MEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL 
NOTES. 
ON THE PRESERVATION OF HYPODERMIC SOLUTIONS. 
EDWARD H. SQUIBB. 
ON ERGOT AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
ON RHUBARB. 
ON PHYSICIANS' POCKET CASES. 
ON BUYING ALCOHOL AND DISTILLED SPIRITS. 
ON A GENERAL APPARATUS STAND, 
UPRIGHT CONDENSER, PINCHCOCK, AND BURETTE 
STAND. 
EDWARD R. SQUIBB, M.D., 
OF BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
Republished from the Proceedings of the American Pharmaceutical 
Association for 1873. 
PHILADELPHIA: 
SHERMAN & CO., PRINTERS, SEVENTH AND CHERRY STREETS. 
18 74. MEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL NOTES. 
PROTECTION OF HYPODERMIC SOLUTIONS FROM 
CHANGE BY KEEPING. 
It is supposed to be established by the investigations of Dr. 
Bourdon, M. Delpech, M. Gubler, and M. C. Paul, that the 
growth of confervse is the only cause of the changes which 
commonly occur in solutions of the organic alkaloids and their 
salts ; and that these confervee decompose the alkaloids and 
consume a portion of their constituents, so that the solutions 
become weaker as the growths increase. Various methods 
have been proposed and used to prevent these growths, but 
thus far none seem more simple or more effectual than the 
addition of one or other of the phenols; and the crystallized 
carbolic acid is perhaps the most convenient if not the best of 
these. This carbolic acid being an irritant in proportion to 
quantity, and it being very important that solutions for hypo- 
dermic use should be as unirritating as possible, it becomes 
of some consequence to know how little of the protecting 
agent can be used with average success. The experience of 
several years in this laboratory, has shown that one volume 
of a five per cent, solution of crystallized carbolic acid, in 
sixty-four volumes of a solution of sulphate of atropia of the 
strength of two grains in each fluid ounce, will generally, but 
not always, protect it from change. The carbolic acid here 
bears the proportion of about one-thirteenth of one per cent., 
and this proportion proves quite unobjectionable for the deli- 
cate purposes of eye surgery. But once or twice in an experi- 
ence of about six years, it has proved ineffectual for protection. 
In the endeavor to answer this query with accuracy, the 
first result reached was, that accidental circumstances from 4 
unknown causes, sometimes prevent the growth of these con- 
ferva in solutions not protected at all; and also admit of their 
presence in and absence from different bottles of the same 
solution, without discoverable relation to the proportion of 
the protecting agency. A series of solutions prepared with 
care in August, 1872, some unprotected, and others with 
various proportions of carbolic acid, stood until May, 1873, 
many of them remaining without growths of any kind, while 
those which produced confervEe did so without discoverable 
relation to the protecting agency. Supposing that the atmos- 
phere of a laboratory might be the cause of these confusing 
results, fresh solutions of acetate of morphia and sulphate of 
atropia were made, the former salt having proved to be the 
most easily attacked and the most rapidly changed. The 
bottles containing these solutions were placed for one week 
with stoppers out, in a hospital where such solutions were 
very liable to change. The solutions were then distributed 
into small vials, some without protection, and others with 
various proportions of carbolic acid. These vials were ob- 
served every week during the months of May, June, and July, 
until they ceased to show any farther changes. One vial of 
the solution of sulphate of atropia which was entirely un- 
protected, failed, from first to last, to show any signs of 
change. Two vials of sulphate of atropia solution, and one 
vial of a pair of acetate of morphia solution, all protected 
with small quantities of carbolic acid, also failed to show dis- 
tinct evidence of confervEe. But with these exceptions, the 
entire number of twelve pairs exhibited a diminution of con- 
fervoid growths, in proportion to the quantity of carbolic 
acid added, until the proportion of carbolic acid reached, in 
the solution of sulphate of atropia, about one-eighth of one 
per cent., and in the solution of acetate of morphia about one- 
seventh of one per cent., all with larger proportions remaining 
clear and unchanged. Hence it appears that solutions of 
some salts, though of the same strength, require more carbolic 
acid for protection ; but the proportion which under ordinary 
circumstances will protect the most difficult ones of those 
tried, does not exceed about one-seventh of one per cent. 5 
But these solutions were all made with distilled water, and 
with more than ordinary care, and were all filtered. When 
similar solutions were made with ordinary undistilled water, 
nearly double the quantity of carbolic acid was required to 
afford a doubtful protection. Hence these solutions should, 
under all circumstances, be made with distilled water, and be 
carefully filtered. 
The query may then be answered as follows: When such 
solutions are properly made, the smallest proportion of car- 
bolic acid which will protect them from change, is about one- 
seventh of one per cent.; but that a proportion of one-sixth 
of one per cent, is practically better and safer in ordinary 
practice; and that this latter proportion is unobjectionable in 
all known respects. To make these solutions with this pro- 
portion, the following formulas are suggested. First, to make 
a five per cent, solution of carbolic acid, which is useful for 
this and many other purposes: 
Take of crystallized carbolic acid 10 parts, or 10 grammes, 
or 154 grains; distilled water 200 parts, or 200 grammes, or 
3086 grains. Weigh the distilled water in a glass-stoppered 
bottle, capable of holding one-fourth more than the sum of 
the quantities. Melt the crystallized carbolic acid in the 
stock-bottle by setting this in water warmed to about 50° C, 
= 122° F., and weigh the quantity by pouring it carefully 
into the bottle containing the water, as its sits upon the scale. 
Then shake the whole together until the carbolic acid is dis- 
solved, and filter the solution through paper. Label it, 
" Solution of Carbolic Acid, five per cent." 
Of this solution, about fifteen minims in each fluid ounce 
gives a proportion of one-sixth of one per cent. 
For solution of -ulphate of morphia, of the strength called 
" Magendie's Solution 
* The original " Magendie's Solution," as given in " L'Offieine de Dor- 
vault," p. 242, is, 1 part acetate of morphia in 4O-parts water, or about 16 
grains in 640grains of water. As used in the United States, however, it is made 
from either acetate, muriate, or sulphate of morphia, and in the proportion 
of 1 part in about 28| parts water, or 16 grains in a fluid ounce (of 455 grains) 
of water. 6 
Take of sulphate of morphia, solution of carbolic acid, 5 
per cent., of each 2 parts, or 2 grammes, or 31 grains ; dis- 
tilled water, a sufficient quantity. Dissolve the sulphate of 
morphia in about 50 parts, or 50 grammes, or 775 grains, of 
distilled water; add the solution of carbolic acid, filter through 
paper, and pass distilled water through the filter, until the 
filtrate weighs 57 parts, or 57 grammes, or 883 grains. Label, 
" Solution of Sulphate of Morphia; Magendie's ; about 3.51 
per cent., or 16 grains in the fluid ounce." 
Brooklyn, August, 1873. 
NOTE ON ERGOT AND ITS PREPARATIONS. 
There is, perhaps, no better example of the unity of phar- 
macy with practical medicine than is seen in a review of the 
career of ergot in the Materia Medica. The relation is a 
closer one than that of interdependence, and the support of 
a common interest from different bases of support. It is 
rather the relation of a single cause to a single effect. If 
knowledge and progress in medicine may be represented by 
light, then the correlation of electricity, magnetism, and heat 
in lighting up the universe may not unfairly represent the cor- 
relation of pathological research, chemistry, and pharmacy in 
therapeutics. 
From 1807, when Dr. Stearns, of Saratoga County, recalled 
professional attention to its use in medicine, its history in the 
Materia Medica is most varied and interesting; and, from a 
simple parturient and supposed example of a specific effect 
upon a single organ, it has come to be applied upon a broad 
general principle, and is already sufficiently studied to extend 
its utility beyond anything that could have been foreseen. If 
the influence of pharmacy could be subtracted from this be- 
neficent result, as it cannot be, it is highly probable that the 
remainder would be comparatively small. The ergot in sub- 
stance, or by infusion, or by tincture, could have advanced 7 
slowly, if at all, to the present state of knowledge in its ap- 
plication. Professor Procter, in a paper published first in the 
Proceedings of this Association in 1857, p. 127, was the first 
to give uniformity and permanence to any preparation of 
ergot, thus rendering its systematic and accurate administra- 
tion practicable by so simple a proceeding as the addition of 
an acid to preserve it from those changes and uncertainties 
which, for half a century, had stood in the way of any very 
accurate investigation of its nicer therapeutic effects. Vari- 
ous investigations, chemical and pharmaceutical, had gradu- 
ally led to this, but the various extracts, fluid and solid, and 
the various preparations under the name of ergotin, had all 
seemed to partake of the perishable nature of the drug in 
substance, so that the administration could be neither accu- 
rate nor uniform. And without this factor of tolerably fixed 
and known quantities in dosing, effects must always be liable 
to such confusion and uncertainty as to render the difficulties 
of accurate investigation almost insurmountable. 
Although it may be quite true that when the life of one, 
or the lives of two human beings depend upon the parturient 
effects of a dose of ergot, there is no better practice, nor any 
that is so safe, as the use of fresh ergot in freshly made pow- 
der, yet experience has abundantly shown that it is upon the 
age and condition of the ergot, rather than upon its being ergot, 
that the safety depends, and that this age and condition can 
rarely be known with that certainty which is necessary when 
human life depends upon it. Hence it is that the elements of 
greatest importance in the use of ergot, as indeed of the whole 
Materia Medica, are to get the drug in good condition, and 
then to preserve its activity from change, so that its quanti- 
ties may be uniform; and this is pharmacy. 
Modern investigation and experience have shown that the 
principal and prominent effect of the administration of ergot 
to human beings, in adequate quantity, is to cause contrac- 
tion of the involuntary or unstriped muscular fibre wherever 
this is found. The gravid uterus being constituted princi- 
pally of this variety of muscular tissue, this was the organ 
upon which its effects were first observed, and it was long 8 
used as a parturient, both by empirics and by the medical pro- 
fession, before its more general effects were recognized. One 
of the most important deposits of unstriped muscular fibre is 
that which constitutes the middle coat of the arteries, and 
any agent which causes contraction in this, diminishes the 
quantity of blood which passes through the vessels, and so 
modifies the nutrition of diseased parts. Hence the uses of 
ergot in cerebral and spinal congestions, in capillary hemor- 
rhages, in bloody tumors, and especially in tumors and hemor- 
rhagic affections of the uterus, such as fibroids, polypi, &c. 
As a parturient, a single dose or two is sufficient, and it mat- 
ters little in what form or how that is given, if the quality be 
assured and the quantity sufficient. But for many of the 
other uses it requires to be taken for weeks or months in full 
and frequent doses, as the only means of keeping up its 
effects until the cure is established, and hence the prime ne- 
cessity for a stable and uniform preparation of the drug. 
The first requisite to any trustworthy preparation of ergot 
is, of course, a uniform good quality in the drug, and this is 
by no means easy to attain. The market is now overstocked 
with ergot at extremely low prices. Tons of it might be had 
at sixteen to eighteen cents per pound, but it is all so small as 
to render it almost certain that it is from oats, barley or wheat, 
rather than from rye, while its deficiency in odor and taste, 
and its uncleanness, forbids the idea of its being trustworthy. 
Most of it is imported in bags, and thus only by chance can 
arrive in proper condition. Much of it is contaminated with 
the seeds of various weeds, and requires much labor in clean- 
ing, as the weed-seeds are often very bitter and may be poison- 
ous. It is not unfrequently wormy, or bears the marks of 
having been cleaned from worms and worm-dust, to improve 
the chances of sales and profits. Occasional lots, and these 
often large lots, look as if they had been washed, and suggest 
the idea of having been partially exhausted for the making 
of some of the so-called "ergotins." Hence it may be easily 
understood that to obtain a uniform supply of good ergot is a 
very difficult matter, even with the screw of price entirely 
taken offi Throughout the present crop the writer has paid 9 
various prices, from $1.25 clown to twenty-two cents, with- 
out always being able to get what was desired, though always 
on the alert in a large market, and always in the presence of 
far lower prices. Many good authorities estate that wheat and 
oat ergot is as good as that from rye, and some even give the 
preference to that from wheat, but after many years of pretty 
close observation, the writer has failed to convince himself 
that these cheaper varieties are as good. They are certainly 
very inferior in odor and taste, and it is not an unfair infer- 
ence, nor without natural analogy, that it finds better condi- 
tions for growth in its original and more natural habitat in the 
paleae of the rye, where it certainly grows most vigorously. 
The existence of one or more active principles in ergot, 
which may be isolated for therapeutic use, has been very 
generally believed, and various substances have been extract- 
ed and sold under the name of ergotin, those of different 
makers having different properties and different doses, but all 
producing some of the effects of ergot, though in very differ- 
ent degrees. After a careful attention to the literature of this 
subject, and comparing it with the results which seem to have 
been realized in practice by experience, the writer does not 
believe that there is an active principle separable from ergot 
which, in any proper sense, represents the drug. Like senna, 
rhubarb, and many other drugs, its effects seem to be depend- 
ent upon a natural association of its various separable ele- 
ments. If this be true, there is no such thing as ergotin, and 
the various substances so called only represent the activity of 
the drug as they represent more or less perfectly its entire 
composition. Of course certain of its constituents, such as 
lignin, starch, fixed oil, gum, &c., are known to be inert, and 
such being excluded by the choice of a proper menstruum for 
extracting it, the nearer its preparations come to representing 
or containing all the remainder of the drug the better. The 
molecular constitution of the active portion of the drug seems, 
however, in its natural condition, to be loose, and like a slow 
fermentation, to be undergoing slow molecular changes, so 
that by age its peculiar activity is slowly diminished until 
finally lost. This process of change seems to be arrested by 10 
acids, just as many other delicate slow changes are; and 
whether this be effected by the substitution of a more perma- 
nent acid for a less permanent one, in one or more salts, as has 
been suggested by Professor Procter, but not distinctly proved, 
or how it is effected, seems as yet unknown. It is, however, 
well established that the addition of about one per cent, of 
acetic acid, which is added to the officinal fluid extract of 
1860, renders this liquid preparation permanent; at least the 
writer has known the same preparation to be continuously 
used as a parturient for six years without apparent change in 
activity, though watched closely for such change throughout 
the time, until the parcel on trial was all used. The ergot in 
the grain, however well kept, is known to become inactive 
without known change in appearance, though the sensible 
properties, such as the odor and taste, may, and probably do, 
change. Ergot in powder is known to diminish in activity 
much more rapidly than when in grain, and probably soon be- 
comes inert. The tincture and wine of ergot are believed to 
change, though more slowly than the ergot in substance, 
whilst the extracts and so-called "ergotins" are all supposed 
to change more rapidly than the tincture. Much of this 
latter, however, is traditional, rather than exact knowledge, 
and must be presented as such. 
There can probably be no better preparation of ergot than 
the officinal fluid extract of the U. S. Pharmacopoeia of I860.* 
The formula for this was published by Prof. Procter in the 
Proceedings of this Association in 1859, and the writer has 
made it continuously by this formula ever since. From this 
experience in making, which now amounts to many thousands 
* In the last revision of the IT. S. Pharmacopoeia the formula and process 
for this fluid extract have been materially changed ; first, by the introduction 
of glycerin, and next by adding the acetic acid to the preparation after the 
percolation, instead of percolating the drug with an acidulated menstruum. It 
is difficult to account for these changes in a preparation so well established 
and so well tried without known complaint. The addition of glycerin may 
have been to bring it into uniformity with other fluid extracts-a uniformity 
of very doubtful utility at best-but the change in the use of the acetic acid 
seems still more objectionable. The present officinal fluid extract will not 
serve to make the solid extract from. 11 
of pounds, and from frequent opportunities of hearing of its 
activity and its effects, as well as of its permanency, the above 
statement of its value is made up. When given in frequent 
large doses for a long time, however, as is required for many 
of the more modern uses of the drug, it becomes very dis- 
agreeable, and occasionally deranges the stomach, producing 
nausea, loss of appetite, and consequent debility. Occasional 
intermissions in its use, with other suggestions of care and 
skill, will often relieve the stomach for a time without mate- 
rial intermission in the effects. It has also been often and 
much used by hypodermic injection, generally through the 
integument of the abdomen, in order to relieve the stomach, 
and it generally acts promptly and energetically when thus 
used, though in smaller dose ; but from being loaded with 
organic matter, and containing alcohol and a little free acetic 
acid, it is very apt to-produce small abscesses, and thus cause 
much suffering. Indeed it is by no means well adapted to 
hypodermic use, and such use of it has always been discour- 
aged by the writer. It has also been frequently used as a 
topical application to the os uteri upon cotton-wool, but is 
equally inappropriate to such uses on account of the irritant 
action of the alcohol. Physicians who observe closely, and 
who by looking for effects get rid of the trammel of arbitrary 
doses, appear to be most successful in the uses of ergot, and 
such physicians often, if not generally, use this preparation in 
much larger quantity than the doses given in the older books. 
