Serger, H., reviews the chemistry of preservatives. Chem. Ztg. 1911, v. 35, pp. 1127-1129, 1150-1152, 1166-1169, 1194-1195.

Skinner, H. J., presents the report of the committee on standard specifications, including a report on alum, caustic soda, hydrochloric acid, soda ash, sulphuric acid, and oil of turpentine.-J. Ind. & Eng. Chem. 1911, v. 3, pp. 860-863.

Krulla, Rudolf, discusses the quantitative relations of the separation of a body between two phases.-Ztschr. physik. Chem. 1911, v. 76, pp. 497-508.

Dimroth, Otto, reports some additional observations on the influence of the solvent on the rapidity of reaction, and on valency.— Ann. Chem. 1910, v. 377, pp. 127-163.

Schmidt, G. C., reports a study on the adsorption of solutions, and calls attention to historical notices on the phenomena of adsorption by Berthold (Ztschr. Physik. Chem. 1907, v. 60, p. 257).-Ztschr. Physik. Chem. 1910, v. 74, pp. 689–737.

Homfray, Ida Frances, in a report of observations on the adsorption of gases by wood charcoal, points out that the phenomena of adsorption were observed by Scheele and Fontana independently in 1777.— Ibid. v. 74, pp. 129-201.

Marc, R., comments on the paper by Schmidt.—Ibid. 1911, v. 76, pp. 58-74.

A book review (Ber. pharm. Gesellsch. 1911, v. 21, p. 457) calls attention to a volume by Lehmann on "The New World of Fluid Crystals and their Import for Physics, Chemistry, Technology, and Biology."

Gillette, C. E., contributes a note on the effect of continued grinding on water of crystallization. Chem. News, 1911, v. 104, p. 313.

Lilly, J. K., calls attention to the difficulty experienced by analysts in securing samples for assay. Lack of uniformity in results of different chemists of the same lot of drugs is often explained by the different methods employed in withdrawing samples.-Proc. N. W. D. A. 1911, p. 159.

Vanderkleed, Chas. E., endorses the suggestion that wholesalers give retailers as much information as possible concerning the content of a package, particularly with regard to physical constants and tests in comparison with the U. S. P. requirements.-Proc. Pennsylvania Pharm. Assoc. 1911, p. 132.

Merck, E. A., reviews a book by Julius Aeby on dangerous wares, and asserts that the statements made regarding the dangerous nature of many of the heavier chemicals are not warranted. Chem. Ind. 1911, v. 34, pp. 146-148. Aeby replies, pp. 238-240. Followed by Merck, pp. 240-241.

Beringer, George M., in a discussion of the Ph. Germ. V, expresses the opinion that the introduction of formulas and processes for the

manufacture of such chemicals as the nitrate, subgallate, subnitrate, and subsalicylate of bismuth, calcium phosphate, iron and quinine citrate, quinine tannate, etc., seems strange to us in the light of present day experience and economic conditions.-Proc. New Jersey Pharm. Assoc. 1911, p. 77.

An unsigned review (Pharm. J. 1911, v. 86, p. 496) of the Ph. Germ. V., commends the indication of the purpose and signification of each of the tests ordered, as well as the percentage of any constituent which is intended to be shown by a quantitative test.

1. ADULTERATIONS.

Allen, R. M., points out that there are two classes of adulteration: First, adulteration due to wilful intent or gross carelessness; second, adulteration due to various trade and professional problems.-Am. J. Pharm. 1911, v. 83, p. 403.

Caspari, Charles, jr., notes that the subject of adulteration of foods. is by no means a new one and dates back 500 to 1,000 years.-Proc. Maryland Pharm. Assoc. 1911, p. 73.

Desha, L. J., in discussing the rather serious condition of affairs existing in the drug business at the present time, states that it is only necessary to refer to the bulletins of the food and drugs departments of the several States. The analytical showing speaks for itself. The large numbers of illegal cases must be a source of concern to all who are thoughtful.-Proc. Tennessee Pharm. Assoc. 1911, p. 25.

The Board of Pure Food and Drug Commissioners (2nd Ann. Rep. Providence, R. I., 1911, p. 7) finds a lamentable amount of inexcusable negligence among the druggists of the State, and this quite as frequently among those who consider themselves first-class druggists as among those who make no such pretensions.

