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Address all communications to the

MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST

222 SOUTH BROADWAY,

97.50

ST. LOUIS, MO., U. S. A.

FREDERICK HENRY FRICKE

Frederick Henry Fricke, St. Louis, was represented on the cover of the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST for September. Mr. Fricke is the very active Missouri Food and Drugs Commissioner. Advertisements in the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST bring results.

The Detroit Meeting of the A. Ph. A. for 1914 will open August 24.

You Have Competitors in Business.-Cultivate the get acquainted spirit and encourage them in reciprocity.

The A. Ph. A. Meeting at Nashville, August 18-23, adds another to the previous list of sixty successful annual meetings.

Pharmacy is both commercial and professional. This makes it all the more necessary to carefully study the conditions which go to make up a successful pharmacist.

Market Review, Page 316.

Want Advertisements, Page 89.

Index to Advertisements, Page 90. Patent Medicines Price List, Page 3.

Editorial

British Pharmaceutical

Conference.-One of the most successful meetings in the history of the British Pharmaceutical Conference was that held at Edinburgh during the last week in July and the first week of August, being the 49th annual meeting. The attendance was a record one and the number of scientific papers communicated was well above the average. The President, Sir Edward Evans, was fresh from his recent visit to the United States and it was evident from his presidential address that he had been much impressed by many things he had learnt there. The main theme of his address was the cultivation of drugs. He said he had been very much struck in making some enquiries, by the fact that the United States Government, in addition to being very particular as to the purity of all drugs sold in that country, have a Bureau of Plant Industry in connection with the United States Department of Agriculture. It was this department that had contributed in recent years so largely to the use of barks, drugs, roots, etc., of American origin, and thus to some extent had replaced the older drugs so familiar to us in our early days. He had been informed by Mr. True, the physiologist in charge at Washington, that there appeared to be no reason to believe that cultivation in general diminished the active principle in the alkaloid-bearing plants. There was probably as much spontaneous variation in chemical properties as in form and size among plants, as was being found out from study of alkaloid-bearing plants, volatile oil plants and others. The soil characteristics, in some cases, were influential in determining the amount of active principle present, and perhaps in other cases the latitude was even more important, probably due to the great amount of heat demanded. Proceeding, Sir Edward said he thought it possible that the Conference might think it worthy of consideration that our own Government might form in the Board of Agriculture a department such as exists in the United States to further the growth in this country of herbs, roots, etc., and which the small holdings or allotments might be the channels of carrying into effect. He pointed out that the soil of this country seemed adaptable for this purpose, as what it did produce was superior to any produced elsewhere; for instance, digitalis, henbane, colchicum, valerian, belladonna, to say nothing of peppermint, lavender, etc. The same subject was dealt with in greater detail by Mr. J. H. E. Evans, who emphasized the fact that while in other countries much was being done by Government departments to foster the cultivation of drugs little assistance was given in England, and any advancement which had been made was entirely the result of private enterprise. He showed that our present sources of supply of crude