It is most frequently used in females, and for affections of the 
uterus, and here an excellent indication of its maximum use- 
ful effects is easily reached in most cases by the production of 
uterine colic. In the treatment of fibroids, polypi, &c., it is 
perhaps the best practice to begin with the standard dose, 
and increase this until uterine colic occurs, and then diminish 
the dose so as to come just short of this in the succeeding 
continuous administration. The dangers of ergotism or ergot 
poisoning seem to have been overrated, since the writer has 
diligently inquired for such results from those who use it 
most largely, but has heard of no instance of hurtful effect. 
Dr. A. Jacobi, of New York, who has probably used it as 12 
frequently and in as large quantities or doses as any one in 
this country, with both adults and children, and who is com- 
petent authority, and a close observer, recently replied that 
he had never seen an instance of ergot poisoning, nor heard 
of one in the practice of his associates. Notwithstanding this, 
he and all careful practitioners are always most careful and 
most watchful in this respect, and probably their exemption 
from bad effects depends upon their seeing indications of 
danger before they reach the point of danger. Besides, it is 
probable that the ergot poisoning described as the result of 
eating ergotized food, &c., could only occur among an under- 
fed, semi-scorbutic people; or under other conditions not 
present in eases ordinarily requiring medication by ergot. 
Dr. W. C. Wey, of Elmira, who has also used ergot freely, had 
at least one case in which it had been used in the treatment 
of a fibroid tumor of the uterus, with occasional interrup- 
tions, by the stomach, hypodermically, and topically, during 
a period of more than two years, not only without poisoning, 
but with great advantage. 
In January of 1869, Prof. Langenbeck, of Berlin, first used 
what is loosely described as an "aqueous solution of secale" 
by hypodermic injection, in the treatment of aneurisms, with 
marked advantage. This practice is described in the Berlin 
Klinik Wochenschrift, and an epitome of the paper is.pub- 
lished in Ranking's Abstract for July, 1870, p. 223. In the 
same Berlin Journal for 1872, Dr. Hildebrandt published the 
results of hypodermic injections of ergotin in the treatment of 
uterine fibroid tumors. This paper is epitomized in Ranking's 
Abstract for January, 1873, p. 248. This treatment when 
tried in this country seemed to be difficult and uncertain, 
for want of a trustworthy and uniform preparation which 
should fairly represent ergot, and be adapted to hypodermic 
use, and at the request of Drs. J. Marion Sims, of New York, 
and W. C. Wey, of Elmira, the writer undertook what seemed 
to be a hopeless task, of making a preparation well adapted 
to hypodermic use. 
Disbelieving in the existence of any separable active prin- 
ciple in ergot at all analogous to the morphia of opium, no 13 
preparation seemed available except an extract which should 
be soluble in an aqueous menstruum. Then knowing the dif- 
ficulty with which non-diflusible extractive matters are ab- 
sorbed when deposited in the subcutaneous cellular tissue, and 
the liability of such matters, however bland, to cause trouble- 
some abscesses, the problem seemed to be impracticable. 
After a good deal of time and trouble given to the matter, 
and many complicated trials, which need not be detailed, the 
best practical result reached was that of making a solid ex- 
tract of ergot by the evaporation of the fluid extract of the 
IL S. Pharmacopoeia of 1860, at a very low temperature, by 
mechanical stirring. 
If this fluid extract, carefully made by repercolation from 
good rye ergot, without any heat, be evaporated in a shallow 
capsule in a bath of water of 50° C. = 122° F., by active and 
continuous stirring, until it is reduced to one-sixth of the 
weight of the original fluid extract taken, the result will be 
a spongy extract of a light brown color, full of air incorporated 
by the mechanical agitation, and looking a little like pulled 
molasses candy. This extract has the full odor and taste of 
the fluid extract, concentrated by condensation, and probably 
has the full therapeutic value of the ergot from which it is 
made, and each grain of it represents six minims of the fluid 
extract, or six grains of the ergot from which the fluid extract 
was made. It is quite insoluble in cold stronger alcohol, but 
entirely soluble in diluted alcohol, and also is easily soluble 
in water, with the exception of an insignificant residue which 
is easily filtered out. Its solutions are slightly acid to litmus- 
paper, and have their ergot odor strongly increased by the 
addition of alkalies. The concentrated solution in water is 
turbid before filtration, but after filtration is of a rich deep 
garnet brown color. How this extract or its solutions will keep is 
of course unknown, but the probabilities of keeping unchanged 
are quite favorable in regard to the extract, but unfavorable 
for the aqueous solution. A five-grain pill of this extract of 
course represents the mean dose of thirty minims of fluid ex- 
tract, or thirty grains of ergot, and it is not only much more 
easily taken, but in delicate conditions of stomach is much less 14 
liable to produce nausea, loss of appetite, &c. It does not, 
however, always agree better with sensitive stomachs than 
the fluid extract, nor does the stomach always tolerate it 
much longer. Hence it is very desirable often to relieve the 
stomach altogether for ajonger time than the brief intermis- 
sions that can be permitted without losing ground already 
gained by the treatment; and to effect this, hypodermic and 
topical administration may be resorted to. Hypodermic medi- 
cation is merely a short cut into the circulation whereby the 
process of digestion and assimilation and the organs by which 
this process is effected are avoided, the absorption taking 
place directly from the cellular tissue. Hence the therapeutic 
action is more prompt; and in the case of medicines which 
are liable to decomposition in the process of digestion, or to 
loss by entanglement with the fecal matters, smaller quanti- 
ties are required to produce a given effect. But then, as most 
medicines are irritant, or at best liable to act as foreign bodies 
when introduced under the skin, they will more or less fre- 
quently cause abscess and painful irritation, and this in pro- 
portion to quantity, irritant nature, and their being more or 
less loaded with matters which are not diffusible. The fil- 
tered aqueous solution of this extract of ergot, though not 
■well adapted to hypodermic use, is better adapted to it than 
the fluid extract, and perhaps is as well adapted as any prep- 
aration of the drug can be under the supposed required con- 
ditions. Such a solution has been used in this way with 
variable success. In some hands it seems to have been mod- 
erately and usefully successful, in others less so, while in 
some it has produced abscess so often that it was soon aban- 
doned. The solution may be made of almost any desired 
strength, but that which seems to have answered best is the 
same as the fluid extract, or a minim for each grain of ergot 
represented in the extract. To make this solution, sixty grains 
of the extract is weighed into a small vessel and dissolved in 
about four fluidrachms of water by stirring. It is then 
poured into a small wet filter supported over a vial marked 
for containing just six fluidrachms, and when the liquid has 
passed through, the filter is rinsed through with water until 15 
the measure of six fluidrachms is reached. This solution 
should be made every week or two, or in summer more fre- 
quently, until its permanence be ascertained. If desired, it 
may easily be made of double the above strength by halving 
the proportion of water, but what is in the quan- 
tity of the injection is perhaps overbalanced by the disadvan- 
tages of density in retarding the absorption. 
This same solution seems well adapted to use as a topical 
application, the desired dose being put upon a dossil of cotton- 
wool, and this applied to the os uteri, with another dossil 
behind it. It might be inferred that this would be a very 
imperfect method of administration, and when first proposed 
by Dr. Wey as an alternative method, the writer predicted 
its failure, not being then aware of a somewhat similar prac- 
tice in Germany as long ago as 1836. Dr. Wey, however, 
succeeded well, and produced the characteristic uterine colic 
within two hours or less. This topical method may also be 
used by means of suppositories, and the best vehicle for the 
extract seems to be the mixture of gelatin water and glycerin, 
which, when in proper proportions, make a very firm jelly, 
wlich does not become hard, and keeps indefinitely. Beside, 
it melts at a gentle heat, and is readily soluble in aqueous 
liquids. This is but a nicer and more simple form of the 
compound used for the inking rollers of printers. It seems 
not improbable that oleic acid might be used as a vehicle for 
this extract, thus adapting it to dermic administration, but 
as yet no trials have been made. 
Brooklyn, August, 1873. 
NOTE ON RHUBARB. 
The New York market has been very abundantly supplied 
with rhubarb of moderately good quality throughout the year, 
and always at low prices, ranging from 40 cents to $ 1 per 
pound. Neither the higher nor the very low grades have 
been as abundant as during last year. Since the fall in prices 16 
some three years ago, half picul chests are more and more 
rarely seen in the market, and during the past year the writer 
does not remember to have seen one of smaller size than the 
whole or picul chest of about 165 pounds. All the grades 
seem better sorted,4hat is, more uniform in quality through- 
out each chest, than formerly, and it is rare to see the mix- 
tures that were common some years ago. All the rhubarb of 
the common market of the past year has been notably defi- 
cient in the aromatic rhubarb odor. Even upon recent frac- 
ture, or when ground, it has only the feeble, rather nauseous, 
astringent odor, if an odor may be described as astringent, 
approaching that of ground nutgall. How or why it is that 
the old and valuable characteristic odor is so rarely met with 
of late years, even in the parcels of finest quality in other 
respects, seems without any probable explanation. This 
rather agreeable and peculiar aromatic odor has always been 
to the writer one of the very best indications in the selection 
of rhubarb, and he remembers that, in comparing experience 
and judgment with Professor Procter on this point some 
years ago, he found his opinion confirmed by that good au- 
thority. It may be suspected perhaps that the increasing 
demand for the drug may have caused it to be more rapidly 
cultivated or collected from new climates and new soils, and 
that more rapid processes of drying by artificial heat may 
have been adopted. These aromatic odors in vegetable sub- 
stances in general seem to be characteristic of perfect matu- 
rity, and to result from natural processes which resemble 
fermentations. These processes seem to be delicate, slow, 
and sensitive, and yield aromatic ethers and phenols which 
are very volatile and diffusible, and have a very loose or 
easily decomposed molecule. Besides, these processes seem 
generally to pass on more or less rapidly, as in fruit, &c., from 
maturity into decay where an entirely new set of reactions 
are set up. Thus it is not perhaps an overstrained inference, 
or deduction from better known phenomena, to suppose that 
the aromatic odor of rhubarb is an indication of maturity 
and perfection, more pronounced in the better varieties and 
conditions of the plant, and better preserved in the drug by 17 
some methods of curing than by others. Hence it follows 
that the aromatic properties may or may not be produced as 
the proper varieties in the proper soil may or may not be 
allowed to ripen. And when produced it may or may not be 
dissipated by artificially rapid, or by naturally slow processes 
of drying. However this may be, it is very certain that the 
aromatic properties of the finer qualities of rhubarb are so 
rapidly diminishing of late years, that it is rare to find a 
chest at this time which possesses this characteristic in mod- 
erate degree, even when the color, texture, and other sensible 
properties may be unexceptionable. This aromatic character 
is believed by many good authorities to be quite important 
in a therapeutic point of view, and this belief is earnestly 
concurred in and supported by the writer. Refinement in 
therapeutics must keep pace with the accuracy of observa- 
tions and the delicacy of distinctions in pathological re- 
searches, in order to effect that symmetrical progress in 
knowledge which is the soundest and the most useful. The 
peculiar effects of rhubarb as a stomachic tonic, whereby it is 
so useful to a large class of dyspeptics, seem to be merely 
supplemented and aided by its aperient properties ; and these 
effects seem so intimately connected with its aromatic prop- 
erties as to suggest the relation of cause and effect, and there- 
fore make these properties, or the condition of maturity and 
perfection which these properties indicate and secure, an ele- 
ment of chief value. Well supplied as the market has been 
with good grades of rhubarb at low prices, chests of choice 
quality, either in color or texture, and more especially in odor, 
have been very rarely seen. And the London market, as rep- 
resented by the writer's correspondents, has not offered a very 
much better selection than that of New York. Three samples 
are herewith submitted, which are fair specimens of as many 
chests which may perhaps be accepted as the very best grades 
offered by the London and New York markets during the 
past year. 
The first sample in box No. 1, is from a chest of round 
rhubarb imported by Messrs. Dodge & Olcott. In the case of 
this chest, as in the others, every piece was bored to the cen- 18 
tre, and separately examined. The cost was $1 per pound 
currency. About one-half the pieces are quite unexception- 
able in color and texture, while almost all are perfectly 
sound, while the odor, though feeble, is better than that of 
any other chest seen in the New York market during the 
year. Not more than five or six unsound pieces were found 
in the chest, and the number of pieces which are discolored 
at the centre is not great, neither is the degree of discolora- 
tion in any of these very great. The texture is universally 
compact and the root heavy, but the apparent proportion of 
oxalate of lime is below the normal of finest grades, and the 
pieces, as in most round root, are not very dry. The selected 
root from this chest is of rather exceptionally good quality, 
and the powder made from the remainder is unexceptionable 
and yields a very nice fluid extract. 
The second sample, in box No. 2, is from a chest of flat 
rhubarb, selected as the best in the London market, by Messrs. 
Arthur S. Hill & Son. The cost of this in London was 3 
shillings and 4 pence per pound, which with the 10 per cent, 
duty, and charges, and gold premium, makes the neat cost of 
about $1.20 per pound. Less than one-half the pieces of 
this chest can be accepted as select rhubarb for the more 
delicate uses of the drug, though not one single unsound piece 
was found in the chest, and but few that were materially 
discolored in the centre. It was therefore better sorted, 
though not quite so good rhubarb as the first chest, though 
drier. The general color and texture were good, and the 
apparent proportion of oxalate of lime nearer to the normal 
of mature root than in the first chest, while the odor is neither 
quite so strong nor quite so good in quality; nor is the powr- 
der quite so nice, though perhaps practically unexceptionable 
for its best uses and effects. 
The third sample, in box No. 3, should be examined after 
the others. It has the appearance of a trimmed, and other- 
wise artificially made up rhubarb, and it is very evident that 
much pains and skill have been artistically expended upon its 
appearance, and it is really very handsome indeed. It will 
remind any one at once of the handsome artificially prepared 19 
Austrian rhubarb, which is constantly sold as " Turkey 
rhubarb" at high prices, but which is comparatively value- 
less in medicine. But the pieces are much larger, the texture 
appears different, and more than all the odor is that of the 
best variety of the old Russian rhubarb. Each piece is bored 
entirely through, just as the best Russian used to be, and the 
internal texture and color appear to be as typical as is the 
odor. None of the pieces have been broken, because the 
fractured surfaces can only be judged when freshly made. 
But if, when now fractured freshly for the critical inspection 
of the members present, the fracture and internal odor should 
sustain the character indicated by the external appearance, 
this is the finest specimen of rhubarb the writer has seen for 
many years, and is fully equal to the choicest parcels of the 
now long-extinct Russian drug. It seems to have been made 
from fine large mature roots of Chinese or Tartary rhubarb, 
dried, preserved, and prepared with much care. This sample 
is from the London market, and was sent to Messrs. Reck- 
nagel & Co., of New York, as representing a chest which was 
offered at 12 shillings sterling, equal to about $4.20 currency, 
in New York. It however found no buyer here until the 
writer ventured to send for it as an experiment, well know- 
ing that it would be of very slow and doubtful sale, at small 
profit. 
The fourth sample, in box No. 4, is from the cabinet of the 
writer. It is a specimen of undoubted Russian rhubarb, taken 
from a choice case in the writer's possession some ten years 
ago. Though carefully kept in a bottle in a dark closet, it 
has lost most of its odor, and become lighter in color, but 
still may serve as a standard for comparison. 
Brooklyn, August, 1873. 
NOTE ON PHYSICIANS' POCKET-CASES. 
In the treatment of emergencies and acute conditions of 
disease, physicians often lose time which is most valuable by 
having to send for their remedies. Hence, within the past 20 
few years it is not uncommon for them, even in large cities, to 
carry a pocket-case containing small quantities of a few im- 
portant medicines, such as are needed most promptly, and can 
be easily dispensed at the bedside. In night calls such pocket- 
cases seem particularly useful, and some physicians use two, 
one being especially adapted to the wants of obstetrical prac- 
tice. Indeed, it seems doubtful whether two small cases of 
four, six, or eight small vials be not always better and more 
convenient than one large one, even if they be both carried at 
the same time. The pocket-cases hitherto accessible have not 
seemed the best that could be devised, and have been defec- 
tive in two important points, namely, the proper measuring 
out and labelling of the medicines. At the request of the 
local medical society, of which he is a member, the writer has 
tried to improve the cases and to remedy the defects. 
As a rule, only liquids and pills should be carried in pocket- 
cases, and these in small quantities frequently renewed, so 
that vials holding from one and a half to two drachms are 
large enough for all ordinary purposes. The vials for liquids 
should be long and narrow; those for pills shorter and wider. 
The case should be of good morocco,'not imitation, and 
should be light and strong. Spring locks or catches are poor 
at best, and often give much trouble by failing to lock, or by 
rapidly wearing out. Hence it is doubtful whether the sup- 
posed advantages of the flap and lock are real. The writer 
has, therefore, had some made, with a sliding cover like a 
common card case, for trial; but as these must be taken from 
the pocket by taking hold of the cover, should this become 
loose by wear, the case may drop out while the cover remains 
in the hand. Should this anticipated objection be not realized, 
this will doubtless be the best kind of case. These cases 
have either four, six, or eight vials in a single tier or row, or 
fourteen or sixteen vials in a double tier or two rows. Those 
■with a single tier are not too thick for the breast pocket, 
but those of two tiers are too thick and clumsy for any ordi- 
nary pocket, except that of an overcoat, but may be more con- 
veniently carried in the hand for night service, or in a vehicle. 
