(E. S. R., 39, p. 9). The constants of the oil extracted from the finely ground dried pulp by means of petroleum ether (boiling point, 44 to 65° C.) are as follows: Sp. gr. 0.926, refractive index 1.4811, solidifying temperature -33°, iodin number 158.32, and saponification number 179.8.

As judged by these constants, it is considered that the oil will make a good substitute for linseed oil as a drying oil.

A bibliography of 39 titles is appended.

Loganberry juice, C. I. Lewis (Oreg. Countryman, 10 (1918), No. 9, pp. 369, 870).—A brief description is given of the methods of procedure in the commercial manufacture of loganberry juice.

By-products of the fermentation of cabbage, V. E. NELSON and A. J. BECK (Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc., 40 (1918), No. 6, pp. 1001-1005).-Commercial fermented cabbage was examined for its content of acids, alcohols, and esters as follows:

Five hundred gm. of the canned cabbage was made slightly acid with sulphuric acid and distilled with steam until 2 liters was collected. The volatile

N
10

acids in the distillate were titrated with barium hydroxid, with phenolphthalein as an indicator, and the alcohols and esters were distilled from the barium salts until 50 cc. was obtained. This solution was then saponified with 10 cc. of 20 per cent potassium hydroxid, and the alcohols distilled off, concentrated to 50 cc., and oxidized on the water bath with a solution of potassium dichromate in sulphuric acid. The acids resulting from the oxidation of the alcohols were distilled and converted into barium salts. The potassium salts of the acids formed in the saponification were then decomposed with dilute N sulphuric acid, distilled, and the distillate titrated with barium hydroxid. 10 Both sets of acids were then subjected to the Duclaux method for analysis and estimation.

The results of seven analyses showed that the volatile acids represented a considerable proportion of the total acidity and consisted of acetic and propionic acids only, except in two cases in which formic acid was isolated. Lactic acid in the inactive form was the only fixed acid obtained. Alcohols were found to the same extent as volatile acids and consisted entirely of ethyl and propyl alcohols. The esters were found in small amounts, but evidently contributed largely to the odor and flavor of the product. Mannitol was found to the extent of from 2 to 2.5 per cent.

66

The pungent principles of ginger.—I, Zingiberone. (A correction.) H. NOMURA (Sci. Rpts. Tohoku Imp. Univ., ser. 1, 6 (1918), No. 5, p. 375).-The author proposes to substitute the name zingerone" for zingiberone, previously noted (E. S. R., 37, p. 612), as the ketone bears no relation to the sesquiterpene alcohol to which the name zingiberone has been given.

A study of the antiseptic properties of certain organic compounds, I. J. KLIGLER (Jour. Expt. Med., 27 (1918), No. 4, pp. 463–478).-For the purpose of studying the structural chemical factors involved in the action of dyes on bacteria a series of representative organic compounds, mostly of the aromatic series, was selected, and their action on a number of typical bacteria was studied quantitatively under carefully controlled conditions. The results are expressed in tabular form, the compounds being arranged in the order of their increasing antiseptic power. The following tentative conclusions are drawn: The higher the concentration of organic nitrogenous compounds in the medium the lower is the effective concentration of the dye. The reaction of the medium modifies the specific action of the antiseptic. The antiseptic power is apparently increased by an increase in the number of alkyl radicals, is increased

to a greater extent by an ethyl than by a methyl group, and is increased by the introduction of a methyl group in the nucleus. The simple anilin derivatives, as well as the dyes, are more toxic for the Gram-positive than for the Gramnegative organisms. The most marked specific selective effect is manifested by the triphenylmethane dyes.

Improved methods for the estimation of sodium and potassium, S. N. RHUE (Jour. Indus. and Engin. Chem., 10 (1918), No. 6, pp. 429-431).-The author, at the Ohio Experiment Station, has devised improvements in the modification of the official method for the estimation of sodium as described by Forbes, Beegle, and Mensching (E. S. R., 29, p. 807). The general principles of the method are the same, but changes of detail have been devised which shorten the process and involve the use of much less platinum. In the ashing of the substance the principle of the second optional method (in which the little sulphuric acid used is entirely driven off) has been followed, and porcelain dishes are used instead of platinum. After the precipitation of the phosphorus in the solution of the ash as magnesium ammonium phosphate, the ammonium salts are destroyed by digestion with nitric and hydrochloric acids, these acids being finally driven off, first by evaporation and then by baking on the hot plate.