vegetable drugs were in quantity and quality restricted in area, and thus dependent upon forces which cannot be controlled, such as (a) weather, (b) time and method of collection, (c) labor available, (d) careless methods of preparing for market leading to sophistication. He showed, however, that since manufacturers are insisting on getting raw materials of a reasonable standard, the collector has an object in collecting his material at the proper time and with proper care. He showed that there is an opening for the cultivation in Great Britain of many drugs which are not grown there at present and he made out a good case for the intervention of the Government in the matter. Dr. Alexander Goodall in a communication on "The potency and keeping properties of some galenicals as determined by physiological tests," said there was no doubt that the pharmacological testing of certain drugs was a necessity and he maintained that the prescribing or dispensing of a tincture of digitalis, stropanthus or squill which had not been so tested was unjustifiable. As a result of extensive investigations Dr. Goodall showed that eleven out of twenty-three samples of tincture of digitalis made by manufacturing chemists of repute showed a departure from the normal potency ranging from 4 minims to 25 minims as the equivalent of 15 minims of a tincture of normal strength. Four out of twentyone samples of tincture of stropanthus showed a deviation from the average potency ranging from 3 minims to 30 minims as the equivalent of 15 minims of normal strength. Five out of ten samples of tincture of squill showed a departure from average potency, all in the direction of increased strength. As regards keeping properties, it would appear that tincture of digitalis is not reliable after one year; tincture of stropanthus appears to retain full activity for at least three years, and tincture of squill may deteriorate after two years. A similar subject was dealt with in a paper by Dr. Gordon Sharp and Mr. F. W. Braun, the object of the author's work was primarily to ascertain if a tincture of digitalis made with 90 per cent alcohol remained active for a longer time than the ordinary pharmacopoeial preparation. Another point kept in view for remark was the relative activity of the petioles. Four months after being made, all the tinctures were examined physiologically and came up to the standard, although on the whole the stronger alcohol preparations were not quite so toxic as the others. In the course of examination one of the tinctures did not come up to the standard and it was surmised that it must be that prepared with the petioles. It was set aside and examined quantitatively, and it was discovered that a double dose needed to be injected to stop the heart. This showed that the petioles or leaf stalks only possessed half the capacity of the leaves and petioles taken together, and the maker who cuts off petioles would produce a more potent preparation than he who includes both in his tincture. The authors again examined the activity of the tinctures (in frogs) at the end

of 20 months, when it was found that out of nine B. P. or 60 per cent tinctures seven were potent; out of nine 90 per cent tinctures only four came up to standard. A third examination was carried out at the end of two years and four months. All the B. P. or 60 per cent tinctures found to be up to standard at the second examination were again tested with the result that only one was found to answer the test. Mr. N. H. Martin, in a Note on the Iodine Content of Thyroid Gland, stated the results of a series of determinations of iodine content of thyroid gland covering different periods of the year. The figures which he submitted covered a total number of over 6,500 lobes, each estimation being made on the bulked product of some hundreds. Sheep's thyroids vary greatly in size, but anything between 1 inch and 2 inches in length might be said to be the usual. Frequently glands were met with which greatly exceeded these proportions, though apparently healthy enough tissue. It was noteworthy that while the large lobes contained much more iodine than the usual, it was not proportionate to their increased weight and the percentage of iodine in the dried substance was reduced. As far as there was any indication of seasonal variation in iodine content in the table of monthly results, the author's figures are quite opposed to the statement of Koch that there is three times the amount of iodine in Thyroideum Siccum prepared during the winter months than there is in that prepared in June and July-the highest figures for the past year being those given in these two months. There is a considerable range in the iodine percentage, viz.: 0.3 to 0.4 per cent, but there is nothing to indicate that so low a standard as that suggested by Mr. Bennett at last year's conference, namely, 0.15 per cent, should be adopted. E. F. Harrison and P. A. W. Self, who have done much useful work in connection with the investigation of Asafetida contributed some further details concerning the adulteration of this drug. They again suggested a minimum of 1.5 for the sulphur of the oil, expressed as a percentage of the real gum resin; this figure and the percentage of ash go a long way in enabling an opinion to be formed as to the genuineness and quality of the sample; the addition of mineral matter would raise the ash, while the addition of any foreign gum resin, resin or gum would lower the percentage of sulphur. Either galbanum, ammoniacum, olibanum, elemi, or many other conceivable adulterations would lower the amount of sulphur calculated as a percentage of the gum resin. From the manner in which asafetida is collected, and the absence of certain knowledge in regard to the species yielding it, it is inevitable that some material of doubtful authenticity should accompany it; but so long as the essential constituents, i. e., the sulphur-containing constituents of the oil, do not fall below a reasonable limit, it seems absurd to condemn a parcel of the drug because pieces can be picked out of it here and there which do not show

all the characters of the true drug. The above were perhaps the most important of the papers communicated, but because the others are not mentioned here it must not be supposed that they were not of considerable interest. Many of the papers hardly lend themselves to brief treatment and justice could not be done to them by a mere mention of their titles.

