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Use of catalysts in the kjeldahl method for the quantitative determination of nitrogen
AD’., 1933.1
CURRENT TOPICS.
503
Pharmacology of Phenol Esters (‘Ginger Paralysis.“--Early in 1930, a number of cases of so-called “ginger paralysis” occurred in many sections of the United States. The poisoning was ascribed to the action of triorthocresyl phosphate which had been used as an adulterant of the fluid extract of ginger ingested by the victims. MAURICE I. SMITH, E. W. ENGEL, AND E. F. STOHLMAN(Nut. Inst. Zealth Bul. No. 160, 1-53, 1932) have made an extensive study of the pharmacology of twelve esters derived from various phenols. Of these esters, only three (triphenyl phosphate, triorthocresyl phosphate, and triorthocresyl phosphite) possessed specific neurotoxic properties, i.e. had a selective action more or less limited to certain well-defined physiological units of the nervous system, in which they produced degenerative changes. After a latent period, these changes became manifest in the form of characteristic sequelae. A detailed description of the minute changes produced by these poisons in the nerve cells and the nerve tracts is given by R. D. LILLIE AND MAURICE I. SMITH (Nut. Inst. IJeuZth Bul. No. 160, 54-62, 1932). J. S. H. Iodine in Phosphate Rock.-W. L. HILL ANDK. D. JACOB (Jour. Asso. Ofi. Agri. Chew.., 1933, XVI, 128-137) have determined the iodine content of 40 samples of natural phosphates from various deposits in the United States and abroad. The iodine content, expressed in parts per million, ranged between 0.8 and 130. These rocks have a considerably higher iodine content than other rocks. Phosphates deposited during the Tertiary period are richest in iodine. J. S. H. Use of Catalysts in the Kjeldahl Method for the Quantitative Determination of Nitrogen.-The Kjeldahl method for the determination of nitrogen is used extensively by agricultural, biological, and industrial chemists. Various catalysts have been used in this method ; and R. A. OSBORN ANDALEXANDER KRASNITZ (Jour. Asso. Ofjl. Agri. Chem., 1933, XVI, I IO-I 13) have made a comparative study of certain of these catalysts: Selenium, selenium oxychloride, mercuric oxide, and cupric sulphate. They find that selenium or its oxychloride has a slight advantage over cupric sulphate, but no advantage over mercuric oxide. Percipitated selenium is more suitable and more economical than its oxychloride. A combination of selenium with either uric sulphate or mercuric oxide, preferably the latter, has a great advantage over any of these catalysts used alone. J. S. H.
CURRENT TOPICS.
503
Pharmacology of Phenol Esters (‘Ginger Paralysis.“--Early in 1930, a number of cases of so-called “ginger paralysis” occurred in many sections of the United States. The poisoning was ascribed to the action of triorthocresyl phosphate which had been used as an adulterant of the fluid extract of ginger ingested by the victims. MAURICE I. SMITH, E. W. ENGEL, AND E. F. STOHLMAN(Nut. Inst. Zealth Bul. No. 160, 1-53, 1932) have made an extensive study of the pharmacology of twelve esters derived from various phenols. Of these esters, only three (triphenyl phosphate, triorthocresyl phosphate, and triorthocresyl phosphite) possessed specific neurotoxic properties, i.e. had a selective action more or less limited to certain well-defined physiological units of the nervous system, in which they produced degenerative changes. After a latent period, these changes became manifest in the form of characteristic sequelae. A detailed description of the minute changes produced by these poisons in the nerve cells and the nerve tracts is given by R. D. LILLIE AND MAURICE I. SMITH (Nut. Inst. IJeuZth Bul. No. 160, 54-62, 1932). J. S. H. Iodine in Phosphate Rock.-W. L. HILL ANDK. D. JACOB (Jour. Asso. Ofi. Agri. Chew.., 1933, XVI, 128-137) have determined the iodine content of 40 samples of natural phosphates from various deposits in the United States and abroad. The iodine content, expressed in parts per million, ranged between 0.8 and 130. These rocks have a considerably higher iodine content than other rocks. Phosphates deposited during the Tertiary period are richest in iodine. J. S. H. Use of Catalysts in the Kjeldahl Method for the Quantitative Determination of Nitrogen.-The Kjeldahl method for the determination of nitrogen is used extensively by agricultural, biological, and industrial chemists. Various catalysts have been used in this method ; and R. A. OSBORN ANDALEXANDER KRASNITZ (Jour. Asso. Ofjl. Agri. Chem., 1933, XVI, I IO-I 13) have made a comparative study of certain of these catalysts: Selenium, selenium oxychloride, mercuric oxide, and cupric sulphate. They find that selenium or its oxychloride has a slight advantage over cupric sulphate, but no advantage over mercuric oxide. Percipitated selenium is more suitable and more economical than its oxychloride. A combination of selenium with either uric sulphate or mercuric oxide, preferably the latter, has a great advantage over any of these catalysts used alone. J. S. H.