This process is somewhat complex and troublesome, and requires knowledge and skill; and, worse than all, requires that a stock of weak percolate of different densities be carried from one making to the next for each fluid extract. But, as it appears to be absolutely the only means of accomplishing the end well and properly, there is no choice between it and those means which give results too imperfect for the present state of pharmacy. (To be continued.) · GLYCERINE; ITS QUALITY AS IT EXISTS IN BY JOSEPH P. REMINGTON, PHILADELPHIA. and the moistened powder put through a sieve of about percolation, or percolating fresh portions of the drug twelve meshes to the inch before the packing. The with percolate from previous portions, until the normal packing and percolating was then done with all the care difference in weight between equal volumes of the menand skill which the writer's experience could suggest, so struum and percolate is attained. that the results are considered to be much better than an average practice would give. Each pint of percolate was weighed in a flask marked in the narrow part of the neck, and the menstruum at the same temperature was weighed in the same flask, and the difference in weight set down in the column under that heading. The same powder, managed in the same way, was percolated at once; and another portion, after macerating four days, with no practical difference in result; whilst a maceration of twenty-four hours after the third or fourth pint of percolate had passed, would always increase the difference somewhat, and would often increase them much. Changes of temperature, also, by changing the solvent power of the menstruum, caused the differences to rise and fall somewhat, coincident with changes of weather. A simple inspection of the proportion of the extract contained in the first pint of each percolate will probably expose the fallacy that any amount of expert skill and management could ever make that pint represent the whole efficacy of the drug. In percolating the powder of good aconite root by a very slow and careful percolation, the characteristic numbing impression upon the tongue was distinctly though faintly perceptible by the application of a few drops from the thirteenth pint. The bitterness of cinchona was perceptible in the seventeenth pint; but neither the taste nor odour of wild cherry bark were perceptible in the sixteenth pint, though the amount of extract contained was large. Ergot was necessarily percolated in coarse powder (No. 60), and was easily and rapidly exhausted; but the dried residue powdered finer gave a notable proportion of extract, which, for want of time, was not determined. Not so with lupulin, however, which, percolated in its natural condition of coarse powder, left a light residue, from which no ordinary management could extract anything more. The percolation of lupulin was very regular and uniform, and maceration at any stage of the process had no perceptible effect. Effective percolations of dandelion-root are very slow, and therefore very perfect; and like those of sarsaparilla, often become slower as they approach completion. The great difference in the rate of exhaustion in the examples given in the table indicates that no general rule of limit can be adopted, but that each substance must be studied by itself. From results given in a previous paper, the solid extract obtained by percolation from some drugs, and probably from all, is not of uniform. medicinal value as found in different parts of the percolate, but becomes weaker towards the end. When this ceases to be of practical value, or, in other words, where the percolation should terminate, was not determined. Among the examples given it will be seen that if the Pharmacopoeia used fine powder and slow percolation, it would, in the case of dandelion, obtain 86 per cent. of the total extract; and it is probable that this is somewhere near or beyond the limit of practical utility. If so, it might be directed that fluid extracts as a class of preparations should not contain less than 80 per cent. of the total solid extract which the drugs were capable of yielding to the given menstruum; and the limit of percolation necessary to obtain this is shown by one of the lines of the table. But where this 80 per cent. of the solid extract has been obtained, it is not within the compass of a pint, but is contained in a number of pints, never less than 24 nor more than 11. To get these various large quantities within the measure of a pint each without the use of heat, and with the least loss of menstruum, is the next and great requisite, without which they are not fluid extracts. To accomplish this, there appears to be no choice of means. There is one way, and only one way, known to the writer by which it may be done, and that is by re It continues to widen its sphere of usefulness; we hear of new applications constantly; and its bland manners and insinuating disposition have won for it a host of friends, and an ever-increasing popularity. It serves its mission as faithfully on the dressing-table of a lady as it does in our gas meters; as well as an excipient for pill masses as it does as a substitute for molasses in printers' rollers, and its range of applications between these extremes is varied and extensive. Its production, with a view to improve the quality and lower the price, has been attended with success, as we all know. A glycerine which will answer almost every purpose (except for internal administration), can be procured for twenty-five cents per pound; and one fit for any purpose for sixty