4266. Tests for the Purity of Sulphate of Quinine

4266. Tests for the Purity of Sulphate of Quinine. This salt is frequently adulterated with starch, magnesia, gum, sugar, etc.. The first three remain undissolved when the salt is digested in spirit; the fourth is dissolved out by cold water, and tho last may be detected by precipitating the quinine by liquor of potassa, and dissolving tho precipitate in boiling alcohol; cinchona crystallizes out as tho solution cools, but tho quinine remains in tho mother liquor. (Cooley.) Dr. Stonelen proposes a test for tho presence of salicine in sulphate of quinine. He employs three kinds of sulphuric acid - viz.: the fuming, pure concentrated acid, free from arsenic and nitric acid; ordinary concentrated sulphuric acid of commerce, containing a trace of nitric acid; and, lastly, sulphuric acid, to which, purposely, nitric acid had been added. "Watch glasses having been placed on a sheet of white paper, and a drop or two of the acids above referred to (each in a separate glass) having been poured therein, a few crystals of sulphate of quinine are put on the acid; if pure, there is no coloration; but, even with 1 per cent, of salicine, the two first-named acids cause a distinct red coloration, which does not ensue with the acid containing nitric acid. This latter acid is not even colored by pure salicine.

4267. Acetate of Morphia

4267.      Acetate of Morphia. Tho acetate of morphia of commerce is usually in the form of a whitish powder, and is prepared by tho mere evaporation of the solution to dryness by a gentle heat. During the process a portion of the acetic acid is dissipated, and hence this preparation is seldom perfectly soluble in water, unless it be slightly acidulated with acetic acid. It is prepared by dissolving 6 drachms morphia in 3 fluid drachms acetic acid specific gravity 1.048, diluted with 4 fluid ounces distilled water; evaporate gently, and crystallize. 100 measures of a solution of 10 grains in 1/2 fluid ounce water, and 5 minims of acetic acid, heated to 212°, and decomposed by a very slight excess of ammonia, yield by agitation a precipitate, which, in 24 hours, occupies 151/2 measures of the liquid.

4268. Opium

4268.    Opium. Tho juice obtained by cutting tho unripe fruit of the white poppy, and hardened by exposure to the air. It yields several alkaloids, tho principal of which is morphine. The best opium comes from Smyrna, in Turkey. Sometimes tho commercial article is found adulterated with various substances in order to increase its weight.

4269. To Test the Strength of Opium

4269.  To Test the Strength of Opium. Take 25 grains quicklime made into a milk with water, boil in this 100 grains opium, and filter the solution while hot; saturate tho filtrate with dilute hydrochloric acid, and then precipitate tho morphia by the addition of liquor of ammonia, any excess of the latter being expelled by heat. Collect tho precipitate, dry, and weigh it; tho weight in grains will represent the percentage of morphia in the sample of opium tested. (Couerlc.)