In

fire. The flame operated merely as it would from any outside source. It is contended, however, that the use of gasoline torches was a breach of the literal terms of the eighth condition of the policy, which prohibited the keeping or using of gasoline on the insured premises. The weight of authority is to the affect, however, that such provisions are not to be strictly construed. considering a similar clause in a policy this court said: "What is intended to be prohibited is the habitual use of such articles, not their exceptional use upon some emergency. The strict rule claimed by defendant would prevent the insured from painting his house or cleaning his furniture, as it would be difficult to do either without using some of the prohibited articles."

This, being put in other language, means that the provision in the policy regarding gasoline does not prevent a man from using gasoline for such purposes as appeared in the above case; it is intended to prevent such acts as storing gasoline upon the premises so that its inflammability will increase the danger of fire. Had the gasoline in the torch exploded and thus caused the fire, a different question would have been presented.

The provision regarding the employment of mechanics without the company's consent probably touches the average reader hereof even more closely than the other, for repairs are constantly being made to stores or dwellings and almost never is the company's consent obtained. If the condition here presented makes a policy void, there is hardly a business man but who has violated his policy many times over.

The court, however, says that the provision does not apply to repairs which are necessary to the proper care and preservation of the property. language was as follows:

Its

"When, from the character of the building insured, and the use made of it, it is necessary to have workmen constantly engaged in repairing, in order to keep it in proper condition for the business done therein, the employment of such workmen is not a breach of the condition that 'working of carpenters,' etc., altering or repairing will vitiate the policy." The same principle is recognized in Flanders on Fire Insurance, 532, as follows: "It is not to be presumed, in the absence of any express agreement on the subject, that when the owner affects an insurance on his building he deprives himself of the right to use it in the common and ordinary mode, including the right to make all proper and reasonable repairs. These repairs, indeed, may be so extensive as to amount to an alteration, and in that case the question will be whether such alteration materially increased the risk; but the substitution of a new bulkhead for one that had become useless by decay is not an alteration; it is a repair, and not the less so because the old material is discarded, and a more durable material employed in its stead. The risk, therefore, arising from ordinary repairs is covered by a policy."

In making the contract of insurance the parties must be regarded as having had in contemplation the proper care and preservation of the premises insured.

This decision, and the one discussed in the last article, close two of the holes through which for years insurance companies have been endeavoring to crawl in order to escape liability for losses sustained by holders of their policies. The main reason they have succeeded so often is not that the holes are there, but that the holders of the policy don't know that they are.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT AND WHAT TRIVIAL IN RESEARCH.-The man of research requires the power to see the mosquito on the monument and for the moment to forget the monument for the sake of the mosquito. It is so often the trivial thing which turns out to be important. It is of more concern to us to know the mosquito which holds the power of life and death than to contemplate the battle commemorated by the monument.-[R. D. Carmichael in Science.

Service. A man's measure of success is determined by his ability to perform SERVICE-service to himself by developing his latent powers and inherent resources; service to his clientele and his dependents, and service to humanity at large.

Our prime object in life is to render REAL service; next, we aim to make a comfortable living. More than that we do not ask, nor expect.

A physician's real success is dependent upon his ability to render service. Unless he does actually render service his advancement is superficial and transitory.

The pharmacist's success lies in his ability to render service. Unless he keeps abreast of progress in his profession and steers clear of the pitfalls of a debauched commercialism, his failure is inevitable.

In our wholesome desire to render superior service, we are expanding our activities and our usefulness. We have recently added to our service A HIGH-CLASS PRESCRIPTION DEPARTMENT for

the

dispensing of pharmaceuticals. We believe that this service will appeal particularly to physisians in the interior where it is difficult to procure unusual remedial agents or pharmaceuticals of the proper quality.

This prescription service offers the highest attainment in pharmaceutical skill. It comprises the best pharmaceuticals science has been able to produce. It offers promptness of service and allows for no more than a fair margin of profit.

In the saving on heavy operating expense and the elimination of gratuities, we hope to deliver a service that will far surpass that of our competitors.

Send your orders and prescriptions to Fred I. Lackenbach, San Francisco.

