Coumarin and Vanillin, Their Separation, Estimation and Identification in Commercial Flavoring Extracts.* BY WILLIAM H. HESS AND ALBERT B. PRESCOTT. University of Michigan. It is a common practice in preparing an extract of vanilla from vanilla beans to introduce also, as a lower-priced material, a portion of tonka beans. This makes a cheaper article and one that is generally popular with consumers. It is under stood, however, to be an inferior article when compared with the genuine, and it can no longer be correctly labeled "Vanilla Extract." Under this name the presence of tonka extract constitutes an adulteration and, hence, the separation, identification and estimation of coumarin, the odoriferous principle of tonka bean, has some estimation of coumarin, the odoriferous principle of the tonka bean, has become a practical problem for the analytical chemist. Theory for the Separation of Coumarin from Vanillin. Vanillin is hydroxymethoxybenzoic aldehyde, while coumarin is the anhydride of coumaric (orthohydroxycinnamic) acid. The separation depends on the aldehydic character of vanillin. If vanillin be dissolved in pure dry ether and dry ammonia gas passed through the solution the aldehyde ammonia compound of vanillin will be precipitated in almost quantitative proportions. It is accordingly not very soluble in ether; but, like all aldehyde ammonias, it is very soluble in water. Ammonia water should, then, extract all the vanillin from an ether solution. This theoretic principle is fully borne out in practice, as has been proved by repeated experiment. Coumarin, on the other hand, remains wholly in the ether solution. Method of Analysis. A sample of 25 to 100 grammes of the commercial extract to be examined is placed in an evaporating dish, and the alcohol is allowed to evaporate at about 80° C. Water is added from time to time to keep the amount of liquid about equal to the original volume. When the alcohol is all gone, lead acetate solution is added drop by drop until no more precipitate forms. Stirring with a glass rod aids in the flocculation and settling of the precipitate. The solution is now filtered, best through an asbestos funnel under pressure, and the precipitate washed with a few cubic centimeters of hot water. The cooled filtrate is now extracted with ether' by shaking out in a separatory funnel. About 15 to 20 Cc. of ether are used each time, and the process of shaking out is repeated until a few drops of the ether evaporated on a watch glass leave no residue. If the shaking is done thoroughly, three to four times shaking out will usually be sufficient to extract all the vanillin and coumarin. The combined ether extracts are introduced into a second separatory funnel and shaken out with dilute ammonia (one Read by title before the American Chemical Society, and printed in the Pharmaceutical Review. 1 Chloroform may be used instead of ether here, and throughout the process, with this advantage, that the evaporation of chloroform leaves the residue dryer than it is when ether is used. part strong water of ammonia to two parts of distilled water), using about 2 Cc. of the alkaline water solution at a time, and repeating the process until the ammoniacal solution is no longer colored yellow. The ether solution is washed with 2 Cc. of water and this wash water added to the alkaline extract. The ammoniacal solution is set aside for the estimation of vanillin. The ether solution is now poured out into an evaporating dish, and the ether allowed to evaporate spontaneously, or better, the dish containing the ether is placed in a vacuum desiccator over sulphuric acid, when the ether may be removed quickly. To prevent bumping of the ether and consequent loss during distillation in vacuo, a capillary tube sealed at one end is so placed in the liquid that the open end projects into the centre of the solution, while the sealed end extends well out of the liquid and rests on the side of the dish. It is necessary that the tube be long enough to prevent its resting horizontally on the bottom of the dish.2 Separating the Coumarin. The residue having been left in vacuo over sulphuric acid long enough to remove all water, or else dried in an air bath at not above 45° C., is treated with a few Cc. of cold ligroin,' the latter being poured off into a clean dry weighed dish. The extraction with ligroin is repeated until a drop evaporated on a watch glass case leaves no residue. The ligroin is allowed to evaporate-best in vacuo in a desiccator containing paraffin-is dried at not above 45° C. and weighed. This gives pure crystalline coumarin, melting at 67° C. After weighing, a melting point determination should be taken, and this with the odor-which