Diluted Acetic Acid contains six per cent. of absolute Acetic Acid, and has the sp. gr. 1.0083. It corresponds, in properties, to Acetic Acid, and should respond to the same tests of purity.

To neutralize 24 Gm. of Diluted Acetic Acid should require 24 C. c. of the volumetric solution of soda.

This formula affords the first opportunity the writer has had in this review to illustrate some of the advantages of the method, new to the U. S. Pharmacopoeia, but well tried in other pharmacopoeias, of stating proportions by their relations instead of by arbitrary weights and measures, that is, the method of parts by weight, as well for liquids as for solids. This method has already been criticised adversely from various quarters, but almost entirely upon the basis of inconvenience, and as being a change from the old plan. The confusion and inaccuracy of the old method, the complaints against which for many years caused the change to be made, first abroad and now here-seem to be forgotten now when the simplest and easiest way, and the only easy way of avoiding a difficult revolutionary change has been adopted. If the experience of European pharmacopoeias be any indication, this method only needs a little application in practice to demonstrate its convenience, and, therefore, it will probably become as popular here as in Europe, because there are no people more ready to adopt practical improvements than those of this country, and none where slight prejudices and small difficulties sooner disappear, so that here of all nations the fittest of these methods will be sure to survive, and replace the other despite criticism. But premature adverse criticism, or that which is based on the small experience of two or three months in a few hands, still serves to delay and to prejudice a fair trial.

The formula of 1870 for this preparation is: "Take of Acetic Acid, a pint; Distilled Water, seven pints; mix them." This requires a pint graduate measure, which has so broad a surface that even with moderate care in holding it level and in filling, cannot easily be read to within one or two fluidrachms, and to get as close as this, some time, pains and skill are needed. The Acid, therefore,

is within one or two fluidrachms of being correct.

has to be measured seven times with the same average inaccuracy, while the time and care in measuring is multiplied by seven, and the preparation is only moderately accurate when made. Whether the graduated measure be an accurate one or not does not matter here, because the formula is really one part to seven by measure, so that the same measure being used for each part, it may be too large or too small without affecting the result-one of the advantages of parts by weight. As the common usage of this preparation does not always require a gallon to be made at a time, but oftener requires a two pint furniture bottle to be filled, then a calculation has to be made on the basis of one measure to seven, and one fluidounce of the Acid to seven fluidounces of water is measured, say in an eight ounce graduate measure, with a larger average inaccuracy in proportion as the quantity is smaller. Hence, as will be seen, this is a very favorable example of the old usage, because it is really an example of parts by measure, and is free from the confusion of inaccuracy of measures, and only subject to inaccuracy in measuring.

Now compare this with the method of parts by weight, and no matter whether it be the 2 ounce vial of the physician, the 2 pint bottle of the pharmacist, or the carboy of the druggist or manufacturer, the process is exactly the same, and no matter whether the operator has troy weights, avoirdupois weights or metric weights the process is the same. The vessel has simply to be tared, and then 17 grains, 17 half-ounces, 17 ounces, 17 pounds or 17 kilogrammes of the Acid is weighed into it, and then 83 grains, 83 half-ounces, 83 ounces, 83 pounds or 83 kilogrammes of water is added, and the preparation is made. The time, care and skill required are less and the result is more accurate.

Temperature, specific gravity of the liquids, contraction on mixing, and all the other disturbing conditions incident to measuring are out of the way in weighing, whilst to this writer, at least, the convenience of weighing is much greater. But the uniformity and accuracy of result overbalance all other considerations in general usage, where accuracy is so desirable as it is in a national standard for medicine and pharmacy. There are, perhaps, few who will not value this step of progress toward increased accuracy in medicine enough to give it a fair trial in practice and a little thoughtful consideration, and if this be conceded argument is unnecessary. Other advantages of the method will be alluded to as the instances which illustrate them are reached.

It is never found absolute, and perhaps rarely above 99 p. c., because when made absolute it attracts moisture from the air so rapidly that in the necessary handling and putting up it is liable to fall off two or three-tenths of a per cent. Therefore it is very properly limited to be not less than 99 p. c., and this strength is obtained with comparative ease, and can always be found in the market at a very moderate price proportioned to strength and purity. Formerly the best acid was imported from Germany, standing about 97 to 98 p. c., and costing $1.00 to $1.25 per pound. This answered the principal test of the German Pharmacopoeia,namely, that it would dissolve Oil of Lemon. But some of the acid made here now considerably exceeds the requirements of the German test, and is sold at about 60 to 65 cents. This acid stands the permanganate test better than the weaker acids, because in concentrating it by any good process it becomes nearly chemically pure. It should therefore stand all the tests of the Pharmacopoeia given under the head of the 36 p. c. acid, when most rigorously applied, and should stand the modification of the permanganate test for more than an hour. If a very fastidiously fine and pure 36 p. c. acid be required for any purpose, 1 lb. of this acid diluted with 12 lbs. of distilled water, will give 24 lbs. of the 36 p. c. acid for about 24 cents per pound, and the resulting acid will be both better and cheaper than the English Beaufoy's Acetic Acid, which is still occasionally imported.

