Hence the action of hydrobromic acid on bromotetra- most part insoluble in ether, the insoluble portion havcodeia is

Bromotetracodeia.

ing all the properties of bromotetramorphia; the etheCH_BrN ̧0+4 H Br = 4 CH, Br + CH; Br NO12 liquid, which, on standing, becomes filled with crystals real extract shaken with HCl or HBr yields a viscid Bromotetramorphia. consisting apparently of a mixture of the hydrochlorates, Carbonate of soda throws down from the solution of logue, the latter predominating when the digestion is or hydrobromates, of deoxycodeia and a lower homothe hydrobromate a nearly white procipitate which rapidly oxidizes, and appears identical in all its physical formation of the lower homologue by continuing the performed in an open flask. Attempts to prevent the properties and chemical reactions with bromotetracodeia. digestion with H Br for only two or three hours did not When crude bromotetramorphia hydrobromate is pre- succeed, as the large quantity of unaltered bromocodide cipitated by carbonate of soda, and the precipitate (after in the ether extract obtained prevents the separation of filtration and washing) redissolved in hydrochloric acid the crystalline hydrochlorate or hydrobromate of deoxyand fractionally precipitated twice or thrice by strong codeia, and hitherto no method of separating the deoxyhydrochloric acid, white flakes free from bromine are codeia salt from its lower homologue has been arrived ultimately obtained; these are the hydrochlorate of the at. corresponding chlorinated base, which is therefore termed chlorotetramorphia. After drying at 106, numbers were obtained which led to the formula CHCINO 4 H Cl.

Converted into platinum-salt, and dried at 100°,—

0-4235 grm. gave 0·0840 Pt=19.83 per cent. The formula C H75 CIN, O129 4 H Cl, 2 Pt Cl, requires 19-72 per cent.

The following numbers were obtained by the analysis of these crystals after re-crystallization from hot water to free them from adhering bromocodide salt:Specimen A, prepared in scaled tubes, digested six hours at 100°:

0-3185 grm. gave 0·7850 CO, and 0·1970 H2O. 0-2200 grm. gave 0·1025 AgCl.

Specimen B, prepared in an open flask, digested six hours at 100°:

When codeia is heated on the water-bath with three parts of 48 per cent. hydrobromic acid for five hours, and the portion of the precipitate thrown down by carbonate of soda and insoluble in ether is dissolved in hydrochloric acid, and fractionally precipitated several times by excess of stronger acid, flakes are obtained which, on drying at 100°, yield numbers intermediate C.,7 between those required for chlorotetracodeia and chloro-11 tetramorphia, leading to the formula,—

=

Converted into platinum-salt, and dried at 100°,0:4830 grm. gave 0·0935 Pt 19.36 per cent. The formula C, H., C1 N, O,2, 4 HCl, 2 Pt Cl, requires 19-40 per cent.

Whether this is only a mixture of chlorotetracodeia and chlorotetramorphia hydrochlorates, or is one compound, is open to doubt: assuming that it is not a mixture, the name chloro-dicodeia-dimorphia might be applied to the base. It appears à priori probable that the following double series of bases should be obtainable by successive methyl climinations:

Out of these ten bases four have been prepared, and a substance corresponding in composition with a fifth (chloro-dicodeia-dimorphia) has also been obtained; but from the great similarity in properties between all the five substances and their high formulæ, it is clear that no certainty as to the purity of the missing intermediate bodies could exist, and therefore it was not thought advisable to attempt their formation.

II. Action of Hydrobromic Acid on Bromocodide. When bromocodide hydrobromato (prepared by two hours' digestion of codeia with three times its weight of 48 per cent. H Br, precipitation by sodium carbonate, and extraction with ether, etc.) is heated with four to six parts of the same acid to 100° for five or six hours either in a sealed tube or in an open flask, methyl bromide is copiously evolved; the tarry product, dissolved in warm water, and precipitated by sodium carbonate, is for the

Deoxycodeia.

Deoxymorphia.