is characteristic at this point in the analysis when compared with that of a known sample-is sufficient for its identification. Separating the Vanillin. The ammoniacal solution obtained above is rendered slightly acid with 10 per cent hydrochloric acid. It is then shaken out with ether in manner as stated before. The ether is removed and the residue is dried in vacuo over sulphuric acid or else in an air bath at not above 55° C. This residue is washed repeatedly with boiling ligroin, using a few Cc. at a time to remove the vanillin and free it from adhering substances. The ligroin solution is decanted into a weighed dish, the ligroin is removed, the vanillin is dried at not above 55° C. and weighed. This gives a pure crystalline product melting at 80° -81° C. After the weighing, a melting point determination should be made, and then color tests may be applied. Some samples of vanilla extracts have been found to contain phenol-like bodies resembling creosol in odor and chemical behavior. These give color compounds with salts of iron, hence, any volumetric estimation, or even qualitative test, applied to the unpurified extract may be fallacious when based on color reactions of iron salts. Results were obtained by this method under control as follows. From Mexican vanilla beans a liquid product was made by following the directions of the United States Pharmacopoeia for Tincture of 2 Tiny capillary tubes are very useful in preventing bumping in boiling liquids and are made by drawing out a glass tube to the dimensions of a hair. Cut the tube into a convenient length and fuse up one end. 3 A petroleum fraction boiling between 30 and 40 degs. C. Vanilla. Of this tincture, 25 grammes were taken in duplicate portions, to each was added 0.5 gramme of pure crystallized coumarin, and the analysis was made for estimation of coumarin and of vanillin. The coumarin recovered from the duplicate portions was, respectively, 0.491 gramme or 98.2 per cent of that taken, and 0.482 gramme or 96.4 per cent of that taken. The vanillin recovered was, respectively, 0.3081 gramme, and 0.2997 gramme from each of the portions of twenty-five grammes of the tincture. This method for vanillin is much easier and quicker to work than the sodium bisulphite method, and has these advantages: (1) the shaking out with ammonia water is quickly done; (2) the alkaline solution of vanillin thus obtained is small in bulk; (3) the trouble of getting rid of sulphur dioxide is avoided. The separation of the vanillin is also more complete. Standardization of Tinctures. At a meeting of the Midland Chemists' Assistants' Association held in Birmingham, England, on December 7th, John Barclay, B.S., read a note on the "Standardization of Strophanthus Preparations," in which he pointed out that the preliminary treatment of the seeds with ether before extraction with alcohol had been done away with in the case of the tincture, but retained as part of the process for making the new extract. From experiments which he had made he found that a tincture prepared by the new process contained more strophanthin than when made by the old, and his experiments led him to the conclusion that a percentage of 0.3 per cent of strophanthin in the new tincture would be the most useful standard to adopt. Mr. Barclay then proceeded to discuss the new extract of strophanthus, the utility of which, he said, had already been questioned by many commentators on the new Pharmacopoeia. Since, however, the extract was an official preparation, and a somewhat potent one, it seemed desirable that it should be made to contain a definite percentage of active principle, and following the lines of the method suggested by the author for standardizing the tincture, the following process was recommended for the extract: Dissolve 5 grammes of the extract in water, filter, shake the filtrate with two successive 5 Cc. of chloroform; the chloroformic washings agitated with a little pure water are rejected, and the mixed aqueous washings acidified with 1 Cc. sulphuric acid (50 per cent), and heated on water bath for one hour. After cooling, the liquid is transferred to a separator and extracted with three washings of chloroform, chloroform is washed with water (to free from acid), distilled, and the residual strophanthidin dried at 150 degs. F. The amount of strophanthidin yielded multiplied by 20 and divided by 0.365, gives the proportion of strophanthin present in 100 grammes of the extract. With regard to the strength to be chosen for the standard, 4 per cent was suggested as a reasonable figure, that percentage being on all fours with that chosen for the 1885 tincture made like the new extract from seeds previously treated with