this latter acid can be separated into dextro and lævo acids, the important question was raised, whether the optic properties of the inactive acid were merely dormant, or whether they had been as it were created? The author considers the latter fact to be the truth, from his having been enabled to prepare synthetically both the racemic and inactive acids, taking ethene (olefiant gas, C2 H1) as the starting point, according to the following reactions:

Ethene Cyanide.

Succinic Acid.

C2 H1 (CN)2+4 H2 0=2 N Hз+ C1 H ̧ O ̧·

4

6

Succinic acid, acted upon by bromine, yields two substitution compounds, one of which, namely, dibromosuccinic acid, when treated with silver oxide in presence of water, yields tartaric acid and silver bromide, as pointed out by Perkins and Duppa, thus :-

Dibromosuccinic Acid.

Tartaric Acid.

C H Br2 O+Ag2 0+H2 0=С4 H ̧ O ̧ +2 Ag Br.

6

M. Guichard gives the result of a reaction which happened accidentally in consequence of a bottle containing a mixture of gum benzoin and carbon bisulphide having been put aside during the siege of Paris. On again noticing the bottle, some large crystals were observed which, the author states, were benzoic acid. The fact is interesting as tending to indicate a possible new method of obtaining that acid, free from the empyreumatic odour which characterizes it as now prepared by the action of heat upon the

gum.

M. Byasson, who published a paper last year on sulphydrate of chloral (Year-Book, 1872, 171), now gives the results of experiments instituted to show whether hydrate of chloral can be split up into chloroform and formic acid without the intervention of alkalies. By heating the hydrate with syrupy glycerin, chloroform and formic acid, mixed with small quantities of hydrochloric acid and formate of allyl, as secondary products, are obtained, thus:

Chloral hydrate. Chloroform. Formic acid.

C2HC, O, H2OCH Cl2+ C H2 O2

2

The author thinks that this process, suggested by M. Berthelot for oxalic acid, may be applicable to many organic bodies; thus, trichloracetic acid splits into chloroform and carbonic acid :

:

A new method of testing chloral hydrate is proposed by M. Meyer, founded on the fact that it is decomposed by alkalies, yielding one equivalent of formate for each equivalent of chloral thus:

Chloral hydrate.

Sodium formate.

C1 Cl2 H3 O + Na O, HO=C, H Cl2+C2 H Na O1+2 HO.*

3

4

This is probably an improvement on those tests which are based on the production of chloroform.

An easy and expeditious method of preparing trichloracetic acid and its salts is given by M. Clermont, depending upon the action of potassium permanganate on hydrate of chloral. The action, which is somewhat violent, must be moderated; and the liquid when filtered and evaporated yields the fibrous silky crystals of trichloracetate of potassium described by M. Dumas, the discoverer of trichloracetic acid. Last year, M. Clermont published a paper on this subject (Year-Book, 1872, 176), in which he suggested the preparation of this acid, by the action of nitric acid on chloral.

The action of sulphuric ether on the iodides has been studied by MM. Ferrières and Magnes-Lahens, and also by Dr. de Vrij. The results obtained by them point to the fact that perfectly pure ether has no action on the iodides. Hence, a test is readily formed by mixing ether with an iodide and starch paste, if the ether is impure, or has become decomposed by exposure to light, etc., the blue colour of iodide of starch is instantly developed.

Mr. T. L. Phipson notes the presence of cyanogen in bromine, and indicates a method of detecting so dangerous a compound, based on the formation of ferricyanide of iron when the impure bromine is brought into contact with iron filings. The author has found as much as 1 per cent. of cyanogen. The occasional presence of this compound has long been known to makers of iodine.

Many years ago the hypophosphites were studied by H. Rose, but recently their composition, and decomposition under the influence of heat, has been the subject of a memoir by M. Rammelsburg, who points out certain inaccuracies in the results which had been previously arrived at by H. Rose. The author finds that the residue left after heating is never entirely pyrophosphate, but contains in addition metaphosphate or phosphide. In most cases hydrogen phosphide is given off, though in some instances only hydrogen is evolved. And lastly, the author has ascertained that in certain of

* The author has employed the old notation.-ED.

the hypophosphites no water is eliminated during their decomposition by heat.

A process for the rapid preparation of pure potassium hydrate is given by M. Polacci, who heats a mixture of one part of potassium nitrate and two or three parts of iron filings to redness, whereby in a few minutes the alkali is rendered caustic, and may be obtained by treating the mass with water.

F. Rhien proposes a ready means of transforming ferro into ferricyanide of potassium by the action of a solution of bleaching powder. The author states that the process is simple and the yield large.

Sulphocyanide of potassium sufficiently pure for most laboratory operations, may easily be obtained according to Mr. W. Skey, by exposing sulphur recently boiled in water, cool, but still wet, in an air-tight jar, to the action of a solution of potassium cyanide free from caustic alkali. Under these circumstances combination takes place, resulting in the formation of the potassium sulphocyanide.