216 67.60 C17.. 201

22

6.89 H

N

$19.5 100 00 CH, NO, H CI

21

C, II, NO, H Cl

From the above numbers, and more especially from the percentages of H, Cl, and Br found, it appears that while specimen A may have contained some little quantity of deoxycodeia, specimen B must have consisted almost wholly of the lower homologue; to this body the name deoxymorphia may appropriately be given (provisionally), to indicate that its composition bears the same relation to that of morphia as deoxycodeia to codeia.

The numbers required for apomorphia salts are very close to those actually obtained above, viz., for hydrochlorate C-67.22, H=5·93, Cl=11·70; and for hydrobromate C-58-62, H=5·17, Br=22-99; but the entire absence of emetic properties in all these specimens, as observed by Dr. Michael Foster, conclusively proves that this base could not have been present.

Further research is required before it can be decided with certainty which of the three oxygen atoms in codeia is removed in the formation of deoxycodeia; the production of deoxymorphia with simultaneous evolution of methyl bromide, however, indicates that the oxygen that links the methyl group to the rest of the codeia residue is still present in deoxycodeia and deoxymorphia, while the production of both from bromocodide renders the following formulae probable:

17

Experiments are in progress to gain further insight into the structure of the group C,H-NO. By the action of hydriodic acid on codeia methyl is eliminated as iodide, and the clements of free hydrogen and those of HI are added on to this group; from which, as well as from the easy polymerization to form tetracodeia bases, it appears probable that some at least of the 17 carbon atoms are connected together somewhat after the fashion of ethylene or acrylic acid, which unite readily with HI, HBr, H, etc. Again, the oxidizing action of AgNO3 on chlorotetramorphia is accompanied by the production of CO, which renders it not improbable that the third oxygen atom exists either as the group [CH(OH)" or as CO".

suitable persons, to undertake investigations into the physiological action of medicines." This memorial was supported in the council by the Regius Professors of Physic in the Universities of Dublin and Oxford, but was negatived on the ground of want of powers in the council to comply with the petition.

A sub-committee was then appointed by the British Medical Association, and the results of its labours are seen in the elaborate report brought out by Dr. Hughes Bennett, on the action of mercury, podophyllin, and taraxacum on the biliary secretion. About the same time the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society intrusted the examination of the method of subcutaneous injection to a committee, and the valuable observations data which we possess respecting this method. Quite embodied in their report furnish the most satisfactory recently the Medical and Psychological Association of Edinburgh have appointed a committee for the purpose of taking into consideration, among other things, the medical treatment of insanity, and they suggest propositions for combined therapeutical investigation, and ask for special information on the action of chloral. The Clinical Society of London owes its establishment in 1868, to the expressed want of more real knowledge on and the appearance of the various remedies in daily use, numerous detached papers, and of some works of merit to the deep-seated interest which now attaches to the on the doctrines and requirements of therapeutics testify

On carefully examining, side by side, the qualitative prosecution of this subject.

reactions of the hydrochlorate B and those of a specimen I propose, now, briefly to inquire what are the reof pure deoxycodeia-salt from codeia (without evolution sources at our command, and how far it may be said that of methyl bromide), not the slightest difference was dis-therapeutics has advanced within the last quarter of a cernible between the two; in their physiological ac- century, what are the hindrances to its progress, and, tions, too, as observed by Dr. Michael Foster, the two more particularly, in what directions we may hope for bodies seemed perfectly alike, both being utterly dissi- still further and more solid advances than have yet been milar from apomorphia, from which in all other respects gained.* (qualitative reactions, percentage, composition, etc.) they differ either not at all, or extremely little.

(To be continued.)

THE MODERN ASPECTS OF THERAPEUTICS.

BY WALTER G. SMITH, M.D.

tions will be chiefly confined to the domain of what may To avoid entering upon too wide a field my observabe called medicinal therapeutics, i. e., of remedial agents as directly applied to the treatment of disease, and accordingly the steady progress and increased knowledge of sanitary science and preventive medicine, the splendid results of operative surgery, and the development of state medicine, will be passed over without com

ment.