ether. Five samples of seeds treated according to the official method gave extracts containing respectively 2.02, 2.55, 3.28, 3.22 and 4.33 per cent of strophanthin. The variation indicated is probably largely due to the varying tem perature used in preparing the extracts. In the case of the first two samples, steam heat was employed, while in that of the other three a water bath was used. The seeds from which the fourth sample was prepared yielded, on assay, 8.02 per cent of strophanthin, and should therefore give an extract containing 4.01 per cent instead of 3.22 per cent, as found, proof being thus afforded that the application of heat to the limited extent ordered by the Pharmacopoeia results in the destruction of some of the active principle. Suppositories and How to Make cacao-butter by heating to a temperature etc. utes. Another advantage was that such pessaries always came out of the mould whole-no small matter-and finally, by cutting down to a given weight, accurate dosage was easily obtainable-it was not a question of volume, as in the case of ordinary gun-metal-made suppositories and pessaries but of actual weight. The "hollow" suppositories for chloral were a particularly happy notion of Mr. Morgan's. J. Harris Burns mentioned that he had lately had to make suppositories containing 10 Gr. of iodoform and 6 or 8 minims of balsam of Peru, others with ferri amm. cit., a third lot with iodine and pot. iod. These latter went well with the gelatin and glycerin basis. Mr. Morgan, in responding, said balsam of Peru and iodoform were bad, undoubtedly, to get into a suppository, and very little heat must be used in their manipulation. The ammon. citrate of iron and iodide and iodine were the cases he had in his mind when he so strongly recommended the extended use of the gelatin and glycerin base. A better method for casting bougies At a recent meeting of the Liverpool How to Handle Tannin. A mixture of haematoxylin and tannic acid in suppositories generally gives some trouble. First, finely powder the haematoxylin, then add the tannic acid, and rub well together. Cool the base just to setting-point-i. e., when it is nearly as stiff as vaseline-and rub it in a mortar well with the powdered drugs. Liquefy very cautiously over a waterbath. Should this method not answer, the best way would be to mass the powders with the required quantity of ol. theobrom. grated by passing through a nutmeg or similar grater, and then pressing into the moulds. Boric Acid in Suppositories. In making suppositories containing boric acid, take care to well lubricate the mould. Boric acid has the effect of making the mass crumbly, and the suppositories are, therefore, liable to split when released from the mould. A capital lubricant is made by dissolving 2 ounces of soft soap in a pint of water. Chloral Hydrate and Cannabis Indica. A suppository containing a mixture of chloral hydrate and ext. cannabis indica has been suggested as being very difficult if not impossible to make. After some time he hit upon the following method, which may be used for any drugs difficult to mix with ol. theobrom. Melt There is one point about the making of suppositories which requires improving. The fault, however, lies with the prescriber, and not with the dispenser. This was the almost general practice of prescribing a certain weight of a drug in each suppository, irrespective of its density, with so much of the basis. The author asked dispensers to bear in mind that the amount of basis should always be adapted to the actual bulk of the medicament. H. Wyatt said that though many good things had come from the continent, he must refuse to accept the idea of using glass tubes as bougie-moulds as one of them. He had made these troublesome articles as long ago as four or five years by drawing up the mass by suction into glass tubes, allowing it to set hard, and then, after slightly warming the tube, blowing the hard mass out in a solid cylinder, which was then cut up into the desired lengths. The notion was obtained from "The Art of Dispensing" or The Chemist and Druggist-he forgot which and was, like most ideas from those sources, of a thoroughly practical nature, as he had proved. The use of tinfoil for making pessary-moulds was not common nowadays in England; nevertheless, it had advantages over the cold-metal moulds in hot weather. If the tinfoil were allowed to project about one-half inch or more, according to the weight and size of the pessary, above the surface of the melted mass when poured into the moulds, they could then, if of cacao-butter or other grease, be floated in iced water and cooled off ready for stripping inside of five min Commercial Aspect of the L. M. Landeker recently