These larger ones are also serviceable as family medicine-cases, 21 
either for home use or to take into the country, or upon 
travelling expeditions. One of the greatest drawbacks to the 
use of physicians' pocket-cases has been the absence of any 
means of dispensing or dosing the powerful medicines with 
which they are supplied with any degree of accuracy. All 
physicians know the fallacy of dropping liquid medicines 
either from the mouth of vials, or from any of the various 
dropping-tubes with any proper control of quantity, as no two 
liquids are alike in the size of the drop formed from the same 
vial or tube; nor are any two vials or tubes alike in giving 
the same size of drop with the same liquid. To meet this 
difficulty the writer has had minim measuring-tubes construct- 
ed and graduated to single minims. These are of three sizes, 
namely, fifteen, twenty, and thirty minims, so as to be 
adapted to the longer or shorter vials of the cases. They are 
simply straight graduated glass tubes drawn down at the 
lower end to a narrow orifice. They are used by plunging 
them into the liquid in the vial up to the minim mark, which 
indicates the desired quantity, or the quantity which can be 
taken out at one time, then closing the upper end with the 
forefinger, and transferring the charge to the vessel in which 
the doses are to be mixed. Having transferred the whole de- 
sired quantity by one or more charges from the vial, the tea 
or tablespoon by which the medicine is to be given, is used to 
measure into the vessel containing the medicine the number 
of spoonfuls of water to make the required number of spoon- 
ful doses. Holding the minim pipette over the vessel con- 
taining the medicine, pour one or more of the spoonfuls of 
water down over and through the tube, so as to rinse it thor- 
oughly into the vessel below; then holding it firmly in the 
hand, by a rapid, sharp swing of the arm, throw the water 
out of it by centrifugal force. If the outside of the tube be 
now wiped dry, it may be returned to its place in the case 
with perfect security, that it will drain no water into the bot- 
tom of the case. The vials in the cases are made long and 
narrow, not only to give them strength and capacity, and the 
proper length for the breast pocket in which they then stand 
upright, but also because the case must be long enough for 22 
the minim pipette, and the corked vials may he of this length 
without loss of space, and again because the long vials admit 
of larger quantities being taken out at one time by the meas- 
uring-tube or minim-pipette. These tubes take the contents 
from the vials in a much more neat and cleanly way than by 
dropping or pouring, and after a little experience in the use of 
them not a drop is spilled to soil the vial, label, or case. Such 
advantages, to say nothing of the improved accuracy of sub- 
stituting minims for drops, far outweigh the trouble of only 
being able to take out a few minims at a time when the vial 
is nearly empty. These tubes, from having straight sides and 
a pretty uniform calibre, are much more easily graduated to 
a moderate degree of accuracy than the common minim meas- 
ure ; and almost any one can make them, it being only nec- 
essary to stop the small orifice at the lower end of the tube, 
pour into it thirty minims of liquid, mark the surface of the 
liquid upon the tube, empty the liquid out, and finally divide 
the space occupied by the liquid into thirty equal parts, by 
means of a common rule. Such tubes will be found very use- 
ful to the pharmacist in dispensing, if he will but break 
through old habits long enough to accustom himself to their 
use, for they remove accurately measured quantities from his 
bottles without soiling the neck or stopper, and do this easily 
and quickly. They will also be found useful to those far- 
sighted physicians who are now so wisely aiming at that 
accuracy in the administration of medicines, the want of which 
has so long obstructed the progress of therapeutics, for a phy- 
sician can quickly and easily instruct patients, nurses, and at- 
tendants in their use, so that doses may be accurately, clearly, 
and neatly measured at the time of taking. For example, 
how easy it would be with one of these tubes to direct a pa- 
tient to put twenty minims of fluid extract of cinchona in a 
half wineglassful of wine, and rinse off* the used end of the 
tube by dipping it into the mixture, and shaking out the last 
drop into the wineglass before swallowing the mixture, then 
setting the tube upright in the wineglass, and putting all away 
until the time for the next dose. By some such means that 
desirable accuracy and uniformity of dosing may be attained 23 
which alone gives much value in comparing and accumulating 
the results of therapeutic experience with the Materia Medica. 
The facility with which these pipettes are made renders them 
inexpensive, so that if the demand should call for them in any 
moderate quantities, they could be furnished by the pharma- 
cist at a very moderate cost, and their scope could easily be 
extended to sixty minims without the objectionable necessity 
of using suction in charging them. 
The other supposed improvement in the physicians' pocket- 
case is to supply with each case a list of labels of proper size for 
the vials, which list may embrace most of the articles needed 
on emergency, or particularly useful to have in hand at the 
bedside in cases of disease where saving of time is an impor- 
tant element of success. This list embraces forty-four articles 
of the active Materia Medica in their most potent and con- 
centrated form, and from such a list it is supposed that each 
physician can make a selection of those which he most desires 
to carry. The articles of this list are as follows: 
Fluid Extract of Aconite Root. 
" " American Hellebore, or Veratrum Viride. 
" " Aromatic Powder. 
" " Belladonna Leaf. 
" " Belladonna Root. 
" " Buckthorn Bark. 
" " Digitalis. 
" " Ergot. 
" " Gelsemium. 
11 " Indian Hemp. 
<! " Ipecacuanha. 
" " Licorice Root. 
" " Nux Vomica. 
" " Podophyllum. 
" " Rhatany. 
" " Rhubarb. 
" " Senna Compound. 
" " Valerian. 
Solution of Chloral, one grain to the minim. 
Solution of Sulphate of Morphia, Magendie's, of a grain 
to the minim. 
Solution of Sulphate of Atropia, 4 grains to the fluid ounce. 
" " Quinia, |th of a grain to the minim. 
" " Zinc, 10 grains in 30 minims. 
" Subsulphate of Iron. 24 
Compound Tincture of Ipecacuanha, each minim equal to one 
grain of Dover's Powder. 
Deodorized Tincture of Opium. 
Compound Solution of Opium. 
" Tincture of Opium, or Diarrhoea Mixture. 
" Spirit of Ether, or Hoffman's Anodyne. 
Purified Chloroform. 
Tincture of Chloride of Iron. 
Pills of Aloes and Mastic, Lady Webster's Dinner Pills. 
" Arsenious Acid, of a grain in each pill. 
" Opium, 1 grain each. 
" Sulphate of Quinia, 3 grains each, or 2 grains each, or 
1 grain each. 
Compound Cathartic Pills. 
Mercurial, or Blue Pills. 
Podophyllum, or May-Apple Pills. 
Compound Pills of Scammony, or Triplex Pills. 
Nitrite of Amyl. 
Calomel. 
Mercury with Chalk. 
All pills should be carried in short, wide vials, as the longer 
and narrower ones, being intended for liquids only, will not 
admit pills. Indeed, it will be generally found most conve- 
nient to carry everything in liquid form so far as possible, 
and to have a separate case for pills and powders when these 
are carried. 
To facilitate dispensing at the bedside, the compound pow- 
der of ipecacuanha, or Dover's powder, is here ottered in a 
liquid form. Perhaps few articles are more frequently desired 
at the bedside, particularly at late evening visits, than a 
Dover's powder; and when the physician has it in his pocket 
in a fluid form, with the means of easily and accurately dis- 
pensing it, he can often command a night of repose with very 
little trouble. This preparation is made by repercolation from 
the officinal ingredients, except the sulphate of potassa, in the 
officinal proportions, by the use of diluted alcohol as a men- 
struum, or by mixing deodorized tincture of opium with fluid 
extract of ipecacuanha in proper proportions, and evaporating 
the mixture by a water-bath until each ten minims represents 
one grain each of powdered opium and ipecacuanha. 
Many of the articles of the above list are therapeutic alter- 
nates or duplicates, but they are ottered to conciliate individ- 25 
ual preferences, and future experience may lead to the drop- 
ping of some of them, and the substitution of other articles. 
Such preparations as the fluid extracts of aromatic powder, 
and of licorice root, cannot be considered as necessities in 
any other sense than because their use as corrigents will often 
enable the dilutions of other more active medicines to be given 
to children and sensitive persons with less difficulty. The 
skilful use of such corrigents by physicians and pharmacists 
would tend to free them from the "elixir" nuisance. 
There is nothing whatever about these supposed improve- 
ments in pocket-cases that is of a proprietary character, and 
the writer deprecates the use of his name in connection with 
them. Those who make graduated measures will make the 
minim pipettes for any person who wants them, and the sheet 
of labels is printed without the name or address of any one, 
so that they carry no responsibility for the quality or make 
of the preparations they cover. The makers of such wares 
will make the cases for any one who may choose to order 
them, and make them to order from any class or quality of ma- 
terial and workmanship, and already cheap ones are in the 
market made of imitation material. In short, any one is at 
liberty to make them or have them made, and their defects 
may thus be found out and remedied. 
Brooklyn, September, 1873. 
NOTE ON BUYING ALCOHOL OR DISTILLED 
SPIRITS. 
That the real - interest of the buyer and the seller are the 
same in all bargains, is a truth long ago proven and illus- 
trated in all social intercourse. Yet the reverse of the prop- 
osition is practiced as the common basis of mercantile trans- 
actions. even in the present day, of more accurate reasoning 
and more extended foresight. 
This condition of antagonism of interest between buyer and 
WITH A TABLE AND WOODCUT ILLUSTRATION. 26 
seller must however be accepted, though under protest against 
the error as one which supports a world of evil upon its broad 
shoulders. From this error springs the necessity that, from 
the consumer all the way back to the producer, the buyer must 
guard his interest against the seller ; and also the circumstance 
that the rules and customs of the producer in the sale of his 
products, are not the safest nor the best for the consumer, 
whilst the interest of the producer is powerful, compact, and 
highly educated, in comparison with that of the consumer. 
This is notably the case in regard to alcohol and all spirits, 
and because the producer has always represented the most 
active and compact interest, his counsels have always pre- 
vailed in the schemes which the governments of Great Britain 
and this country have adopted, for collecting a revenue from 
spirits. But because the older government clings to, and the 
other adopts a plan for collecting the revenue from spirits, 
which plan is not up to the knowledge of the day, is no reason 
why the consumer should continue to accept it, without from 
time to time, as knowledge advances, applying the test for 
greater accuracy and greater utility ; since not even govern- 
ment authority can permanently establish that which is in- 
ferior in truth or utility, against the progress of knowledge. 
Pursuing the subject of economy, in the use and manage- 
ment of alcohol, so often presented to this Association by the 
writer during past years, he now begs to offer some objections 
to the common methods of determining quantities in the 
market for spirits, and to suggest improvements, which if 
practicable, may tend to harmonize the interests of the con- 
sumer and producer, and thus foster the true interests of 
trade. These suggestions are all based upon controlling 
quantity, by the simple and easy centesimal plan of Conti- 
nental Europe. This centesimal or decimal method has, like 
the metrical system of weights and measures, met with a re- 
sistance from the governments of Great Britain and this 
country, which could hardly have been expected, and with 
regard to the metrical system, this resistance is only now 
giving way before that power of advancing knowledge which 
may be retarded and hindered but cannot be stopped. 27 
Alcohol and water combine in all proportions. That is, as 
the union of the two substances is attended by the develop- 
ment of heat, and by contraction in volume, the result is a 
combination and not a mixture. Any given volume of water 
expands. slowly at an unequal rate, as it is either warmed or 
cooled from its point of maximum density (3.945° C. = 39.101° 
F., Playfair and Joule}, without change in weight. Alcohol 
also expands at an unequal rate, but it expands or contracts 
throughout the whole range of known temperatures. That 
is, it has no known point of maximum density. Its rate of 
expansion at ordinary temperatures is about five times that 
of water, and the inequalities or irregularities of its rate of 
expansion are different from those of water. Beside this, 
combinations of alcohol and water do not expand at the mean 
rate deducible from the rates of the two substances, but at a 
new rate peculiar to the combinations, or rather perhaps at a 
new rate peculiar to each combination of the two liquids. 
All combinations of alcohol and water are commonly called 
" spirit " or " spirits," and the alcohol of the combinations is 
the only element of value, and the only thing that is bought 
or sold, the water being a mere incumbrance that is bought 
and sold incidentally only. Hence every bargain is in reality 
for the sale and purchase of a definite quantity of absolute 
alcohol, and involves some plan of determining this quantity 
to a practical degree of accuracy ; and, whatever plan may be 
used the result is commonly expressed in percentage, or by 
the number of hundredths of alcohol which the given combi- 
nation of alcohol, water, and impurities contains. Two quan- 
tities, therefore, have always to be determined to the mutual 
satisfaction of seller and buyer. First the quantity of the 
combination, and next the quantity or proportion of alcohol 
which the combination contains. The circumstances alluded 
to above render these determinations somewhat complicated, 
and difficult to understand correctly, thus opening the way 
to abuses which pass unchallenged for years, and have a 
strong tendency to grow. So long as the stronger grades of 
alcohol were bought and sold at the low prices of 40 to 60 
cents per gallon, shortages, the sum of which did not exceed 28 
3 or 4 per cent., were not very important, and were suffered, 
because of the cost of reforming the plans, or through want 
of intelligence in buyers. But now that the same grades of 
alcohol cost nearly four times more, the shortages become 
proportionately important, and it is high time that buyers 
should so educate themselves as to be able to check and con- 
trol their quantities if they choose to do so, and have that 
advantage of knowledge over ignorance, which legitimately 
and fairly belongs to him who knows his market. 
The first determination of quantity, that is, of the quantity 
of the combination, or so-called mixture of alcohol and water, 
commonly known as "spirits" or "distilled spirits," or "high 
wines " or " alcohol," is made by capacity measure, and the 
result is stated in gallons. This measurement is generally 
made by gauging, and this gauging of casks and barrels is 
generally done by the straight gauge-rod and wantage-rod. 
Now, apart from the difficulties of temperature and the 
gauger's method of observing it, there is in this plan of 
measurement a good chance for many errors, which should 
not be unknown at the present cost of alcohol. Casks and 
barrels are not uniform in shape, though the same rule is ap- 
plied to all. The stave opposite to the bung-stave may be 
thinner than the other staves. The staves and heads may be 
either thin or thick, yet must be chamfered down very thin at 
the chimb, where the gauge rod touches the angle between 
stave and head, and the wantage is calculated upon an ideal 
bilge which can only be realized by accident. Hence, although 
gauging may be well adapted to the measurement of liquids 
the value of which is not above 50 cents per gallon, it is not 
accurate enough for liquids like whisky, high wines, alcohol, 
&c., whose value is from 90 cents to $2 per gallon. In other 
liquids the value of which has increased within the past few 
years, involving closer dealings and smaller profits, capacity 
measure is rapidly giving way to weight; and olive oil, lin- 
seed oil, castor oil, &c., are now sold and bought by weight, 
though some are in the transition stage as yet, that is, bar- 
gained for by the gallon, yet the number of gallons ascertained 
by weight on the basis of so many pounds and ounces to the 29 
gallon. But even if the plan of gauging be susceptible of the 
accuracy for which it has general credit and acceptance, no 
such accuracy has been realized in the experience of the 
writer, who has for many years been a buyer of alcohol in the 
common market, and has always measured or weighed it as 
received. The aggregate result of this experience of many 
years is that, with occasional rare exceptions of over measure, 
a large proportion were either correct or less than a half gal- 
lon short (which latter was always accepted as correct). But 
a very considerable proportion of the barrels were from half 
a gallon to a gallon short, thus making a very constant aver- 
age loss to the buyer, until a special bargain was made in 
regard to shortages. This special bargain of late years has 
been that where any barrel falls short more than half a gallon 
the whole shortage upon it is claimed and allowed. This 
bargain, of course, nets a loss to the buyer, but a loss which 
has fixed limits. Beside, any such bargain makes a buyer a 
troublesome customer to the seller, since the latter never 
knows when he is free from these claims for shortage. Of late 
years the writer has made all his remeasurements by weight, 
and the convenience and saving of time and saving of alcohol 
by this device have been so great, that it can be confidently 
recommended to all who desire to control or check their 
quantities. It is only necessary to take the specific gravity 
of the alcohol by an hydrometer, roll the barrel on to a scale, 
take its gross weight, empty it into the storage tank, and 
take the weight of the empty barrel for tare. This yields the 
net weight, which is easily turned into gallon's as follows. 
