yielded 69 grains of perfectly pure crystals, and 74 grains, which were slightly coloured, in all 143 grains, or 10.3 per cent. Now as galls yield rather more than half of their weight of soluble matter, the quantity of pyrogallic acid obtainable from them, by this process, is very considerable. I think it right to mention, however, that on a previous trial, when the sublimation was not so carefully conducted, I did not obtain more than half this quantity. COMPOSITION OF SPONGE. BY DR. POSSELT. SPONGE heated from 180 to 200° undergoes no visible change, it loses its elasticity dependent on moisture, but retains its tenacity, so that it cannot be reduced to a powder. At a higher temperature, decomposition commences, without any sign of its becoming glutinous. This decomposition, which is marked by an unpleasant odour, is accompanied by the development of carbonate of ammonia and water. The residue is brittle, and is difficult to incinerate. On an average, it yields 3.5 per cent. of ashes, consisting of silica, phosphate of potash, sulphate of lime, and a small quantity of iodide of potassium. By boiling sponge in water, no alteration is effected, Alcohol and ether extract a small quantity of fat. Mineral acids have no action on sponge, except in rather a concentrated form. Strong sulphuric acid is blackened by it; and if diluted with water, and ammonia be added, no precipitate is produced. The substance loses its elasticity, and is friable, but insoluble in water, and remains unchanged in colour. In nitric acid it is partially soluble, if digested in it for some time. The residue is a soft, slimy mass of a yellow colour, soluble in water; on addition of ammonia, it swells and dissolves into a fluid of a bright yellow colour. In potash it is very soluble, producing a beautiful red colour. These solutions yield precipitates with tincture of galls, but not with ferrocyanate of potash, or bichloride of mercury. The nitric acid in which it has been dissolved, forms no precipitate on addition of ammonia. Boiled with nitric acid, it is readily decomposed with a development of gas. Muriatic acid in a concentrated form acts on sponge, if it be for some time in contact with it, producing neither in the solution nor the residue a blue colour, but dissolves it. The solution is not rendered turbid by ammonia, ferrocyanate of potash, nor bichloride of mercury. Boiled with muriatic acid, sponge assumes a brown colour, and is dissolved, forming a brown fluid. Acetic acid produces no change on it. Caustic ammonia has no action on sponge, but it is perfectly soluble in the fixed alkalies, with the development of ammonia, and the production of a yellow colour. By heating, the decomposition is promoted, and the fluid assumes a beautiful red colour, changing to brown if the boiling be continued; the fluid then becomes viscid, and ammonia is generated in considerable quantity, with a very disagreeable odour. If the boiling be still continued, the generation of ammonia proceeds until all the nitrogen is exhausted. This solution, saturated with acid, yields a very trifling precipitate, and is rendered turbid. The carbonic acid which escapes, is accompanied by sulphuretted hydrogen, recognizable by the smell. Caustic barytes only acts upon sponge when heated, it then dissolves it, producing at first a red colour, forming ultimately a yellow fluid. For the elementary analysis, the sponge was treated with ether. and then with alcohol, and lastly, with dilute muriatic acid. After washing with water, it was cut into pieces, and dried at 100°. The quantity of ash was about 3.59 per cent. The analyses were made with chromate of lead; to determine the quantity of nitrogen, the method of Will and Varrentrapp was followed. Unchanged substance of C 48.75 49.11 48.74 C48 32.31 32.90 32.69=025 41.19-032 The quantity of sulphur is uncertain and inconsiderable; but that it is always present, the generation of sulphuretted hydrogen, as above mentioned, demonstrates,; as also sulphur may be detected if sponge be treated with chlorine, and the solution tested. From these experiments it appears that sponge is a peculiar substance approximating to horn, but differing from it in composition. It is not a compound of proteine, of which it yields no traces.-Annalen der Chemie und Pharmacie. ADULTERATION OF DRUGS. CALOMEL. THE Journal de Chimie Médicale states, that M. Moritz, a German chemist, being commissioned to examine two specimens of calomel, one called calomel prepared by steam, the other, calomel prepared by precipitation, found the former to contain a fifth of its weight of sulphate of barytes; the latter was ammonio-chloride of mercury (white precipitate), mixed like the former with a fourth of its weight of sulphate of barytes. LINSEED-MEAL. The linseed-meal supplied to the Pharmaceutists and others who sell this article in France, has been found to be adulterated with the powder of a grain deprived of its mucilaginous principle by torrefaction, and from which the oil has been pressed, mixed frequently with bran, oatmeal, and almond powder, with the refuse of starch-manufactories, &c. To these a little oil is added; which, from its being often in a rancid