In

It must be allowed that the reproaches which have turies past, is, in many respects, not encouraging, and The retrospect of the history of therapeutics for cenbeen so often levelled against the practice of medicine one can scarcely help wishing that much, if not most, of have had much foundation in the past history of thera- what is called the accumulated experience of ages were peutics, and all will re-echo Sir T. Watson's opinion, swept clean out of remembrance, so overladen is it with that "certainly, the greatest gap in the science of medi- confusion, misstatements, and unproven theories. cine is to be found in its final and supreme stage-the fact since the prevailing ideas as to the action of drugs stage of therapeutics." Some of its keenest satirists became in some degree fixed at a time when pathology have been physicians of the highest eminence and most was less exact than it is now, when there were no such varied acquirements, and, on the whole, it must be ad- accurate means of testing the real effects of remedies, mitted, that the improvement of therapeutics, contrary and when physics and chemistry were in their infancy, to the other arts and sciences, "bears no proportion to we cannot avoid insisting on the necessity for renewed its antiquity." It is the consciousness of this dispropor- observations, carried out under better auspices, and with tion which damps the spirits of so many in the profes- a better directed aim. sion, and which has led to so much distrust and doubt. Dr. Radcliffe used to say that "the whole art of physic, for which he had a profound contempt, might be written on one sheet of paper," and it is not so long since the late Sir W. Hamilton, of Edinburgh, asked the question:-"Has the practice of medicine made a single step since Hippocrates?" a revival of the older query, a

datur ars medicine?

There are many evidences that the need for a more careful study of therapeutics is urgently felt by the body of the profession at large. In 1865, the physiological sub-section of the British Medical Association drew up a memorial to the General Medical Council praying the Council "by pecuniary grants, and the appointment of

Thesis for the degree of M.D., 1870. Read before the Medical Society of the College of Physicians, March, 1871.

Yet it will be conceded that the materia medica abounds in agents by means of which very remarkable effects can be produced on the human frame, and a speculative mind might engage itself in showing that the possession of such powers by various medicines is an argument in favour of our being intended to exercise a due control over the progress of disease. Even as it is the great fountain of life, and can, to some extent, conwe can, at will, exalt or depress the action of the heart, trol the capillary circulation; we can compel the stomach to eject its contents, and the intestines to discharge their excreta. We have agents that act on special functions

For many suggestions I am especially indebted to, and have largely made use of Sir W. Jenner's admirable address on medicine, delivered last year in Leeds, and Dr. Rogers' recent able work on therapeutics.

of the encephalon, on the spinal cord, on the sensitive itself would doubtless be found to be much less considernerves, and purely on the motor nerves. By suitable able than is generally thought. In the case of bellamears we can increase or diminish the exhalation from donna and conium, for example, the efficacy of these the skin and mucous membranes, and can alter in quality drugs is fairly and fully represented by their respective and quantity the secretions of many important glandular alkaloids, and even in the case of a complex substance like organs. At pleasure we can contract or dilate the pupil opium which contains several organic bases of different proof the eye, can stimulate striped and unstriped muscles, perties, it would be quite possible, after proper investigacan poison some internal parasites with certainty, and tions to combine these bases in a compound solution so can aid in the elimination of metallic poisons from the as to represent perfectly the action of the crude opium. body. And, let it be observed, that not only have we As illustrations of the confirmation and extension of the these and other powerful means at our disposal, but that, curative powers of single drugs we can adduce the mass in many, very many cases, we have the knowledge how of evidence that now exists as to the respective value of to apply them to the treatment of disease with benefits mercury and iodide of potassium in different stages of which cannot be gainsaid, and in a few cases we know syphilis, and of mercury especially in infantile syphilis, why we so apply them. of the utility of arsenic in the relapsing skin diseases, of bromide of potassium in epilepsy, and certain other abnormal conditions of the brain and sexual organs, of quinine in periodic diseases other than ague, and of ipecacuanha in dysentery. We are better acquainted with the action of digitalis, opium, belladonna, hyoscyamus, and conium, and there is a clearer understanding gaining ground as to the worth and indications for the employment of alcohol in the treatment of disease.