What Travelers Can Do for State Associations.-It is now a quarter of a century since the traveling salesmen attending the Mo. Ph. A. realized that they had opportunities for distinctive work at the annual gatherings and took steps which resulted, twenty-four years ago, in the organization of an auxiliary, a feature which is now common to state pharmaceutical associations, wherever found. Traveling men attend state meetings on request or under instructions from the firms they represent. They are sent in the interest of the retail trade, the members of which are customers of the firms represented. The salesmen confront the problem of how to best employ their time, energies and pin money. Salesmen are interesting conversationalists, well posted and their presence in a social way, without any special effort or exertion, no doubt, repays the firms they represent, on account of bringing them into closer touch with the best element of the drug trade, for that is the class that belongs to the state associations. Owing to their executive ability and business opportunities, the statesmen have for several years past taken up the burden of work in preparing and carrying out entertainments. This has relieved the retailers of hard work and at the same time furnished them new and extended forms of entertainment. This responsibility on the part of the salesmen requires considerable judgment and sometimes the exercise of restraint in order not to overdo matters and give the retailers too much of a good thing. Whenever entertainments are coincident with business sessions of the association, friction is likely to arise. Occasionally, the entertainment develops conviviality to an extreme and evidences a hilarious nature not in keeping with the best judgment of the salesmen nor the liking of the retailers.

Where salesmen can exercise their energies to the best advantage is by constantly keeping in mind the association throughout the entire year and talking the state organizations wherever they go. They should urge eligible pharmacists to join and work up an enthusiasm among those who can attend so that members will make the state meeting their annual outing.

Retail pharmacists should not hesitate in telling the salesmen what they like and what they do not like. The salesmen, and the firms they represent, are only too anxious to please their customers.

The St. Louis College of Pharmacy will be fifty years of age in 1914. We will be pleased to hear from those who consider themselves among the oldest living graduates.

STRAY ITEMS AND COMMENTS

The Druggists' National Home, at Palmyra, Wis., is now open to all of the drug trade. For further information address E. B. Heimstreet, Palmyra, Wis.

Chemical Names Are Formidable.-Just as shorthand is used in order to be brief, a new chemical reagent for proteins is known as ninhydrin, but in order to be explicit it is necessary to say "triketohydrindenhydrate."

Telephone Prescriptions are refused by some pharmacists who claim that the danger of mistakes is too great to be risked. One pharmacist, recently interviewed, replied: "We do not receive prescriptions over the phone or any other way. Physicians here dispense their own medicines."

Are Your Labels Honest?-A firm placing on the market a mineral water bearing a label which represents a stream of water flowing out of a tunnel, was fined $50.00 because the bottled water proved to be artificially carbonated and contained added chemicals. It was not a question of the medicinal value of the product, but one of misrepresenting facts on the label.

Poison Cases in England are given prominence in all of the pharmaceutical journals published in that country. Such records evidently interest British pharmacists or the editors would not set aside so much space for the subject. In this country, pharmaceutical journals seldom if ever mention poison accidents unless the reputation of a pharmacist is in question.

Synthetic Tannin is one of the latest candidates from the chemical laboratory for competition with nature's products. Little by little, coal tar derivatives have replaced vegetable dyes. Now, the same source of supply promises synthetic tannin. The great commercial demand for tannin is in the leather industry. Synthetic tannin is now being used in Germany.

How to Keep up the Membership. This is a problem with every state pharmaceutical association. The Cal. Ph. A. is no exception but, instead of allowing matters to drift, the secretary, K. B. Bowerman, 238 Stockton St., San Francisco, Cal., is anxious to hear from other associations and profit by any experience that may have brought good results elsewhere. State pharmaceutical associations please take due notice.