delivered a lecture before the alumni and students of the Chicago College of Pharmacy on the commercial aspects of the sponge industry in which he reviewed briefly the principal facts relating to this low form of animal life which is distributed in fresh and salt waters over the tropical and temperate zones, but reaches its highest development in the warmer waters. About eighteen species are known, and two or three only of these furnish the sponges of commerce. They are found most abundantly off the coasts of Florida, Cuba and other West Indian islands, Greece, Turkey, North Africa, Australia and the East Indian islands. All of the sponges that enter the commerce of the United States come from Florida and the West Indies or the Mediterranean. How Sponges Are Obtained. The speaker stated that sponges are obtained from the water by three methods: (1) In waters not exceeding 30 feet in depth, by fishers with a three-pronged hook attached to a long pole who pull up the sponges from the rocks. (2) In waters not exceeding 60 or 70 feet in depth, by divers in regular diving outfits, who cut the sponges from their attachment, collecting them in a bag. (3) In waters exceeding 60 feet, by dredging with small grappling hooks. This is the least satisfactory method, as by it many of the sponges are badly torn. The first method is the principal one used, especially in American waters. To enable the fisher to see the sponge, he provides himself with a short cylinder, usually a pail in which the bottom is replaced by a piece of stout glass. By placing the pail glassend downward a little ways into the water, it is possible to see clearly to quite a depth. Having sighted a sponge which appears to be valuable, the fisher with his hook carefully detaches it from the rock and pulls it up. Most of the fishers are of a very poor class, being negroes or indigent whites. The sponge as taken from the water is composed of a great mass of gelatinous material adhering to the fibrous skeleton and possessing a very disagreeable odor. Its preparation for the market consists in washing when first gathered, to remove the bulk of the gelatinous material; then drying in the sun for a period not exceeding one day, during which time all of the organic matter partially decomposes and is finally removed by heating and further washing; lastly, drying well, preparatory for the market. The principal Florida sponge market is Pensacola, while the Mediterranean market is Trieste. At these markets the fishers pile up their goods on the wharves and ask for bids on the whole pile. The highest bidder receives the lot, and he then proceeds to sort, trim and bale them. How They Are Bleached. Sponges are bleached to remove their natural dark gray color, and especially the red color of the roots always present in the Mediterranean sponges. Bleaching is performed, first, by soaking the sponge in a strong solution of sodium hyposulphite, washing, and then treating with dilute hydrochloric acid, and finally removing all the acid by washing. This treatment gives the sponge a nice yellow color, but it also largely destroys the "life," i. e., the elasticity and the toughness of the sponge, hence unbleached sponges are always preferable to the bleached sponges when intended for bathing and cleaning purposes. The quality of a sponge is determined by its texture and softness, its elasticity and toughness, as well as its size and shape. The texture of the sponge is what dealers call the "life" of the sponge, and is best preserved in those sponges which are not bleached. The toughness and durability of a sponge depend on its structure. Those sponges are the most durable that are the most closely woven. As to shape, sponges may be either entire or "full-form," i. e., nicely rounded, "halfform," or flat on one side, "coupee," or "cut," when sliced, so as to have several flat faces, and "glove," or "rag," when in poor, irregular pieces. Size is a very important factor in determining the price of a sponge. Sizes are graded according to the number the sponges run to the pound. Classification of Sponges. West Indian sponges are classified according to their geographical source into Florida, Nassau, Cuban and Bermudan sponges. Each of these classes includes, according to texture, sheepswool," "velvet," "reef," and "grass" sponges. The sheepswool sponge is considered the finest bathing sponge, and of this variety the "Rock Island" sheepswool is the most highly prized. Velvet sponges rank next to the sheepswool, and are used for the same purposes, but are not so durable. The "Bermuda yellow" and the "Nassau yellow" are considered the best qualities. The reef sponges are much less expensive than the sheepswool, the