The so-called U.S. legal standard gallon is 58,372.1757 grains 
at 39.83° F., which is equal within practical limits to 58,320 
grains at 60° F. Suppose the specific gravity of the alcohol 
to be 0.817 at 60° F., then the process for accurately deter- 
mining the weight of a gallon of it at 60° F., would be as fol- 
lows : As 1.000 (= distilled water at 60° F.) is to 0.817 
(= the specific gravity of the alcohol at 60° F.), so is 58,320 
(- weight in grains of 1 gallon of distilled water at 60° F.), 
to 47,647.44 (■= weight in grains of 1 gallon of the alcohol at 
60° F.). This last number of grains is equal to 6 pounds, 12 30 
ounces, and 397 grains, or practically 6 pounds and 13 ounces, 
and this being the weight of 1 gallon, it has only to be di- 
vided into the total weight of the contents of the barrel to get 
the number of gallons. The rule for practice deduced from 
the above process, is simply to multiply the weight of a gallon 
of water by the specific gravity of the spirit, when the pro- 
duct will be the weight of a gallon of the spirit. To render 
this plan easily practicable, the writer has calculated the weight 
of a gallon of spirit for each per cent., both by weight and by 
volume, and gives the results in a table herewith presented. 
Some means of avoiding the loss of time and of alcohol in 
transferring it from the barrels to the storage tank, was for 
a long time much needed by the writer. This is of late very 
satisfactorily accomplished by condensing air on top of the 
alcohol in the barrel, by means of a common air syringe, and 
thus forcing the liquid out through a pipe which leads it into 
the tank. This simple device is a mere application of the 
principle of the old "amorce-siphon" of the French, and this 
application will be best understood by the accompanying 
woodcut, which has been prepared to illustrate it, the block 
being offered herewith for the use of the Association, should 
it see fit to give this paper a place in its Proceedings. 31 
A hollow, conical cast-iron bung, macle with a screw-thread 
upon its exterior, such as is in common use to hold the pumps 
by which petroleum is transferred, is bored and tapped on top 
and at the side. Into the upper hole is screwed an inch nipple, 
and into the side hole a three-eighth .inch nipple. Through 
the upper nipple is passed a piece of three-fourths inch block- 
tin or tinned copper pipe, down to the lowest part of the bilge 
of the barrel, and the lower end of this pipe is deeply serrated. 
The upper end is bent at a right angle, and is slipped into an 
india-rubber tube which leads to the tank. Where this tube 
passes through the nipple the parts are made air tight, by 
passing through a short section of rubber tubing, which fits 
tightly upon the tube above, and is stretched over the nipple 
below. The smaller nipple at the side is connected with a 
similar nipple on the air syringe, by means of rubber tubing, 
when the arrangement is complete. If now the iron bung be 
screwed into the bung-hole of the weighed barrel of alcohol, 
and the tube be pushed down till it rests upon the stave 
opposite to the bung-hole, the device is ready for the opera- 
tion. If the barrel be nearly full a very few strokes of the 
pump will so compress the air on the surface of the alcohol, 
as to start the stream out through the central pipe into the 
tank, and from four to six minutes is sufficient to empty a 
barrel, and this without the loss of any alcohol, except that 
which wets the inside of the tubing. When the last of the 
alcohol is forced into the pipe by the compressed air, the rush 
of expanding air which follows it, blows out every ounce of 
alcohol from both barrel and tubing into the tank. A com- 
mon gas-fitter's air syringe answers well for this purpose, and 
a wooden bung can be made to answer very well. 
The second determination of quantity to be made is the 
quantity or proportion of alcohol-absolute alcohol-which 
the given combination or mixture contains, and as the abso- 
lute alcohol is the real and only object of the buyer, this deter- 
mination is very important, since the seller may wish to sell 
water at the price of alcohol if he can. At the present rul- 
ing rates for spirits in the market, each 1 per cent, or each 
hundredth part by weight of absolute alcohol is worth about 32 
2 cents; a little less for the weaker spirits, and a little more 
for those containing over 92 per cent., but about 2 cents as an 
average from about 95 per cent, downward. Hence errors of 
1 per cent, in strength involve differences of 2 cents per 
gallon in value. Then as apparent strength varies with tem- 
perature to the extent of about 1 per cent, for each 3° C. or 
5|° Fahr., on an average throughout the whole range of the 
combinations, but amounts to nearly 1 per cent, for each 1° 
C. = 1.8° F. throughout the middle and stronger part of the 
range. Such differences of temperature are equal to about 
2 cents per gallon, also, by the expansion produced. 
The common method of determining strength, or the pro- 
portion of absolute alcohol, is by an hydrometer of metal or 
glass with an arbitrary scale, which denotes, not simple per- 
centage, but a compound or complicated percentage, expressed 
in degrees above or below proof. This plan is so complex, 
that for the most part its rules have to be empirically followed 
without being understood, and its expression of results is so 
difficult to translate into the simple decimal proportions of 
hundredth parts, that had it been intended to confuse and 
mislead the millions of consumers for the advantage of the 
few thousands of experts who represent the producers, it could 
hardly have been better constructed. And from this comes 
the fact, that the masses of mankind who are interested in 
alcoholic liquids are so ignorant in regard to them; and there- 
fore so careless and so easily deceived. Another circumstance 
which adds to the popular confusion in regard to the strength 
of alcoholic liquids, is the use of the term "percentage " and 
often " true percentage," to indicate two very widely differ- 
ent ratios of strength. The words "per centum," "by the 
hundred," in their meaning apply equally to computations by 
weight or by volume, but by general consent and common 
usage, the term per cent, when not qualified means per cent, 
by weight, that is, the number of pounds, ounces or grains in 
the hundred, or a decimal relation by weight only, unless the 
sense forbids this, as in cases of tale or count. The reason for 
its general acceptance as a relation by weight appears to be 
that this idea is far the most simple, and most easily under- 33 
stood, and must always be the basis of all accurate computa- 
tions. In its application to alcoholic liquids, however, it gen- 
erally, though not always, indicates volumes, that is, 95 per 
cent, alcohol generally means a combination which contains 
95 volumes of absolute alcohol in the 100 volumes of the 
combination. But as a given volume of absolute alcohol 
weighs less than eight tenths of the same volume of water at 
the same temperature, this 95 per cent, by volume becomes 
about 92 per cent, by weight. Thus the expressions, though 
differing by about 3 per cent., are equally true for the same 
thing, whilst the lower is the best and most simple relation. 
The higher, however, suits the seller best, and is often spoken 
of as " the true percentage " without the qualification " by 
volume." Now as specific gravity must always be the basis 
of every method of determining strength, and as this is and 
must always be a simple relation by weight, the volume re- 
maining constant, the sooner all other relations are rejected 
the better. Hence this determination of quantity, which 
must always be made by specific gravity, that is, by weight, 
should only be expressed in the terms in which it is made, 
namely, by weight; and all degrees, whether of any arbitrary 
scale, as that of Baume, or above or below proof, or percent- 
age by volume, should be discouraged and disused as rapidly 
as possible. 
The disturbing influence of temperature is also a grave 
complication in this determination of strength, since, as above 
stated, an average of about 3° C. = 5|° F., is equal to about 
1 per cent, or 2 cents per gallon for the stronger grades of 
alcohol. Observations must be made within this limit of tem- 
perature, therefore, to get within 1 per cent, of true strength. 
Most determinations and researches have been made and most 
tables are constructed for a temperature of 60° F. = 15g° C., 
and hence corrections for temperature are indispensable to 
any useful degree of accuracy. Such corrections are difficult 
and complicated except when made by tables, and convenient 
and compact tables are rarely at hand, so that the best and 
most convenient plan is to bring the liquid to a given tem- 
perature in order to make the determination. The standard 34 
temperature of 60° F. = lof ° C. is not a natural one for 
living-rooms or even for storehouses, and it is quite impracti- 
cable to reduce a sample from each barrel to such a tempera- 
ture within a reasonable time. But if an equivalent for the 
standard temperature be adopted, and this be about the aver- 
age temperature of liquids throughout the year in the houses 
of temperate climates, but certainly above this rather than 
below it, then a sample of liquid might be always quickly 
and easily brought to such a temperature by the warmth of 
the hand on the outside of the sample jar. About such a 
temperature the writer has found at 25° C. = 77° F. Now 
if the readings of an hydrometer be known for these two tem- 
peratures, namely, C. = 60° F. and 25° C.= 77° F., in 
the same liquid, then of course the two readings are equiva- 
lent, and it does not matter, in an everyday practical sense, 
whether the liquid be cooled down to the lower temperature 
or warmed up to the higher. For example, it is known that 
a given combination of absolute alcohol and water has a 
specific gravity of 0.8172 at 15f° C. = 60° F., and that this 
is equivalent to 92 per cent, by weight of absolute alcohol. 
Now, if this liquid be warmed up to 25° C. = 77° F. it will 
show by the same hydrometer an apparent specific gravity of 
0.8091. Now, if an unknown sample of spirit give the latter 
reading at the latter temperature, the reading for the standard 
temperature would be equally known, and therefore, the 
strength would be 92 per cent, by weight. 
The great drawback to a more common use of specific 
gravity as an indication of strength in liquids, is the difficulty 
or inconvenience of reducing the temperature to the low stand- 
ard of 60° F., which has been of late years universally adopted, 
because the cooling of liquids down to that temperature is 
always tedious and troublesome, and during a large portion 
of the year is impracticable without the use of ice. But when 
the practical need and value of a test of strength which is so 
widely and so generally applicable is considered, it seems well 
worth while to attempt to overcome this great drawback, 
that the more frequent and common use of specific gravity 
may be encouraged in the hands of consumers. 35 
In order to favor this, and to awaken buyers of spirits and 
alcohol who buy for consumption or actual use, to a little 
more intelligence and practical economy in the management 
of their interests in this important commodity, the writer has 
constructed a general table, not scientifically accurate, but 
sufficiently accurate for everyday practical use, and offers it 
herewith. 
To get some facts as to the necessity for more knowledge 
as to what is bought for " 95 per cent, alcohol " by those w'ho 
really intend to have that grade of strength, the writer sent 
to twenty first-class pharmacists and druggists, and bought 
one or two pints of their best and strongest alcohol without 
regard to cost. The wholesale houses very generally charged 
40 cents a pint, though sometimes 50 cents, while the 
retailers generally charged 50 cents. One wholesale house 
charged 35 cents, so that the intention to have and to 
sell the very strongest was very apparent. One sample only 
approached as near as 94| per cent, by volume. Specific 
gravity 0.8175 at 15f° C. =60° F. Two other samples gave 
0.8190, or a little more than 94 per cent, by volume. Ten 
were between 93 and 93J per cent, by volume, and seven were 
between and 93 per cent, by volume. 
EXPLANATION OF TABLE. 
This Table has no claim to scientific accuracy or precision, 
but only.aims to be moderately correct to within one-half of 
one per cent. The maximum error for the readings of any 
single lines across the Table is scarcely more than one-quarter 
of one per cent.; but in some few instances where one line is 
compared with the next below it, the sum of the two errors 
will reach one-half of one per cent. In the columns for specific 
gravity the figure of the fourth decimal place is given only to 
qualify the value of the figure of the third decimal place; 
that is, when the figure of the fourth or last decimal place is 
4, or less than 4, the three preceding figures are to be read 
and accepted as they stand. But when the figure of the 
fourth decimal place is 5, or is greater than 5, the figure of 
the third place is to be increased by 1. 36 
As the hydrometers and thermometers of the ordinary 
market, with which the Table must be used, do not approach 
precision nearer than one-half of one per cent., all that 
could be very practically useful in the Table would be to 
get within their range of error. At least this is all that has 
been attempted. 
So far as regards the relation between specific gravities and 
percentage, the Table is a mere compilation or copy from 
various good authorities, but as these authorities do not agree 
upon the starting-point, namely, the specific gravity of abso- 
lute alcohol, of course their Tables do not agree with precision 
when placed beside each other. Indeed it is very doubtful 
whether any of the authorities have yet obtained absolute 
alcohol; and therefore more accurate research upon this point 
is needed. The table of Fownes gives the specific gravity of 
anhydrous or absolute alcohol as 0.7938 ; that of Tralles gives 
it as 0.7946, both at 15f ° C. = 60 F., and both as compared 
with pure water at the same temperature taken as unity. 
More recent investigation gives a lower density, and the 
writer has frequently seen it as low as 0.7934, but no tables 
have been constructed upon these better data. 
As the Table is a long one, it is for convenience of reference 
divided into seven parts, each embracing a grade of spirits 
used for different purposes. The first and second parts are 
for weak liquors, the third for low wines, the fourth for 
whiskies, brandies, &c., the fifth and sixth for high wines, and 
the seventh for alcohol. 
Although revised with care, and the voluminous calcula- 
tions checked, and the results reviewed by their differences, it 
is yet not improbable that slight errors may have escaped de- 
tection. 
The first column of the table contains the specific gravities 
at 15C. = 60° F., compared with pure water at the same 
temperature taken as unity, for spirit of every degree of 
strength, by the four scales or methods of stating strength 
now in common use, namely, percentage by weight, percent- 
age by volume, percentage under and over proof, and percent- 
age of proof spirit. The specific gravities for percentage by 37 
weight are copied literally from a table by Fownes, given in 
his Manual of Elementary Chemistry, Amer, edition of 1869, 
p. 830. These are believed to be most accurate and trust- 
worthy. 
The specific gravities for percentage by volume are given 
from Watts's Dictionary of Chemistry, vol. 1, p. 84, et seq., 
where they are quoted as determined by Tralles from the ob- 
servations of Gilpin. This table is less trustworthy than 
that of Fownes only in adopting too high a specific gravity 
for anhydrous alcohol. It is not literally copied here ; but 
where its specific gravities were within two or three-tenths of 
one per cent, of being the same as those of Fownes, they were 
accepted as being practically in accord with Fownes, and his 
figures were .allowed to represent them in order to condense 
the Table. 
The specific gravities for percentage under and over proof 
are partly copied and partly deduced by interpolation from a 
table of Dr. Dre, given in his Dictionary of Arts, Manufac- 
tures, and Mines, Eng. edition of 1860, vol. 1, pp. 57 and 58. 
This method of stating the percentage under or over proof is 
that adopted by the British Board of Excise, and it is applied 
by Sykes's hydrometer. In Dr. Ure's table, however, 0.9200 
is given as the specific gravity of proof spirit, while in his 
text at p. 44 it is given on the authority of Drinkwater as 
0.919. This table of Dr. Ure is not copied literally, but his 
figures are altered to coincide with those of Fownes and 
Tralles, wherever the values are not affected beyond the limit 
of error admitted in the design of this Table as above stated. 
The specific gravities for percentage of proof spirit are 
taken from the Manual for Gaugers of Spirits, published by 
authority of the Treasury Department of the United States in 
1870. This is the method of stating strength which is used by 
the United States Internal Revenue Department; and it is pecu- 
liar in introducing a new strength and definition for the term 
" proof spirit," namely, " that alcoholic liquor which contains 
one-half its volume of alcohol of a specific gravity of .7939 at 
60° Fahrenheit." The specific gravity of such proof spirit is 
stated to be .93353 at 60° F. Water at its maximum density 38 
being taken as unity. The British legal definition of " proof 
spirit," describes it as "such as shall, at the temperature of 
fifty-one degrees of Fahrenheit's thermometer, weigh exactly 
twelve-thirteenth parts of an equal measure of distilled water." 
The specific gravity of this "proof spirit" is stated to be 
.919 at 60° F. This latter is the older and long-accepted 
proof spirit, and it is probable that few who use the term 
" proof spirit " in this country know that it has been legally 
applied to an inferior strength. The old commercial usage of 
quoting price upon " proof" strength, and increasing or dimin- 
ishing this by percentage as this spirit is above or below 
" proof," is the chief argument for this method. This method 
also introduces a very peculiar use of language in such ex- 
pressions as " one hundred and eighty per cent." That is, 
one hundred and eighty to the hundred ; the greater included 
within the less. This Table III of the Government Manual 
is not copied literally, but is treated in the same manner as 
that for percentage under and over proof, in making numbers 
which are of nearly the same value read as though they were 
in actual coincidence. 
The specific gravities given in the second column of the 
Table, namely, those at 25° C. = 77° F., are deduced by ap- 
plying to the specific gravities of the first column, the differ- 
ences for temperature given in a table quoted from Tralles in 
Watts's Dictionary of Chemistry, vol. 1, p. 88, the deficiencies 
in the table quoted being supplied by interpolation. Though 
this column cannot be entirely trustworthy, its range of error 
is in all probability well within that of ordinary hydrometers, 
or even specific-gravity bottles; and is within the moderate 
degree of accuracy claimed for the entire Table. 
The seventh column of the Table is the weight in grammes 
of one gallon of spirit of all the various strengths, at 15C. 
