STRICTLY UNOFFICIAL

The Origin of Xmas.-This was discovered by a man who, just preceding the holidays, had each member of the family call on him for $10.00 to use in shopping.

An Early Easter. This year, Easter falls on March 23 which is so early in the season in most sections of the country that the usual Easter finery is not likely to be in demand as wearing apparel. Easter cannot come earlier than March 21 or later than April 25. It occurred on March 21 in the year 387 and March 22 in 1812. It has not been as early as March 23 since 1858 and will not again occur at such an early date until after the twenty-first century begins.

Of the Many Side Lines in a modern retail drug store, one of the most annoying is that of taking advertisements for daily papers. A bit of humor was injected into the transaction experienced by a St. Louis pharmacist who received the following want ad.:

for Sel. Candistor with Restorom Best locasion Betuin 3 thre Bik Thiaters aplly at wans 5941 Easton Av. the propretor gon livy.

Varialoid is what the customer had in mind when he told the drug clerk that a member of his family did not have smallpox after all, for the doctor said it was only celluloid.

Are You a Lizard or a Badger?-The following is a list of the states with the popular state names, followed by the names applied to those who are natives of the soil.

GRANT W. STEVENS.

Grant W. Stevens, Detroit, treasurer, N. A. R. D., was represented on the cover of the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST for February.

Study the Market Review in the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST and profit thereby.

Boards of Pharmacy information published on pages 46 and 48 of each issue of the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST.

Philanthropy by Andrew Carnegie amounts to $382,000,000 when measured by a financial standard. That of John D. Rockefeller reaches $175,000,000. Pharmacy does not seem to figure in this vast expenditure for philanthropic purposes. Is this due to a lack of effort on the part of pharmacists or because pharmacy is in no way in need of such benefits.

Drugs Price List, Page 3.
Market Review, Page 94.
Sundries Price List Page 25.
Want Advertisements, Page 63.
Index to Advertisements, Page 64.

Dates of Board Examinations, Page 46

Editorial

Are You Violating the Red Cross Law?-Perhaps there is no other law as universal throughout the civilized world and as little understood as the one relating to the use of the Red Cross. The United States, in common with other civilized countries, has enacted a law which prohibits the use of the Red Cross for commercial, philanthropic of charitable purposes. This includes such uses as are ordinarily made of the Red Cross by pharmacists, manufacturers, barbers, charitable societies and religious organizations. It is a violation of the law to use the Red Cross as is commonly done on "tag day." Nor has a physician a right to display a red cross on his automobile. Nor can hospitals legally place the red cross on their ambulances.

The government has thus far been very lenient and has followed a course of education as a means It seems, of stopping the illegal use of the red cross. however, that the time is approaching when the courts will be called upon to name the punishment for those who are convicted of violating the law which prohibits the use of "the emblem of the red cross on a white ground or any sign or insignia made in imitation thereof or of the words 'red cross' or 'Geneva cross' or any combination of these words."

Our readers and particularly those who may be using the red cross in violation of the law must not look upon the restriction as one peculiar to this country or a regulation intended to give any organization exceptional rights which are not deserving. The representatives of the civilized countries of the earth met at Geneva, some years ago, and signed a treaty intended to enable the red cross workers to carry on their good work wherever war, pestilence, famine or devastation from floods or tornadoes demand their service. In order to provide a name and an emblem which would be distinctive for all of the Red Cross Societies of the globe, it became necessary to restrict the use of the red cross to the Red Cross Societies and the medical departments of the army and the navy of each country. The red cross wherever seen, no matter whether in times of war or peace should mean neutrality. Its significance should apply not only to nations but all races and creeds. The red cross like the word, humanity, recognizes no lines of color, makes no distinction of race, separates no religions nor favors any class.

Gathering Rubber by Electricity.-The methods followed in gathering rubber in South America have not changed since the advent of the white man in that country. The great problem today is one of labor. Rubber has varied in price from one to three dollars per pound, but the invention of a German who has long lived in Peru, is likely to reduce the market value and increase the output. His device will enable one man to do as much work as was for

merly accomplished by forty. It will make possible the gathering of rubber in swamps where trees could not be operated on by ordinary methods. It makes possible the tapping of the trees early in the morning, before sunrise, at the time when the flow is greatest. The methods will prevent permanent injury to trees, as but small punctures are made which will rapidly heal and in no way injure the trees. The apparatus has been tried in an experimental way and as many as fifty or sixty trees operated upon from a central electrical plant. It is believed that with it 5,000 trees can be handled simultaneously. The apparatus, when placed in position, will remain attached to the trees for sixty days and by having in the receptacles proper reagents the latex will be converted into rubber so that when the apparatus is removed as many as 270 lumps of coagulated rubber, each lump constituting a "handful," will be the yield of an ordinary sized tree.