larger sizes being used for scrubbing and cleaning, and the smaller sizes for slate The sponges. grass when sponges, bleached, resemble sheepswool in appearance, but are practically worthless as bath sponges, as they soon fall to pieces. It is these sponges which are sold as great bargains by the department stores. The grass sponges cost only about one-sixth as much as the sheepswool of the same size. Mediterranean Sponges. Mediterranean sponges are classified into Greek, Zimoca or Turkey, Mandruca or North African, and, the finest of all sponges, the "silk" sponges. The Greek, Zimoca and Mandruca sponges come, as regarding shape, in full-form, half-form, and coupee, are usually bleached, and are used almost entirely for bathing purposes. Silk sponges are classed into "cup," "surgeons'," and "flat." Cup sponges are those with a large oval cavity in the top, giving the sponge a cup-shaped appearance, and were formerly used by surgeons in administering anaesthetics. Surgeons' sponges are the fine oval silk sponges formerly extensively used in surgery, but now almost entirely supplanted by absorbent cotton. In addition to the uses mentioned above, sponges are now largely employed in many of the arts, thousands of pounds being annually utilized in carriage, furniture and shoe factories, potteries, etc. Fraud in Sponge Industry. Fraud is practiced in the sponge industry in two ways: Either the sponges are "loaded" to increase their weight, or an inferior grade or a smaller size is substituted for the grade sold. Sponges are "loaded" with sand, though this is not used so much now as in former years; with rock-salt, the sponge being saturated in a strong solution of the salt and then dried, or with glycerin. This last substance is adapted for "loading" sponges because it not only increases the weight of the sponge, but renders it more soft and pliable. There is another fraud extensively practiced in the selling of sponges, and that is in regard to the "tare." Unbleached sponges are usually sold by the pound, packed in bales. Now, if the dealer can add five or ten pounds of burlap and rope to the bale, he is But ahead just so much in sponges. many of the more reliable sponge houses are now allowing 3 per cent of the weight for tare, and are endeavoring to do away with this form of deception. are Bleached sponges are sold in cases, i. e., a certain number of sponges packed in a case so that the buyer knows just how much he is paying per sponge. But here again the nicest sponges are always on the top, so that if the retailer places his retail price per piece at a fair margin of profit, he will find the best sponges of the case will go all right, but the poorer ones will stay on his hands, and must be sold at a loss. It is, therefore, advisable to ask a higher price for the nicer pieces and be prepared to take a lower price for these poorer ones. A sponge should never be placed in very hot water. To do so must invariably destroy its "life," causing it to become flabby. A sponge should be aired frequently, and not placed away damp, into close boxes or cupboards. With this care a good sponge will last for years. Strange Foreign Body in Groin. When an abscess in a patient's groin was opened recently in a London hospital the abscess was found to contain a small spelling-book. It was ascertained that this patient, when a boy, was shot, and it was supposed that the spelling-book was in his trousers pocket, and was shot into the groin.―Medical Press and Circular. The Royal Academy of Medicine of Belgium has just appointed a Commission to propose that the Royal Academy of Medicine ask the Government to enter into negotiations with foreign Governments with a view to drawing up an international pharmacopoeia. t Consumption of Soap in China. To those who know the Chinese only as they are in the United States, where most of them appear to be engaged in the laundering of clothes, it may seem a matter of course that China would be a greater consumer of soap. This, howThe ever, is far from being the case. masses of the people in this great Empire are wholly ignorant of its use. They do not know it even "as an article of commerce," as Mark Twain said of the inhabitants of a certain European city. But at the treaty ports it is being consumed in annually increasing quantities, and its use is gradually extending into the interior. There is probably no other country in the world where there is such a fine opening for the introduction of American soaps. The need, at any rate, is undeniable, and the only obstacle to the importation of larger quantities is the price that must be paid. The people of China are extremely poor. Their wages are paid in copper cash, one of