260 ON A NEW KIND OF COPAIVA BALSAM. 
It will not be to manufacturers alone that benefit will re- 
sult from M. Larocque's investigations; in analytical che- 
mistry, toxicology, pharmacy, and, possibly, therapeutics, 
some useful information may be derived. Thus, the che- 
mist in evaporating his saline solutions, should apply a very 
moderate heat, if he wishes to avoid the loss of a portion of 
his products, especially if engaged in quantitative analysis. 
The toxicologist also should observe the same precautions, 
as inattention to this point might be attended with serious 
results. 
The chemist will be careful not to use alcohol or ether 
which have been employed in preparing extracts or pro- 
ducts, such as vegetable alkalies, or other active principles, 
unless it is for the manufacture of the same preparations or 
analogous products. Finally, the physician may, perhaps, 
combat certain maladies by agents administered in the form 
of vapor, having water or alcohol for their solvents. — Jour, 
de Phar?n., and Lond. Pharm. Jour. 
ART. LVII. — ON A NEW KIND OF COPAIVA BALSAM. 
By. Dr. L. Posselt. 
The various kinds of copaiva balsam hitherto met with 
in commerce furnish, when mixed with a solution of potash 
or ammonia, a more or less clear solution. After some 
time the ammoniacal solution deposits the ammonia salt of 
an acid resin, the copaivic acid. When this reaction does 
not take place, it has hitherto generally been assumed that 
the balsam has been adulterated. The author procured 
from England a balsam which had been derived from 
South America, the genuineness of which was guaranteed, 
and was likewise placed beyond all doubt by the results of 