Our theories as to the nature of disease are undergoing a profound change, necessarily followed by corresponding modifications in the way in which we endeavour to meet or anticipate it. The notions of elimination and allopathy, of antidotes and of counter-irritation, have all their measure of truth, and are all usefully applied in practice, but it is to be hoped that none of them will ever again be raised to the rank of a system to cramp and fetter our ideas. As a positive and well-founded advance in the doctrines of therapeutics, it could easily be shown that certain injudicious or noxious lines of treatment have been abandoned, and that, in general, the habit of over-drugging has been given up. This beneficial change is due partly to a more accurate acquaintance with the local causes of disease, e.g. the parasitic skin diseases, partly to a more intimate knowledge of the pathology of disease, e.g. chronic pulmonary phthisis, and partly to a recognition of the principle that we are not to treat our patients as so many sponges doomed to soak up the maximum quantity of medicine possible, but, as living beings, whose functions are disordered by disease, and whom we seek to restore to health by aiding the natural tendency to Tecover, and by striving to modify the direction of action of the natural forces of the body. We know now that a large number of acute diseases occurring in previously healthy persons naturally run a definite course and tend to spontaneous recovery, in the absence of or even in spite of misdirected drugging, and we have recognized that certain acute diseases supposed to be of indefinite duration lie within appointed limits. We, therefore, by this advance in knowledge, avoid drawing false conclusions as to the efficacy of drugs in particular maladies, and although we do not pretend to be able to strangle acute disease by specifics, or suddenly arrest the cycle of morbid action, much still remains for our art in meeting special symptoms and controlling intercurrent complications. Sometimes advances in knowledge teach us a more correct appreciation of the composition and mode of action of drugs, or at least displace a faulty explanation. This certainly is a gain, and we know too little get to see how far the application of the physical processes, dialysis, diffusion, and osmosis may before long enlighten some of the dark recesses of therapeutics.

Among the tributes levied from chemistry and natural history, we can reckon carbolic acid and its compounds, the alkaloids, the bromides, permanganate of potassium, sulphurous acid, and the sulphites, the whole group of anaesthetics, chloroform, ether, bichloride of methylene, nitrous oxide, and nitrite of amyl, Calabar bean, glycerin, pepsin, santonin, podophyllum, and lastly chloral, and ats allies bromal and iodal. The mention of the class of alkaloids suggests the thought that very great benefit would, doubtless, accrue from the more extended use of the alkaloids in the room of the crude vegetable products from which they are derived. Our therapeutical experience would be rendered infinitely more accurate by the employment of these definite active principles which are chemically stable, and whose dosage can be exactly proportioned, and the differences which are often asserted to exist between the active principle and the crude drug

The uses of iodide of potassium have been brought into greater prominence, and have been more sharply defined, and amongst the results "we may boast the disappearance of radesyge in Norway, of yaws in our West Indian colonies, and of most of the severe forms of tertiary syphilis at home." Since the more important of these drugs are of quite recent introduction, they are to be looked on as but an earnest of the harvest we are yet to reap from the domain of the natural sciences. Improved modes of administration are only second in importance, and hypodermic injection is an aid for which we cannot be too grateful, triumphing especially in the relief of painful and spasmodic affections. Lastly, a discrimination between the properties and uses of the direct and induced currents, i.e. of galvanization and faradization, has led to most important and gratifying results in the treatment of such formidable diseases as epileptiform neuralgia, infantile paralysis, and progressive muscular atrophy. It is proved that it is possible and feasible to galvanize directly the brain and spinal cord, and the galvanic irritation of the sympathetic nerve may yet furnish us with a powerful lever for controlling the nutrition of even remote parts.