cents per pound. One of the principal reasons for bringing this matter forward, is to detail a comparative examination of the different brands in the market, which examination was at first undertaken for the writer's own satisfaction, but which may prove not uninteresting to the Association. Each glycerine was tested by the same reagent, in the dozen vaginal moulds, purchase a tin pan about 7 or 8 same relative quantity, at the same time; and the effect carefully noted. The glycerines, as they stood in their commercial attire before the examination, presented quite a contrast; the most pretentious was one of the latest comers into the market, No. 6; which, from the size of the bottle, would lead to the supposition that it contained more than a pound. This glycerine has attracted attention by reason of the free use of adjectives on the label, and on account of a vigorous attack on the propriety of using adjectives by the editor of a trade journal. No. 5 is put up in a very attractive style, the blue stencilled label and the refractive property of the glycerine contrast to very good advantage. The American glycerines were in a plainer and neater dress, Nos. 1, 2 and 3 being put up in the usual glycerine bottle with a plain label. The result will be found in the foregoing table.Proceed, of American Pharm. Assoc., 1870. SUPPOSITORIES. AN INAUGURAL ESSAY, BY F. M. GOODMAN. The etymology of the word suppository conveys at once an idea of the use of the class of pharmacal preparations to which it is applied. It is derived from suppositorius -"underneath"; called also hypotheton, from hypo "under," and tithemi, "to place;" and sometimes balanus (balanos), an "acorn," in reference to the shape, that of a sphere or an oblong body; these were intended for rectal use only. As it became evident that medicines applied to the mucous membranes of the vagina or rectum had the same systemic effect as when taken into the stomach, and that, being so applied, they were less repulsive to the patient, advantage was soon taken of this form of administration. It then became necessary to distinguish between rectal and vaginal suppositories, consequently the former were called suppositorium, and the latter suppositorium uterinum, which were the medicated pessaries of the ancients, and are still frequently prescribed as pessaries; in fact, medicines applied to any of the mucous membranes were called suppositories-what is now termed a lozenge or troche, was formerly known as a suppository, or bacilla, the latter signifying "a stick." From this method of treatment arose the custom, though not as yet very prevalent, of applying medicines in the solid form to the urethra, in the treatment of urethritis, etc. It is only within the last decade that this method of medication has reached a state approaching to perfection, but it is now such an important feature that it is almost of daily occurrence to dispense suppositories, though we have no officinal directions for their preparation. To those unaccustomed to dispensing suppositories, their preparation often proves a difficult task, but by experience one may become so expert as to make a dozen within fifteen or twenty minutes, so that a patient is not called upon to wait longer for suppositories than for a dozen pills or powders. MOULDS.-These are in great variety, but the most common are conical-shaped, and made of block tin; they are of two sizes, the vaginal and rectal; the former making a suppository weighing 2 drachms, and the latter one of 35 grains. It is customary for pharmacists to have these two sizes, but if an intermediate size were furnished, such as would mould suppositories weighing 1 drachm each, the latter size would satisfy the majority of physicians better than those now dispensed. It is complained that the large are too large, and the small are too small, but if of the size above indicated, they could be used as vaginal or rectal, in most cases. In using these moulds a tray is necessary, which may be constructed in the following simple manner: For one inches in diameter and 4 inches in depth; have a sheet of tin cut to fit the pan about half an inch from the top, perforate the tin with holes sufficiently large to allow of the ready admission and removal of the moulds; of course, the rectal moulds will require a smaller pan, or the same pan and a sheet of tin with smaller holes. If the inside of these moulds be examined, there will be observed a great number of annulations made by the instrument used in turning the model from which they were cast, but by polishing, these rings may be worn off, when the inside becomes very smooth. It is on this account that suppositories are best made in old moulds. A very nice mould, called Weigand's, invented by Mr. T. S. Weigand, of Philadelphia, is made on the principle of the ordinary bullet mould: two parallel bars of brass, with the proper cavities in each, are hinged at one extremity, and have handles at the other; these moulds, when in use, are kept closed by slipping a ring, made for the purpose, over the handles. They are made for six, nine, or twelve suppositories, which weigh about 40 grains each. It has been asserted that these moulds are worthless, cracking the suppository in two, when opened, even when lycopodium, arrowroot, or other substance has been used to prevent adhesion. The writer has used these moulds a great deal, and has found the only and a sure way of making a perfect suppository is to have the moulds thoroughly refrigerated, and their surfaces well polished; when the latter requisite is once attained, it can be easily