Thus, electricity finds a new field and exerts an important influence in the commercial world.

Counter Prescribing is a subject with which the average pharmacist is only too familiar and about which the average physician has exaggerated ideas. It is usually discussed from the viewpoint of criticism by practitioners of medicine. Occasionally, however, pharmacists themselves look upon the practice with a liberal spirit and forget the selfish interests which for the moment actuate and seem to justify the average practice of counter prescribing. We are pleased to give space in our Correspondence Department to a communication from a graduate in pharmacy who as a pharmacist and humanitarian condemns counter prescribing. He speaks in no uncertain tone and expresses ideas to which the average pharmacist accedes.

At the present time when great efforts are being made to regain for pharmacy the prescription trade which was at one time the main feature of the calling, it is becoming both clerk and proprietor to carefully consider every condition which in any way militates against a common understanding and mutual good will between pharmacists and physicians.

Although it would be difficult to resurrect a more ancient problem in pharmacy which is timely today, we feel that profit can be gained by presenting new arguments regarding counter prescribing and even re-hashing old considerations. We will be glad to hear from the readers of the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST who feel like placing their views in print. A Pharmaceutical Trip to Europe. Just prior to the World's Fair at Paris, a few years ago, the A. Ph. A. appointed a committee to report on a plan for a party of pharmacists to visit the Fair. It was believed that it would be possible to charter a boat and hold the annual meeting of the A. Ph. A. while crossing the ocean. Various objections were made and the project finally failed. Dr. W. C. Alpers, of New York City, feels that the general idea is feasible and he is now interested in planning a trip abroad to be participated in by pharmacists. Of course, particular

attention would be given to the European chemical industry as well as to the universities and schools having departments pertaining to pharmaceutical education. Dr. Alpers is chairman of a committee appointed by the president of the German ApothekerVerein, of New York City. Arrangements will be made for monthly payments of $10.00 until a sufficient amount is accumulated to defray all expenses. This is on the plan that it is easier to save a stipulated amount each month than it is to draw a large sum from the reserve fund.

The Apotheker-Zeitung has an interesting editorial on the subject and we are informed that success is assured the undertaking. Parties interested should correspond direct with Dr. W. C. Alpers, care of the Apotheker-Zietung, New York City.

Certified Pharmacists Exist Only in Theory.-The New York Branch of the A. Ph. A. discussed the matter last winter and appointed a committee to work out details. Thus far, no actual results can be reported. Both pharmacists and physicians seem to shirk the responsibility which would be imposed upon a committee instructed to pass upon pharmacists applying for certification as to their ethical methods, pharmaceutical equipment and professional skill.

Some believe that the legislature can provide for certified pharmacists and should do so.

St. Louis does not have certified pharmacists but the St. Louis Pharmaceutical Society admits to membership only those who conform to a limited set of rules and regulations intended to assure the physician that the members are worthy of professional confidence and patronage. The restrictions on the members are not of a nature that prevents the handling of the usual side lines or making use of the window space for displays which do not stand in favor with the medical profession. In the plan of certified pharmacists, it is proposed for the pharmacist to avoid favoring what is liable to irritate the physicians.

The Scope of Board Examinations. Will commercial pharmacy be introduced as a part of the average board of pharmacy examination? Will the boards endeavor to determine whether an applicant knows how to keep a bank account, figure profit and loss, order goods, handle various side lines, treat customers so that they will return to the store and meet the demands of commercial pharmacy? The old time board of pharmacy examination which was based on the three "R's" of pharmacy, such as chemistry, materia medica and pharmacy has been expanded until in some states it meets in a general way the outline given by the pharmaceutical syllabus. Microscopy, bacteriology, physiology and hygiene may yet be accompanied by commercial pharmacy. Those who registered by examinations years ago have cause to congratulate themselves that they are not required to pass the examinations of today. Those who are now taking examinations can little realize the scope and character of the examina

tions which are likely to be given the apprentices of the next generation.

