Correspondence. No notice can be taken of anonymous communications. Whatever is intended for insertion must be authenticated by the name and address of the writer; not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. PHARMACEUTICAL EDUCATION. Sir, I have no desire to enter into a personal controversy with Professor Siebold, so shall decline to encounter that not very difficult task of defending my former letter against his remarks in your issue of to-day. My only reasons for calling attention to the said lecture was the belief therein expressed that many of the statements were calculated to mislead students; and, further, that those opinions were not shared in by pharmaceutists generally. I am quite willing to submit to Mr. S.'s charges of inconsistency if I have succeeded in placing before your readers any remarks which may induce them to carefully read the lecture for themselves, and having done so, I am sure that many of my opinions will be endorsed by them. Uppingham, February 3rd, 1872. BENJAMIN KEEN. Sir,-That "a Manchester Pharmacist" should attack a "person" instead of a principle, in your columns, is, to say the least, discourteous. The doctrine of the Manchester School teaches, that for the physical, and consequently for the mental, welfare of mankind, it is necessary that the absolute and exclusive right of every one to that which he produces with the means at his own disposal (such as his money or his knowledge), should be recognized and secured to him by law; and that beyond this, law has nothing whatever to do with the matter. So that an advanced test of education, and restrictive pharmaceutical legislation, would naturally be opposed by these doctrinaires as pernicious and protective innovations. A paradox contains more truth than logic; and as your Manchester and Dover correspondents are not paradogma. tists, I will develope my meaning in a few words. be on a higher level than the retailer of tapes and cotton, or Such being the case, the question of how little education can we escape with appears to me sadly out of place. Pharmacy will never occupy its true position amongst the professions until pharmacists learn to respect their profession too much to permit them to seek to lower the standard of their professional education; they must, au contraire, continue to raise that standard in accordance with the progressive march of general education and culture. Hence it appears to me that Mr. Siebold's lecturet is singularly ill-advised, and that pharmacists generally should speak with no uncertain sound on the subject. If more than one-half of the candidates for the Major and Minor examinations (in the list from which I quoted) failed to pass, I endeavoured to show that it mainly resulted from their faulty early education. Obtain a better-educated class through a severer Preliminary examination before apprenticeship; and, cæteris paribus, fewer would fail in the Major and Minor. And I still persist in claiming a higher The prevailing tendency of thought amongst pharmacists arithmetical test with the elements of algebra and mathematics as necessary for the proper comprehension of the chemical appears to lie in the direction, that nothing more should be theories. In stating these views I am happy to know that I required of candidates for admission on the register than a am echoing the sentiments of many of my confrères. That bare proficiency in the usual routine of the daily work of the my plea for higher education should have called forth sple- profession. And this is, at first sight, such a common-sense netic personal abuse and misplaced satire instead of the dig- view of the subject, that the prevalence of this opinion is not nity of argument, is no fault of mine. I have lived much surprising. But it is forgotten that the duties of the disabroad, where pharmacists are received in society as profes-pensing chemist are such that there is, properly speaking, no "Each day brings its own work" in the chesional gentlemen, on account of their educational prestige, daily routine. and my sincere hope and aim is to see the like in England, mist's shop in a peculiarly true sense, and requires something and hear more of professional studies and less of trade-marks, more than a familiarity with the usual (or average) routine. drudgery and shop. ERNEST J. T. AGNEW. For example, I lately saw a prescription which had been the P.S.-To satisfy my hypercritical commentator, I must add round of several dispensing chemists in a large town, none that where the castor-oil bean is cultivated, the plant is called of whom could dispense it properly, although they had all Palma Christi, and has as much reason to be named castor- apparently tried a different method with it. It at last came oil palm as Cochlearia officinalis has to be called scurvy-grass. into the hands of the very chemist who had had the least business experience, but who happened to have a wider culture and a fair general scientific knowledge. His first attempt to dispense the prescription failed. He pondered the matter, saw the cause of his failure, tried afresh, succeeded, and thus secured a good and profitable customer. Now this was a case-one probably out of hundreds-where "outside" knowledge proved of service. Sir,-Is the British pharmacist a shopkeeper pur et simple, or a member of a learned profession? These questions have to be answered before we can arrive at any rational conclusions