Lilly, J. K., expresses the belief that the combined efforts of producers, manufacturers, wholesale and retail druggists, Federal, State, and local authorities to prevent the adulteration of drugs is being crowned with increasing success; this to such an extent that it may now truly be said that deliberate and criminal adulteration of drugs has become so rare as to be almost a thing of the past.-Proc. N. W. D. A. 1911, p. 157.

Seel, Eugen, comments on the necessity for the systematic examination of pharmaceutical preparations in the chemical laboratory.— Ztschr. ang. Chem. 1911, v. 24, pp. 1997-2006, 2054-2059.

Arny, H. V., presents the report of the committee on adulterations and sophistications of the Ohio State Pharmaceutical Association, and concludes that the report evidences a marked improvement in quality over samples examined in previous years.-Proc. Ohio Pharm. Assoc. 1911, pp. 125-127.

Whitney, D. V., in the report of the committee on drug adulterations, expresses the belief that the only safe and reliable policy for the retail druggist to pursue in buying is to purchase in original packages put up by reliable manufacturers.-Proc. Missouri Pharm. Assoc. 1911, p. 95.

Amos, W. S., states that his experience would show that a drug sold with a guarantee was not necessarily of higher quality than drugs sold without a guarantee.-Ibid. p. 97.

Cook, Alfred N., states that pharmacists should arrange to assay any questionable stock. The public is entitled to accurately prepared drugs. Bull. South Dakota Food & Drug. Dept. 1911, No. 23, p. 2. Havenhill, L. D., reports that during the year from May, 1910, to April, 1911, inclusive, nearly 700 preparations have been received at the laboratory, and that the present status of these preparations is encouraging. Proc. Kansas Pharm. Assoc. 1911, p. 109.

An editorial (Am. Druggist, 1911, v. 59, p. 216) calls attention to several reports on inaccurately made pharmaceutical preparations, and points out that C. S. Porter, Kentucky, in an examination of 327 preparations found 88 not of U. S. P. standard. A report from Connecticut states that of the 138 samples examined, 78 were not of U. S. P. standard.

Bachman, Gustav, reports the analyses of a number of pharmacopoeial articles and states that with a few exceptions the samples were of good quality; some assayed even higher than the requirements of the U. S. P.-Proc. Minnesota Pharm. Assoc. 1911, pp.

100-102.

Southall Bros. & Barclay (Rep. 1911, Birmingham, 1912, p. 33) report that their experience evidences the need for constant watchfulness to preserve the high standard of purity. Arsenic and lead as impurities continue to claim a large share of their attention.

Puckner and Warren, in reporting their examination of calcium phenolsulphonate, point out that the results of the examination of this substance further illustrate what other examinations in the chemical laboratory of the American Medical Association have so often shown and that is that commercial products which are but little used and for which there are no authoritative standards for strength and purity are also invariably unreliable in composition.J. Am. M. Assoc. 1911, v. 57, p. 1384.

See also the reports of the committees on adulterations in the proceedings of the several State pharmaceutical associations.

2. REAGENTS.

Hunt, Reid, reports that the Tenth International Congress of Pharmacy, held at Brussels, September 1-6, 1910, adopted a resolution pointing out that the international unification of reagents would

aid in securing uniform analytical results, and would be of value in the interpretation of the different pharmacopoeias. Am. J. Pharm. 1911, v. 83, p. 25.

White, Edmund, in an appendix to his articles on analytical reagents, standards and tests, discusses the preparation of solutions to be used in the tests and enumerates the several reagents to be used.-Pharm. J. 1911, v. 86, 584–585.

Düsterbehn, F., in a review of the Ph. Germ. V, calls attention to the reagents and tests, as well as the changes in composition and nomenclature included in the new Pharmacopoeia.-Apoth.-Ztg. 1911, v. 26, pp. 244-245, 252-253.

von Waldheim, Max, in a supplement to Pharmazeutische Praxis (1911, v. 10), presents a review of the more important reagents and reactions for chemistry, pharmacy, and physiology, arranged according to the authors.

The regulations of the Imperial Minister of the Interior in regard to the arrangement of the laboratory of the apothecary and the nature of the reagents to be kept on hand are reprinted.-Österr. Sanitätswesen, 1911, v. 23, pp. 262–269.