Many circumstances have contributed to clog the progress of therapeutics, some of which belong to the inherent difficulties of its investigations, while others, and that a large portion, are due to the ignorance and incompetence of those to whom we should look for aid. The fallacies connected with the application of the inductive method of reasoning to the science of medicine, and the sources of error in practical and theoretical medicine, have been well exposed by Sir G. Blanc and by Dr. Barclay, and I would merely remark that the principles enunciated by these authors, while they are the philosophical basis of the practice of physic, constitute the best answer to morbid scepticism on the one hand, and vulgar credulity on the other.

Faulty modes of preparation, and the use of entirely worthless compounds, are fruitful sources of error, and we can point in illustration to the investigations of Dr. Harley on the Galenical preparations of conium, in which he proves the absolute valuelessness of the extractum conii. Again, the assemblage of a number of active drugs in a prescription, often introduced at random, is destructive to a right appreciation of the effects of medicines; and, as a rule, the principle of combination should not be extensively tried till we are in a better position to estimate justly the influence of certain drugs on special diseases.

(To be continued.)

PRESSED BEEF AND DESICCATED BEEF-JUICE.

Baron Liebig conceived the idea of extracting from the wild cattle of South America those substances to which meat owes its characteristic properties, and conveying them to the ill-nourished populations of Europe. The so-called extract of meat was to be made, sent over to Europe, and distributed among the labouring classes, whose cheerless fare was thereby to be rendered stimulating, and equivalent to an animal diet. From the entire ox only eight or ten pounds of the Liebig's extract are procurable, but these eight or ten pounds of extract are very potent, and will animalize a mountain of vegetable food. The plan has, to some extent, answered. European food has been enriched with animal products from South America, and, in token of the success of the enterprise, the Liebig's Extract Company paid an 8 per cent. dividend some time ago. There are, however, difficulties in the way. The great bulk of the carcass-all the nutritive part, as distinguished from the stimulating extract-is thrown away, or converted into manure, and, in those hot climates, constitutes a serious drawback, involving considerable outlay for its proper disposal. On the other hand, the extreme concentration of Liebig's extract is a hindrance to its proper employment by the poorer classes in Europe. At present the benefit has been almost confined to invalids and the wealthy and middle classes, and has hardly reached the poorer people, who ought to be the chief recipients of it.

A new process for accomplishing the objects above referred to has just been brought out by Mr. Henley, a well-known engineer, and a company, called "The Pressure Meat Preserving Company," is being formed to

work it.

THE PHARMACY BILL.

Manchester Defence Association on the present state of The following circular, treating of the views of the the question of poison regulations, and of the course it intends to take in the event of any further attempts at legislation on the subject, has been forwarded to us for publication:

"63, Piccadilly, Manchester, July, 1871. the Government is a cause for congratulation to all the "Dear Sir,-The withdrawal of the Pharmacy Bill by members of the trade who have so earnestly and effec tually resisted its enactment. This result has been attained through the powerful opposition inaugurated by the Chemists' Defence Association, and carried on with so much unanimity and cordiality conjointly with the Metropolitan and West of Scotland Defence Associations, and promptly seconded by local organizations in all parts of the kingdom.

existence, to be ready to resist any future attempt on the "It is the intention of this Association to continue its part of Government to unnecessarily interfere with the internal management of our business.

ciation of the points at issue, and by the great amount "We have been much encouraged by the keen appreof support we received from members of Parliament, and we unhesitatingly affirm that if opposition be again required, with the active and zealous assistance of friends resist the passing of any measure, similar to or of so obthroughout the country, we shall be able successfully to jectionable a character as that so happily withdrawn.

"We do not wish a renewal of the conflict, and we fervently trust that the wisdom of Government may Flesh, in its natural condition, consists of about 75 but we believe it to be our duty to boldly face the diffi obviate this necessity. Such a contest is undesirable, parts of water and 25 parts of solids. Mr. Henley pro-culty should it again arise, that our trade may retain its poses to remove the greater part of the water, whereby just measure of independence, be free from the undue the meat will be reduced to one-half of its original and needless interference of the Privy Council, with the weight (without loss of substance), and will be preserved liberty to carry on our business with intelligent prudence at the same time. We have just tasted some of it, which and self-reliance which no arbitrary legal restrictions, had been kept for about a month in a chemical labora- however ably devised or fenced round with penal clauses, tory, and can speak to the soundness of its condition. could so well secure. The novelty in Mr. Henley's process is the employment of powerful pressure as a means of making the drying to the fact that our opponents, whilst advocating with a "We take this opportunity of calling your attention possible. In six hours the bullock which walks into the zeal difficult to account for, the legal compulsory reguslaughter-house may be put on board ship in the shape lations for the storage and dispensing of poisons conof a highly dried pressed beef and desiccated beef-juice.—tained in the withdrawn Bill, have not been able, neither

The Lancet.