The ordinary so-called "Glacial Acetic Acid " of the markets is not glacial at all, nor anywhere near it, and is always disappointing when applied to any uses where real Glacial Acid is. required. But it has been so long on the lists as glacial, and so much of it has been sold under this false name, that it has made for itself uses to which it may be applicable. As frequently examined by the writer during some years past, it is found to vary between 75 and 80 p. c., but is very rarely found above 76 or 77 p. c., and is generally of poor quality, and quoted at a disproportionately high price. It should not be called Glacial Acid of course, and should not be bought under this fiction. It is really "Concentrated Acetic Acid," and should be so called, but now it is a fraudulent deception, quite inexcusable in respectable dealers. An acid of good quality and with a uniform strength of 80 p. c. is easily to be had in the market under the proper name of "Concentrated Acetic Acid," for about 30 cents per pound, but of course there is but little sale for it in the presence of the so-called Glacial Acid at a higher price, although this latter acid is inferior in both quality and strength.

THE DISCUSSION ON MEDICAL ETHICS.

This discussion, so important to the general interests of the medical profession at large, has become so warm in this State that it may be useful to try to temper it a little by giving emphasis by repetition to some of the more dispassionate views of those who look upon us from without, and see us perhaps more nearly as we should see ourselves.

The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal of February 15th has an able leading editorial article, which, though widely known through the large circulation of that journal, will certainly do the more good the oftener it is repeated within reasonable limits. The Massachusetts State Medical Society had two able delegates present at the late meeting of the N. Y. State Society, and if they performed the duty of carrying home what they saw and heard, this editorial may possibly have been one of the results, as before that time the journal had been silent on the subject. The editorial is as follows:

THE MEETING OF THE NEW YORK STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY AND ITS

CODE OF ETHICS.

The New York State Medical Society, at its recent meeting, confirmed its action of last year with regard to the rejection of the Code of Ethics of the American Medical Association, and by a decisive vote refused to change the Provisional Code which it then adopted; a code which, under the name of the New York Code, has been generally discussed by the medical press, and almost without exception adversely. It will be remembered that it copies very closely the former Code, except that it encourages freedom in consultations, and makes up for it by being very stringent with

In making Diluted Acetic Acid care is needed that it be made from an acid of officinal strength. There is reason to believe that it is not uncommonly made from the so-called No. 8 acid, and then it will be so weak as to be unfit for all its uses.

1.0086 at 25° C. 77° F., 39.2° F.

When accurately made from strictly officinal Acid it contains a little more than 6 p. c. of absolute Acetic Acid, and 24 grammes of it require 24.5 c.c. of volumetric Solution of Soda for saturation. The strength is really very nearly 6.2 p. c. And the specific gravity is about 1.009 at 15°C 59° F., or both being compared with water at 4°C. This preparation is just the strength that very good vinegar should be, not only for all medicinal uses, but for all family uses as a most wholesome condiment. If 1 part of alcohol be added to about 256 parts of this Diluted Acetic Acid,-that is, about half a fluidounce to the gallon, and the mixture be set aside for a few weeks,—the longer the better,-enough acetic ether is generated to give it the full, clean aroma of fine vinegar, and then for table use it is very far superior to any vinegar made in the ordinary way by fermenting cider, and it is more wholesome because free from the decomposition products of the fermentation of rotten or bad fruit, and free from the animalculæ and other impurities always present in vinegar by fermentation. It may be colored, if desirable, by a little caramel, but is much nicer when colorless. This vinegar has been used for many years in the families of the writer and many friends, and the experience with it for family use is very favorable, while it is very cheap, costing not over 18 to 20c. a gallon. The popular prejudice in favor of cider, malt and wine vinegars, and against vinegar made from good Acetic Acid is a mistake of ignorance which is not unimportant, because the latter is so much more cleanly and wholesome.

The principal officinal uses of Diluted Acetic Acid are in making the Vinegars, and the Solution of Acetate of Ammonia, but it enters as a collateral ingredient into some other preparations.

Of all the acids, whether organic or inorganic, it is perhaps the most acceptable to the palate and the stomach, and skillfully used in prescriptions it does much to improve their taste and acceptability, while it is entirely wholesome and generally beneficial. It is always decomposed in the organism, and its elements are utilized in their secondary or resultant combinations, and not as an acid. Therefore, although taken into the organism as an acid, whether free or combined with a base, it does not remain an acid, and is not elimi