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To Test the Purity of Musk

presence of organic matter. In time of epi- Musk is often largely adulterated with dried blood, the presence of which may be detected by the inferiority of the odor; by an assay for the iron contained in the blood; or by microscopic examination. The ashes left after burning pure musk are neither red nor yellow, but grey, and should not exceed 6 per cent. of the amount burned. demics, such as cholera or dysentery, this test might be of much value in singling out the contaminated from the pure water. It is, perhaps, well also to recall the fact that this test forms the readiest means of purifying foul water. 4396. Trommer's Test for the Presence of Sugar in Urine. Put some of the

4391. To Test the Purity of Amber- suspected urine into a large test-tube, and gris. From the high price of the genuine add a few drops of solution of sulphate of ambergris, it is very frequently adulterated. copper, then sufficient solution of potash to When quite pure and of the best quality it is render it strongly alkaline. If sugar be presnearly wholly soluble in hot alcohol and ent, the precipitated oxide redissolves into a ether, and yields about 85 per cent. of the blue liquid, and on boiling red oxide of copper odorous principle (ambreine). It is also is precipitated. White merino that has been easily punctured with a heated needle, and on wet with a solution of bichloride of tin is said withdrawing it not only should the odor be to form a ready test for sugar in urine, &c. immediately evolved, but the needle should A portion wet with the suspected liquor, and come out clean, without anything adhering to it. exposed to 260° to 300° of heat, becomes blackened if sugar is present. 4397. Quantitative Test for Sugar in Urine. Dissolve 400 grains pure crystallized sulphate of copper in 1600 grains of distilled

4392. Το Test Diamonds. If you have a doubtful stone, put it into a leaden or platinum cup, with some powdered fluor-spar and a little oil of vitriol; warm the vessel water; add this gradually to a solution of over some lighted charcoal, in a fireplace, or 1600 grains neutral tartrate of potash in a wherever there is a strong draught to carry away the noxious vapors that will be copiously evolved. When these vapors have ceased rising let the whole cool, and then stir the mixture with a glass rod to fish out the diamond. If you find it intact it is a genuine stone; but if it is false it will be corroded by the hydrofluoric acid that has been generated around it. A small paste diamond would disappear altogether under the treatment. This little water mixed with 6000 or 7000 grains solution of caustic soda of 1.12 specific gravity. Add water to make up the whole 11,544 grain measures. 1000 grain measures are equivalent to 5 grains of grape sugar.

4398. Pettenkofer's Test for Bile in Urine, &c. Put a small quantity of the suspected liquid into a test-tube, and add to it, drop by drop, strong sulphuric acid till it becomes warm, taking care not to raise the test is given by Massimo Levi, an Italian temperature above 122° Fahr. Then add chemist.