ANNUAL DINNER OF THE EMPLOYÉS OF MESSRS.

BURGOYNE, BURBIDGES AND CO.

The annual Excursion and Dinner of the persons employed by the above firm took place on Saturday last. The place selected for their visit was the Downs Hotel, Epsom.

Among the amusements provided for the entertainment of those present were walking, running and jumping matches, prizes for the winners in which were furnished by the liberality of the firm. One of these prizes was a handsome silver cup on an ebony stand; another, for the visitors-won by Mr. J. K. Pitt, the cork-merchant, -was an opera-glass. At the dinner-table the chair was occupied by Frederick Burbidge, Esq.

Indian Agriculture. The culture of bamboo for paper-making and other purposes is being promoted by the Government of Central India. The Indian Government is buying land in the hill district of the Neilgheries for a spice plantation. Colonel Boddam has proposed the cultivation of the sunflower in Mysore. It is very successful in France. Government has sent out six more Scotch gardeners for experimental cottongrowing. These men have answered very well.Nature,

have they attempted, to bring forward any evidence that the public safety is jeopardized by the present condition of things, or that abuses exist to warrant Government in bringing forward the recent measure.

"It is incomprehensible how the declaration could be been completely removed by the amendments, whilst the made by any person that the objections to the Bill had penal clauses for the non-observance or infringement of the regulations, and the absolute power of the Privy Council and of the Pharmaceutical Council were retained. These are the essential principles contended against by this and kindred Associations, whose action has been endorsed by the approval of a vast majority of the chemists throughout the country.

agree with the advocates for the imposition of the objec-
"We trust that the question is settled, as we quite
tionable regulations that a settlement is desirable, and
we hope that both they and the Medical Department of
the Privy Council will read the signs of the times, and
forbear the one from attempting to impose restrictions
others from encouraging such unwise attempts.
on our liberty alike unjust and unnecessary, and the

Association if already enrolled, or to join our ranks, and
"We invite you to continue your membership of our
by adding to our numbers to increase our influence, and

sustain our efforts should the course of events require.
further action.

"Signed on behalf of the Executive Committee,
"ROBERT HAMPSON, Hon. Sec."

The Pharmaceutical Journal.

SATURDAY, JULY 29, 1871.

Communications for this Journal, and books for review, etc.,; should be addressed to the EDITOR, 17, Bloomsbury Square. Instructions from Members and Associates respecting the transmission of the Journal should be sent to ELIAS BREMRIDGE, Secretary, 17, Bloomsbury Square, W.C.

Advertisements to Messrs. CHURCHILL, New Burlington Street, London, W. Envelopes indorsed “Pharm. Journ."

THE PRESS AND THE PHARMACY BILL. WHILE the leading medical journals maintain a discreet silence in reference to the fate of the Pharmacy Bill, which is at least consistent with the prevailing difference of opinion among those to whom it applies more especially, there is one exception to this course which we cannot omit to notice because it appears to be a totally unnecessary and gratuitous attempt to aggravate a contest which is already too dominant.

The journal to which we refer not long ago announced that Mr. FORSTER had only to lift his finger to make the Pharmacy Bill law, and at the same time predicted that he would do so in spite of everything. To such expressions of opinion or desire we offer no objection, but we do strongly protest against such perverse misrepresentation and defamatory comments as the following, where the same journal declares that this Society

published in that periodical this week, and it bears the signatures of almost all the large respectable chemists in London, and many in the country. Thus the opposition is narrowed to the limits of the small retail druggists, and loses so much of its force that we have reason to believe that it will lack power eventually to defeat the reform."