The British Pharmacopoeia is revised in accordance with the ideas of physicians and the pharmacists complain. The U. S. P. Committee on Revision is made up almost entirely of pharmacists and the physicians are objecting. We do not, however, hear any complaint in this country like that in England, where it is stated that pharmacists do considerable work on the Pharmacopoeia for which others "take the credit."

Why Errors Occur.-Many mistakes are due to ignorance rather than carelessness. It was a mistake in the original parcel post law to limit a package

of liquid to 12 ounces. Whoever got up the law was ignorant of the fact that twelve ounce bottles are scarce, while eight ounces and sixteen ounces are in common use. It did not take the postoffice department long to detect the mistake and now a sixteen ounce bottle of liquid is mailable.

Good in Theory but Bad in Practice.-It may be all right and probably is for boards of pharmacy and college teachers to ask questions on the conversion of metric terms into the ordinary cumbersome weights and measures or vice versa. The knowledge of how to make such a translation and the ability to carry it out is desirable, but in actual practice no pharmacist should ever think of making the translation. What he should do is to weigh and measure with utensils adapted to the system in which the prescription is written or the formula printed.

Anti-vivisectionists are not mathematically exact in their statements nor scientifically careful in assections. A few months ago, the Pall Mall Gazette was sued by a woman who stated that the editor had implied that she was a deliberate and systematic liar and that her anti-vivisection propaganda had been carried on by a systematic campaign of falsehood. The special jury required twenty minutes to bring in a verdict in favor of the editor. It will cost the woman about $25,000.00 to defray the expense of the trial, which now falls on her. Evidently, the anti-vivisection campaign is an expensive one.

Brave is the Physician "Who Says I Do Not Know."-Dr. Woodson Moss says:

"Patients seem to be willing to suffer on for years, and at last die if the doctor could only tell him the cause of his trouble and can assure his patient that his remedies are attacking the cause. Sad is the fate of the physician whose temerity and honesty allow him to confess that he does not know. The ancient Greek physician had rather the best of us, for he not only knew that it was this awful humor in the blood, but the sun, moon and stars came in for their share of blame, when the 'humor' failed to give satisfaction, for does not the old poet say:"

"Therefore the moon, the Governess of floods, Pale in her anger, washes all the air, That rheumatic diseases may abound." Indian Words in our language are not numerous in spite of the fact that we have replaced the Indian and lived in contact with him since the discovery of America. Some of these Indian words are of great value in English. Our gratitude is due the Red Men for such words as hubbub, hominy, moccasin, mugwump, moose, papoose, powwow, sachem, sagamore, sassafras, skunk, squaw, succotash, toboggan, tomahawk, wampum, wigwam, etc. There are other Indian words used in English, but they are less generally known, such as mushquash, meaning muskrat; quahog, an edible clam; samp, an article of food made from maize; sannop, a brave; and tautog, a species of fish. A few others are in use in certain localities, but they are still more Indian than English.

STRAY ITEMS AND COMMENTS

Only Qualified Pharmacists should be employed in the dispensing of prescriptions in private, municipal and state institutions. It is up to pharmacists in the interest of the public to see that such conditions prevail.

Anxious to Be Useful.-The MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST desires to help out its readers whenever possible. Our Quiz Department and the one on Practical Pharmacy are maintained for that purpose. Let us hear from you often.

New York Watches Missouri.-Thomas D. McElhenie, of Brooklyn, N. Y., a prominent A. Ph. A. member, takes to task the New York Sun for failure in an editorial to give the women of Missouri proper credit for their good work in the governor's good road effort.

Linseed Oil by Weight.-In Europe this is the only method followed. If this country should adopt the plan, it will become more convenient for all concerned. The various pigments are sold by the pound but the painter must figure measure for oil and turpentine and weight for pigments when preparing paint.