which equals one-twentieth of a cent. One hundred to one hundred and fifty of these cash, that is, from five to seven and a half cents, form the average daily wage of the ordinary working man. It is evident that such an article as soap, which from the Chinese point of view is an article of luxury rather than of necessity, however much desired, can be purchased only when furnished at a very low price. It must not be imagined from what has been said that these people are altogether without a substitute for soap. For toilet purposes, they use a preparation of the saponaceous legumes of a tree known as the Gleditschia sinensis. The pods, with the beans in them, are placed in layers in a wooden frame and subjected to heavy pressure. The whole mass is then cut up into fine shavings by a plane shoved over the exposed ends. These shavings, which have the appearance of fine-cut tobacco, are gathered in double handfuls and beaten with a heavy hammer on a smooth stone until reduced to a puttylike mass. A little native perfumery is sometimes mixed with it to make it more attractive. In washing clothes, the poorest people simply place them on a rock beside a pool and alternately beat and rinse them. Others use crude natron, an impure carbonate of soda, which is obtained by lixiviation from the saline lakes of Mongolia and elsewhere. The Chinese are not unclean from choice. In every city are multitudes of bath houses which are well patronized. The water in the large tanks is kept hot by a furnace underneath and the bean soap, if it may be so called, mentioned above, is furnished to the bathers. These facts lead one to believe that the introduction of foreign soap would meet with great favor. There is scarcely any import from the West that is more highly prized by those who have used it. The native substitutes are recognized as very unsatisfactory, and there is no prejudice to be overcome in the sale of soap, as is the case in the introduction of many other goods. The well-to-do Chinese in the vicinity of the ports will buy toilet soaps for the bath, but most of the people content themselves with a poor grade of washing which use they for all purThe Japanese are supplying a cheap for variety the toilet. but it is of such an inferior quality as to command but a limited sale (To be concluded.) soap, poses. very Queries and Answers. We shall be glad, in this department, to respond to calls for information bearing on pharmacy or any of its allied topics, and cordially invite our friends to make use of this column. The name and address of the inquirer must accompany the communication, not for publication, but to assure attention, as we make it a rule to pay no regard to anonymous correspondence. Mercuric Cyanide.-C. S.-This salt is no longer official; it was formerly prepared by reaction between potassium ferrocyanide, sulphuric acid and mercuric oxide, or it may be prepared by dissolving mercuric oxide in hydrocyanic acid. Mercuric cyanide is used to some extent It is seldom by dyers as a mordant. a found as an article of stock in drug stores and is used by chemists largely as source of cyanogen. It is soluble in eight parts of cold water and the solution has a very disagreeable metallic taste. While nausea is one of the common symptoms of chronic cyanogen poisoning, this symptom usually appears as one of the effects of an over-extended exhibition of the salt in small doses. Regarding the antidotal treatment this is necessarily limited. The direct chemical antidote consists of the administration of a mixture of ferrous sulphate and ferric chloride with sodium carbonate, the object being to convert the soluble cyanide into ar insoluble iron ferrocyanide. In most cases of poisoning by hydrocyanic acid or cyanogen compounds, there is no time for the administration of a chemical antidote, in consequence of the rapidity of the action of the poison, and the treatment is chiefly directed to the maintenance of respiration by artificial means and the administration of small doses of atropine and ether subcutaneously. The statement that the symptoms of poisoning observed in the crime now under discussion in the metropolitan newspapers were those of potassium cyanide has little more than hasty conjecture or newspaper speculation to bear it out. No scientific evidence has yet been adduced to bear out the suggestion that either potassium or mercuric cyanide was used as the causa mortis lethalis. Captol Hair Wash.