as to the amount of education the public has a right to expect in those who practise pharmacy. Probably few pharmacists will hesitate long ere they answer -perhaps more than half indignant that the query had been thought needful-that they are undoubtedly of the "professional class." Nor, so far as dispensing chemists are concerned, can, I think, this be greatly denied. At any rate, whether the full concession of professional standing be granted or not, this much must be conceded, that the man to whom is entrusted the dispensing of a physician's prescription should See Lord Hobart's article in the current number of the Fortnightly Review. The sore point with Mr. Siebold appears to be botany, of which he does not see the "pharmaceutical value." Nor, at first sight, is it easy to be seen, excepting in the case of those who are likely to enter upon the collection of indigenous herbs. But botany has a direct pharmaceutical value, as appears in the following extract from a paper read at the Glasgow Chemists and Druggists' Association, by Mr. McMillan. He says, "I have here on the table a sample of 'Conii + PHARM. JOURN., January, 1872. Fructus,' bought in June last by our Vice-President, Mr. Brodie, as the genuine article; but he (Mr. Brodie) found it to be largely adulterated with the fruit of Anthriscus vulgaris, or common beaked parsley, which I may mention, in passing, is highly poisonous. Mr. Brodie showed this specimen to Professor Hennedy, of this University, who pronounced it to be largely adulterated with a number of species of the Umbellifere; but, as Mr. Brodie had stated, the fruit of Anthriscus vulgaris was most prominent." It is exceedingly doubtful whether any but a very fair botanist would have detected the admixture, or, at any rate, have pronounced its nature.. Above and beyond the practical use of botany, and, as I think, of incalculable value, is its educational value. For cultivating the power of exact observation and keen discernment, with rapid and logical generalization, there is no study which is even remotely comparable with that of botany; and these are the very qualities which the pharmacist most requires. Hence on this ground I would, if botany had no practical value, urge its retention as a part of the examination curriculum. At the same time, it does not follow that it should be imposed as a part of the Minor or Major examination only; its proper place of entrée is the Preliminary, in which case its study would form, as the natural sciences should form, a part of the school routine. Were the Preliminary examination made more severe (technical subjects, as the reading of prescriptions, being excluded), and required before apprenticeship, we should soon cease to hear complaints of difficulty in passing the Minor, soon have a superior class of men in the profession, and-what a blessing!cease to see the quasi tobacconist and chemist shops that so often appear to lead their proprietors into the Gazette or worse. And we should, in addition, find little need for complaint of counter practice and other illicit transactions. That there would be fewer applicants for admission into the profession, and that assistants would become scarce, is beyond a doubt; but these things would work round with rise in prices and enhanced "respectability." The form which pharmaceutical education should take is a subject into which I cannot now, from want of space, enter. HENRY POCKLINGTON. THE CHOICE OF A MICROSCOPE. Sir,-All students who possess a microscope must have hailed with pleasure the commencement of a series of articles in the Journal upon that department of microscopy of most utility and interest to them; and those who do not already possess an instrument will, in addition, thank Mr. Pocklington for his advice concerning the purchase of one. I can but think, however, that he should not have omitted to advise intending purchasers to provide themselves with a binocular microscope; for, while the cost is certainly somewhat in excess of the prices mentioned in his article, the advantages are assuredly many and great. The comfort, relief, and freedom from injury to the sight, consequent upon the conjoint use of the eyes; the stereoscopic projection, the superiority of penetrating power, and the smaller amount of fatigue, are some among the benefits resulting from its use. Mr. Pocklington has mentioned Mr. Swift as a maker of cheap and good instruments. To this fact I can bear explicit testimony. His prices are moderate, while his workmanship is excellent, and in particular his students' lenses are at least equal to those of any other maker. Moreover, one of his cheap binocular stands fitted with his arrangement of the analysing prism, and his modification of the Webster condenser (a veritable multum in parvo), is one with which study can be carried on with the smallest possible trouble, and without loss of time. In the arrangement of the polariscope above alluded to, the analysing prism is carried in a sliding-box, which brings it rato position immediately above the binocular prism. This method combines the use of the polariscope with the binocular without the trouble of screwing and unscrewing, etc. It possesses also the advantages of giving more light, and less distortion than in the ordinary modes of mounting this prism. True, the power of rotation is here lost; but is not this more than compensated by the convenience and other merits of the