The official Lindo-Gladding procedure for the estimation of potassium has been similarly modified as to ashing and digesting the ash. The modified methods for both sodium and potassium are described in detail.

The testing of sodium bisulphite in the laboratory of the A. V. R. O. S., F. C. VAN HEURN (Arch. Rubbercult. Nederland. Indië, 2 (1918), No. 1, pp. 12-21; Meded. Alg. Proefstat. Alg. Ver. Rubberplanters Oostkust Sumatra, Rubber Ser., No. 6 (1918), pp. 12-21).—The author states that technical samples of sodium bisulphite generally contain, in addition to the bisulphite itself, some sodium sulphite and sodium sulphate (Na2SO.+NaHSO.+Na2SO.). The second component is most valuable, while the third is quite worthless. In dissolving the sample for analysis the sodium bisulphite becomes sodium sulphite plus sulphurous acid (Na,SO2+H2SO;). Taking this into consideration, the following method of analysis has been developed :

About 1 gm. of the material is weighed in a weighing tube, a small quantity of water added, and the solution poured into a graduated glass-stoppered volumetric flask and made up to 1 liter. This solution is used for all determinations.

N

10

To determine the amount of sulphur dioxid (SO2) present as real bisulphite, 100 cc. of the solution is placed in an Erlenmeyer flask and titrated with potassium hydroxid, using phenolphthalein as an indicator. Double the quantity of SO, found is present as bisulphite. This amount multiplied by NaHSO-1.63 1.63 SO2

be present.

=1.63) gives the maximum amount of sodium bisulphite that can

To determine the total amount of SO2, some of the original solution is placed N

in a burette and titrated with 25 cc. of 10 iodin. The amount of SO, present as normal sulphite is then found by subtracting from the total SO, the amount present as bisulphite. To determine the amount of sulphate 100 cc. of the solution is placed in an Erlenmeyer flask, and 1 cc. of concentrated hydrochloric acid and a few drops of alcohol are added. The air in the flask is replaced by carbon dioxid, and the solution is heated and precipitated with a 10 per cent solution of barium chlorid.

Hydrogen ion concentrations of various indicator end-points in dilute sodium hypochlorite solutions, G. E. CULLEN and J. H. AUSTIN (Jour. Biol. Chem., 34 (1918), No. 3, pp. 553–568, fig. 1).—A study is reported of the endpoints of the indicators, powdered phenolphthalein, an alcoholic solution of phenolphthalein, and an alcoholic solution of o-cresolphthalein in dilute sodium hypochlorite solution with a view to the preparation of Dakin's solution.

It was found that the end-points to the various indicators in the order mentioned in a 0.5 per cent sodium hypochlorite solution were at a Р of 10.1, 8.5 to 8.8, and 9.3. The first gave a solution of too high and the second of too low alkalinity for clinical use. From a study of the carbonate concentration employed in the titration with the third indicator, which gave an end-point at a satisfactory hydrogen ion concentration, it has been found that Dakin's solution having the required Pн of about 9.4 can be readily prepared by passing chlorin gas through a sodium carbonate solution of an initial concentration of 14 gm. to the liter until sodium hypochlorite is formed in a concentration of 0.5 per cent as shown by titration with thiosulphate. A solution thus prepared has proved very satisfactory for clinical purposes.

Fractionating apparatus for petroleum oils and other products, E. HпDT (Ann. Falsif., 11 (1918), No. 111-112, pp. 39-43, fig. 1; Ann. Chim. Analyt., 23 (1918), No. 6, pp. 117-120, fig. 1; Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris], 165 (1917), No. 23, pp. 790–793, fig. 1; abs. in Chem. Abs., 12 (1918), No. 11, p. 1137).—An apparatus is described in which the fractionation is effected by heating the liquid in six flasks in which are sealed condensing tubes connected at the bottom with siphon tubes passing through the flasks. In the flasks are placed, as heating agents, liquids whose boiling points correspond to the initial and maximum boiling points of the desired fractions, the first flask containing the liquid with the highest boiling point. The uncondensed vapors pass into the succeeding tube and the condensed liquid is drawn off by means of a siphon tube. A diagram is given of the apparatus.