-E. T. D. writes: "On page 389 you give a formula for 'captol hair wash.' I have examined all the price lists possible and fail to find any information regarding it. Will you kindly inform me where 'captol' can be found, its cost and whether proprietary or not?" Captol is a condensation product of tannin and chloral patented by the Farbenfabriken of Elberfeld Co., 40 Stone street, New York. It is described in a recent number of the Pharmaceutische Post as a dark brown, hygroscopic powder, slightly soluble in cold, more soluble in warm water and in alcohol. It has been recommended as an antiseptic astringent in falling of the hair from seborrhoea, etc. A one-half per cent alcoholic lotion is rubbed into the scalp morning and evening, the use of fats, pomades or soap being strictly avoided. A preparation named "Captol" is advertised in the January magazines by Muhlens & Kropf, of this city, as a hair tonic, but we do not know what relation this preparation bears to the patented product of the Farbenfabriken of Elberfeld Co. Household Disinfectant.-W. F. T. asks for the formula of a household disinfectant to put on sale during the prevalence of a small-pox scare in the town. A simple deodorant and disinfectant is provided in formula No. 249 of the National Formulary. This may be put up in pint bottles bearing an appropriate label. The solution recommended several years ago by the National Board of Health consisted of zinc sulphate and common salt dissolved together in water in the proportion of 4 ounces zinc sulphate and 2 ounces salt to the gallon. This was used for the disinfection of clothing, bed linen, etc. Corrosive sublimate in aqueous solution affords the most satisfactory disinfectant, but its use is accompanied with some risk. Carbolic acid disinfectants are popular, the crude carbolic acid consisting of a mixture of cresylic and carbolic acid being most commonly employed. A combination of crude carbolic acid with an absorbent powder is occasionally employed. The proportion of carbolic acid should be at least 15 per cent and fuller's earth, peat earth, infusorial earth or any other non-alkaline silicious substance may be used as a basis. A disinfectant powder used in Germany has the following composition: Dissolve the acacia in sufficient water, and with this emulsify the oil. Then gradually add the flavoring with constant stirring and lastly the remainder of the water. Book on Liquor Distilling, Etc.-J. A. L. wants the name of "a work on the general composition, analysis, etc., of different liquors." Brevan's "Manufacture of Liquors and Preserves," published by Munn & Co., New York, price $3, is probably the book he is in search of. It is the work of a Frenchman and is intended primarily for the use of liquor manufacturers. It is illustrated with engravings of the machinery and apparatus used in the manufacture of various alcoholic preparations, the extraction of essences, the manufacture of aromatic wine and the analysis of alcohols, sugars and syrups. Syrup. Codeinae Comp.-G. A.-Formulas for both simple and compound syrups of codeine are thick as the leaves that strewed the brooks in Vallombrosa, but we have no information at hand concerning the particular formula you inquire for. You do not give any particulars as to the name of the manufacturer or where it originates. One of the most popular syrups in the New York Hospital service has the following composition: Dose, one teaspoonful. The formula prescribed in the Bellevue Hospital is: Dose, one teaspoonful. The above formula is also followed in the Roosevelt Hospital, save that simple syrup takes the place of syrup of wild cherry. The British Pharmaceutical Conference syrup of codeine consists of a solution of alkaloidal codeine in diluted alco hol, water and syrup containing onequarter grain of codeine in each teaspoonful. The preparation of the National Formulary is a simple solution of codeine sulphate in warm syrup of the strength of about one-half grain to the fluid dram. The Bellevue Hospital formula is generally preferred, as it is more soothing in a case of tickling cough and nicer to the taste. Compound Sarsaparilla with Iodides. -S. B. sends the printed wrapper of a carton for "compound extract of sarsaparilla with iodides," and asks for the formula of a preparation to fit this title. In our issue of December 10th, on page 351, will be found full particulars regarding the manufacture of a compound of this character. The formula there printed provides for the manufacture of 100 pints of finished material and only the proportions of potassium and ferrous iodides are omitted. If S. B. will add ferrous iodide to this formula in the proportion of about 10 grains of the salt to each pint of finished product and double or treble this amount of potassium iodide he will turn out a preparation which will respond fully to the claims made on the wrapper which he submits. Quinol-Hydrochinon.