state, renders the use of the powder for poultices very injurious. REVIEWS. A TREATISE ON DIET; comprising the Natural History, Properties, Composition, Adulteration, and Uses of the Vegetables, Animals, Fishes, &c., used as Food. By WILLIAM DAVIDSON, M.D., M.R.C.S. E., &c. pp. 383. London, John Churchill; Glasgow, David Robertson; Edinburgh, A. and C. Black; and William Curry, jun., and Co., Dublin. The author adverts in his Preface to the number of works which have appeared on dietetics, but observes, that "there exists, however, no modern English work, in which alimentary substances are described individually as to their natural history, general properties, chemical constitution, adulterations, and uses, accompanied with an exposition of the principles of diet." The work is, therefore, interesting, not merely to the epicure or valetudinarian, but also to those who when they sit down to dinner, may like to amuse themselves with speculations as to the nature, habits, history, and peculiarities of every animal or vegetable on the table. As all persons of education ought to be possessed of this kind of information, we have no doubt that the "many-headed" volume before us will be popular. REMARKS ON MEDICAL REFORM, in a Second Letter addressed to the Right Hon. SIR JAMES GRAHAM, Bart. By SIR JAMES CLARK, M.D., F.R.S. 8vo, pp. 40. London, John Murray, Albemarle Street. The chief object of this letter is to advocate a general improvement in the education and professional standing of the medical bodies, more especially the general practitioners, whom the author is desirous of rescuing from their present equivocal position as medical shopkeepers. We quote the following, which is the only passage in which our body is particularly interested: "In thus advocating a liberal education for the General Practitioners, as the only means of insuring their respectability as a body and giving them a status in their profession, it must be evident to themselves that so desirable a change in their position cannot be effected until the dispensing of medicines ceases to be a part of their duty-until the practice of Pharmacy is separated from that of Medicine. In towns the separation may be effected without difficulty. In Edinburgh it may be said to be already accomplished. It is true that in villages and country districts the Practitioner would require to keep such medicines as were necessary for immediate use, more especially in the treatment of acute diseases. In such cases, however, the medicines ought not to form a separate charge, but be included in that for attendance, being considered in the same light as surgical instruments. But until the practice of Pharmacy is separated generally from that of Medicine, General Prac titioners cannot attain that position in their profession nor hold that station in society which they ought." These observations are so conclusive, that they require no comment. We noticed Sir James Clark's former letter in Vol. II., page 102, and should have gone further into the subject on the present occasion, if the author had given us the opportunity, by furnishing materials for discussion in reference to Pharmacy. A LECTURE ON QUACK MEDICINES. By T. G. WRIGHT, M.D., Wakefield. 8vo pp. 44. London: R. Groombridge, Paternoster Row; Simpkin and Marshall, Stationers' Court. Leeds: Baines and Newsome. Wakefield: Hurst; Stanfield and Palmer; Illingworth and Hicks.. AFTER having given a concise history of the traditional origin. and progress of Quackery, the author combats the superstitious prejudices which have always existed on the subject, and exposes the fallacy of the prevalent notions of "specifics" and "universal remedies." He next proceeds to classify the various quack medicines into four classes: 1st. Those which, although sold as secret remedies, have been analysed and their properties ascertained (as for instance, James's powder); 2d. External applications; 3d. Internal remedies recommended for special disorders; 4th. Universal specifics. In conclusion, the author recommends an effectual remedy for quackery, which remedy may be considered an universal specific, but the prescription is so well expressed in the words of the author, that we refer our readers to the pamphlet for this important information. THE SALE OF SPIRITS OF WINE. WE think it right again to caution our members against selling spirits of wine, except for medicinal purposes. We hope some redress will be obtained before long, but the Council has not yet succeeded in bringing the subject to a satisfactory issue. It is evident that the construction which is now acted upon is at variance with the original object of the act, which was, according to the terms of the preamble, to restrain "the drinking of spirituous liquors or strong waters." The sale of spirits for this purpose was never claimed as a prerogative of the Chemist; but as the law is now interpreted, we are not even allowed to sell the article for purposes connected with our own business except under very stringent limitations. A very slight alteration in the words of the act would remove the difficulty without giving rise to any abuse. The alteration which we would suggest is the insertion of the