= 60° F. This and all the succeeding columns are given upon 
the authority of the writer. The laborious calculations in- 
volved were made at such intervals as could be taken from 
an active business. But as they have been re-examined and 
checked by more competent arithmeticians, it is hoped that 
they may be free from serious practical errors. 39 
The first step was to ascertain the weight of a gallon of 
distilled water at ° C. = 60° F. This, which was at first 
supposed to be only difficult, proved in the end to be impossi- 
ble, because no U. S. law could be found establishing the 
standard gallon, and after careful inquiry at Washington, it is 
believed that no such law is in existence. Various authorities, 
however, give the value of what they call the IL S. legal 
gallon, as 231 cubic inches, or 53372.1757 grains of pure water 
at its maximum density of 39.83° F. As this temperature is 
not that of the maximum density of water, but rather 3.945° 
C. = 39.101° F., as determined by Playfair and Joule, there 
must be a small error from temperature in this determin 
ation. It was, however, accepted as the best attainable au- 
thority. It next became necessary to get the weight of this 
gallon at the temperature of 15|° C. = 60° F. This has been 
frequently determined and published at different values, vary- 
ing within a range of ten grains. This was too great a 
diversity even for the low degree of accuracy aimed at in the 
design of this Table, and therefore a new determination from 
more modern data was undertaken. In Poggendorff's An- 
nalen, vol. 72, p. 1 to 223, Kopp has given a more accurate 
table of the expansion of water by heat than had been before 
attained. Applying his results to the so-called IL S. legal 
gallon, the weight of pure water at 15f ° C. = 60° F. (without 
correction for difference in density or displacement for either 
weights or air between this temperature and that given as 
the maximum density of water), is 58319.5714 grains. When 
this deduced weight of the so-called standard gallon is checked 
by the new weight of the cubic inch of water, as corrected 
from the determinations of Captain Kater by Prof. F. A. P. 
Barnard (see " The Metric System, by F. A. P. Barnard," 
1872, p. 167), it is found to be, though not with scientific pre- 
cision in accordance with this latest good authority, yet 
sufficiently near for the purposes of this Table. It is, there- 
fore, accepted as being practically correct, although it is from 
7 to 10 grains less than the weight given by good authorities. 
For the use of this Table, 58320 grains is adopted as being true 
to the nearest grain, and the eighth column of the table, or the 40 
weight of one gallon at 15fc C. - 60° F. in grains, is obtained 
by multiplying the specific gravities at 15|° C. = 60° F. by 
58320, and accepting the nearest grain for the final figure. 
The seventh column, or the weight of one gallon at 15|u C. = 
60° F. in grammes, is obtained by dividing the weight in 
grains by 15.432, or the value of a gramme in grains. 
The ninth, tenth, and eleventh columns, are together equiv- 
alent to the eighth column, the grains being here expressed 
in the commercial avoirdupois weight of pounds, ounces, and 
grains. 
The twelfth and thirteenth columns, taken together, give 
the avoirdupois pounds and ounces to the nearest ounce. 
The thirteenth column gives the weight to the nearest half 
pound of forty gallons at 15§° C.= 60° F. It is obtained by 
multiplying the figures of the eighth column by 40, and re- 
ducing the grains to pounds. 
The fourteenth column is the weight of a pint at 15|° C. = 
60° F. in grammes; and the fifteenth is the weight of the 
same quantity, at the same temperature, in grains. These 
columns are obtained by dividing the figures of the seventh 
and eighth columns by 8. 
USE OF THE TABLE. 
This Table is susceptible of being used for many purposes 
and in many ways, since any quantity of any column being 
known, the corresponding quantities in all the other columns 
may be known by simple inspection. For example, if a spirit 
be known to contain 52 per cent, of absolute alcohol by 
weight, by seeking out this number in the column of per- 
centage by weight, it will be found to contain 60 per cent, by 
volume; or to be 5 per cent, over proof; or to contain 120 per 
cent, of proof spirit. Its specific gravity at 15£° C.= 60° F. 
will be 0.9135, or at 25° C. = 77° F. will be 0.9056. The 
weight of a gallon, at the standard temperature given, will be 
3452.24 grammes, or 53275 grains, or 7 lbs. 9 oz. 338 grains, 
or, practically, 7 lbs. 10 oz. The weight of 40 gallons, at the 
standard temperature, will be 304.5 lbs., and the weight of 
one pint will be 431.53 grammes, or 6659 grains. 41 
One of the chief uses of the Table, however, is to verify or 
control the uncertain and difficult process of measuring by 
volume by the more easy and accurate process of measuring 
by weight; and of determining the true proportion of abso- 
lute alcohol by weight. In order to use it for such purposes, 
an hydrometer and jar, and a thermometer, are necessary. 
Let a sample be taken from the barrel by means of a thief, 
or a small rubber-tubing siphon into the hydrometer jar. 
Then, if the hydrometer be-as it should be-one with a 
specific-gravity scale, and adjusted for 15§°C. = 60° F., the 
sample may be either cooled down to this temperature, or, 
what is much more convenient and easy, be warmed up by 
the warmth of the hand to 25° C. = 77° F. This adjustment 
of the temperature is greatly accelerated by stirring the 
liquid with the long tubular thermometer, and the hand that 
warms the glass should grasp it round the lower part of the 
cylinder. If the hydrometer to be used indicates, instead of 
specific gravities, simply percentage by weight, or percentage 
by volume, or percentage over and under proof, or percentage 
of proof spirit, then the temperature must be adjusted to that 
given on the stem of the instrument. The hydrometer is 
then placed in the liquid and carefully read. That column of 
the table to which the hydrometer belongs is then sought, 
and when the figure which corresponds to the reading is 
found, all the required data will be fouiid upon the same line. 
For example: Suppose the spirit from a barrel, when warmed 
up to 25° C. = 77° F., be found to have, by the second column, 
an apparent sp. gr. of 0.9056, then its true sp. gr. would be 
0.9135, it would contain 52 per cent, by weight, or 60 per cent, 
by volume of absolute alcohol, would be 5 per cent, over proof, 
or would contain 120 per cent, of IT. S. proof spirit. A gallon 
of it at standard temperature would weigh 3452.24 grammes, 
or 53275 grains, or 7 lbs. 9 oz. 338 grains, or practically 7 lbs. 
10 oz.; and 40 gallons of it would weigh 304J lbs. Now sup- 
pose the barrel to weigh 389 lbs. gross, and to have a marked 
or ascertained tare of 61 lbs., giving a net weight of 328 lbs. of 
spirit. Then the weight of 40 gallons, namely, 304J lbs., sub- 
tracted from this would leave a remainder of 23 J lbs., which 42 
is 10 oz. more than three times the weight of a single gallon 
of 7 lbs. 10 oz. Therefore, the barrel would contain practi- 
cally 43 gallons and about f pint, this latter fraction being 
disregarded. And this would be the actual precise measure 
at the standard temperature, no matter at what temperature 
the spirit might be when weighed. If several or many bar- 
rels had to be measured or verified, and the tares of the bar- 
rels not known, it would only be necessary to start with one 
empty barrel, and then pass the spirit by a siphon or pump 
from one barrel to another until all the tares were obtained. 
With an established custom of using barrels with marked 
tares, the verification would of course be much more simple 
and easy. Even if every package has to be emptied to obtain 
the tares, the verification by weight is far quicker, and far 
less wasteful, as well as more accurate, than by measuring, 
thus saving much time, and expense, and loss, in cases of dis- 
puted gauging in the spirit market. 
If the hydrometer in use indicates strength by any of the 
scales given in the Table other than by specific gravity, and 
the sample be cooled to the temperature given on the in- 
strument, it is of course used in the same way by looking for 
its indication in its appropriate column. 
The consumer who buys his alcohol or spirit in smaller 
quantities, can still more easily verify his purchases by the 
use of fared vessels. And when the time comes that the 
absolute alcohol in any spirit shall be sold by the pound, the 
whole matter of control will be very plain and simple, and all 
true interests be best subserved. 
In the use of the Table by the pharmacist to control the 
results of repercolation for making fluid extracts, the weight 
of the pint of menstruum of all strengths will be found very 
useful. It will also be useful to those who have substituted 
weights for measures in the use of alcoholic liquids in making 
tinctures, &c. 
Brooklyn, September, 1873.  
TABLE FOR 
PART I.- 
DISTILLED SPIRITS AND ALCOHOL. 
-From O to 10 per cent, of 
Absolute Alcohol. 
Specific Gravity. 
(Pure water at 
Percentage. 
Weight of one gallon, at 15 
5o p 
9 
60° F. 
Weight 
of 40 gal- 
lons to 
thenear- 
est half 
pound, 
at 151° 
C.=60°F 
lbs. 
Weight of 
one pint, at 
15 jo C.=60° F. 
1560 c.=60° F. 
taken as unity.) 
| By volume. 
O 72 
2'5 
spirit, 
enue.) 
- 
Avoirdupois Weig't. 
At 
15C. 
=60° F. 
At 
25° C.= 
77° F. 
.be 
'5 
Under p 
(Brit. Es 
Ofproof 
(U.S.Rev 
In 
Grammes. 
In 
Grains. 
lbs 
ozs 
Grs. 
To 
nea 
OU) 
tbs. 
the 
rest 
ice. 
OZS 
In 
Grms. 
In 
Grs. 
1.0000 
0.9986 
3779.13 
58,320 
8 
5 
132 
8 
5 
333.5 
472.39 
7290 
0.9993 
0.9978 
99 
1 
3776.50 
58,279 
8 
5 
91 
8 
5 
333.0 
472.06 
7285 
0.9985 
0.9970 
1 
98 
2 
3773.46 
58,232 
8 
5 
44 
8 
5 
332.5 
471.68 
7279 
0.9981 
0.9966 
1 
3771.97 
58,209 
s 
5 
22 
8 
5 
332.5 
471.49 
7276 
0.9976 
0.9961 
97 
3 
3770.08 
58,180 
8 
4 
430 
8 
5 
332.5 
471.26 
7272 
0.9970 
0.9953 
2 
4 
3767.82 
58,145 
8 
1 
395 
8 
5 
332.0 
470.98 
7268 
0.9968 
0.9951 
96 
3767.04 
58,133 
s 
1 
383 
8 
5 
332.0 
470.88 
7267 
0.9965 
0.9948 
2 
5 
3765.94 
58,116 
8 
4 
366 
8 
5 
332.0 
470.74 
7264 
0.9960 
0.9943 
95 
3764.06 
58,087 
8 
4 
337 
8 
5 
332.0 
470.51 
7261 
0.9956 
0.9938 
3 
6 
3762.51 
58,063 
s 
1 
313 
8 
5 
332.0 
470.31 
7258 
0.9952 
0.9934 
94 
3761.02 
58,040 
8 
4 
290 
8 
5 
331.5 
470.13 
7255 
0.9947 
.0.9927 
3 
7 
3759.14 
58,011 
s 
4 
261 
8 
5 
331.5 
469.89 
7251 
0.9944 
0.9924 
93 
3757.97 
57,993 
s 
4 
243 
8 
5 
331.5 
469.75 
7249 
0.9942 
0.9922 
4 
8 
3757.26 
57,982 
s 
4 
232 
8 
5 
331.5 
469.66 
7248 
0.9936 
0.9916 
92 
9 
3754.99 
57,947 
8 
4 
197 
8 
1 
331.0 
469.37 
7243 
0.9930 
0.9909 
4 
5 
91 
10 
3752.72 
57,912 
8 
1 
162 
8 
1 
331.0 
469.09 
7239 
0.9921 
0.9900 
90 
11 
3749.29 
57,859 
8 
4 
109 
8 
1 
330.5 
468.66 
7232 
0.9914 
0.9893 
5 
6 
89 
12 
3746.63 
57,818 
8 
4 
68 
8 
1 
330.5 
468.33 
7227 
0.9906 
0.9885 
88 
13 
3743.65 
57,772 
8 
4 
22 
8 
4 
330.0 
467.95 
7221 
0.9900 
0.9879 
87 
3741.38 
57,737 
S 
3 
424 
8 
1 
330.0 
467.67 
7217 
0.9898 
0.9876 
6 
7 
14 
3740.60 
57,725 
8 
3 
413 
8 
1 
330.0 
467.58 
7216 
0.9892 
0.9870 
86 
15 
3738.33 
57,690 
8 
3 
377 
8 
1 
329.5 
467.29 
7211 
0.9890 
0.9868 
8 
16 
3737.56 
57,678 
8 
3 
366 
8 
1 
329.5 
467.19 
7210 
0.9885 
0.9863 
85 
3735.68 
57,649 
8 
3 
336 
8 
1 
329.5 
466.96 
7206 
0.9884 
0.9862 
7 
17 
3735.29 
57,643 
8 
3 
331 
8 
I 
329.5 
466.91 
7205 
0.9878 
0.9855 
9 
84 
18 
3733.02 
57,608 
8 
3 
296 
8 
4 
329.0 
466.63 
7201 
0.9872 
0.9849 
83 
19 
3730.82 
57,574 
8 
3 
261 
8 
4 
329.0 
466.35 
7197 
0.9869 
0.9846 
8 
10 
20 
3729.65 
57,556 
8 
3 
243 
8 
4 
329.0 
466.21 
7194 
0.9864 
0.9841 
82 
21 
3727.77 
57,527 
8 
3 
214 
8 
3 
328.5 
465.97 
7191 
0.9857 
0.9834 
81 
3725.12 
57,486 
8 
3 
173 
8 
3 
328.5 
465.64 
7186 
0.9855 
0.9831 
9 
11 
22 
3724.34 
57,474 
8 
3 
161 
8 
3 
328.5 
465.54 
7184 
0.9852 
0.9828 
80 
23 
3723.24 
57,457 
8 
3 
144 
8 
3 
328.5 
465.40 
7182 
0.9845 
0.9821 
79 
3720.58 
57,416 
8 
3 
103 
s 
3 
328.0 
465.07 
7177 
0.9841 
0.9816 
10 
12 
24 
3719.09 
57,393 
8 
3 
81 
8 
3 
328.0 
464.89 
7174 TABLE FOR DISTILLED SPIRITS AND ALCOHOL {continued'). 
PART II.-From 10 to 25 per cent, of Absolute Alcohol. 
Specific Gravity. 
(Pure water at 
151° C.=60° F. 
taken as unity.) 
Percentage. 
Weight of one gallon, at 15j°C.=60°F. 
Weight 
of 40 gal- 
lons to 
thenear- 
est half 
pound, 
at 154° 
C.=60°F 
lbs. 
Weight of 
one pint, at 
15f° C.=60° F. 
By weight. 
| By volume. 
Under proof. 
(British Excise.) 
Of proof spirit. 
(U.S. Revenue.) 
In 
Grammes. 
In 
Grains. 
Avoirdupois Weig't. 
lbs 
ozs 
Grs. 
To the 
nearest 
ounce. 
At 
15f° C. 
=00° F. 
At 
25° c.= 
77° F. 
In 
Grms. 
In 
Grs. 