Most pharmacists must have noticed that the chlorinated solutions of lime and soda of the Pharmacopoeia were deficient in the amount of chlorine they contained, and will therefore be glad to find that Mr. C. Umney has directed his attention to the subject. With regard to the chlorinated lime solution, Mr. Umney points out that specific gravity is no test of strength, because of the presence of calcium chloride. He suggests that the chlorinated lime of commerce should be guaranteed to contain 33 per cent. of available chlorine, and that the chlorinated solutions should be made therefrom.

The darkening which takes place in many samples of the commercial subnitrate of bismuth, has been found by Mr. C. Ekins to be due to the presence of silver. This metal has likewise been found by the author in the fluid preparations of bismuth.

The necessity that constantly exists for the pharmacist to be on the alert to detect impurities and adulterations cannot be too often insisted upon, and the discovery by M. Schlagdenhauffen of potassium sulphate, nearly four per cent. of the chlorides of sodium and ammonium, as well as 6.5 per cent. of milk-sugar, in a sample of commercial lithium carbonate, sufficiently justifies the assertion. With regard to the milk-sugar, the author justly observes that its presence could only be due to adulteration, but that the other substances indicate impurities arising from careless manipulation.

Nitrate of zinc, as a caustic, is recommended by M. Latour, who gives several formulæ for its employment, and states that it equals

and in some instances supersedes chloride of zinc. It can be used either in solution, mixed with flour to form a paste, or even in combination with the chloride of zinc. M. Clément is said to have employed the solution very successfully at the Hôtel Dieu in cauterizing the neck of the uterus.

All who have worked with solutions of chloride of manganese, must have noticed the changes of colour they undergo during evaporation. The cause of this has been investigated. Krecke states that the colour is due to the formation in the liquid of anhydrous protochloride of manganese. Kappers and Meyer, on the contrary, maintain that the change of colour is owing to the presence of cobalt (Kappers), and of iron and cobalt (Meyer), both agreeing that no change of colour occurs in solutions containing pure chloride of

manganese.

In America, where elegant Pharmacy is so much in vogue, it might naturally be expected that an attempt would be made to render palatable two such nauseous medicines as the iodide and chloride of iron. Accordingly, Mr. J. Creuse has given his attention to the subject, and states that by adopting the process suggested by him, which consists in combining the ferrous iodide or ferric chloride with an alkaline citrate, tasteless iodide or chloride of iron may be obtained, crystalline, permanent, and much to be preferred to the preparations of iron bearing those names in every-day use.

A new process for the preparation of green iodide of mercury has been devised by Jules Lefort. Mercurous acetate is dissolved in a solution of pure sodium pyrophosphate, and to this is added a solution of potassium iodide in small quantities at a time. No free iodine or mercury is at any time present in the solution, and the resulting mercurous iodide is pure, and free from any mercuric iodide. But it would appear, however, from a paper published in the Pharm. Journ., 2nd series, ix., 502, that, however obtained, mercurous iodide is an unstable and not very satisfactory preparation.

It has generally been considered, that in vinous fermentation the sugar splits up into alcohol and carbon dioxide :

:

Alcohol.

Mr. H. T. Brown, however, has shown that other gaseous products are also evolved. He found that there was invariably a certain amount of the gaseous product that was not capable of being absorbed by potash. Examination indicated that this residue consisted mainly

of nitrogen, with a small proportion of hydrogen, a trace of a hydrocarbon having the general formula C1 Han + 2, and if nitrates were present, then a minute quantity of nitric oxide was also eliminated. Cymene, a hydrocarbon originally obtained in 1841, by M. Gerhardt, from oil of cummin, is found to be associated with hydrocarbons in many of the natural turpenes. It has been produced by M. Barrier, from hydrate of turpentine oil by the action of bromine, and so obtained it presented all the characters of cymene from camphor :

On the other hand, camphor has been synthetically obtained by A. Oppenheim, during the fractional distillation of the products derived from the oxidation of cymene prepared from turpentine oil.

In 1858, and again in 1867, M. Berthelot, whilst oxidizing turpentine oil, obtained small quantities of a substance apparently identical with laurel camphor. And Dr. Wright has shown, in a paper read at the Conference meeting, and which will be found in the report of the proceedings (pp. 518, 519), that cymene may also be obtained from oil of nutmegs and from oil of orange.

Some time ago Berzelius and Desplats obtained a series of glycerin derivatives, by distilling a mixture of glycerin and tartaric acid at temperatures varying from 100° to 140° C. Recently, M. Schlagdenhauffen, has succeeded in obtaining a new glyceride, by heating a mixture of equal parts of glycerin and tartaric acid to about 200° C. This new body is crystalline, melts at 78° C., and boils at 242° C.

The following formula is deduced from analysis, Ce H10 Os, but the author considers its rational formula to be:

Inasmuch as, by suitable means, glycerin CHO, and pyruvic

C3 H3

HS

H3

acid, O can be obtained from it. He proposes the name pyruvin for this new compound, to recall the fact that it contains the radicle of pyruvic acid. This acid being, as is well known, produced by the dry distillation of racemic or tartaric acid.

Mr. A. H. Mason gives the results of his examination of glycerin, and states that when sufficiently pure for medicinal purposes, it