word scientific as well as medicinal. It cannot, we presume, be the intention of the legislature that the analytical Chemist should be obliged to resort to the gin-shop to obtain alcohol for his scientific researches, when it is well known that he is not likely to get a spirit from that source which would answer his purpose. TO CORRESPONDENTS. VERAX remarks, that our observations on price lists are made with reference to the wholesale trade (Vol. II., No. 9, p. 562), and thinks they ought to have been extended to the retail. Verax gives several instances of unjustifiably low prices being quoted in shop-bills, and recommends the exposure of the parties in the Journal, as a mode of checking the practice. [We not unfrequently have occasion to notice delinquencies of this kind, but always avoid any personal allusion to individuals. We intend to advert to retail competition shortly.] MR. ROBERT RAW (Richmond) and A. P. S. (Berkley) recommend the publication of Price Lists periodically by the Council, as a means of bringing about some degree of uniformity in the charges both wholesale and retail. [This would be attended with more difficulty than our correspondents imagine, as we shall have occasion to explain when we go into the particulars of the subject.] "A DRUGGIST," (Whitehaven) complains of the inroads of Surgeons on the trade of Druggists, not only in dispensing prescriptions, but in the sale of drugs, filling medicine chests, &c. [We cannot insert any comments on this subject as a party question; the propriety of some judicious arrangement between the two classes has already been suggested, and we hope it will be put in practice.] "A RETAIL DRUGGIST" suggests the establishment of a depôt by the Society for supplying members with genuine chemicals, &c., a person or persons being employed to test the same. [We should be sorry to see the PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY become a trading body. Those who are willing to pay for genuine articles can obtain them without much difficulty; it is the demand for such as are adulterated which occasions their circulation in the market.] "AN ASSOCIATE IN TOWN" alludes to the similarity between Chinova bitter and Smilacine, the former only differing from the latter in containing one additional equivalent of water, according to Dr. Turner. He also proposes the formation of a Latin Class at Bloomsbury Square. The latter suggestion should be addressed to the Council, not anonymously. 66 A MEMBER," Manchester.-We shall be glad to receive the information. F. F., A.P.S.-We have never seen a recipe for "Nectar Powder." The List of Members and Associates is in Vol. II., No. 4. "JOHN, A.P.S."-1. Wanted a recipe for black varnish, or black compo, for polishing leather? 2. Wanted a book on symbols and equivalents, suitable to a beginner? [Any modern work on Chemistry]. 3. Are there any medicinal plants in bloom during the month of May in this country? [Very few.] 4. Is it true, as reported in the Chemist, that our members are leaving daily? [No.] E. P.-We recommend Blaine's Veterinary Art. M. P. S. (Kennington).-The formula for Donovan's Solution of Hydriodate of Arsenic and Mercury, is in Vol. I., page 426. W. R. W. and A. P. S. (Portsea).-We should not recommend an apprentice who has served only half his time, to offer himself as a candidate for the Associates' examination. There can be no advantage in being plucked. L. G.-The vehicle generally used for preserving roots, &c. in the moist state, at the museum of the Society, is rectified Spirit of Wine: dilute acetic acid has been used in some cases with success. "IGNOBILIS.”—The object of testing sulphate of potash with solution of sulphate of silver, as directed by Mr. Phillips in the Pharmacopœia, is to ascertain whether any chloride be present. Sulphate of silver is a sparingly soluble salt. With reference to equivalent numbers, see Vol. I., page 331. "AN ASSOCIATE" (Newcastle).-New editions of the Pharmacopoeia are not published at stated periods. A translation usually follows each edition, the translator being appointed by the College. "AN ASSOCIATE suggests the propriety, in preparing the Tinctura Rhei, of maceraing the rhubarb in the water of the proof spirit previously to the addition of the spirit and other ingredients. J. BOWERBANK. The strongest nitric acid, sp. gr. 1.5, fit for using in the galvanic battery alluded to, is sold by Messrs. Howard and Kent, of Stratford, and other wholesale houses. Platina wire may be obtained at Knight's, in Foster Lane; Dimond's, Holborn, &c. &c. "W. B., A.P.S." There is no authorized formula for Tinctura Cormi Colchici; should such a tincture be ordered, the proportions given in the Pharmacopoeia for Vinum Colchici, only substituting proof spirit for sherry, may be adopted. "OMEGA." We recommend Dr. Roget's Treatise on Electricity and Galvanism, published by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge; and Dr. Golding Bird's Work on Natural Philosophy. H. HEALY.-Probably the best method of preventing beer from becoming sour in hot weather, would be to adopt the Bavarian process of fermentation, a description of which will be found in this Journal, Vol. II., page 400. |