preserved by rubbing whiting with a piece of chamois skin into the moulds each time, before putting them away, and wiping with the chamois before using. Wiegand's moulds may be refrigerated very perfectly without the use of ice, in the following manner:-Close them, and place the handles in the spout of a hydrant, allowing the orifices of the moulds to be downward; place a box in the sink on which to rest the lower end, and set the water running gently over the moulds, before beginning to melt the ingredients; when wanted, wipe them quickly and fill; then set them into a shallow vessel containing water, and when a pellicle has formed on the surface of each suppository, replace the moulds under the hydrant. Some object to this method, saying that the water in passing over the suppositories dissolves out some of their soluble ingredients; but this cannot be considered an objection, for the moulds are very seldom or never filled exactly full, but a little too much is poured into each; and when they are cold enough to be removed, the superfluous material is scraped or trimmed off with a spatula, before the opening of the moulds. In doing this, the portion that has been exposed to the influence of the water is removed. Moulds are also made of paper, by having a piece of wood about six inches long, one end of which is formed into the shape of a suppository, which must be perfectly conical, and not like the ordinary suppository, which is more or less rounded at the apex; for if it be rounded in the least, it is impossible to wrap the stiff paper around it so as to make a neat-looking mould. The paper for this purpose may be thick writing-paper; tinfoil is also sometimes used, and answers the purpose very well. When in use, these moulds are held in an upright position by placing them in round holes bored through a thin board, or by standing in a vessel filled with flax-seed, or other suitable substance. The urethral mould, or syringe, as it is commonly called, is simply a glass or hard rubber tube, three or four inches in length, having a piston fitted to it. The calibre of these moulds is sufficiently large to make a suppository about an eighth or three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter, which is to be an inch and a half or two inches long, and to weigh from 7 to 14 grains. In using these moulds, two lengths are moulded at once, and the piece in then cut in the centre. An ordinary funnel-tube answers the purpose of a mould admirably, for if such a tube be used, say twelve inches long, it can that base, and the presence of water accelerates the debe graduated by scratching with a file, into two-inch composition of fats, inasmuch as it supplies all that is spaces. necessary-in connection with the absorption of oxygen In the suppository syringe the piston is a rod of glass, to form a hydrate of the oxide of the radical glyceryle, with cotton wrapped around it at about half an inch from C6H5O3 + 3HO, or glycerine, with the elimination of the end, and this uncovered portion of the rod disfigures fatty acids. The fluids thus set free, separate from the the end of the suppository when any pressure is used in concrete matter, and as a consequence rancid fats have expelling it. For this reason the funnel-tube is prefer- the appearance of a mixture of a solid granular substance able, for the piston being of wood can be cut, and wrapped and a fluid. These fatty acids produce the irritating close to the end, which may be made of the same dia- properties possessed by rancid fats. meter as the suppository, so as not to mar it. VEHICLE.-That recommended by the British Pharmacopoeia is composed of equal parts of prepared lard and white wax, but this is a very poor vehicle; among the objections to it is, that pharmacists very seldom or verer render or prepare lard for their own use, and consequently rely upon the integrity of the packers, or butchers; now it is well known that commercial lard is impure-that the renderers frequently stir in water, and occasionally a solution of sulphate of copper or of alum, salt, etc., to whiten it; of course the lard is thereby rendered unfit for pharmacal uses. The vehicle of the B.P. is objectionable also as regards its melting-point, which is 104° F. (40° C.), or much above the temperature of the human body. The substance most usually employed for the purpose in the United States, is a mixture of cocoa butter and spermaceti, in the proportion of four-fifths of the former to one-fifth of the latter, in summer, and five-sixths to onesixth in winter; the above proportions will answer also for cocoa butter and white wax. These mixtures become soft at 79° F. (26-1° C.), and 82° F. (27.7° C.), respectively, and consequently readily melt at the temperature of the body, in this respect answering an essential requirement of suitable vehicles, and as such they are generally employed. In former times soap was frequently employed for suppositories, but is seldom used at present. (To be continued.) DUST AND SMOKE. (Continued from page 5.) Let me now state in two sentences the grounds relied upon by the supporters of the germ-theory of contagion. From their respective viruses you may plant typhoid fever, scarlatina, or smallpox. What is the crop that arises from this husbandry? As surely as a thistle rises from a thistle seed, as surely as the fig comes from the fig, the grape from the grape, the thorn from the thorn, so surely does the typhoid virus increase and multiply into typhoid fever, the scarlatina virus into scarlatina, the small-pox virus into small-pox. What is the conclusion that