5. How does the U. S. P. define the term "gentle heat?" (b) Convert 60° C. to F.

6. How much Strychnine Sulphate will be required to make 1 f of a solution, so each 5 minims will contain 1/64 grain? 7. How many parts of a 30% acid will take the place of 100 parts of 10% acid?

8. The dose of a certain drug is 1/150 grain. How much must be ordered to furnish three doses daily for three weeks?

9. How many 4-grain capsules can be filled from an original one-ounce bottle of Quinine Sulphate?

10. Give a rule for estimating the dose for children. Give an example.

CHEMISTRY.-Assistant Pharmacist

1. (a) Define the science of chemistry and of chemical change; (b) Explain what is understood by the terms "atom" and "molecule."

2. (a) How many atoms in a molecule of NHS? (b) Give molecular weight, and state what elements unite to form the molecule.

3. State how you would prove free chlorin in hydrochloric acid. 4. Write an equation, showing reaction, in the preparation of hydrogen from zinc.

5. Name and give the chemical formula of three common strong alkalies.

6. State name of ingredients you would use and show equation or explain reaction taking place in making hydrochloric acid.

7. What is the chemical name and formula for (a) copperas, (b) blue vitriol?

8. Write symbol and give flame test for salts of the following elements: (a) potassium, (b) sodium, (c) calcium, (d) lithium, (e) barium.

9. How will the following salts be affected by prolonged exposure to the air? (a) Ferrous sulphate, (b) potassium acetate, (c) ammonium carbonate, (d) zinc chloride, (e) sodium bonate?

car

10. (a) Give source and properties of iodine. (b) State in what respect bromine differs from iodine. PHARMACY.-Assistant Pharmacist.

1. Name two official drugs which are inspissated juices. Name one official preparation; name menstruum used.

2. What are the official preparations of Nutgall? How are they prepared?

3. How would you prepare Pumpkin Seed for pharmaceutical uses?

4. What salt is employed in the preparation of Tincture of Iodine, and why is it used?

5. What is the difference between a minim and a drop?

6. What is Burgundy Pitch, and what is its use in pharmacy? 7. What is Sal Ammoniac, and in what respect does it differ from the official Ammonium Chloride?

8. What is a common synonym for Potassium Carbonate? What are four official preparations into which it enters?

9. What is Chondrus? How is Mucilage of Chondrus N. F. prepared?

10. Name two fluid extracts that contain no alcohol. 11. Name the best solvent for Guaiac, Tannin, Chloral Hydrate. 12. Name two Cerates, and two Ointments. Give ingredients of each.

13. Describe decoctions. How do they differ from infusions? 14. What is the difference between Syrup Scillae Compound, and Syrup Scillae?

15. Name ingredients of Pulvis Cretae Compositas; also of Mistura Cretae.

16. How are the following medicinal waters prepared: Aqua Amygdala Amara? Aqua Chloriformi? Aqua Menthae Pipedita? Aqua Camphora ?

17. How is Collodion prepared? Name two official Collodions. 18. Give the official Latin name for Brown's Mixture. Of what is it composed?

19. How is Black Wash prepared? How is Yellow Wash prepared?

20. How is Carron Oil prepared? What is its official title? MATERIA MEDICA.-Assistant Pharmacist.

1. What are the medicinal properties of (a) Guaiac? (b) Buchu? (c) Sanguinaria ?

2. Give the source of Oil Tar, and medicinal use.

12. Foxglove - Give official Latin name, active principle, medicinal properties and dose.

13. Under what conditions do seeds germinate? Name the organs of plant reproduction.

14. Hyoscyamus, Stramonium, and Aconite Give the parts used. Give medicinal properties and doses.

15. What is the course of life in Biennial Plants? What is a Perennial Herb?

16. Griffith's Mixture-Give the official Latin name and medicinal properties.

17. What is the maximum dose of Donovan's Solution? Fowler's Solution? Atropine Sulphate?

18. Name two medicines used as Diaphoretics; two used as Astringents; two used as Sedatives.

19. Bitter Apple-Give official Latin name, medicinal properties and dose.

20. Name five Official Seeds; five Official Roots. Give medicinal properties of each.

UP-TO-DATE QUESTIONS

Not Found in Quiz

1.