arrangement? The polarizer is carried on a large diaphragm attached to the condenser, and rotates beReath a smaller diaphragm provided with a clear aperture and two selenite films. I have been thus minute in speaking of this arrangement, under the conviction that the polariscope must frequently be called into requisition in the course of Mr. Pocklington's articles, and under the assurance that so great a saving of time as is here effected is by no means a small desideratum. There are other stands in which this arrangement of the analysing prism obtains, but as the same box carries both this and the binocular prism, the sliding in of the one displaces the other, so that when using the polariscope the instrument becomes monocular. One other indispensable appurtenance remains to be men. tioned, viz. a stage capable of rotation in the optic axis of the microscope, than which none can be more suitable or less expensive than that devised by M. Nachet. To those seeking a compact instrument, to which additions can at any time be made, one of the above description appears to me to be of the greatest utility. In conclusion, let me express the hope that the articles of Mr. Pocklington will well explore the interesting field of microscopy in which he has proffered his guidance; and that we may have cause to remember his teaching as a great and lasting good. R. L. CHURCHYARD. 112, Camden Road, February 7th, 1872. POUNCE. Sir,-In Mr. Jackson's note on the Algerian Caliitris in your number of Feb. 3, he speaks of the powdered resin, (commonly called Gum Sandarach or Gum Juniper) having been formerly used in lieu of blotting-paper. It was certainly called Pounce, but it was employed not to absorb superfluous ink, which simple purpose some cheaper powder would have effected quite as well, but to render parchment or the abraded surface of paper more suitable to write upon. In the Encyclopædia Britannica (1797) we read— "Pounce, gum Sandarach pounded and sifted very "fine, to rub on paper, in order to préserve it from sink"ing, and to make it more fit to write upon." And in Guibourt's Histoire des Drogues (1849) under the head Résine Sandaraque— * on l'emploie aussi réduit en poudre, sur le "papier déchiré par le grattoir, afin d'empêcher l'encre "de s'y répandre et de brouiller l'écriture." A common practice with chemists when they have to write on a wooden box, is to rub the surface with a little powdered mastich or common resin,—a simple precaution that prevents the ink running. ting-paper is still universal in France and Italy. The comThe custom of using an absorbent powder instead of blotposition of the powder so used varies in different places. In the new reading-room of the Great Library in Paris, small trays of fine sawdust are provided in company with the ink stands. THE BENEVOLENT FUND. D. HANBURY. Sir,-Many letters have appeared in the Journal, advocating the increased support of the Benevolent Fund, some of which deserve careful consideration. I have, however, been surprised that no one has hitherto thought of "Hospital Sunday at Birmingham, or "Colston's Day" at Bristol. In addition to these two well-known schemes for the benefit of local charities, there is another, which, though not so well known perhaps, is still more deserving the consideration of the pharmaceutical profession; I mean the "simultaneous collection" made by the commercial travellers throughout the kingdom on a given day for the benefit of their Benevolent Fund and Orphan Schools. The result of this collection is generally from £800 to £1000 every year; and a trustworthy friend of mine informs me that he does not believe it interferes with the annual subscription. I think the "simultaneous collection" might, without much trouble, be tried for the Pharmaceutical Benevolent Fund, to its great benefit; and I hope that I may before long see announced in your columns the establishment of "Benevolent Fund Monday." A SUBSCRIBER. HOURS OF CLOSING. Sir,-The thanks of all chemists and druggists are due to Mr. Giles, for his able and exhaustive paper on "Hours of Closing." In offering a few criticisms on some of his statements, I must say that fifteen years' experience in a style of business probably very similar to his own leads me to endorse his views generally. There is no doubt but that we invite the greater part of this most wearisome drudgery, and nothing but a general determination on the part of principals to refuse submission to it will ever remedy the evil. In my own experience I have seen the hours of business curtailed, with the most satisfactory results to all concerned, and my impression is that efficient young men will more than ever shun situations where "it is all work and no play." I may, perhaps, be allowed to say that I have often wandered about between the hours of 10 and 11 P.M., after heavy day and evening duty, delivering parcels, returning to my "home" (sic) literally exhausted. Let masters sanction intentionally a few convenient omissions in attending to late orders, or kindly but firmly state to the superior servants of establishments that late work is most undesirable, and I venture to say that not a single customer will be offended, and a greater spirit of loyalty will be evoked among the employés. Now one word as to the number of hours we ought to work. Surely Mr. Giles does not seriously suggest twelve hours per day, with turns at extra and Sunday duty to boot! If this be