suggests itself here? It is this:-That the thing which we vaguely call a virus is to all intents and purposes a seed; that in the whole range of chemical science you cannot point to an action which illustrates this perfect parallelism with the phenomena of life-this demonstrated power of self-multiplication and reproduction. There is, therefore, no hypothesis to account for the phenomena but that which refers them to parasitic life. But why should these substances be used when in sevum or suet we have a material that answers all the And here you see the bearing of the doctrine of Sponrequirements of a good vehicle? Suet has about the taneous Generation upon the question. For if the docsame softening-point, 80° F. (27·6° C.), and is doubtless trine continues to be discredited as it has hitherto been, superior to the above mixtures in this: that it sets or it will follow that the epidemics which spread havoc cools much more readily. This constitutes quite an ad- amongst us from time to time are not spontaneously vantage, while the expense of the material is only about generated, but that they arise from an ancestral stock one-sixth that of the former. To prepare it, take the whose habitat is the human body itself. It is not on bad kidney suet of Ovis Aries, and purify as directed in the air or foul drains that the attention of the physician will Dispensatory, by cutting into small pieces and melting primarily be fixed, but upon diseased germs which no over a moderate heat, and straining through linen. Ac- bad air or foul drains can create, but which may be cording to the Dispensatory, suet is inodorous, but prac-pushed by foul air into virulent energy of reproduction. tically it is never free from an odour, which is rather You may think I am treading on dangerous ground, disagreeable, but which may be overcome by the addition that I am putting forth views that may interfere with of a small quantity of an essential oil to the cooling mass. salutary practice. No such thing. If you wish to learn For this purpose I use a mixture of the oils of lavender the impotence of medical science and practice in dealing and sassafras in equal parts; about two or four minims with contagious diseases, you have only to refer to a to the troy ounce is sufficient. This addition not only destroys the odour, but acts as a preservative, and prevents the suet from becoming rancid as soon as it otherwise would; a solution of benzoin is also very good for this purpose. After the oils or benzoin have been added, the melted fat should be poured into cold, shallow vessels, such as the covers of earthenware jars, in order to get it in sheets resembling white wax. Prepared in this manner it will keep a considerable length of time-usually as long as is required,—and the stock can at any time be renewed. recent Harveian oration by Dr. Gull. Such diseases defy the physician. They must burn themselves out. And, indeed, this, though I do not specially insist upon it, would favour the idea of their vital origin. For if the seeds of contagious disease be themselves living things, it will be difficult to destroy either them or their progeny without involving their living habitat in the same destruction. And I would also ask you to be cautious in accepting the statement which has been so often made, and which is sure to be repeated, that I am quitting my own métier Suet is capable of absorbing about 1 fluid drachm of when I speak of these things. I am not dealing with water to the troy ounce, so that it is easy to combine professional questions. I am writing no prescription, with it a concentrated mucilage of elm (which also acts nor should I venture to draw any conclusion from the as a preservative), or an aqueous solution of an extract, condition of your pulse and tongue. I am dealing with or of salts of various kinds. Some object to adding water a question on which minds accustomed to weigh the to suppositories, as it promotes rancidity, but this is not a very serious objection, for finished suppositories are not required to be long kept. Water has the same effect apon cocoa butter as upon suet or lard. These bodies if exposed to the air absorb oxygen, and become quite acid; the fatty acids are naturally in combination with gly ceryle, but they will not combine with the hydrate of value of experimental evidence are alone competent to decide, and regarding which, in its present condition, minds so trained are as capable of forming an opinion as on the phenomena of magnetism and radiant heat. I cannot better conclude this portion of my story than by reading to you an extract from a letter addressed to me some time ago by Dr. William Budd, of Clifton, to whose insight and energy the town of Bristol owes so much in the way of sanitary improvement. "As to the germ theory itself," writes Dr. Budd, "that is a matter on which I have long since made up my mind. From the day when I first began to think of these subjects, I have never had a doubt that the specific cause of contagious fevers must be living organisms. "It is impossible, in fact, to make any statement bearing upon the essence or distinctive characters of these fevers, without using terms which are of all others the most distinctive of life. Take up the writings of the most violent opponent of tho germ theory, and, ten to one, you will find them full of such terms as 'propagation,' self-propagation,' 'reproduction,' self-multiplication,' and so on. Try as he may-if he has anything to say of those diseases which is characteristic of them-he cannot evade the use of these terms, or the exact equivalents to