Ibs 
OZS 
0.9838 
0.9813 
78 
25 
3717.92 
57,375 
8 
3 
62 
8 
3 
328.0 
464.74 
7172 
0.9831 
0.9806 
77 
26 
3715.27 
57,334 
8 
3 
21 
8 
3 
327.5 
464.41 
7167 
0.9828 
0.9801 
1 1 
13 
27 
3714.17 
57,317 
s 
3 
5 
8 
3 
327.5 
464.27 
7165 
0.9825 
0.9798 
76 
3713.00 
57,299 
8 
2 
424 
8 
3 
327.5 
464.13 
7162 
0.9821 
0.9793 
14 
28 
3711.51 
57,276 
8 
2 
401 
8 
3 
327.5 
463.94 
7159 
0.9819 
0.9791 
75 
3710.73 
57,264 
8 
2 
389 
8 
3 
327.0 
463.84 
7158 
0.9815 
0.9787 
12 
15 
29 
3709.24 
57,241 
s 
2 
366 
8 
3 
327.0 
463.65 
7155 
0.9813 
0.9785 
74 
30 
3708.46 
57,229 
8 
2 
354 
8 
3 
327.0 
463.56 
7154 
0.9807 
0.9779 
73 
31 
3706.19 
57,194 
8 
2 
319 
8 
3 
327.0 
463.27 
7149 
0.9802 
0.9773 
13 
16 
72 
32 
3704.32 
57,165 
8 
2 
290 
8 
3 
326.5 
463.04 
7146 
0.9794 
0.9765 
71 
33 
3701.33 
57,119 
8 
2 
244 
8 
3 
326.5 
462.67 
7140 
0.9789 
0.9759 
I 1 
17 
70 
34 
3699.33 
57,089 
8 
2 
214 
8 
2 
326.0 
462.42 
7136 
0.9784 
0.9754 
69 
35 
3697.51 
57,060 
s 
2 
185 
8 
2 
326.0 
462.19 
7132 
0.9778 
0.9746 
15 
18 
68 
36 
3695.24 
57,025 
s 
2 
150 
8 
2 
326.0 
461.90 
7128 
0.9775 
0.9743 
37 
3694.14 
57,008 
S 
2 
123 
8 
2 
326.0 
461.77 
7126 
0.9772 
0.9740 
67 
38 
3692.97 
56,990 
s 
2 
115 
8 
2 
325.5 
461.62 
7124 
0.9766 
0.9733 
16 
19 
66 
39 
3690.71 
56,955 
8 
2 
80 
8 
2 
325.5 
461.34 
7119 
0.9760 
0.9726 
20 
65 
40 
3688.44 
56,920 
8 
2 
45 
8 
2 
325.5 
461.05 
7115 
0.9753 
0.9719 
17 
21 
64 
41 
3685.78 
56,879 
8 
2 
4 
8 
2 
325.0 
460.72 
7110 
0.9749 
0.9715 
63 
42 
3684.29 
56,856 
8 
1 
418 
8 
2 
325.0 
460.54 
7107 
0.9743 
0.9709 
62 
43 
3682.02 
56,821 
8 
1 
383 
8 
2 
324.5 
460.25 
7103 
0.9741 
0.9706 
18 
22 
44 
3681.31 
56,810 
8 
I 
373 
8 
2 
324.5 
460.16 
7101 
0.9737 
0.9702 
61 
45 
3679.76 
56,786 
8 
1 
348 
8 
2 
324.5 
459.97 
7098 
0.9732 
0.9697 
60 
46 
3677.88 
56,757 
8 
1 
319 
8 
2 
324.5 
459.73 
7095 
0.9728 
0.9692 
19 
23 
59 
47 
3676.39 
56,734 
8 
1 
297 
8 
2 
324.0 
459.55 
7092 
0.9720 
0.9684 
58 
48 
3673.27 
56,687 
8 
1 
249 
8 
2 
324.0 
459.16 
7086 
0.9716 
0.9678 
20 
21 
49 
3671.85 
56,664 
8 
1 
227 
8 
2 
324.0 
458.98 
7083 
0.9714 
0.9676 
57 
50 
3671.07 
56,652 
8 
1 
214 
8 
1 
323.5 
458.88 
7081 
0.9709 
0.9668 
25 
56 
3669.19 
56,623 
8 
1 
186 
8 
1 
323.5 
458.65 
7078 
0.9704 
0.9661 
21 
55 
51 
3667.31 
56,594 
8 
1 
157 
8 
1 
323.5 
458.41 
7074 
0.9698 
0.9655 
26 
54 
52 
3665.05 
56,559 
8 
1 
122 
8 
1 
323.0 
458.13 
7070 
0.9693 
0.9650 
53 
3663.17 
56,530 
8 
1 
92 
8 
1 
323.0 
457.90 
7066 
0.9691 
0.9646 
22 
27 
53 
54 
3662.39 
56,518 
8 
1 
81 
8 
1 
323.0 
457.80 
7065 
0.9683 
0.9638 
52 
55 
3659.36 
56,471 
8 
1 
33 
8 
1 
322.5 
457.42 
7059 
0.9678 
0.9631 
23 
28 
51 
56 
3657.47 
56,442 
8 
1 
5 
8 
1 
322.5 
457.18 
7055 
0.9671 
0.9624 
50 
57 
3654.81 
56,401 
8 
0 
401 
8 
1 
322.5 
456.85 
7050 
0.9665 
0.9617 
24 
29 
49 
58 
3652.54 
56,366 
8 
0 
366 
8 
1 
322.0 
456.57 
7046 
0.9658 
0.9610 
48 
59 
3649.88 
56,325 
8 
0 
325 
s 
1 
322.0 
456.24 
7041 
0.9652 
0.9603 
25 
30 
47 
60 
3647.62 
56,290 
8 
0 
290 
8 
1 
321.5 
455.95 
7036 TABLE FOR DISTILLED SPIRITS AND ALCOHOL (continued.'). 
PART 
III.-From 25 to 40 per cent, of Absolute Alcohol. 
Specific Gravity. 
(Pure water at 
Percentage. 
Weight of one gallon, at 15 
5o p 
60° F. 
Weight 
of 40 gal- 
Weight of 
one pint at 
la C.=60° F. 
taken as unity.) 
o.£ 
o o 
•'r* 
£ 3 
a a 
Avoirdupois W ei g't. 
thenear- 
est half 
15f° C.= 
60° F. 
S 
pound, 
-a 
In 
In 
io me 
At 
At 
O £ 
Grammes. 
Grains. 
nearest 
at15|° 
15 4° C. 
25°C.= 
ftai 
lbs 
ozs 
Grs. 
ounce. 
C.=60°F 
Grms. 
Grs. 
=60° F. 
77° F. 
n 
Sig, 
lbs 
OZS 
lbs. 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
0.9645 
0.9597 
46 
61 
3645.02 
56,250 
8 
0 
250 
8 
1 
321.5 
455.63 
7031 
0.9643 
0.9594 
31 
62 
3644.24 
56,238 
8 
0 
238 
8 
1 
321.5 
455.53 
7030 
0.9638 
0.9590 
26 
45 
63 
3642.37 
56,209 
8 
0 
209 
8 
0 
321.0 
455.30 
7026 
0.9631 
0.9582 
32 
44 
64 
3639.71 
56,168 
8 
0 
168 
8 
0 
321.0 
454.96 
7021 
0.9623 
0.9574 
27 
43 
65 
3636.66 
56,121 
8 
0 
121 
8 
0 
320.5 
454.58 
7015 
0.9618 
0.9567 
33 
42 
66 
3634.79 
56,092 
8 
0 
92 
8 
0 
320.5 
454.35 
7011 
0.9609 
0.9556 
28 
34 
41 
67 
3631.42 
56,040 
8 
0 
40 
8 
0 
320.0 
453.93 
7005 
0.9602 
0.9549 
40 
68 
3628.76 
55,999 
7 
15 
436 
8 
0 
320.0 
453.59 
7000 
0.9595 
0.9542 
39 
69 
3626.10 
55,958 
7 
15 
395 
8 
0 
320.0 
453.26 
6995 
0.9593 
0.9538 
29 
35 
70 
3625.33 
55,946 
7 
15 
383 
8 
0 
319.5 
453.17 
6993 
0.9587 
0.9532 
38 
71 
3623.06 
55,911 
7 
1 5 
348 
8 
0 
319.5 
452.88 
6989 
0.9578 
0.9521 
30 
36 
37 
72 
3619.69 
55,859 
7 
15 
296 
8 
0 
319.0 
452.46 
6982 
0.9572 
0.9515 
36 
73 
3617.42 
55,824 
7 
15 
261 
8 
0 
319.0 
452.18 
6978 
0.9565 
0.9507 
37 
35 
3614.76 
55,783 
7 
15 
220 
8 
0 
319.0 
451.84 
6973 
0.9560 
0.9500 
31 
74 
3612.88 
55,754 
7 
15 
191 
7 
15 
318.5 
451.61 
6969 
0.9555 
0.9495 
34 
75 
3611.03 
55,725 
7 
15 
162 
7 
15 
318.5 
451.38 
6966 
0.9550 
0.9489 
3S 
33 
76 
3609.12 
55,696 
7 
15 
133 
7 
15 
318.0 
451.14 
6962 
0.9544 
0.9482 
32 
77 
3606.86 
55,661 
7 
15 
98 
7 
15 
318.0 
450.86 
6958 
0.9539 
0.9577 
32 
3604.91 
55,631 
7 
15 
68 
7 
15 
318.0 
450.61 
6954 
0.9535 
0.9473 
39 
78 
3603.42 
55,608 
7 
15 
45 
7 
15 
318.0 
450.43 
6951 
0.9528 
0.9465 
33 
31 
79 
3600.76 
55,567 
7 
15 
4 
7 
15 
317.5 
450.09 
6946 
0.9519 
0.9456 
10 
30 
80 
3597.39 
55,515 
7 
1 1 
390 
7 
15 
317.0 
449.67 
6939 
0.9511 
0.9446 
3 1 
29 
81 
3594.35 
55,468 
7 
14 
343 
7 
15 
317.0 
449.29 
6933 
0.9503 
0.9438 
11 
28 
82 
3591.30 
55,421 
7 
1 1 
296 
7 
15 
316.5 
448.91 
6928 
0.9495 
0.9430 
27 
83 
3588.32 
55,375 
7 
1 1 
250 
7 
15 
316.5 
448.54 
6922 
0.9490 
0.9424 
35 
12 
84 
3586.44 
55,346 
7 
1 1 
221 
7 
15 
316.0 
448.30 
6918 
0.9485 
0.9419 
26 
3584.56 
55,317 
7 
14 
192 
7 
1 1 
316.0 
448.07 
6915 
0.9475 
0.9409 
25 
85 
3580.74 
55,258 
7 
14 
133 
7 
11 
316.0 
447.59 
6907 
0.9470 
0.9402 
36 
13 
86 
3578.86 
55,229 
7 
14 
104 
7 
14 
315.5 
447.36 
6904 
0.9465 
0.9397 
24 
3576.98 
55,200 
7 
14 
75 
7 
11 
315.5 
447.12 
6900 
0.9455 
0.9387 
23 
87 
3573.22 
55,142 
7 
14 
17 
7 
1 1 
315.0 
446.65 
6893 
0.9452 
0.9382 
37 
II 
88 
3572.06 
55,124 
7 
13 
137 
7 
14 
315.0 
446.51 
6890 
0.9446 
0.9376 
22 
89 
3569.79 
55,089 
7 
13 
401 
7 
11 
315.0 
446.22 
6886 
0.9434 
0.9363 
38 
15 
21 
90 
3565.25 
55,019 
7 
13 
331 
7 
11 
314.5 
445.66 
6877 
0.9426 
0.9355 
20 
91 
3562.21 
54,972 
7 
13 
284 
7 
14 
314.0 
445.28 
6871 
0.9416 
0.9343 
39 
46 
19 
92 
3558.45 
54,914 
7 
13 
226 
7 
1 1 
314.0 
444.81 
6864 
0.9405 
0.9332 
18 
93 
3554.30 
54,850 
7 
13 
162 
7 
13 
313.5 
444.29 
6856 
0.9396 
0.9323 
40 
17 
17 
94 
3550.87 
54,797 
7 
13 
109 
7 
13 
313.0 
443.86 
6850 
0.9391 
0.9318 
95 
3548.99 
54,768 
7 
13 
75 
7 
13 
313.0 
443.62 
6846 TABLE 
FOR DISTILLED SPIRITS AND ALCOHOL {continued). 
PARI 
IV.-From 40 to 55 
per cent, of Absolute 
Alcohol. 
Specific Gravity. 
(Pure water at 
15 C.=60° F. 
taken as unity.) 
Percentage. 
Weight of one gallon, at 15 
50 p 
g- C.- 
60° F. 
Weight 
of 40 gal- 
Weight of 
one pint, at 
15|°C.=60° F. 
Q 
• tn 
o o 
O * 
spirit, 
snue.) 
Avoirdupois Weig't. 
Ions to 
thenear- 
est half 
To 
nea 
our 
Tbs 
the 
rest 
ice. 
OZS 
pound, 
at 15f0 
C.=60°F 
lbs. 
At 
=60° F. 
At 
25° C.= 
77° F. 
| By weigl 
| By volun 
Under pi 
(British E 
Of proof 
(U. S. Bey 
In 
Grammes. 
In 
Grains. 
lbs 
ozs 
Grs. 
In . 
Grins. 
In 
Grs. 
0.9381 
0.9307 
48 
16 
96 
3545.23 
54,710 
7 
13 
22 
7 
13 
312.5 
443.15 
6839 
0.9376 
0.9302 
11 
3543.35 
54,681 
7 
12 
431 
7 
13 
312.5 
442.92 
6835 
0.9373 
0.9300 
15 
97 
3542.19 
54,663 
7 
12 
413 
7 
13 
312.5 
442.77 
6833 
0.9362 
0.9288 
19 
14 
98 
3538.04 
54,599 
7 
12 
349 
7 
13 
312.0 
442.25 
6825 
0.9356 
0.9280 
12 
3535.77 
54,564 
7 
12 
314 
7 
13 
312.0 
441.97 
6820 
0.9352 
0.9276 
13 
99 
3534.28 
54,541 
7 
12 
291 
7 
13 
311.5 
441.78 
6818 
0.9343 
0.9267 
50 
12 
100 
3530.84 
54,488 
7 
12 
238 
7 
13 
311.5 
441.35 
6811 
0.9335 
0.9259 
43 
101 
3527.86 
54,442 
7 
12 
192 
7 
12 
311.0 
440.98 
6805 
0.9329 
0.9253 
11 
3525.59 
54,407 
7 
12 
157 
7 
12 
311.0 
440.70 
6801 
0.9323 
0.9246 
51 
102 
3523.33 
54,372 
7 
12 
122 
7 
12 
310.5 
440.42 
6796 
0.9318 
0.9242 
10 
3521.45 
54,343 
7 
12 
93 
7 
12 
310.5 
440.18 
6793 
0.9314 
0.9237 
1 1 
103 
3519.89 
54,319 
7 
12 
69 
7 
12 
310.5 
439.99 
6790 
0.9306 
0.9230 
9 
3516.91 
54,273 
7 
12 
23 
7 
12 
310.0 
439.61 
6784 
0.9303 
0.9226 
52 
104 
3515.75 
54,255 
7 
12 
5 
7 
12 
310.0 
439.47 
6782 
0.9292 
0.9214 
45 
8 
105 
3511.59 
54,191 
7 
11 
379 
7 
12 
309.5 
438.95 
6774 
0.9283 
0.9205 
53 
7 
106 
3508.16 
54,138 
? 
11 
326 
7 
12 
309.5 
438.52 
6767 
0.9270 
0.9192 
Hi 
6 
107 
3503.30 
54,063 
7 
11 
251 
7 
12 
309.0 
437.91 
6758 
0.9262 
0.9184 
54 
5 
108 
3500.26 
54,016 
7 
1 1 
204 
7 
11 
308.5 
437.53 
6752 
0.9249 
0.9171 
17 
4 
109 
3495.33 
53,940 
7 
11 
128 
7 
1 1 
308.0 
436.92 
6742 
0.9242 
0.9164 
55 
110 
3492.68 
53,899 
7 
11 
87 
7 
1 1 
308.0 
436.58 
6737 
0.9236 
0.9158 
3 
3490.41 
53,864 
7 
11 
51 
7 
1 1 
308.0 
436.30 
6733 
0.9228 
0.9150 
48 
111 
3487.43 
53,818 
7 
11 
6 
•7 
1 1 
307.5 
435.93 
6727 
0.9221 
0.9143 
56 
2 
112 
3484.77 
53,777 
7 
10 
402 
7 
1 1 
307.5 
435.60 
6722 
0.9212 
0.9134 
1 
113 
3481.34 
53,724 
7 
ID 
349 
7 
1 1 
307.0 
435.17 
6715 
0.9206 
0.9128 
19 
3479.07 
53,689 
7 
10 
314 
7 
11 
307.0 
434.88 
6711 
0.9200 
0.9122 
57 
Proof 
over. 
114 
3476.80 
53,654 
7 
10 
279 
7 
11 
306.5 
434.60 
6707 
0.9189 
0.9111 
1 
115 
3472.65 
53,590 
7 
10 
215 
7 
10 
306.0 
434108 
6699 
0.9184 
0.9106 
50 
3470.77 
53,561 
7 
10 
186 
7 
10 
306.0 
433.85 
6695 
0.9178 
0.9100 
58 
2 
116 
3468.51 
53,526 
7 
10 
151 
7 
10 
306.0 
433.56 
6691 
0.9168 
0.9090 
117 
3464.75 
53,468 
7 
10 
93 
7 
10 
305.5 
433.09 
6684 
0.9160 
0.9081 
51 
59 
3 
118 
3461.70 
53,421 
7 
10 
46 
7 
10 
305.0 
432.71 
6678 
0.9150 
0.9071 
4 
119 
3457.94 
53,363 
7 
9 
425 
7 
10 
305.0 
432.24 
6670 
0.9135 
0.9056 
52 
60 
5 
120 
3452.24 
53,275 
7 
9 
338 
7 
10 
304.5 
431.53 
6659 
0.9124 
0.9045 
6 
121 
3448.09 
53,211 
7 
9 
273 
7 
10 
304.0 
431.01 
6651 
0.9113 
0.9034 
53 
61 
7 
122 
3443.95 
53,147 
7 
9 
210 
7 
9 
303.5 
430.49 
6643 
0.9100 
0.9021 
8 
123 
3439.02 
53,071 
7 
9 
133 
7 
9 
303.0 
429.88 
6634 
0.9090 
0.9011 
5 1 
62 
9 
124 
3435.26 
53,013 
7 
9 
76 
7 
9 
303.0 
429.41 
6627 
0.9075 
0.8995 
10 
125 
3429.56 
52,925 
7 
8 
425 
7 
9 
302.5 
428.69 
6616 
0.9069 
0.8989 
55 
63 
126 
3427.29 
52,890 
7 
8 
390 
7 
9 
302.0 
428.41 
6611 
4 TABLE 
FOR DISTILLED SPIRITS AND ALCOHOL {continued). 
PART V.-From 55 to 70 per cent, of Absolute Alcohol. 
Specific Gravity. 
(Pure water at 
15 C.=60° F. 
taken as unity.) 
Percentage. 
Weight of one gallon, at 15 
|°C.= 
=60° F. 