2.

Compends or State Board Examinations.

By E. A. Sennewald, St. Louis R. D. A. Bulletin.

State the advantages of treating patrons politely. What is the advantage of (a) order, (b) system, (c) appearance in a drug store?

3. How many cigars should the policeman on the beat be permitted to smoke "on the boss" each day?

4. Which customers should have their postage stamp purchases wrapped?

5. Which ladies should have the stamps purchased by them affixed to the article to be mailed, by the pharmacist?

6. How long should a "chicken" be permitted to use the telephone, when speaking with her "Charlie Boy"?

7.

How many visitors should be permitted at one time (a) in the back-room of the store, (b) at the soda counter, (c) in the front of the store?

8. How long should a customer be permitted to wait at the counter, before asking: What is wanted?

9.

other?

10.

Should proprietors and clerks be prompt in relieving each

How long should merchandise which is received from jobbers or manufacturers be permitted to "lay around" without being examined, checked or marked?

11. How many times should the same label be sent out on refills of prescriptions, when should a new clean label be used on re-fills?

12. What is the limit of "down weight" to be given to favored (lady) customers, when selling them candy?

13. Should the want book have a specific place in the drug store?

14. Should the customer "be jumped on" when he makes an error in stating what he wants?

15. When should a lead-pencil and when should a stirring rod be used for mixing?

16. How many times in five years should the prescription counter and contents be arranged and put in order?

17. Are there any reasons (a) why labels should be plainly written, (b) why the costs and selling prices should be on all merchandise, (c) why goods which are sold on credit should be charged before delivery?

18.

Why should the store be opened promptly? 19. How much time should be spent daily in amusing (or joking with) the junior clerk or errand boy? discussions How many hours should be spent daily in about elections, base ball, prize fights, North and South Pole explorations, religion and topics of the day with customers?

20.

21. When should goods purchased by customers be passed to them without wrapping?

SOMNISAN. A fluid extract of valerian root prepared with weak alcohol from the drug which has been matured for two years. Given for insomnia of nervous origin as a hypnotic in doses of half to one teaspoonful; and as a sedative in doses of 20 drops. Brom-somnisan is the same with the addition of 10 per cent of Erlenmeyer's bromide mixture. Prepared at the Tutogen Laboratorium, SzittkettenRominten. [Pharm. Zeit., 1913, 58, 472.

U. S. P. AND N. F.

Chicago Physicians and Druggists Get Together on the U. S. P. and N. F. Propaganda.-The Chicago Retail Druggists' Association has started its U. S. P. and N. F. Propaganda Campaign in its usual energetic manner.

During the past month three Get Together Dinners of physicians and druggists were held and proved a most successful affair.

The North Side physicians and druggists gathered at the Hotel La Salle on Thursday evening, October 9, 1913, and a number of prominent speakers addressed those present. The chief address of the evening was given by the honorable Wm. McKinley, speaker of the House of Representatives of the Illinois Legislature.

The West Side physicians and druggists assembled at Tuscon Masonic Hall, Tuesday evening, October 14, 1913, and among the prominent speakers who addressed those present were Dr. Lyman J. Kebler, of the Bureau of Chemistry of Washington, D. C., and Judge K. Scanlan.

The Beef Steak Dinner of the South Side physicians and druggists held at the Stock Yards Inn, Tuesday, October 21, 1913, was the banner event and by far the largest in attendance. Fully four hundred members of the medical and pharmaceutical fraternity were present to enjoy a menu which was served in the most palatable manner.

Mr. Thomas Pots, the secretary of the National Association of Retail Druggists, who had also addressed the two previous gatherings, made one of his characteristic telling addresses, which was accorded the closest attention and hearty appreciation of all present.

Mr. Lee M. Pedigo, the chairman of the U. S. P. and N. F. Committee of the Chicago Retail Druggists' Association, made an address. In Mr. Pedigo, the association has a most effective speaker and willing worker.