them. While perfectly applicable to living: things, these terms express qualities which are not only inapplicable to common chemical agents, but as far as I can see actually inconceivable of them." respirator invented by Mr. Carrick, an hotel-keeper at IMPROVED DOVER'S POWDER. BY B. D. KEATOR, M.D. Out of Dover's, Tully's and Brinsmade's powders I have compounded a fourth, which I believe contains the excellences of all. There is 1 gr. of ipecacuanha, and one-sixth gr. sulph. morphia (equal to 1 gr. opium) to every 10 grs. of the mixture. The camphor adds much to it as an anodyne; the chalk is anti-acid, and necessary to hold the camphor in pulverized form; and the liquo rice, besides disguising the taste of the rest, is of itself useful as a demulcent, expectorant, etc. I can contidently recommend this to my brethren of the profession who choose to give it a trial, as superior to the old Dover's powder in every respect. Once then, established within the body, this evil form A very convenient and useful compound is Dover's of life, if you will allow me to call it so, must run its Powder; but, unfortunately, a very nauseous one. I have course. Medicine as yet is powerless to arrest its pro- for several years past had it under consideration, making gress, and the great point to be aimed at is to prevent various changes in its composition; but until recently its access to the body. It was with this thought in my with poor success. The diaphoretic powder of Dr. mind that I ventured to recommend, more than a year Tully, and also that lately recommended by Dr. Brinsago, the use of cotton-wool respirators in infectious made, I have found on trial to be good anodynes, but far places. I would here repeat my belief in their efficacy inferior in diaphoretic effect to the old Dover. The if properly constructed. But I do not wish to prejudice ipecacuanha cannot be dispensed with, but I think the the use of these respirators in the minds of its opponents opium and sulphate of potash (the main nauseants) can by connecting them indissolubly with the germ theory. be replaced with better ingredients. Ipecacuanha, in doses There are too many trades in England where life is under half a grain is anti-emetic, and "not guilty" in shortened and rendered miserable by the introduction of the nauseous taste of Dover. matters into the lungs which might be kept out of them. Dr. Greenhow has shown the stony grit deposited in the lungs of stonecutters. The black lung of colliers is another case in point. In fact, a hundred obvious cases might be cited, and others that are not obvious might be added to them. We should not, for example, think that printing implied labours where the use of cotton-wool respirators might come into play; but I am told that the dust arising from the sorting of the type is very destructive of health. I went some time ago into a manufactory in one of our large towns, where iron vessels are enamelled by coating them with a mineral powder, and subjecting them to a heat sufficient to fuse the powder. The organization of the establishment was excellent, and one thing only was needed to make it faultless. In a large room a number of women were engaged covering the vessels. The air was laden with the fine dust, and their faces appeared as white and bloodless as the powder with which they worked. By the use of cotton-wool respirators these women might be caused to breathe air more free-Pharmacist, from Tolono, Ill., Medical Gazette. from suspended matters than that of the open street. Over a year ago I was written to by a Lancashire seedsman, who stated that during the seed season of each year his men suffered horribly from irritation and fever, so that many of them left his service. He asked me could I help him, and I gave him my advice. At the conclusion of the season this year he wrote to me that he had simply folded a little cotton-wool in muslin, and tied it in front of the mouth; that he had passed through the season in comfort and without a single complaint from one of his men. The substance has also been turned to other uses. An invalid tells me that at night he places a little of the wool before his mouth, slightly moistening it to make it adhere; that he has thereby prolonged his sleep, abated the irritation of his throat, and greatly mitigated a hacking cough from which he had long suffered. In fact, there is no doubt that this substance is capable of manifold useful applications. An objection was urged against the use of it: that it became wet and heated by the breath. While I was casting about for a remedy for this, a friend forwarded to me from Newcastle a form of B Sulph. Morphiæ gr. x Ipecacuan. 3j Creta Præparat. 3iij Thoroughly mix. Dose same as Dover (in water). Silver.-Mr. Ernest Hart, in a recent number of the Milk an Antidote to Poisoning by Nitrate of British Medical Journal, relates that while house-surgeon at St. Mark's Hospital, a piece of nitrate of silver, with which he was painting the fauces of a child, broke, and the larger part of the caustic stick was swallowed. He produced immediate vomiting by forcing his fingers on to the gullet, and having obtained a large supply of out again. The child had dysenteric symptoms during milk, pumped several pints into the child's stomach and the next three days and occasional vomiting, but was kept on milk diet and recovered. Milk acts as an antidote to nitrate of silver in virtue of its large proportion of suspended albumen. Mr. Hart uses it in lieu of salt and water for neutralizing the excessive effects of even the mitigated caustic, when employing it locally