an improvement, what is our present condition? If this be the goal, Heaven save us from it! Ten hours a day, inclusive of time for meals, with turns at evening and Sunday duty is surely long enough to endure the mental strain which a constant attention to minutiae entails. Mr. Giles is quite correct in saying "that no doubt we all of us, as masters, have worked for longer periods" (than twelve hours); but assistants are to be excused if they decline to believe that masters, as a rule, do anything like the number of hours of work that he specifies. Moreover, masters, as a rule, may; assistants must. My own recollection of masters, as a class, certainly of those whose successors we should like to be,-is of men comfortable in life, taking their long daily walks, or actively sharing in local public business. The first half of the day so spent, makes attention to business in the afternoon and evening rather an agreeable change than otherwise. Such being the case, assistants may surely be excused if, after twelve or fourteen hours' toil, in the course of "treatment as members of the family," they are permitted either to lounge in the dispensary amid uncongenial surroundings, or to sally forth on the cold, comfortless, unwelcoming thoroughfares, or (shall I say it ?) to sit down to digest Attfield, Royle, or Bentley,-they do grumble, and say, as probably the majority of those who deign to read these lines have said, "we wish we had never seen the business." That better times, better pay and shorter hours, are ahead, I firmly believe, if only we avoid Mr. Siebold's fallacies, and patiently cultivate the abilities which alone will improve our condition. AN ASSISTANT. Sir,-As the subject of Sunday closing has been lately referred to in connection with that of the early closing movement, I, as an advocate for moral persuasion in preference to more stringent measures, recommend the circulation of a handbill similar to that enclosed, which has had the effect of consider ably reducing the amount of Sunday labour in my own business, and without in any way giving offence to customers. GEORGE NIND. Wandsworth, S.W., January 29th, 1872. "Persons requiring medicine on Sundays are respectfully requested to restrict their purchases, as far as possible, to what is absolutely required; for while the dispensers of medicines feel it their duty to supply the public on that day whenever illness occurs, yet the necessity of recreation and rest to themselves, and a desire to attend public worship, induces them to appeal to the kind consideration of those who may not have viewed the subject in that light." Sir,-Having read with deep interest the letters by our provincial friends on this subject, I now write on behalf of the London assistants. Much indignation has been expressed at the words of an opposer of early closing; but happily, proprietors, as a rule, advocate it. What a bright contrast to Mr. Stead's address do we find in one delivered in November last by the President of the Bristol Pharmaceutical Association! (PHARM. JOURN. 3rd Ser. Vol. I. p. 432.) What is said there on the subject will convince the assistant that he has some of the greatest representatives of the trade to advocate his cause in a truly noble and philanthropic manner. In one letter the assistants of London are called on to make an effort. But London chemists are, as a rule, more tardy than the provincials. On laying the case before a West-End pharmaceutist, and giving him, among other examples, Bristol, he shrugged his shoulders, and replied, Ah, they can do it there, because they are fortunate in having several inLondon plenty of such men? Certainly, and willing ones, fluential chemists who take the lead." But, I ask, has not I almost persuaded," excused himself from closing half an too; the only desideratum is unanimity. One chemist, whom hour earlier on the plea that, if he closed earlier, G-, round the corner, would get his best customers, who were not in the difficulties of London canvassing; but if a few of the leading habit of going to his shop until after 9 P.M. Such are the chemists would come forward, like Mr. Stables, there would be better attended on Tuesday and Friday evenings, if assisbe little difficulty. The library at Bloomsbury Square would tants could get away before 9 P.M. on what is termed their "evening off." At present, they get out only in time for such recreations as a theatre or music hall can give. ASSOCIATE. Pharmaceutical Examination.-We have received a com munication from a " Minor Associate and Candidate for the Major" in reference to Mr. Agnew's letter (ante, p. 633), in which an opinion is expressed that the increase in the number of subjects for examination advocated by that gentleman is not desirable, but rather a thorough acquaintance with those at present included in the Regulations of the Board of Examiners. An objection, also, is expressed to the suggested annual inspection of the herbs, roots, etc., in English phar macies. The Preliminary Examination.—We have received a letter from "An Assistant," in which he urges the number of hours during which he is engaged in business as an obstacle to his preparation for the Preliminary examination. But if our correspondent be correct in stating that he has received a "fair middle-class education," we are at a loss to conceive any difficulty that would interfere with his passing that examination, or any reason why he would require further preparation for it. M. P. S. H.