile,  that  escapes  reaction. 
When  the  retort  has  cooled,  the  contents  of  the  receiver  are  re- 
turned to  it.  Heat  is  then  applied,  and  distillation  continued  to 
dryness,  aniline  continuing  to  pass  until  the  last  moment,  which 
can  be  proved  by  the  blue  coloration,  occasioned  by  chloride  of 
lime  when  brought  in  contact  with  it. 
To  the  distilled  product,  add  an  excess  of  concentrated  solu- 
tion of  caustic  potassa  ;  hydrated  aniline  separates  and  comes  to 
the  surface,  and  is  deprived  of  moisture  in  the  usual  manner. 
The  base  is  thus  obtained  sufficiently  pure.  It  becomes  a  solid 
mass  with  muriatic  and  chlorohydric  acids,  if  moderately  concen- 
trated, and  the  salts  obtained  dissolve  completely  in  water. 
This  method  of  preparing  aniline  will  permit  it  to  be  made  in 
an  illustrative  course,  and  thus  demonstrate  the  instantaneous 
passage  of  nitrobenzile  to  the  condition  of  a  powerful  base. 
The  author  suggests  that  it  is  hardly  necessary  to  state,  that 
acetate  of  iron  affords  an  easy  means  of  distinguishing  oil  of 
bitter  almonds,  which  has  been  adulterated  with  nitrobenzile, 
from  the  pure  oil. — Repertoire  de  Pharmacie,  1855. 
FALSIFICATION  OF  CREAM  OF  TARTAR  WITH  SUGAR  OF  MILK. 
By  M.  G.  Blengini. 
The  author,  after  giving  a  general  view  of  the  adulterations 
which  have  been  heretofore  noticed  in  this  drug,  states,  that  his 
attention  was  directed  to  a  sample  of  cream  of  tartar,  of  very 
beautiful  appearance,  which  was  considered  to  be  of  the  best 
quality.  It  was  in  the  form  of  a  white  powder,  inodorous,  crack- 
ing under  the  teeth,  and  having  an  acid  slightly  sweetish  taste. 
In  trying  the  solubility  of  this  salt  in  cold  water,  its  impurity 
was  readily  inferred  from  the  smaller  quantity  of  that  fluid  re- 
quired for  its  solution,  viz.,  97  parts  instead  of  184.  -Treated 
with  arsenious  acid,  this  cream  of  tartar  was  colored  brick-red, 
and  yielded  mucic  acid  by  the  action  of  nitric  acid  ;  these  tests, 