Weight 
of 40 gal- 
lons to 
thenear- 
est half 
Weight of 
one pint, at 
15f° C.=60° F. 
*3 
Avoirdupois Weig't. 
1 
© 
pound, 
at 15 f° 
C.=60°F 
At 
154° c. 
At 
25° C.= 
'S 
£ 
pH 
CO 
OH 
In 
Grammes. 
In 
Grains. 
Ibs 
ozs 
Grs. 
to tne 
nearest 
ounce. 
In 
Grms. 
In 
Grs. 
=60° F. 
77° F. 
Of 
(U. 
lbs 
OZS 
lbs. 
0.9062 
0.8982 
11 
127 
3424.70 
52,850 
7 
8 
350 
7 
9 
302.0 
428.09 
6606 
0.9047 
0.8969 
56 
64 
12 
128 
3419.00 
52,762 
7 
8 
262 
7 
9 
301.5 
427.37 
6595 
0.9036 
0.8958 
13 
3414.85 
52,698 
7 
8 
198 
7 
8 
301.0 
426.86 
6587 
0.9025 
0.8947 
57 
65 
129 
3410.70 
52,634 
7 
8 
134 
7 
8 
301.0 
426.34 
6579 
0.9021 
0.8943 
14 
130 
3409.15 
52,610 
7 
s 
110 
7 
8 
300.5 
426.14 
6576 
0.9008 
0.8930 
15 
131 
3404.29 
52,535 
7 
8 
35 
7 
8 
300.0 
425.54 
6567 
0.9001 
0.8923 
58 
66 
132 
3401.63 
52,494 
7 
7 
432 
7 
8 
300.0 
425.20 
6562 
0.8994 
0.8916 
16 
133 
3398.98 
52,453 
7 
7 
390 
7 
8 
299.5 
424.87 
6557 
0.8979 
0.8901 
59 
17 
3393.34 
52,366 
7 
7 
304 
7 
8 
299.0 
424.17 
6546 
0.8973 
0.8895 
67 
134 
3391.07 
52,331 
7 
7 
269 
7 
8 
299.0 
423.88 
6541 
0.8966 
0.8888 
18 
3388.41 
52,290 
7 
7 
227 
7 
8 
299.0 
423.55 
6536 
0.8956 
0.8878 
60 
135 
3384.59 
52,231 
7 
7 
169 
7 
7 
298.5 
423.07 
6529 
0.8953 
0.8875 
19 
3383.49 
52,214 
7 
7 
151 
7 
7 
298.5 
422.94 
6527 
0.8949 
0.8870 
68 
136 
3382.00 
52,191 
7 
7 
129 
7 
7 
298.0 
422.75 
6524 
0.8938 
0.8859 
20 
137 
3377.79 
52,126 
7 
7 
63 
7 
7 
298.0 
422.22 
6516 
0.8932 
0.8853 
61 
3375.52 
52,091 
7 
7 
29 
7 
7 
297.5 
421.94 
6511 
0.8925 
0.8846 
69 
21 
138 
3372.93 
52,051 
7 
6 
426 
7 
7 
297.5 
421.62 
6506 
0.8910 
0.8831 
22 
139 
3367.22 
51,963 
7 
6 
338 
7 
7 
297.0 
420.90 
6495 
0.8908 
0.8829 
62 
3366.45 
51,951 
7 
6 
326 
7 
7 
297.0 
420.81 
6494 
0.8900 
0.8821 
70 
140 
3363.47 
51,905 
7 
6 
280 
7 
7 
296.5 
420.43 
6488 
0.8897 
0.8818 
23 
3362.30 
51,887 
7 
6 
262 
7 
7 
296.5 
420.29 
6486 
0.8886 
0.8807 
63 
141 
3358.15 
51,823 
7 
6 
198 
7 
6 
296.0 
419.77 
6478 
0.8883 
0.8804 
24 
3357.05 
51,806 
7 
6 
181 
7 
6 
296.0 
419.63 
6476 
0.8875 
0.8796 
71 
142 
3354.00 
51,759 
7 
6 
134 
7 
6 
296.0 
419.25 
6470 
0.8869 
0.8790 
25 
3351.74 
51,724 
7 
6 
99 
7 
6 
295.5 
418.97 
6465 
0.8863 
0.8784 
6-1 
143 
3349.47 
51,689 
7 
6 
64 
7 
6 
295.5 
418.68 
6461 
0.8854 
0.8775 
26 
3346.10 
51,637 
7 
6 
12 
7 
6 
295.0 
418.26 
6455 
0.8850 
0.8771 
72 
144 
3344.54 
51,613 
7 
5 
426 
7 
6 
295.0 
418.07 
6452 
0.8840 
0.8761 
65 
27 
145 
3340.78 
51,555 
7 
5 
368 
7 
6 
294.5 
417.60 
6444 
0.8825 
0.8746 
73 
28 
146 
3335.08 
51,467 
7 
5 
279 
7 
6 
294.0 
416.88 
6433 
0.8816 
0.8736 
66 
3331.71 
51,415 
7 
5 
228 
7 
6 
294.0 
416.46 
6427 
0.8811 
0.8731 
29 
147 
3329.83 
51,386 
7 
5 
198 
7 
5 
293.5 
416.23 
6423 
0.8799 
0.8719 
71 
30 
148 
3325.30 
51,316 
7 
5 
129 
7 
5 
293.0 
415.66 
6414 
0.8793 
0.8713 
67 
149 
3323.03 
51,281 
7 
5 
94 
7 
5 
293.0 
415.38 
6410 
0.8783 
0.8703 
31 
3319.21 
51,222 
7 
5 
34 
7 
5 
292.5 
414.90 
6403 
0.8769 
0.8689 
68 
75 
32 
150 
3313.96 
51,141 
7 
4 
391 
7 
5 
292.0- 
414.25 
6393 
0.8754 
0.8674 
33 
151 
3308.25 
51,053 
7 
4 
303 
7 
5 
291.5 
413.53 
6382 
0.8745 
0.8665 
69 
76 
152 
3304.89 
51,001 
7 
4 
251 
7 
5 
291.5 
413.11 
6375 
0.8739 
0.8659 
34 
153 
3302.62 
50,966 
7 
4 
216 
7 
4 
291.0 
412.83 
6371 
0.8721 
0.8641 
70 
77 
35 
154 
3295.81 
50,861 
7 
■1 
111 
7 
4 
290.5 
411.98 
6358 TABLE 
FOR DISTILLED SPIRITS AND ALCOHOL {continued). 
PART VI.-From 70 to 85 per cent, of Absolute 
Alcohol. 
Specific Gravity. 
(Pure water at 
Per 
centag 
e. 
Weight of one gallon, at 15|° C.= 
60° F. 
Weight 
of 40 gal- 
Weight of 
one pint at 
ID u.= 
1<. 
d 
to 
.■£ d 
Si S 
Avoirdupois Weig't. 
thenear- 
1550 c.= 
60° F- 
taken as unity.) 
•>-< -- 
est half 
a 
CO 
pound, 
O M 
< ***" 
to me 
At 
At 
O 3 
o K 
Grammes. 
Grains. 
Grs. 
nearest 
at 15 j° 
15f°C. 
=60° F. 
25° C.= 
77° F. 
£ 
p? 
Over 
Britis 
Of pr 
(U.S. 
lbs 
ozs 
oui 
ibs 
ce. 
ozs 
C.=60°F 
ibs. 
In 
Grms. 
In 
Grs. 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
-' 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
0.8708 
0.8628 
36 
155 
3290.89 
50,785 
7 
4 
35 
7 
4 
290.0 
411.36 
6348 
0.8696 
0.8616 
71 
78 
37 
3286.35 
50,715 
7 
3 
403 
7 
4 
290.0 
410.79 
6339 
0.8693 
0.8613 
156 
3285.25 
50,698 
7 
3 
385 
7 
4 
289.5 
410.66 
6337 
0.8678 
0.8598 
38 
157 
3279.55 
50,610 
7 
3 
297 
7 
4 
289.0 
409.94 
6326 
0.8672 
0.8591 
72 
158 
3277.28 
50,575 
7 
3 
263 
7 
4 
289.0 
409.66 
6322 
0.8664 
0.8583 
79 
39 
3274.23 
50,528 
7 
3 
216 
7 
3 
288.5 
409.28 
6316 
0.8649 
0.8568 
73 
159 
3268.59 
50,441 
7 
3 
129 
7 
3 
288.0 
408.57 
6305 
0.8646 
0.8565 
40 
3267.43 
50,423 
7 
3 
110 
7 
3 
288.0 
408.43 
6303 
0.8639 
0.8558 
80 
160 
3264.84 
50,383 
7 
3 
71 
7 
3 
288.0 
408.10 
6298 
0.8631 
0.8550 
41 
3261.79 
50,336 
7 
3 
23 
7 
3 
287.5 
407.72 
6292 
0.8625 
0.8544 
74 
3259.53 
50,301 
7 
2 
426 
7 
3 
287.5 
407.44 
6288 
0.8615 
0.8534 
42 
161 
3255.77 
50,243 
7 
2 
368 
7 
3 
287.0 
406.97 
6280 
0.8611 
0.8530 
81 
162 
3254.21 
50,219 
7 
2 
344 
7 
3 
287.0 
406.78 
6277 
0.8603 
0.8522 
75 
163 
3251.23 
50,173 
7 
2 
298 
7 
3 
286.5 
406.40 
6272 
0.8599 
0.8518 
43 
3249.68 
50,149 
7 
2 
274 
7 
3 
286.5 
406.21 
6269 
0.8581 
0.8500 
76 
82 
44 
164 
3242.87 
50,044 
7 
2 
169 
7 
2 
286.0 
405.36 
6255 
0.8566 
0.8485 
45 
165 
3237.23 
49,957 
7 
2 
82 
7 
2 
285.5 
404.65 
6245 
0.8557 
0.8476 
77 
83 
3233.80 
49,904 
7 
2 
29 
7 
2 
285.0 
404.22 
6238 
0.8550 
0.8469 
46 
166 
3231.21 
49,864 
7 
1 
426 
7 
2 
285.0 
403.90 
6233 
0.8539 
0.8458 
167 
3227.00 
49,799 
7 
1 
361 
7 
2 
284.5 
403.38 
6225 
0.8533 
0.8452 
78 
47 
3224.73 
49,764 
7 
1 
327 
7 
2 
284*5 
403.09 
6220 
0.8526 
0.8444 
84 
168 
3222.14 
49,724 
7 
1 
287 
7 
2 
284.0 
402.77 
6215 
0.8516 
0.8434 
48 
3218.31 
49,665 
7 
1 
227 
7 
2 
284.0 
402.29 
6208 
0.8508 
0.8426 
79 
169 
3215.33 
49,619 
7 
1 
182 
7 
1 
283.5 
401.92 
6202 
0.8501 
0.8419 
49 
170 
3212.67 
49,578 
7 
1 
140 
7 
1 
283.5 
401.58 
6197 
0.8496 
0.8414 
85 
3210.79 
49,549 
7 
1 
112 
7 
1 
283.0 
401.35 
6194 
0.8483 
0.8401 
80 
50 
171 
3205.87 
49,473 
7 
1 
36 
7 
1 
282.5 
400.73 
6184 
0.8466 
0.8384 
86 
51 
172 
3199.46 
49,374 
7 
0 
374 
7 
1 
282.0 
399.93 
6172 
0.8459 
0.8377 
81 
3196.80 
49,333 
7 
0 
333 
7 
1 
282.0 
399.60 
6167 
0.8450 
0.8368 
52 
173 
3193.36 
49,280 
7 
0 
280 
7 
1 
281.5 
399.17 
6160 
0.8434 
0.8352 
82 
87 
53 
174 
3187.34 
49,187 
7 
0 
187 
7 
0 
281.0 
398.42 
6148 
0.8415 
0.8333 
54 
175 
3180.15 
49,076 
7 
0 
76 
7 
0 
280.5 
397.52 
6134 
0.8408 
0.8326 
83 
88 
3177.49 
49,035 
7 
0 
35 
7 
0 
280.0 
397.19 
6129 
0.8396 
0.8314 
55 
176 
3172.95 
48,965 
6 
15 
402 
7 
0 
280.0 
396.62 
6121 
0.8387 
0.8305 
177 
3169.58 
48,913 
6 
15 
350 
7 
0 
279.5 
396.20 
6114 
0.8382 
0.8300 
84 
3167.70 
48,884 
6 
15 
322 
7 
0 
279.5 
395.96 
6110 
0.8376 
0.8294 
56 
3165.44 
48,849 
6 
15 
286 
7 
0 
279.0 
395.68 
6106 
0.8373 
0.8291 
89 
178 
3164.27 
48,831 
6 
15 
269 
7 
0 
279.0 
395.53 
6104 TABLE FOR DISTILLED SPIRITS AND ALCOHOL (continued). 
PART VII.-From 85 to 100 per cent, of Absolute Alcohol. 
Specific Gravity. 
(Pure water at 
15C.=60° F. 
taken as unity.) 
Percentage. 
Weight of one gallon, at 15§° C.=60° F. 
Weight 
of 40 gal- 
lons to 
thenear- 
est half 
pound, 
at 15f° 
C.=60°F 
lbs. 
Weight of 
one pint, at 
15C.=60° F. 
By weight. 
| By volume. 
Over proof. 
British Excise.) 
1 Of proof spirit. 
l(U. S. Revenue.) 
In 
Grammes. 
In 
Grains. 
Avoirdupois Weig't. 
At 
15|° C. 
=60° F. 
At 
25° C- 
77° F. 
fts 
ozs 
Grs. 
To the 
nearest 
ounce. 
In 
Grms. 
In 
Grs. 
lbs 
OZS 
0.8357 
0.8275 
85 
57 
179 
3158.24 
48,738 
6 
15 
176 
6 
15 
278.5 
394.78 
6092 
0.8340 
0.8258 
90 
180 
3151.83 
48,639 
6 
15 
77 
6 
15 
278.0 
393.98 
6080 
0.8336 
0.8254 
58 
3150.34 
48,616 
6 
15 
53 
.6 
15 
278.0 
393.79 
6077 
0.8331 
0.8249 
86 
3148.39 
48,586 
6 
15 
24 
6 
15 
277.5 
393.55 
6073 
0.8317 
0.8235 
59 
181 
3143.14 
48,505 
6 
14 
380 
6 
15 
277.0 
392.89 
6063 
0.8305 
0.8223 
87 
91 
182 
3138.61 
48,435 
6 
14 
310 
6 
15 
277.0 
392.33 
6054 
0.8298 
0.8216 
60 
3135.95 
48,394 
6 
1 1 
269 
6 
15 
276.5 
391.99 
6049 
0.8288 
0.8206 
183 
3132.19 
48,336 
6 
14 
211 
6 
11 
276.0 
391.52 
6042 
0.8279 
0.8197 
88 
61 
3128.76 
48,283 
6 
1 1 
158 
6 
1 1 
276.0 
391.09 
6035 
0.8272 
0.8191 
92 
184 
3126.10 
48,242 
6 
1 1 
117 
6 
11 
275.5 
390.76 
6030 
0.8259 
0.8178 
62 
3121.15 
48,166 
6 
14 
41 
6 
1 1 
275.0 
390.14 
6021 
0.8254 
0.8173 
89 
185 
3119.30 
48,137 
6 
1 1 
12 
6 
1 1 
275.0 
389.91 
6017 
0.8240 
0.8159 
63 
3114.05 
48,056 
6 
13 
368 
6 
1 1 
274.5 
389.26 
6007 
0.8237 
0.8156 
93 
186 
3112.88 
48,038 
6 
13 
351 
6 
14 
274.5 
389.11 
6005 
0.8228 
0.8147 
90 
3109.51 
47,986 
6 
13 
299 
6 
1 1 
274.0 
388.69 
5998 
0.8221 
0.8140 
64 
187 
3106.86 
47,945 
6 
13 
257 
6 
1 1 
274.0 
388.36 
5993 
0.8199 
0.8118 
91 
94 
65 
188 
3098.56 
47,817 
6 
13 
130 
6 
13 
273.0 
387.32 
5977 
0.8176 
0.8095 
66 
189 
3089.81 
47,682 
6 
12 
432 
6 
13 
272.5 
386.23 
5960 
0.8172 
0.8091 
92 
3088.32 
47,659 
6 
12 
409 
6 
13 
272.5 
386.04 
5957 
0.8164 
0.8083 
95 
190 
3085.28 
47,612 
6 
12 
362 
6 
13 
272.0 
385.66 
5951 
0.8156 
0.8075 
67 
3082.30 
47,566 
6 
12 
316 
6 
13 
272.0 
385.29 
5946 
0.8145 
0.8064 
93 
3078.15 
47,502 
6 
12 
252 
6 
13 
271.5 
384.77 
5938 
0.8139 
0.8058 
191 
3075.88 
47,467 
6 
12 
217 
6 
12 
271.0 
384.48 
5933 
0.8134 
0.8053 
68 
3073.94 
47,437 
6 
12 
187 
6 
12 
271.0 
384.24 
5930 
0.8125 
0.8044 
96 
3070.57 
47,385 
6 
12 
135 
6 
12 
271.0 
383.82 
5923 
0.8118 
0.8037 
94 
192 
3067.91 
47,344 
6 
12 
94 
6 
12 
270.5 
383.49 
5918 
0.8112 
0.8031 
69 
3065.64 
47,309 
6 
12 
59 
6 
12 
270.5 
383.20 
5914 
0.8098 
0.8017 
193 
3060.39 
47,228 
6 
1 1 
415 
6 
12 
270.0 
382.55 
5903 
0.8090 
0.8009 
70 
3057.35 
47,181 
6 
I] 
368 
6 
12 
269.5 
382.17 
5898 
0.8089 
0.8008 
95 
3056.96 
47,175 
6 
1 1 
363 
6 
12 
269.5 
382.12 
5897 
0.8084 
0.8003 
97 
194 
3055.08 
47,146 
6 
11 
334 
6 
12 
269.5 
381.88 
5893 
0.8061 
0.7980 
96 
195 
3046.33 
47,011 
6 
11 
200 
6 
1 1 
268.5 
380.79 
5876 
0.8041 
0.7960 
98 
196 
3038.82 
46,895 
6 
11 
83 
6 
1 1 
268.0 
379.85 
5862 
0.8031 
0.7950 
97 
3035.06 
46,837 
6 
1 1 
25 
6 
1 1 
267.5 
379.38 
5855 
0.8014 
0.7933 
197 
3028.64 
46,738 
6 
1(1 
363 
6 
11 
267.0 
378.58 
5842 
0.8001 
0.7920 
98 
3023.72 
46,662 
6 
10 
287 
6 
11 
266.5 
377.96 
5833 
0.7995 
0.7914 
99 
3021.45 
46,627 
6 
10 
252 
6 
11 
266.5 
377.68 
5828 
0.7992 
0.7911 
198 
3020.28 
46,609 
6 
10 
234 
6 
1 1 
266.5 
377.53 
5826 
0.7969 
0.7888 
99 
199 
3011.59 
46,475 
6 
10 
100 
6 
10 
265.5 
376.45 
5809 
0.7946 
0.7865 
100 
200 
3002.92 
46,341 
6 
9 
404 
6 
10 
265.0 
375.37 
5793 
0.7938 
0.7858 
100 
2999.87- 
46,294 
6 
9 
357 
6 
10 
264.5 
374.98 
5787 57 
NOTE ON A GENERAL APPARATUS STAND, 
UPRIGHT CONDENSER, PINCHCOCK, 
AND BURETTE STAND, 
FOR CHEMICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL USES. 