-Neither of the articles you mention is included in the schedule of substances referred to in the restrictions provided by clause 17 of the Pharmacy Act. "A Medical Dispenser."-Business capacity does not, to our knowledge, form the subject of any public examination, except as it is indirectly indicated by the candidate's other acquirements. We differ from our correspondent's opinion that a pharmacist who possesses a thorough scientific acquaintance with his calling, is therefore likely to find it a less lucrative one. J. H. Pearson.-The Natural System. “Inquirer.”—See Watts's Dictionary of Chemistry,' vol. ii. p. 661. H. H. (Dartmouth.)-The following form for arsenical soap is taken from Cooley's 'Cyclopædia of Practical Receipts' :Carb. potash, 12 oz.; white arsenic, white soap and air-slaked lime, of each, 4 oz.; powdered camphor, oz.; made into a paste with a sufficiency of water. "St. Kilda."-Messrs. Evans, Lescher and Evans, London; Messrs. Southall and Dymond, Birmingham; Mr. L. Siebold, Manchester. "Chemicus."-See Watts's 'Dictionary of Chemistry,' vol. iv. p. 256. COMMUNICATIONS, LETTERS, etc., have been received from Mr. A. H. Mason, Mr. Butterworth, Mr. Newbury, Mr. Gostling, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Harding, York Chemists' Association, A. P. S. ILLUSTRATIONS OF SOME PHARMACEUTICAL PROCESSES AND APPARATUS.* As Exhibited to the Class in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. BY PROFESSOR E. PARRISH. The illustration of a course of lectures in pharmacy gives an opportunity for noting carefully details and results which in common practice are overlooked, or, if observed, are not made public. The processes detailed in this essay were conducted at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, in presence of the large class of students, with such facilities only as a lecture-room, with its counter, sink, hydrant, and gas-supply afford. The energies of the lecturer being mainly directed to explanation and oral instruction, an assistant is employed in the management of the several processes simultaneously going on during the lecture; to his skilful assistant, Jos. P. Remington, the writer acknowledges himself indebted for useful suggestions, especially in the construction of the steam-evaporating apparatus herein described. Immediately after a statement of the scientific facts and principles pertaining to the generation and application of heat in pharmacy, the process of evaporation and the apparatus suitable for the preparation of extracts are brought into view, models and drawings are used for some, while evaporating-dishes, sand-baths, steam-baths and water-baths are shown in actual use. The annexed drawing shows a steam-boiler, evaporating-pan and still-head constructed for the purposes of this course of instruction. A is a boiler of inch thick (No. 10 wire gauge), copper, 1 foot 9 inches long by 7 inches in diameter. It is held in position by a stout iron frame, at an elevation of 12 The dome, C, is of copper, and has a similar flange, by which it is designed to be clamped on to the evaporating-pan when the apparatus is used for distillation. This junction is made steam-tight by a coil of lamp wick interposed between the flanges. The drip pipe from the steam jacket empties into the adjacent sink; it is, for convenience, readily separable. The steam-pipe being connected by a coupling, the different parts of the apparatus may with facility be separated from each other. The gas burners are connected by elastic tubing with a T pipe in the counter. In a The first preparation made in this apparatus was Extractum Gentiane, U. S. P. The percolation was previously started in a cylinder of tinned iron, with a stop-cock attached. 96 troy ounces (6 lb. 9 oz. av.) of ground gentian, somewhat coarser than that which would pass through a No. 40 sieve, was macerated in sufficient cold water thoroughly to saturate it, then packed in the percolator and water added till about a gallon of dense percolate had passed. This was introduced near the beginning of the lecture into the evaporating-pan, and steam turned on. few minutes the liquid was in active ebullition; after boiling a short time it was removed and strained, but without yielding a precipitate of insoluble matter; the strained liquid returned was rapidly inspissated till the close of the lecture. The percolation continued yielded about 2 gallons additional of percolate, which with the first portion was evaporated in the interim to a soft pilular consistence, and the finished extract exhibited at the following lecture. The product weighed 2 lbs. 11 oz. av. 41 per cent., which might have been somewhat increased if the percolation had been longer continued, though without profit. The gentian, at 16 cents per lb., which included the cost of powdering, cost $1.08; the fuel may be estimated as costing 36 cents. The extract, therefore, cost in the aggregate $1.44= 52 cents per lb. It was of superior quality, of rich brown colour, and with a decided odour of the root. Extractum Jalapa, U. S. P. Two pounds, avoirdupois, of finely powdered jalap was moistened with 6 fluid ounces inches, so as to allow of a stand of 8 Bunsen burners of alcohol, sp. gr. 835, and packed in a strong 10-inch to be so placed as to spread a clean flame over the glass funnel, which was suspended over a suitable reentire length of the bottom. Each