At

Made in Germany is a familiar expression. one time, it looked as if the announcement would not appear at the San Francisco Exposition in 1915. Germany has reconsidered its decision and the manufacturers will see to it that "Made in Germany" is given a prominent place at the Panama Canal Exposition.

Association Organizations.-The Ia. Ph. A. is a monthly publication in the form of a four-page leaflet. It gives news about the association, board of pharmacy and similar subjects. If each pharmaceutical association made use of a similar publication, it would help improve the conditions of pharmacy in this country.

Followed Our Advice.-On page 259 of MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST for September, we had an item under the heading, "Pharmacists should Marry Early." Judging from announcements many are following our advice. We now call attention to the second part of our injunction, which reads, "and remain married."

Pharmacopoeial Revision.-In the revision of pharmacopoeias an effort should be made to get as much direct information as possible. As an example, the U. S. P. directs sanguinaria to be collected "after the death of the foliage." Such a practice is not common nor does the drug at that time contain the most alkaloid. Experiments show that sanguinaria and other similar drugs, no doubt, should be collected about or immediately after flowering.

Tuberculous Children should be taught in open air schools. At the present time, the United States affords accommodations for about 1,500 such children. The Fourth International Congress on School Hygiene estimates that at least one million tubercu

It

lous children are attending the public schools. is suggested that the United States follow the example set by Italy and make use of discarded war ships as open air schools.

Cincinnati Hospitality was in evidence during the recent N. A. R. D. convention. The pharmacists of that city have the spirit in common with the citizens in general. Cincinnati's appreciation of visits from national pharmaceutical conventions was first made known in 1854, when the A. Ph. A. was the guest. That organization again visited Cincinnati in 1864 and lastly in 1887. Is it not about time for another A. Ph. A. meeting in Cincinnati?

Cut Rates, souvenirs and other conditions are looked upon by the drug trade as a demoralizing evil. When it comes to supplies for conventions, picnics and outings, the situation is viewed from quite a different standpoint. Grape juice and other refreshments as well as souvenirs from manufacturers are welcomed by the pharmacists. Perhaps this is because he is away from home and playing the role of a customer instead of a dealer.

Bait in Insecticides not Possessing Insecticidal Action is an Inert Material. So says the Department of Agriculture. In order to comply with the Insecticide Act of 1910, it is necessary to place on each package the correct names and percentage amounts of such inert ingredients. If this is not done, the manufacturer must place on each package the amounts of each and every ingredient having insecticidal properties and in addition show the total percentage of inert ingredients. The contention raised by a manufacturer that flour and other ingredients of a similar nature are used to act as a bait or food to attract the insects does not excuse the manufacturer from complying with the above regulation.

Dye Stuffs and Extracts. A government report shows that the most important product in 1909 was oak and chestnut extracts, of which 287,908,285 pounds, valued at $6,061,162, was produced; logwood extract followed with a production of 32,317,248 pounds, valued at $999,974. The production of hemlock extract was 12,588,078 pounds, valued at $280,487; of artificial dyestuffs 12,267,399 pounds were produced, valued at $3,462,436. Including subsidiary products reported, the total production of artificial dyes in 1909 was approximately 12,759,000 pounds; of mordants, 1,788,000 pounds; of sizes, 57,400,000 pounds; of tannic acid, 8,000,000 pounds; and of turkey-red oil, 3,398,000 pounds. The consumption of materials included 8,303 tons of sulphuric acid, costing $72,638; 85 tons of nitric acid, costing $7,066; 242 tons of mixed acid, costing $7,066; 242 tons of mixed acid, costing $17,291; 6,341 gallons of grain alcohol, costing $3,309; and 724 gallons of wood alcohol, costing $391. In addition, 936,578,482 pounds of ground and chipped wood, 293,062,168 pounds of ground bark, and 1,955,040 pounds of ground leaves were made and used in the process of manufacture by establishments reporting.