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS. 
The common piece of apparatus, consisting of an upright 
rod with sliding rings supported on a broad foot, and generally 
miscalled a " retort stand," is, as generally met with, an un- 
satisfactory article, and quite behind the necessities of the 
present time, yet most persons, like the writer, have continued 
to get along as well as they could with it rather than spend 
the time and money necessary to try to improve and extend 
it. The most prominent defects are weakness and flimsiness, 
and too narrow a sphere of usefulness for the present wants 
in table operations. The common use of illuminating gas, 
and the various modifications of the admirable Bunsen burner, 
have so' increased the number and facility of table operations 
in chemistry and pharmacy, that a better and more generally 
useful apparatus stand has been much needed ; and this must 
be the writer's apology for the present attempt to supply this 
want. To save the reader from lengthy descriptions, and to 
save the Association the expense of illustrations, the writer 
has had four woodcuts made, which are presented with this 
paper, showing some of the more prominent applications of 
the stand as at present constructed, the stand itself being also 
presented herewith. As will be seen at a glance, it is a large, 
rough, uncouth-looking affair; and to those so long used to 
the light, slender, and bright-looking stands in common use, 
it will appear exceedingly ugly, clumsy, and unwieldy. But 
it will be found to give effective and steady support to what- 
ever may be properly placed upon it, and the variety of uses 
to which it can be conveniently applied is large, and cannot 
be appreciated at a glance. 
It consists of eight principal parts, and several secondary 
or minor pieces. 58 
First. A cast-iron foot, A, 9 by 15 inches, into which a 
piece of wrought-iron pipe 30 inches long and J inch external 
diameter is firmly screwed upright. This supporting rod or 
pipe is placed near the middle of the foot, so that several 
pieces of apparatus, representing as many distinct operations, 
can be supported all around the rod at the same time. 
Second. A circular, round-bottomed sand-bath, B, with a 
horizontal flange around the brim. This flange is perforated 
and notched for receiving the wires or strings used to support, 
or tie firmly in, the flasks, retorts, or other vessels which re- 
quire to be firmly held in the bath. Fine copper wire is best 
adapted to such purposes, and its use is illustrated in support- 
ing the flask, a, Figure 1. This bath is six inches in diameter, 
but from being a small portion of a large sphere, it is well 
adapted to a great variety of sizes in vessels. 
Third. Two adjustable rings of cast-iron, C, about 6 inches 
in diameter, furnished with three movable rods which slide 
to or from the centre through holes made in the rings at 
equal distances apart. These rods are square, and are fixed 
in any desired position by. thumb-screws, and their direction 
is somewhat oblique to the horizontal plane of the rings, to 
adapt them to a greater variety of uses, as the rings may be 
put upon the rod with the thumb-screws either down or up. 
Figs. 1 and 2, C, give illustrations of their use in both posi- 
tions. By the use of these square rods as radii in the rings, 
the rings may be adjusted to hold vessels of any size or form, 
regular or irregular, and in various ways, from the smallest 
crucible up to a gallon capsule, as may be seen in the figures. 
This means for adjustment avoids the necessity for rings of 
various sizes, and is more conveniently and more accurately 
applicable. The most difficult piece of apparatus to support 
is the now little-used retort. But if the bottom of a retort 
of any ordinary size be supported in the round sand-bath, 
and the body, well up towards the tubulure, be steadied by 
adjusting the ends of these radiating rods to its irregular form, 
it may be kept in position with moderate facility. These 
rings are attached to the upright supporting rod of the stand 
at any part of its length, so as to be put on or off at any time, 59 
by a device which is believed to be simple and strong, and 
perhaps not more inconvenient than others at present in use. 
This device is best seen in detail in Fig. 4, C, where q is a 
V-shaped jaw, which when in use touches the upright rod 
upon only two lines of its circumference. These jaws are 
skilfully notched or slotted out so as to receive the saddle r, 
with its thumb set-screw. When the jaws are placed astride 
of the upright supporting-rod of the stand, and the ring raised 
a little obliquely upward, the saddle will slip easily into its 
notch, and when in, if the ring be brought down to a right 
angle with the rod, it will no longer slip out, but is still loose 
and free to move up or down on the rod. To fix the ring in 
any desired position on the rod, it is now only necessary to 
screw up the thumb-screw; and this not very tightly, lest by 
unnecessary power the jaws be broken off. This same device 
is used in all the parts to be supported on the rod, and all are 
made so nearly alike that the saddles are interchangeable. 
As by this device these different parts do not slide upon the 
rod, but are simply loosened from one point and moved to 
another, and when fastened only touch the rod at three points, 
the varnish of the parts is much more durable, and therefore 
the metal less exposed to rust, and to be thereby clogged in 
the movements of the parts upon each other. For the further 
protection of the various parts they should always be detached 
and put away when not in immediate use. 
Fourth. Two thin cast-iron plates, Z), about 16| inches long 
by inches wide, perforated with holes of various sizes, and 
with long wedge-shaped openings also of various sizes. These 
serve for very many useful purposes, but chiefly, perhaps, as 
a funnel and tube-rack, and for the uses of a movable shelf. 
They also, singly or together, make a fair support for burettes 
and pipettes. Flasks, test-tubes, or any vessel with a flaring 
lip may be conveniently supported over any source of heat or 
for any purpose by means of these various openings. To use 
the wedge-shaped openings, let the neck of the flask or other 
vessel with lip, be passed through the larger part of the open- 
ing, and then be moved along toward the smaller end until 
it is arrested by the approaching sides of the opening. At 60 
that point it will hang suspended safely by the lip. If it be 
not judged safe to trust to the lip, a narrow section of India- 
rubber tubing stretched over the neck so as to clasp it firmly 
will form a better rim for support. These sections or rings 
cut from India-rubber tubing of various sizes are very conve- 
nient for suspending flasks, tubes, burettes, &c. 
Fifth. A long, narrow, shallow cast-iron pan, about 17 
inches long by 6 inches wide, for sand-bath, drying-table, &c. 
This also serves for many purposes, but especially for the ap- 
plication of moderate, uniform heat of any desired degree. 
Half filled with sand, and heated by a burner under one end, 
it affords various degrees of moderate heat for digestions, 
evaporations, &c., throughout its length, and with careful 
regulation of the burner it is capable of doing much useful 
work. 
Figure 1 shows the stand in use for a process of distilla- 
tion. It is often difficult to make persons understand the 
best way of distilling comparatively large quantities from 
small vessels, for example, a gallon of liquid from a two-pint 
flask, and this and other points are well shown in this illus- 
tration. 
Upright Condenser.-Retorts are now very little used by those 
who manage small distillations best. In comparison with a 
simple flask they are unhandy, difficult to support, generally 
badly shaped, expensive, and easily broken, while for most 
purposes they are devoid of counterbalancing advantages. 
Hence their use is becoming more and more restricted to the 
distillation of acids. Liebig's condenser was constructed and 
especially adapted to use with retorts, and now that retorts 
are less used, a modified condenser better adapted to flasks 
has been devised and much used by the writer, and is shown 
in this illustration. The chief objection to a Liebig's con- 
denser of adequate size is the space it takes up on a table. It 
also permits the loss of much imperfectly condensed vapor 
by the mere gravity of such vapor. The condenser here 
offered is a modification of Liebig's, which if it obviates these 
objections, may be considered an improvement. Like Liebig's 
it consists of a condensing-tube with a wrater-case around it, 61 
and appliances for supplying cold water at the distal end and 
removing warm water from the other, but the condensing- 
tube is narrow and is doubled upon itself, so that two lengths 
of it traverse the w'ater-case. From the bend a small T- 
tube passes out through the lower cork, and the two ends of 
the condensing-tube pass out through the upper cork. One 
of these ends is longer than the other, bent at right angles 
over the other, and is widened a little to receive the end of 
the vapor-tube from the flask. This arrangement at the top 
avoids the projection of the horizontal end, and enables the 
condenser to be packed in a straight box for transporta- 
tion and preservation. Both ends of the condensing-tube 62 
may, however, be left straight, and the right angle bend be 
given to the tube from the flask. A small straight tube 
passes through the cork reaching nearly to the lower end, for 
the cold water supply, and a small bent tube passes through 
the opposite side of the upper cork to carry oft' the warm 
water. Both of these are connected by small india-rubber 
tubing with proper reservoirs. When the condenser is of 
small size the external water-case is best made from a piece 
of large glass tube. If larger, of tin, copper, or brass. The 
condenser here represented is about eighteen inches long, the 
condensing-tube about a quarter of an inch internal diameter, 
and the water-case about one and a quarter inches diameter. 
When in use the vapor to be condensed enters one leg of the 
condensing-tube passing downward. The first drops that 
may be condensed run down and fill the small outlet tube, so 
that any vapor which fails to be condensed in the first length, 
fails to find an exit by the small exit tube, and has to rise 
against its gravity, and against the current of condensed 
liquid which may be flowing downward toward the exit, and 
thus encounter conditions most favorable to perfect condensa- 
tion. This upright condenser is very effective in practice, 
having nearly double the capacity for the same length of 
water-case as Liebig's condenser. The size here described will 
easily condense a pint of water per hour by the use of a gallon 
of cooling water. The distilling flask a, is fitted with an india- 
rubber cork with three perforations, easily made by means of 
a sharp wet cork-borer, one for thermometer, one for the vapor- 
tube, and one for a small feeding-tube. The flask is secured 
in the sand-bath by small copper wire, and is connected with 
the condenser 6, by means of a piece of india-rubber tubing 
about an inch long, slipped over the ends of the vapor-tube 
and the condensing-tube where these come together. This is 
much better and much easier than a connection made by 
wrapping and tying. The flask a, is also connected by a 
siphon-tube, partly of glass and partly of india-rubber, with 
the vessel of liquid d, to be distilled, which is placed upon the 
elevated tube-rack I), which now serves as a shelf. The flow 
of liquid from the vessel d, into the flask a, is controlled to 63 
about the rate of the distillation by a convenient pinchcock g, to 
be mentioned farther on. The arrangement for supporting the 
upright condenser by the inverted ring, and india-rubber collar, 
made of a short section of large india-rubber tubing stretched 
on to the water-case, and for the water supply to the condenser, 
are easily understood from the illustration. 
Figure 2 represents the tube-racks in use for some of 
the various purposes to which they are applicable, either sepa- 
rately or together ; and also represents a mode of suspending 
a flask p, by means of the ring C, by the use of the india- 
rubber ring or collar made from a section of tubing stretched 
over the neck of the flask. 64 
Figure 3 represents the stand in some other of its applica- 
tions. The rings, C, are shown as supporting a capsule, 7, 
over a naked flame; and a capsule, ?, in a water-bath ; and a 
large funnel, n. It also shows the long sand-bath, E, in use. 
Figure 4 shows the ring, C, in detail, and shows also 
The Pinchcock.-This is a modification and simplification 
of Bunsen's well-known lever pinchcock for regelating the 
flow of gases or liquids through flexible tubing. The modifi- 
cation consists in having one screw and milled head instead 
of two, the place of the second screw being advantageously 
taken by a simple hinge, and a slight bend near the end of 
the middle section of wire. This renders it lighter, smaller, 
and cheaper than Bunsen's, and gives the operator a more 65 
delicate control over the current, and that by one milled 
head. It is seen open, and the milled head oft'from the screw 
Fig. 4. 
at g, and in working position just above, with a section of 
rubber tubing in place, to show the operation of the screw 
and lever. Three sizes are useful in most laboratories where 
the value of rubber tubing is duly appreciated, but the two 
smaller sizes, 1| and 1| inches long, are most useful. The 
writer, however, uses some 3J inches long, upon 1-inch hose. 
They serve to control the stream with the greatest delicacy 
and nicety, and are very convenient in the use of gas with 
the Bunsen burner. They are also much better than the 
spring pinchcock of Mohr for use with burettes, being sus- 
ceptible of more delicate use with less skill, and any desired 
rate of dropping being easily and speedily attained. They 
are particularly convenient upon india-rubber siphons, and 
supply tubing of all kinds. 
Fig. 4 also shows a modification of the grummet, F, made 
of rubber tubing, so useful as a stand for capsules and other 
round-bottomed vessels. As formerly made, a plug of wood, 
one-half to one inch long, had the two ends of the piece of 
tubing slipped upon it until the ends came closely together; 
each end was then secured by a tack driven through rubber 
and wood and clinched. When a capsule sets upon such a 
grummet in a water-bath, the water is apt to boil inside the 
grummet long before that which is outside becomes heated, 
and thus cause bumping and other inconvenience, because 
there is little or no intercommunication between the portions 
of water. And when a capsule or flask is set upon such a 
grummet to cool, there is little or no circulation of air round 66 
the bottom. But if three short sections of larger tubing are 
slipped over the grummet before the ends, w, are put together, 
and be then distributed at equal distances apart on the ring, 
one section covering the joined ends, the grummet will be 
much improved. The vessels will then rest 
upon three points only. 
These seem to be simple matters to ask 
the attention of this Association to, but 
those practically acquainted with the rela- 
tion between small conveniences and econ- 
omy of time, will perhaps need no apology 
for introducing them. 
The Burette Stand.-Burettes and pip- 
ettes graduated upon the metrical system 
are now in such common use, and with so 
much convenience and advantage, that a 
small stand capable of holding a judicious 
selection of them seems needed. That se- 
lection which is used and advised by the 
writer as being quite sufficient for all prac- 
tical purposes is one Mohr's burette of 50 
c.c , graduated to fifths ; two Mohr's bu- 
rettes of 25 c.c., graduated in tenths ; one 
10 c.c. pipette, graduated in tenths ; one 
5 c.c. pipette, graduated in twentieths; 
one pipette of 1 or 2 c.c., graduated in 
fiftieths or hundredths; and two capacity 
pipettes, with a single mark and long 
points, one of 25 c.c., the other of 50 c.c. 
Figure 5 shows a convenient cast-iron stand holding such a 
set, always in condition for immediate use. Each piece is held 
in its place by a collar made of a short section of india-rubber 
tubing stretched over the upper end to prevent its slipping- 
down through the holes in which it rests. When out of use 
this stand and contents may either stand upright, or for fear 
of accident, be laid down upon its back. A woodcut of this 
stand, furnished with the apparatus named, has been pre 
pared and the block is presented herewith. 
Fig. 5. 
Brooklyn, August, 1873.