-D. S. F. asks where the quinol can be purchased which is prescribed in the formula for a metolquinol developer printed in the issue of READER of this department whose advertising has several times received favorable comment, writes that he contemplates making some improvements in his store and feels that he will have to economize on expenses wherever possible. He says that the next two or three months will be dull ones in his locality, and asks whether it would be advisable to discontinue his advertising for a time. I do not believe that it would. There Editor Business Hints: I appreciate your criticisms of my ads in the AMERICAN DRUGGIST of Nov. 25, and herewith send some more ads for criticism and competi tion. From the character of the paper, would you consider it a good medium? It is a little hard to induce people in this locality to read ads, hence my adherence to strong headlines. JOHN A. FOOTE. Archbald, Pa. well edited and well printed, and it carries The paper sent appears to be newsy, a good amount of both local and foreign advertising. Surface indications point to its being a good medium. If its rates have proper relation to its circulation, it can doubtless be used profitably. All the ads sent can be classed as good; the one awarded the prize is much better is not obtainable from Philadelphia drug November last, as he says the substance may be cases where temporary discon- than either of the others because it con jobbers under that name. If D. S. F. will ask for this substance under the commoner name of hydrochinon, he will have no difficulty in having his order filled by any Philadelphia drug jobber. Quinol is the title for hydrochinon commonly used by chemists, and if the salesmen of any of the Philadelphia firms through which it was sought to be obtained had referred the matter to their chemist no delay would have been experienced in obtaining it. "Duane's Orione."-The address of the manufacturers of "Duane's Orione" for removing all stains of iron rust, etc., from linen and cotton fabrics, is desired by R. L. Adams, Woodstock, Vt. Cigar Spotting Fluid.-S. M.-Complete information regarding this compound is given in our December 25 issue on page 328. tains more information. The headlines tinuance of advertising is necessary, but can be improved. "There's Danger" this is not one of them. When one has all the business he can attend to he may be justified in stopping, but it is hard to find another reason. It is wise to decrease the expenditure at times, but to entirely discontinue is to lose the benefit of continuity, which is a very important element in success. One would not think of closing his store three days in a week because trade was dull. It would be peculiar economy to take doses of medicine only one-third as often as the doctor prescribed because the potion was expensive. The continuity of advertising must usually be viewed in a similar light. To entirely stop is to lose some of your hold on people, to lost momentum, and, in many instances, to give your competitor an opportunity. My reply to the inquiry would be to curtail the advertising if necessary; to use less space, but to keep up some effort as a connecting link between past and future advertising. The chances are that it would be better not to decrease the advertising at all. CRITICISM AND COMMENT. Prize Advertisement. The "American Druggist" offers a prize of One Dollar, each issue, for the best retail druggist's advertisement. The prize this time is awarded to Mr. John A. Foote, Archbald, Pa. MINERS Are subject to a mechanical irritation of the bronchial tubes by dust and smoke, which sometimes causes what is known as MINERS' ASTHMA. Ordinary cough medicines will not relieve a cough of this kind. Therefore we have prepared a strong expectorant to help the lungs throw out this foreign matter. It is called White Pine and Tar Syrup and costs 25 cents. FOOTE'S PHARMACY. Prize Advertisement. is a blind heading, which is a poor kind. It is always best to have your headings appeal directly to the individual you wish to interest. The heading of the winning ad is good, but would have been better had it been "Cures Miners' Asthma," because such a heading is most apt to arrest the attention of those you are after. Your headings are none too bold, they might with advantage be still bolder when the subject is such a one as this. I have had a revision of your ad set to illustrate these suggestions. I believe you are hampered somewhat by the use of a fixed amount of space. Buy your space by the inch and use it as you need it. Claims Should Be Moderated. Editor Business Hints: Kindly criticise enclosed circular. We insert one in each package that leaves the store. Change about once a month. Jersey City, N. J. C. J. MCCLOSKEY. |