A study of the glucosazone reaction, I. D. GARARD and H. C. SHERMAN (Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc., 40 (1918), No. 6, pp. 955–969, figs. 2).-The investigations reported were undertaken to determine definitely the conditions affecting the glucosazone reaction and the effect of some substances other than glucose, and to improve the method for the detection of glucose when present in very small amount with a large amount of some other carbohydrate. The effects of the concentration of the reagent, acidity of the reaction, concentration of sugar in the mixture, and duration of the reaction were studied. The following conclusions were drawn:

The

"The correct melting point of phenylglucosazone is 208° C. regardless of the method of purification. There is a concentration of phenylhydrazine which produces a maximum yield of glucosazone; any increase in the concentration above this results in a rapidly decreasing yield, probably due to the increased solubility of the osazone in the reagent. The efficiency of the reagent depends upon the acidity and is independent of the negative ion of the acid used. range of acidity in which the reaction takes place is rather slight, between Рн +=4 and 6. The maximum lies close to 4.7 and is best secured with acetic acid and sodium acetate. Very slight change in acidity takes place during the reaction. Within fairly wide limits a variation of the size of the sugar sample used has very little effect on the percentage yield of osazone beyond the effect due to the constant loss which results from the solubility of the osazone. . . . While maltose and dextrin retard the formation of the precipitate, lactose retards it to a greater extent and starch has very little effect."

The authors state that a knowledge of the various factors above recorded makes it possible to interpret the results of an osazone reaction in a wider

variety of cases than has been possible heretofore. As an illustration analytical data are given on a typical problem.

The application of optical methods of identification to alkaloids and other organic compounds, E. T. WHERRY (U. S. Dept. Agr. Bul. 679 (1918), pp. 9).—— This publication describes the apparatus and methods employed for the determination of optical constants of crystalline alkaloids. The instrument used is the petrographic microscope with which observations are made in ordinary light, parallel polarized light, and convergent polarized light. Samples for examination are prepared by gently crushing the dry substance, immersing a small amount of it in a drop of a liquid in which it is insoluble on a glass slide, and protecting it by a small cover glass. If the sample is a drug mixture the alkaloid contents may be extracted with chloroform, dried, taken up in benzene, and allowed to stand until the solvent is nearly evaporated. Single large drops of the concentrate are placed on several microscopic slides and immediately protected by cover glasses. When the benzene is completely volatilized, the immersion liquids are introduced and the observations made.

The method is said to be successful in establishing the identity of crystalline alkaloids, even when mixed in widely different proportions.

Bacteriological examination of canned foods, A. W. and K. G. BITting (Nat. Canners Assoc. Bul. 14 (1917), pp. 45, pls. 2, figs. 20).-The authors state that the bacteriological examination of canned foods usually has for its object one of three things: First, to determine whether foods wich appear normal are sterile; second, to determine whether foods which appear to be defective are sterile, and if not sterile whether the spoilage is due to underprocessing or to leaks; and, third, to determine from the finished product the character of the original material. In this bulletin the subject is discussed from these points, and detailed directions are given for the examination of the canned goods and the interpretation of results.

A brief outline of literature on the counting of organisms is appended. Cocoas treated with alkali in distinction from natural cocoas, Rocques and TOUPLAIN (Ann. Falsif., 11 (1918), No. 111-112, pp. 19–26; abs. in Analyst, 43 (1918), No. 507, pp. 217, 218).-Analyses of cocoas according to the method previously noted (E. S. R., 37, p. 414) are reported. The authors emphasize the necessity of not only establishing a maximum quantity of alkaline carbonates to be allowed, but of prescribing that the cocoa thus treated should preserve an acid reaction.

The water content of true final cane molasses, H. C. P. GEERLIGS (Internat. Sugar Jour., 20 (1918), No. 233, pp. 214–218; abs. in Jour. Soc. Chem. Indus., 37 (1918), No. 18, p. 385 A; Chem. Abs., 12 (1918), No. 16, p. 1709).—The author states that the exhaustion of molasses is best and fluidity greatest at a refractive figure for the dry substance of 84°, corresponding to a water content of 16 per cent. Assuming the figure for refraction of the molasses to be that of the dry substance and the quotient of purity to be the relation between sucrose and dry substance, the amount of sucrose present in the mother liquor and also in the mother liquor after it has been diluted to 84 per cent of dry substance can be calculated.

