THE ANALYST. 7 PRESENCE OF CINCHONIDINE IN THE QUININE SULPHATE OF COMMERCE. BY B. H. PAUL, Ph.D. THE samples were dried at 2 1 2 O F, and weighed in a weighing glass, perfectly closed, EO that no moisture could be absorbed. The cinchonidine was separated by dissolving four or five grams of the salt in 80 to 100 C.C. of boiling water, and, after cooling, filtering the liquid, and then shaking it with sufficient ether to leave n distinct layer undisadved.On Pharmaceutical Journal [3]. No. 347, p . 672.8 THE ANALYST. the addition of ammonia solution in excess, the alkaloid separated was in most instances only partially soluble in the ether ; with the samples containing least cinchonidine, the whole of the alkaloid was at first dissolved by the ether; but after the lapse of a few hours, the cinchonidine was deposited in the form of crystals, which were collected on a filter and weighed.The quinine sulphate separated on cooling the hot solution, was again re-crystallized in the same way as at first, and the mother liquor was treated as before with ether and ammonia. I n this way a further quantity of alkaloid, insoluble in a moderate quantity of ether, was obtained, and by repeating the re-crystallisation of the salt a third time, another smaller quantity was obtained.The mother liquor obtained by a fourth re- crystallisation gave no evidence of cinchonidine, so far as treatment with ether was capable of indicating its presence. The first six samples were taken from sealed ounce bottles, of which only No. 3 had been previously opened. I n all these instances the amount of crystallisation water was not much different from that normally appertaining to the salt, viz., : 14.45 per cent. The smaller amounts of water in the samples Nos.7, 8, and 9, were, probably, due t o some degree of efflorescence, since these samples had been for some time exposed to the air; so that, making allowance for the circumstance, the proportions of cinchonidine sulphate in the original salt would be somewhat less than those stated as the result of analysis.Apart from the loss attending the operation, the amounts of cinchonidine sulphate indicated by these results are to be regarded in all cases as minimum amouuts, inasmuch as some cinchonidine still escapes separation by ether. No.(1) ... (2) ... (3) ... (4) ... ( 5 ) ... (7) ... (8) ... (9) ... ( 6 ) ... Water, per cent. 15-05 15-51 14.90 15001 14.20 15-15 13-67 8-10 10.37 Dry Cinchonidine Sulphate, per cent. . . . . . . 7.98 ... . . . . . . 7.51 ... . . . . . . 4.22 ... . . . . . . 5.92 ... . . . . . . -99 ... . . . . . . 3.16 ... . . . . . . 4.90 ... . . . . . . 4-65 ... . . . . . . 5.44 ... Crystallised Salt, per cent.cqual to 9.19 ,, 8-64 ,, 6-81 ,, 1.14 ,, 3.64 ,, 5.64 ,, 6.24 ,, 6.26 ,, 4.86 A. W. B. We reproduce the following letter from The Grocer of Narch 24th, in the hope that the trade generally will follow the excellent example of the writer. SIR,-I think I may presume that upon the clearest medical testimony it has been proved that preserved bright green peas contain a proportion of metallic copper, and therefore are, and should be, unsaleable.And yet in the face of this fact, and after several convictions, these bright green peas are being sold to the public, My pet brand I have had analysed by one of the first in the profession, and the report before me is (per tin) *42 metallic copper, equal to 1.65 grains of sulphate of copper ;-the sale of which I have stopped.Now, the question I wish to raise is-Is it wise on the part of the trade to continue to sell an article known to be injurious to health ? There can be no excuse for such, from the fact that Messre. Crosse and Blackwell’s Circular, dated March Ist, states :-“ Preserved Green Peas. -We beg to remind our friends that the peas and other vegetables prepared by ourselves and Messrs. Philippe and Canaud have always been perfectly pure and uucoloured.” These peas are certainly not of so bright a green colour, but in my humble opinion are in size and flavour all that can be desired. My own feeling is, that the sale of the bright peas should at once be stopped ; and I say without hesitation that it is a disgrace to the trade to have it said that such peas can be purchased by the public, after the clear medical evidence given. I am, &c., Clapham, M a d 21st. E. J. WRIGHT.