The importance of exact chemical analysis in a great variety of cases which come before the courts is now fully recognized, and the translation of this excellent little book on Legal Chemistry, by one of the most distinguished French Chemists, will be appreciated by a large class of American readers who are not able to consult the original. While it is to be regretted that the author has not presented a much more complete work, there is an advantage in the compact form of this treatise which compensates, in some degree, for its brevity.
The translator has greatly increased the value of the book by a few additions and his copious index, and especially by the lists of works and memoirs which he has appended; and while he could have further increased its value by additions from other authors, we recognize the weight of the considerations which induced him to present it in the form given to it by the author. Some chapters will have very little value in this country at this day, but the translator could not, with propriety, omit anything contained in the original.
C. F. Chandler.
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.
The principal change to note in this edition of the Legal Chemistry is the addition of a chapter on Tea and its Adulteration. The general interest at present evinced concerning this species of sophistication appeared to call for a simple and concise method of examination which would include the requisite tests without entering upon an exhaustive treatment of the subject. The translator's practical experience in the testing of tea at the United States Laboratory of this city has enabled him to make a few suggestions in this regard which, he trusts, may be of use to those interested in food-analysis. Numerous additions have also been made to the bibliographical appendix.
J. P. B.
[CONTENTS.]
| PAGE | |
|---|---|
| Introduction | [5] |
| [Methods of Destruction of the Organic Substances] | |
| By means of Nitric Acid | [8] |
| " " Sulphuric Acid | [9] |
| " " Nitrate of Potassa | [10] |
| " " Potassa and Nitrate of Lime | [12] |
| " " Potassa and Nitric Acid | [12] |
| " " Chlorate of Potassa | [13] |
| " " Chlorine | [13] |
| " " Aqua Regia | [14] |
| Dialysis | [15] |
| [Detection of Poisons, the presence of which is suspected.] | |
| Detection of Arsenic | [17] |
| Method used prior to Marsh's test | [17] |
| Marsh's test | [21] |
| Raspail's test | [29] |
| Reinsch's test | [30] |
| Detection of Antimony | [30] |
| Flandin and Danger's apparatus | [32] |
| Naquet's apparatus | [34] |
| Detection of Mercury | [36] |
| Smithson's pile | [36] |
| Flandin and Danger's apparatus | [37] |
| Detection of Phosphorus | [39] |
| Orfila's method | [39] |
| Mistcherlich's method | [40] |
| Dusart's method, as modified by Blondlot | [40] |
| Fresenius and Neubauer's method | [42] |
| Detection of Phosphorus by means of bisulphide of carbon | [43] |
| Detection of Phosphorous Acid | [45] |
| Estimation of Phosphorus | [45] |
| Detection of Acids | [46] |
| Hydrochloric Acid | [46] |
| Nitric " | [47] |
| Sulphuric Acid | 4[7] |
| Phosphoric " | [48] |
| Oxalic " | [49] |
| Acetic " | [49] |
| Hydrocyanic " | [50] |
| Detection of alkalies and alkaline earths | [52] |
| Detection of chlorine, bromine and iodine | [54] |
| Chlorine and Bleaching Chlorides | [54] |
| Bromine | [55] |
| Iodine | [56] |
| Detection of Metals | [56] |
| Detection of alkaloids and some ill-defined organic substances | [65] |
| Stas's method | [65] |
| " " as modified by Otto | [69] |
| " " " " Uslar and Erdman | [70] |
| Rodgers and Girdwood's method | [71] |
| Prollius's method | [72] |
| Graham and Hofman's method | [73] |
| Application of Dialysis in the detection of Alkaloids | [74] |
| Identification of the Alkaloid | [74] |
| Identification of Digitaline, Picrotoxine and Colchicine | [80] |
| [Method to be employed when no clew to the nature of the Poison present can be obtained] | [85] |
| Indicative tests | [86] |
| Determinative tests | [94] |
| [Miscellaneous Examinations] | [96] |
| Determination of the nature and color of the hair and beard | [96] |
| Determination of the color of the hair and beard | [96] |
| Determination of the nature of the hair | [99] |
| Examination of Fire-arms | [100] |
| The gun is provided with a flint-lock and was charged with ordinary powder | [100] |
| The gun is not provided with a flint-lock | [103] |
| Detection of human remains in the ashes of a fire-place | [104] |
| Examination of writings | [105] |
| Examination of writings, in cases where a sympathetic ink has been used | [110] |
| Falsification of coins and alloys | [112] |
| Examination of alimentary and pharmaceutical substances | [114] |
| Flour and Bread | [114] |
| Fixed Oils | [128] |
| a Olive Oil intended for table use | [128] |
| b Olive Oil intended for manufacturing purposes | [130] |
| c Hempseed Oil | [130] |
| Tea | [130] |
| Milk | [137] |
| Wine | [142] |
| Vinegar | [147] |
| Sulphate of Quinine | [148] |
| Examination of blood stains | [150] |
| Examination of spermatic stains | [158] |
| Appendix | [163] |
| Books of Toxicology, etc. | [163] |
| Memoirs on Toxicology, etc. | [168] |
| Index | [187] |
LEGAL CHEMISTRY.