The toastmaster made no mistake in introducing this gentleman as William Jennings Bryan of the drug trade. In his speech Mr. Pedigo complimented the medical fraternity that the prescriptions of today are more ethical than ever before and that the prescribing of proprietaries is fast becoming a thing of the past. He indorsed the high standard of purity of the chemicals and drugs manufactured by E. R. Squibb & Sons, whose products were exclusively used in the manufacture of the N. F. and U. S. P. preparations, which will be detailed by the representatives of the C. R. D. A. The U. S. P. and N. F. Propaganda Campaign should be most successful in the hands of Mr. Pedigo and the Chicago Retail Druggists' Association is to be congratulated for having such a man in its ranks.

Among the speakers who represented the medical profession was Dr. C. P. Caldwell, president of the Chicago Medical Association, whose address bristled

with points of interest to the members of both professions and showed that the physicians of the country are fast awakening to the necessity of eliminating from their prescriptions patent preparations on account of the number of fakes and nostrums which are today thrown upon the market. The doctor also called the druggists' attention to the fact that they must cease to advertise and display in their windows patent medicines if they expect to get the co-operation of the members of the medical fraternity. Drs. C. J. Whalen and Theo. Tiekin also made very interesting talks.

Among other active workers of the association who addressed the assemblage were Messrs. H. J. Holthoefer, Wilhelm Bodeman, Isam M. Light, B. A. C. Hoelzer, J. P. Crowley, Wm. Armbrecht, Richard Voge, J. J. Chwatel, J. J. Boehm and A. F. Burhop.

To enliven the occasion a program of select cabaret acts was given at each of the banquets and the singing of the choruses of popular melodies by the entire assemblage was ably lead by Mr. Roy Weed.

NECROLOGY

Merck. Dr. Louis Merck, head of the well-known firm of E. Merck, Darmstadt, Germany, died, September 15, at the age of sixty years. A widow and two sons survive.

Simonsen. Ernst Simonsen, of Jefferson City, Mo., died, September 16. He was a prominent business man. Mr. Simonsen is survived by his wife, nee Frederica de Wyl, who at one time was prominent in Mo. Ph. A. and A. Ph. A. affairs.

Tanner. Walter A. Tanner died at his home in Evansville, Indiana, August 8, at the age of thirty years. Mr. Tanner was Chief Clerk of the L. & N. Railway at that place and was the son of Mr. A. R. Tanner, who represents Meyer Brothers Drug Company in Southern Illinois.

Glenn. Thomas S. Glenn died of heart disease at St. Luke's Hospital, October 8, at the age of sixty-seven years. Mr. Glenn was born at Columbus, Ohio, and came to St. Louis forty-four years ago. For thirty-three years he was in business on the southeast corner of Jefferson and Washington Aves. He was a thorough pharmacist, proud of his calling and always interested in his apprentices and clerks. Mr. Glenn was a prominent Mason and after retiring from business devoted his time to lodge work.

THE RED RADISH IN SCIENCE.-An alcoholic solution of the skin of a red radish serves as an excellent indicator or test for acids and bases. In the presence of acids the colorless solution turns pink while with bases-alkaline solutions-it turns yellow. It is well known that many plant extracts such as litmus and animal products like the cochineal bug possesses this property of developing marked colors with acids and [Scientific American.

EDITOR'S TABLE

The Smithsonian Institution has issued the 1912 Report. It is a very interesting volume containing 789 pages. Many of the articles appeal particularly to pharmacists who keep in touch with scientific progress. Ask your representative or senator to secure you a copy.

Gould and Pyle's Pocket Cyclopedia of Medicine and Surgery based upon the Second Edition of Gould and Pyle's Cyclopedia of Practical Medicine and Surgery, Second Edition, Revised, Enlarged and Edited by R. J. E. Scott, M. A., B. C. L., M. D., New York, formerly attending physician to the Demilt Dispensary; formerly attending physician to the Bellevue Dispensary; author of "The State Board Examination Series;" editor of "Witthaus' Essentials of Chemistry and Toxicology" and "Hughes' Practice of Medicine," etc., etc. Philadelphia, P. Blakiston's Son & Co., 1012 Walnut St., 1913.

