406  Abstracts  from  the  French  Journals.  (Ami°g^!9h2arm- 
then  set  aside  for  twenty-four  hours,  the  liquid  decanted  and  the 
residue  collected  on  a  small  filter.  The  filter  and  contents  are 
treated  with  nitric  acid;  to  this  solution  sulphuric  acid  and  twice  its 
volume  of  alcohol  are  added.  The  precipitate  of  sulphate  of  lead  is 
washed  with  alcohol,  collected  on  a  filter  and  weighed  after  calci- 
nation. This  gives  the  quantity  of  metallic  lead.  To  estimate  the 
amount  in  combination  the  ammoniacal  liquid  from  above 
is '  used.  The  liquid  is  slightly  acidulated  with  hydrochloric 
acid  and  a  current  of  hydrogen  sulphide  passed  through  it.  It  is 
then  set  aside  for  twelve  hours,  the  sulphide  collected  and  this  dis- 
solved in  dilute  nitric  acid.  The  remainder  of  the  operation  is  .the 
same  as  above. 
Estimation  of  tannin. — G.  Fleury  {Journ.  Phar.  Chim.,  1892,  499) 
proposes  to  use  egg  albumen  for  estimating  tannin.  The  hard 
boiled  egg  albumen  is  dried  at  a  moderate  temperature  and  pow- 
dered. This  is  washed  with  dilute  alcohol  (10  per  cent.),  very 
slightly  acidulated  with  tartaric  acid  to  saturate  the  alkali.  The 
albumen  is  again  dried  and  kept  in  a  well-stoppered  bottle.  The 
method  of  operation  is  as  follows : 
Albumen  powder  equal  to  seven  or  eight  times  the  quantity  of 
tannin  which  is  supposed  to  be  present  is  added  to  the  liquid  in  a 
flat  dish.  The  dish  is  then  set  aside  for  forty-eight  hours,  stirring 
occasionally;  the  liquid  must  during  this  time  be  acid  and  not  alka- 
line. The  end  of  the  reaction  is  attained  when  the  liquid  does  not 
give  a  color  with  perchloride  of  iron.  The  powder  is  then  collected 
on  a  filter,  is  washed  with  a  very  dilute  alcohol,  and  is  then  dried  at 
ioo°  C.  At  the  same  time  the  amount  of  water  in  a  sample  of  the 
albumen  from  the  stock  is  determined,  the  difference  between  the  two 
then  giving  the  amount  of  tannin  present.  Gallotannic  ac'd 
cannot  be  estimated  according  to  this  process,  because  the  absorp 
tion  by  the  albumen  is  incomplete  and  very  slow.  In  testing  it  is 
necessary  to  bear  in  mind  that  gallic  acid  is  not  absorbed  by  the 
albumen  and  consequently  still  gives  its  reaction  with  ferric  chloride. 
Dental  and  buccal  antisepsis. — Dr.  Millon  (Monit.  therap.,  through 
jfonrn.  Pharm.  Chim.,  1892,  624)  prescribes  the  following  mouth- 
wash for  the  above  purpose,  a  tablespoonful  to  be  used  with  a  tum- 
bler of  lukewarm  water:  Thymic  acid  (thymol),  0-25;  benzoic  acid, 
3  00;  tincture  of  eucalyptus,  15-0;  alcohol,  ioo-oo  ;  oil  of  pepper- 
mint, 0-50  gm. 