A table is given of a number of analyses of such molasses.

Determination of acidity in condensed milk, M. DUGARDIN (Ann. Chim. Analyt., 23 (1918), No. 4, pp. 83, 84; abs. in Chem. Abs., 12 (1918), No. 15, p. 1569). The acidity is determined by diluting 10 gm. of the condensed milk with 25 cc. of distilled water from which the carbon dioxid has been removed N by boiling. The liquid is then titrated with 10

sodium hydroxid with phenol

phthalein as an indicator and the result calculated as percentage of lactie acid.

Examination of pure samples and samples manifestly altered led to the conclusion that condensed milk can be considered unaltered if the acidity expressed as lactic acid per 100 gm. of material is below 0.5 gm., as altered those samples whose acidity lies between 0.5 and 0.75 gm., and as entirely unfit for consumption all milk whose acidity exceeds 0.75 gm.

Detection of added color in butter or oleomargarin, H. A. LUBS (Jour. Indus. and Engin. Chem., 10 (1918), No. 6, pp. 436-439, fig. 1; abs. in Chem. Abs., 12 (1918), No. 16, pp. 1670, 1671).-The author discusses some of the qualitative tests in use for the detection of added colors in fats and suggests certain modifications in the methods employed. The methods for separating azo colors from fats, described by Mathewson (E. S. R., 36, p. 714), are criticized, and a new method of procedure for the separation from fats and the identification of yellow A B and yellow O B is described in detail.

Determination of the purity of castor oil, CHERCHEFFSKY (Ann. Chim. Analyt., 23 (1918), No. 4, pp. 75-81, fig. 1; abs. in Chem. Abs., 12 (1918), No. 14, p. 1518; Analyst, 43 (1918), No. 507, pp. 218, 219).-The author criticizes the methods of Frabot, previously noted (E. S. R., 39, pp. 109, 110), for determining the purity of castor oil by difference in solubility in appropriate solvents on the ground that the results obtained are uncertain, due to the differences in age and acidity of the oil examined and to differences in composition of the petroleum ether used as a solvent. As a substitute method a determination of the critical temperature of solution is recommended. This is the temperature at which the solution of a fat in an appropriate solvent becomes turbid on recooling when the temperature is higher than the boiling point of the solvent. The method is as follows:

Into a glass tube about 9 or 10 cm. long and 6 or 8 mm. in diameter a few drops of the oil to be examined are introduced, together with an equal number of drops of the selected solvent. The tube is then fastened to the bulb of the thermometer, which is gently heated in a bath of sulphuric acid or glycerin. When the liquid in the tube has become homogeneous the bath is allowed to cool and the temperature at which turbidity is produced represents the critical temperature of solution. This constant is fixed for each fatty substance and is a function of the solvent employed.

With 85 per cent ethyl alcohol as a solvent, castor oil of the first pressing gave a reading of 66° C. and oil of the second pressing 67°. Tables are given of the effect on this reading of various percentages of other oils. The presence of two parts per 100 of a foreign oil in castor oil increases the critical temperature by from 3 to 5°.

The method is considered by the author to be the simplest and most accurate for the determination of the purity of castor oil.

Determination of the purity of castor oil, C. FRABOT (Ann. Chim. Analyt., 23 (1918), No. 6, pp. 120–125).—This is a refutation of the criticism of Chercheffsky, noted above, in regard to the determination of the purity of castor oil by means of solubility in petroleum ether.

Moisture content of plantation rubber in Java, O. DE VRIES (Arch. Rubbercult. Nederland. Indië, 2 (1918), No. 1, pp. 45–54).—This paper contains a preliminary review of moisture determinations in samples of plantation rubber as received for testing at the Central Rubber Station during the months of October to December, 1917. In 54 samples of first latex crepe from 18 estates the moisture content varied from 0.34 to 1.01 per cent, the average being 0.67 per cent. Up to 1 per cent must be considered as a normal moisture content for the season. Moisture determinations on 96 samples of smoked sheet from 25 estates