CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF NIM OR MARGOSA OIL. BY K. K. CHATTEEJI, f.r.c.s.t., Surgeon and Dermatologist, Campbell Hospital, Calcutta ; AND R. N. SEN. M.A., M.SC. F.C.S., Projessoi- oj Chemistry, Premlency College, Calcutta. [Received for publication, July 0, 1920.] In the Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. I, ))y Dyniock, Warden and Hooper, it is stated that Nim oil contains : — (1) A small quantity of a natural resin containing sulphur and possessing a very bitter taste and also a marked odour resembling that of the oil, the total unsaponifiable matter amounting to 1 "60 per cent ; (2) A small quantity of a substance with the properties of an alkaloid ; (3) Small quantities of two other resins with marked acid properties ; (4) Glycerides of fatty acids — the soluble fatty acids amounting to 3'519 per cent, the insoluble amounting to 89 128 per cent ; butyric acid and a trace of valeric acid being detected as volatile acids. The same authors also mention that the neutralisation value of the mixed insoluble fatty acids was found to be 1388 m. grams NaOH or 1 94*32 m. grams KOH, })ut no attempt at separating the insoluble fatty acids was made (Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. I). ( 356 )