It is astonishing what an immense amount of accurate information in convenient form is furnished for one dollar. Every pharmacy student should have a copy of this dictionary at hand.

ESSENTIALS OF PRESCRIPTION WRITING. By Cary Eggleston, M. D., Instructor in Pharmacology, Cornell University Medical College, New York City. 32 mo. of 115 pages, W. B. Saunders Company, 1913. Cloth, $1.00 net. W. B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, London.

This little volume of 115 pages contains a large amount of practical information, particularly valuable to physicians. We suggest that pharmacists purchase copies as Christmas presents for local physicians.

Before passing the volume on, the pharmacist should carefully read the same from cover to cover. Much of the matter is familiar to the average pharmacist, but some will be of special interest.

Coloring Prescriptions. The author treats of this subject at length and the volume should be kept convenient for reference.

"The colors which may be imparted to a prescription are red, brown, or yellow. Blue is possible. but it should be avoided, as it is commonly reserved as a distinctive color for solutions of the bichlorid of mercury for external use. Bright green is sometimes seen in the case of ferrous salts and the alcoholic preparations of some of the vegetable drugs, in the manufacture of which no heat had been used.

"For the purpose of artificially coloring prescriptions certain preparations may be used, some of which are suitable for alkaline and neutral prescriptions, and others for such as are acid in reaction. It is so seldom necessary to color the solid preparations artificially that these will not be considered; coloring agents for liquid prescriptions alone will be given.

For Prescriptions of Alkaline or Neutral Reaction. Red. Preparations of carmin or cocchineal, e. g., liquor carmini and liquor coccineus (N. F.), compound tincture of cardamom (U. S. P.).

Brown. Preparations containing glycyrrhiza, e. g., fluidextractum glycyrrhizae and elixir adjuvans. For Prescriptions Acid in Reaction.

Red. The tincture of cudbear (tinctura persionis, N. F.).

Red-Brown. The compound tincture of cudbear (tinctura persionis composita, N. F.). Brown. Caramel.

For Either Acid or Alkaline Prescriptions. Yellow. The tincture of hydrastis (tinctura hydrastis, U. S. P.) is fairly stable in the presence of either acid or alkaline preparations. It is an alcoholic preparation, and when added to aqueous prescriptions, some precipitation of resinous matter may result; therefore under such conditions it is well to order the pharmacist to filter the prescription.

"By the use of the proper proportions of these preparations it is possible to obtain almost any tint of coloring. These proportions are variable, and are best learned by making a few simple experiments, as then one will become familiar with the tint produced by the several proportions employed, and will be in position to vary the degree of tinting skillfully."

Digest of Comments of the Pharmacopoeia of the United States (Eighth Decennial Revision) and of the National Formulary (Third Edition) for the Calendar Year ending December 31, 1911. By Murray Galt Motter and Martin I. Wilbert. Bull. No. 87, U. S. Public Health Service.

This is the Seventh Bulletin of the present series of digests of comments on the official standards. It contains much of interest to those who use the Pharmacopoeia and the National Formularly; therefore, it should appeal to practically the entire drug trade.

Attention has also been given to the German Pharmacopoeia, published in 1910, as the comments on that standard have rather a direct bearing on both the U. S. P. and the N. F.

Those who are particularly interested in revision work will find an extended summary of expressions covering the scope of pharmacopoeia. This subject is particularly prominent in the United States, but also receiving attention in Germany. One extreme view would make the Pharmacopoeia include almost anything and everything used in materia medica, and the other view would cut the pharmacopoeia down to a very small manual containing a few of the medicines recommended by pharmacologists, the selection being based on laboratory experiments.

Interested parties can obtain the Bulletin of 683 pages by addressing the Public Health Service, Washington, D. C.

MERCURIAL SUPPOSITORIES FOR SYFHILIS.-Dr. Sabouraud prescribes mercurial ointment, 1 grain; cacao butter, 1 drachm; in the form of a suppository for the mercurial treatment of syphilis. Not only is this a most efficacious means of administering mercurial treatment, but it is a very discrete one, a fact which in many cases will greatly add to its value. No salivation has ever been observed, and the results ob tained have been at least as good as those following inunction or injection.-[Med. Press, 1913, 146, 640.