on the mucous membrane of the eyelids. Mr. Ladd, of Beak Street, sells these respirators. The Pharmaceutical Journal. SATURDAY, JULY 8, 1871. In a subsequent number, also, the same paper speaks of the above-mentioned fatal case of poisoning as being “but another instance of the abominable way poisons are stored in apothecaries' shops." Numerous correspondents in this Journal have pointed to the same fact; and certainly the evidence given by" Mr. Communications for this Journal, and books for review, etc., JOHN LEVYGILL, the apothecary at the dispensary," should be addressed to the EDITOR, 17, Bloomsbury Square. seems to afford ample ground for the remark, and Instructions from Members and Associates respecting the for the opinion that in medical Dispensaries the postransmission of the Journal should be sent to ELIAS BREM-sible substitution of poison for physic is neither RIDGE, Secretary, 17, Bloomsbury Square, W.C. Advertisements to Messrs. CHURCHILL, New Burlington Street, London, W. Envelopes indorsed "Pharm. Journ." ACCIDENTAL POISONING. THE cases reported in the present and preceding numbers of this Journal opportunely illustrate some of the sources of danger attending the keeping and dispensing of poisons. These cases are also of special interest while this Society is engaged in opposing "the regulation of pharmacy" which is proposed in shape of the Pharmacy Act Amendment Bill now before the House of Commons. efficiently provided against nor regarded with sufficient seriousness. It is probably from a sense of these deficiencies that the Parliamentary Committee of the British Medical Association in considering the Pharmacy Act Amendment Bill, resolved for the carrying out the regulation for keeping, dispens"That it is desirable that provision should be made ing and selling poisons, and that for this purpose a clause should be introduced providing inspectors to ascertain that they are carried out." We understand that the view we have here put forward is favourably entertained by the Privy Council, and that Mr. FORSTER is now disposed to introduce into the Bill amendments that would give it the more extended application to all dispensers of trated by the case referred to is the caution evidenced, as regards the sale of a dangerous drug, by a pharmaceutical chemist in the other fatal case of poisoning reported this week. It would perhaps be difficult to have done anything more for "public safety" than was done in that case, for the too frequent practice of amateur doctoring is a source of danger that would override even the most stringent compulsory regulations. In the first place, the death of the two children from the effects of a poisonous dose of opium administered by mistake, affords striking support to the argument that regulations as to the keeping and dis-medicine. pensing of poisons-if they be imposed at all-ought Contrasting strongly with the state of things illusto be imposed so as to affect all classes of persons who dispense medicine. We apprehend the force of that argument must be apparent to every one who considers the subject even cursorily. For what is the object to be gained by regulation? Protection from poisoning by the accidental substitution of one drug for another. It is as a measure for ensuring public safety that these regulations are proposed to be made compulsory; and, considering the matter from that point of view, it seems impossible to conceive Another point illustrated by the Dispensary case why medical dispensers should be exempted from is the vagueness of the Poison Schedule of the Act the obligation of conforming to any regulations pre- of 1868, and the difference of opinion as to what is scribed as to the keeping and dispensing of poisons. to be regarded a poison within the meaning of the We here purposely leave aside the purely pharma- Act. Kino powder is a preparation of opium, and, ceutical question, whether or not there be any need though it contains a larger amount of opium than for pharmacists to be subjected to compulsory regula-paregoric does, there is still a possibility that either tion, for that is a question of comparatively less im- might poison. It seems, therefore, that the exercise portance than that affecting the whole community; of judgment and caution by the competent vendor and even admitting that there be, on the part of the or dispenser of drugs is, after all, the safest protecpublic, a demand for protection against accidental tion against accidental poisoning. The granting of poisoning, we cannot imagine any one being less a monopoly of the business of pharmacy to such unwilling to be poisoned by a medical man than by competent men was indeed a measure mainly taken a pharmacist. in the interests of the public; and, though it has, no doubt, been the means of improving that business for its followers, there is nothing to justify the taunting tone in which the "monopoly" enjoyed by the Pharmaceutical Society is often spoken of in some of the medical journals. Rescinding that monopoly is surely an inconsistent suggestion from those who study the protection of the public from accidental poisoning, and who maintain this to have been the We are glad to see this view of the case fully adopted by at least one of the medical papers in the statement that ".... no protection against poisoning can be complete or satisfactory, which does not include medical dispensers. The risk of accident would appear, prima facie, to be even greater in their case than in that of pharmacists, inasmuch as their functions and attention are not solely given to the making up of medicines." |