Wiley, H. W., reports that, during the last year, 427 chemical reagents have been examined. The quality of chemicals supplied during the year does not compare favorably with those supplied during 1910. Ann. Rep. U. S. Dept. Agric. 1911-12, p. 437.

Baker, J. T., discusses some of the problems involved in the manufacture of chemically pure acids.—Tr. Am. Inst. Chem. Eng. 1911, v. 4, 1912, pp. 331-346.

Schütz, E., discusses the production of chemically pure acids.Ztschr. ang. Chem. 1911, v. 24, pp. 487–491.

Enklaar, J. E., comments on the dissociation constants of oxalic acid. Chem. Weekblad, 1911, v. 8, p. 443.

Stevens, A. B., states that, in reply to an inquiry, the following substances were given, by different chemists, as preferable for use as the standard for the preparation of volumetric solutions: Potassium bitartrate, sodium carbonate, sulphuric acid standardized gravimetrically as barium sulphate, hydrochloric acid standardized gravimetrically as silver chloride, hydrochloric acid standardized volumetrically against silver nitrate, oxalic acid, succinic acid, and morphine for alkaloidal determinations.-Pacific Pharm. 1911, v. 5, p. 86.

Elvove, Elias, presents a note on the use of sulphur dioxide in checking the equivalencies of the volumetric solutions of iodine, alkali, and silver. Am. J. Pharm. 1911, v. 83, pp. 19–23.

Stevens and Schlichting discuss the standardization of solutions fór alkaloidal assay.-Am. Druggist, 1911, v. 59, pp. 259–260.

8. INDICATORS.

Stevens, A. B., states that it is a well-known fact that different results are obtained by the use of different indicators, with the same standard solution. It is therefore important that, whenever possible, the standard should be prepared by using the same indicator as is used in practice.-Pacific Pharm. 1911, v. 5, p. 87.

A book review (Ber. pharm. Gesellsch. 1911, v. 21, p. 590) calls attention to a volume on the present status of indicators by A. Thiel. Carlson, C. E., presents a communication on the preparation of litmus solutions and paper. Svensk. farm. Tidskr. 1911, v. 15, pp. 61-64.

Howard and Pope discuss indicators of the methyl red type, review the use of methyl red as an indicator, and discuss the chemistry of some of the related compounds.-J. Chem. Soc. Lond. 1911, v. 99, pp. 1333-1336.

Rossi, Giuseppe, discusses the catalytic action of light in the oxidation of phenolphthalin to phenolphthalein.—Boll. chim. farm. 1911, v. 50, pp. 948-950.

Kylin, Harald, discusses the red and blue coloring matters of algæ. Ztschr. physiol. Chem. 1911-12, v. 76, pp. 396-425.

Caesar & Loretz (Jahres-Bericht, 1911, p. 9) endorse the recommendation, made by Rupp, to use methyl red as an indicator in the titration of alkaloids.

Jackson and Clarke present the final account of their work on curcumin, the yellow coloring matter of curcuma or turmeric.—Am. Chem. J. 1911, v. 45, pp. 48-58.

Jaffa, M. E., reports a sample of powdered turmeric containing cereal flour, and calcium sulphate.-Bull. California Bd. Health, 1911, v. 7, p. 163.

Donnan and Harris report observations on the osmotic pressure and conductivity of aqueous solutions of congo red and reversible membrane equilibria.-J. Chem. Soc. Lond. 1911, v. 99, pp.

Guerbet presents a study of the reaction of neutral red from the chemical standpoint.-Compt. rend. Soc. Biol. 1911, v. 70, p. 514. See also J. Pharm. et. Chim. 1911, v. 4, p. 135.

4. PHYSICAL CONSTANTS.

Brown, Linwood A., thinks the druggist should be familiar with the determination of the physical constants, such as specific gravity, boiling point, melting point, refractive index, optical rotation, etc. Proc. Kentucky Pharm. Assoc. 1911, p. 96.

Schimmel & Co. (Semi-Annual Report, April, 1911, p. 126) note that to avoid repetition a special chapter has been set aside in the introduction to the Ph. Germ. V describing the various methods of