of these burners ceiving vessel. Alcohol was added till about 4 pints of has a tube inch diameter and 5 inches long. The tincture had passed; then water was gradually poured water-supply pipe, which is seen on the extreme left, on, and its progress watched till it had nearly reached is inch in diameter, and has a valve at H which the perforated cork diaphragm fitted above the neck of closes when not in use. The two small water-cocks the funnel. Another receiver was now substituted, are designed to ascertain the elevation of water in the boiler. A inch steam-pipe connects the boiler GIB with the steam jacket. and, the supply of water being kept up, 6 pints of aqueous percolate was received. The success of the last part of this process was more complete than was anticipated with so fine a powder of jalap, a perforated cork diaphragm of about 2 inches diameter 682 being used and the shape of the funnel favouring the percolator with one hand while filling and packing swelling of the powder on the addition of water, it with the other, George M. Dougherty, a member without unduly compacting it, so that when the of the present class, has devised the instrument here aqueous menstruum had begun to pass, the dropping figured, which is an improvement upon one invented continued moderately fast throughout. The quantity by T. C. Conard, of last year's graduating class. of menstruum, though less than that indicated in the Pharmacopoeia, was limited to such amount as could be conveniently evaporated during the time at our disposal, and, as the result proved, gave a fair yield of extract. At the second lecture on extracts the alcoholic percolate from the jalap was introduced into the evaporating-pan, and the dome clamped on to it, as shown in the drawing; and to this a large glass Liebig's condenser was attached, and connected with Steam being the hydrant and sink by elastic hose. generated, which occupied about ten minutes, the alcohol was rapidly recovered, and at the close of the lecture, the dome being removed from the pan, a dry mass of resinous extract was obtained, which weighed 6 oz. (av.) and 40 grs., nearly 214 per cent. of the jalap used. The alcohol had scarcely lost in quantity, but was not free from the odour of the drug. The aqueous percolate was evaporated to a syrupy consistence, after the lecture, removed from the pan, and divided into two equal parts. The resinous mass was dissolved in a pint of the recovered alcohol, and also divided into two equal parts. A half part of the resinous and aqueous liquids were now mixed, as directed in the process of the Pharmacopoeia for the whole, and the mixture being evaporated gave 6 oz. of an excellent dry hydro-alcoholic extract. "The manipulator" consists of two funnels of zinc, one fitting over the other at the smaller end, and a ring, with three springs attached, fitting securely A conical percolator is held in over the outer one." place, while being packed, by the shape of the funnel; but when a cylindrical percolator is used, the springs are slipped on, and hold the percolator in a vertical position while it is being packed, and afterwards if desired. The larger funnel has an opening by which a reTwo pounds of jalap having been used, this quantity, being one-half the whole yield, represents the ceiving vessel can be introduced under the percolator, yield per pound=39 per cent. The powdered jalap held in position above; or an argand burner may cost 65 cents per pound, the alcohol (half the quan- be placed in it, and an evaporating-dish, containing tity used) 55 cents, the heat, estimated, 20 cents, a liquid to be evaporated, on the upper funnel. The recovery of the alcohol from the tincture of giving an aggregate cost of the 6 ounces, $1.40. Deducting alcohol recovered and useful for a similar nux vomica was accomplished by the use of the process, 50 cents, we have a cost of 90 cents, or pharmaceutical still, with water-bath attachment, $2.14 the cost of a pound, less than half the market here figured. price of the best extractum jalapæ. The object in setting aside half of the alcoholic solution of resinous extract was to ascertain the proportion it would yield of the officinal resina jalapæ. Accordingly, at the next lecture it was diluted to half a pint and added to 4 pints of water. The precipitate, washed by several portions of water, collected and dried, yielded 2 ounces of the officinal resina jalapæ, or 12 per cent. of the jalap used. The cost of this was about 70 cents per ounce. This differs from Procter's, figured in Parrish's Combination Still. Pharmacy, 3rd edition, p. 297, in having a water-bat, C, into which the condens, B, fits by a aterjoint. should also be There The question of economy in evaporation is of praç- a water-joint on the outer-vessel, A. The tincture tical interest in connection with the preparation of being introduced into the water-bath, C, this was these extracts by the use of a steam-boiler, and is an then placed in A, which was half filled with water, element of inaccuracy in these estimates. The pro- and surmounted by B. Being at the opposite end of cess being suspended and resumed involves a loss of fuel, and there is no doubt but that much waste occurs from there being too many burners under the boiler. Six burners instead of eight would serve the purpose, though the rapidity of getting up steam would be lessened. SO the counter from the hydrant and sink, water was |