Of late I have noticed that your writing is deteriorating. When you first went out your letters were all legible, but recently I have begun having trouble deciphering them. Now don't blame it on my eyes; they are every bit as good as yours. Possibly it is because your trade has picked up and you are too busy to take much pains with your writing. Then again, it may be the heat which is responsible.

There are three professions in which clear, legible writing is essential; the medical, the clerical and selling. If a doctor writes like a hen tracking mud across a clean floor, his patients are apt to suffer in more ways than one. If a preacher can't read his own manuscript he is subject to embarrassing mistakes and if the house has trouble ascertaining whether four or forty dozen are meant by a salesman it tangles the wheels.

The only real experts in handwriting are too expensive for the house to engage to decipher the salesmen's chirography. Only the state and the defense in big murder cases and the postoffice department can afford to pay their price; so your house, or any other, has to trust to luck and none too intelligent clerks to untangle the scrawls of some of their men.

As I have pointed out to you before, most big houses run on fairly small margins of profit and everything has to count. The time of the order department employes is worth just so much; the shipping department can do just so much work, and if time is lost in these, in trying to figure out what the devil is meant on some orders and reports money is lost as well.

Moreover, there is danger of the wrong items going out, or the wrong number of items, or any one of a dozen things can be balled up by these chaps who write like an Egyptian scribe of some hundreds of years before Moses was yanked out of the bullrushes by Miss Pharaoh. Honest, son, if I couldn't write better than some traveling men I know I would print my orders or use a typewriter% And, by the way, a small typewriter is a good thing to carry along if you haven't much of a load. When one becomes expert on it he can save time—and time to a traveling salesman working on commission, is something worth saving. It means he can make more calls, is not overworked always, and can get more orders.

But whatever you do, try and get back to that clear script of which you used to be proud. There is no excuse for an illegible order or report and more than one good salesman has found it out to his sorrow. It's all a matter of practice and habit anyway. If you find yourself slurring words and crowd

To Make a Hole in Thin Glass.-Science, Art and Nature says: When one wishes to bore a hole in thin glass, in order to avoid cracking, put a ring of humid clay around the spot, leaving vacant a spot in the center, of the exact size of the desired hole, then pour into the ring a spoonful of melted lead. This causes the glass in the vacant place to break and drop out, and the lead empties itself through a hole into the vessel placed below to catch it.

Preventing Scratches on Polished Floors. A very simple but effective means of preventing scratching and marring of polished floors through careless moving of chairs, etc., is to glue a small disk of felt on the bottom of each leg, using ordinary liquid glue. This suggestion can also be made useful in its application for articles placed for display on polished glass show cases or ever on marble topped counters or tables. It has the further merit of preventing the disagreeable noise made when a chair or similar article is carelessly dragged across a floor. Heavy cloth can be used instead of felt if this is not available.

Rhubarb as a Coloring Agent. The author, who has been accustomed to use hydrastis or golden seal to give a golden-yellow color to liquid pharmaceutical preparations, such as liquid antiseptic or "Listerine," objects to it on the ground of expense. Rhubarb was tried as a substitute, and was found satisfactory. To obtain the color, he macerates the ground rhubarb for twenty-four hours, and then percolates with alcohol to make a definite volume-a 3 per cent preparation. This alcoholic solution can be used in varied amounts to give golden-yellow tints to any liquid preparation.-[J. K. Thum, Amer. Journ. Pharm., January, 1913, 19).

TRICARBIN has been introduced into German commerce as being a glycerin carbonic ester having the formula C.H, O, and melting at 149° C. It is a white, odoless and tasteless powder, for which no medicinal properties are claimed, but which is put forward for use as a vehicle and diluent of active drugs. The authors do not find the commercial product to have the melting point stated since it is not pure. It contains only 80 per cent of the pure compound, which is soluble in hot water, from which it crystallizes out on cooling. The crystals thus obtained have the formula and melting point above stated. The 20 per cent of impurity consists of 1:24 per cent of ash, the remainder being organic matter. -[C. Mannich and L. Schwedes, Apoth. Zeit., 1912, 27 707.