We cannot perceive the necessity for the tone manifested by these quotations, and feel convinced that the treatment of the subject in such a manner is extremely mischievous and reprehensible.

The Ashton Reporter, in an article on this subject, takes the view held by opponents of the Bill, and after remarking that the honourable members of her Majesty's Privy Council are not those to whom the best method of storing and dealing with poisonsor, as it may be expressed, the best shop-keeping arrangements-are very likely to occur, goes on to say

"Even the medical department of that body has no pracwould it seem for the chemists of the kingdom to issue tical acquaintance with the subject. Quite as suitable regulations for the surgeons or dentists in their difficult operations, or to venture upon a bolder stroke, and give advice to her Majesty's Privy Councillors upon the disgruity, however, Government stood committed to a Bill patch of public business. Notwithstanding the inconwhich undertook to teach chemists a very clementary, though responsible, branch of their business. This could not be borne. Of course the trade was convulsed, and resisted the threatened interference. Petitions were hastily and numerously signed, and deputations from all parts of the country were despatched to confer with members of Parliament in London. A few days' canVass satisfied the resisting body that the Pharmacy Act never could pass the Commons. Here and there a hanger-on by authority attempted to justify the mea"has cast away any claim they might have had to con- Mr. Jacob Bright, who introduced a large deputation, sure, but several influential representatives, headed by sideration, and we trust Mr. Forster will trouble himself were received by Mr. Forster, and frank explanations no longer with diplomacy, but exercise all his influence were given, strengthening the opinion that the Pharto do justice, whether the chemists and druggists like it macy Bill must be either amended or withdrawn. or not. A larger issue than poison-protection is at stake, spicuous by his courtesy and heartiness amongst those for it has now to be decided whether the Government is who accompanied the deputation to the Minister was able to deal with an opposition dictated, not by any principle, Mr. T. W. Mellor, member for Ashton. He had prebut by self-interest and carelessness for the public interest.sented a petition to Parliament, signed by every chemist We never doubted that Parliament will support the Government in the effort, and we donot think that the fatuous proceedings of the Society have even the prospect of

success to excuse them."

The italics are our own, but we abstain from comment on the quotation, since that would involve the use of more emphatic terms than we desire to appear in these pages, and because we think republication of the paragraph will alone ensure the

condemnation it deserves.

Con

in this borough, where chemists are supposed to be equally alive to their own and the public interests; and had placed his services very warmly at the disposal of his constituents to frustrate this scheme of surplus legislation. The Minister listened with attention, and promised further consideration of the measure. Meanwhile agitation spread, and members of Parliament were urged by petition and remonstrance, as well as by deputation, to resist the Bill. The opposition was becoming formidable, and the situation somewhat ridiculous. Here was the Privy Council trying to arrange the shelves of a druggist's shop. Punch might be on the look-out for a Equally objectionable are the following remarks, cartoon. Yielding to the great pressure from without, given editorially in the same journal this week:- or perhaps awakening to the consciousness that the trained and experienced servants of the public are the "Mr. Forster makes rather a poor show just now. best qualified to discharge responsible duties, an amended He talked very loud, and blustered a good deal, and now Bill was substituted for the original. This amended his superior officer, without hesitation, puts a stop to his Bill, born in an emergency, survived only a few hours, threatened onslaught. Meanwhile, we are encouraged and is already in an advanced state of decomposition. to see that the Party of Order,' who have voluntarily The public did not ask for it, and does not need it. The adopted precautions against poisoning, and don't wish to trade is able to take care of its poisons, and of itself. be slovenly, are coming to the point, and the Pharmaceu- The Government has more legitimate children than it tical Journal is, after the example of the Times, throwing can provide for, and certainly members of Parliament, out feelers for a change of policy from opposition to especially those of the opposition, must have perpetrated adhesion. A letter in favour of the amended Bill is a certain deed had not these poor little Bills, by crowd