The Status of Pharmacists in the United States' Employ can be greatly improved and must be before it will reach the standard of other countries. The Bacon-Hughes Bill, now before congress, proposes an act to promote the efficiency of the medical department of the United States army. Our readers are urged to write to the Hon. Henry M. Stinson, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C., also to Major General Wood, head of the United States army, Washington, D. C., and urge them to use their influence to secure better recognition in salary and standing for the pharmacists of the hospital corps of the army. Suggest that the Bacon-Hughes Bill will accomplish this purpose. The following is the text:

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America and Congress assembled. That the Hospital Corps of the United States Army shall hereafter be known and designated as the Medical Corps, shall constitute the enlisted personnel of the Medical Corps now authorized by law and shall consist of sergeants major at seventy-five dollars per month, sergeants first class at sixty-five dollars per month, sergeants at thirty-six dollars per month, corporals at twenty-four dollars per month, cooks at thirty dollars per month, privates first class at twenty-one dollars per month, and privates at sixteen per month, with such increase for length of service and other allowances as are, or may hereafter be established by law. The Food and Drugs Act Amendment. Only one amendment has thus far been made to the National Food and Drugs Act since it was passed in June, 1906. We refer to the Sherley Amendment which is approved by a session of congress and adds a new clause to the Drug Misbranding Section. The Sherley Amendment reads as follows:

"Third. If its package or label shall bear or contain any statement, design or device regarding the curative or therapeutic effect of such article or any of the ingredients or substances contained therein, which is false and fraudulent."

The long practical test given the law without adding amendments is a testimonial to the good judgment of congress. It is also a compliment to the congress which passed the original bill. Such a record shows the necessity of bills of this nature passing through the crucial tests which are made in committee when the bills are discussed by representatives of all of the interests affected. Unfortunately, state legislatures are in the habit of meddling with many laws which would be all right if let alone until the people became familiar with them.

A Real Doctor Is Not Afraid of Strychnine.-A medical exchange expresses the hope that the U. S. P. IX will leave out doses altogether or have the doses determined by "a real practitioner." The editor states that he sometimes gives strychnine in doses of grains, three or four times a day, and is annoyed by the pharmaicist's consulting him before dispensing such a prescription. Unfortunately for such "real practitioners" they must be annoyed on account of being in the minority. A pharmacopoeia is necessarily gauged for the average practitioner. A pharmacist who would unhesitatingly dispense a prescription written by a physician whose custom he did not know and furnish the patient strychnine in % grain doses three or four times a day would be running a risk which cautious pharmacists will not take.

STRAY ITEMS AND COMMENTS

Boards of Pharmacy are listed and information about meetings given on pages 46 and 48 of the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST.

The Twelve Most Important Minerals in the United States are said to be: coal, iron, clay products, copper, petroleum, gold, stone, natural gas, cement, lead, silver and lastly zinc.

A Perpetual Door Bell has recently been invented. This is not one which will ring all of the time but which is ever ready when the button is touched. Instead of the use of batteries, the electric current is taken from the wires used for illumination. It is claimed to have the advantage of never getting out of order.

Will the Calendar be Revised?-In these days of changes, revisions and revolutions, as well as international wars, it is not surprising that people are getting tired of the calendar which has been in use so long. The Swiss government has a commission to consider the matter. This body has received thirty different projects for the reform of the calendar of which number fourteen were written in Esperanto; the remaining sixteen represented seven different languages.

Rock Bottom Prices in England.-Just think of a pharmacist's agreeing to supply a person with medicine throughout twelve months for 37 cents. This is what the English pharmacists do who register as being willing and ready to supply medicines under the National Medical Insurance Act of that country. Of course, the person insured pays the 37 cents even though he does not obtain a drop of medicine in return. English pharmacists must pray for good health among the insured.

Pharmacists Should Grow Nuts.-The Northern Nut Growers' Association is an organization not confined to pomologists and horticulturists. It includes physicians and editors and should enumerate pharmacists who propagate nuts in order to encourage nut culture in this country. The time should come when the United States will grow all of the nuts consumed as a food. We are, in this country, learning the value of this form of food and its appropriate use at the table and as a confectionery. Nut growing is a habit among those of our readers who own their homes or other ground with room for a few trees should correspond with Dr. W. C. Demming, 2563 Raymond Ave., New York City, who is secretary of the association composed of those interested in the scientific cultivation of edible nuts.

Slow but Steady and Substantial Educational Advancement. Willard S. Richardson, in reporting his impression of the Denver meeting of the A. Ph. A.. says: "In the matter of higher educational qualifications for pharmacists, it seemed to be the general sentiment that nothing radical should be done. The very word 'education' in itself suggests that the elevation of standards must be conservatively

and steadily progressive, that the pharmacal thought must be educated to a general desire for higher mental measures for graduates or registered men. The belief was generally expressed that even a higher qualification was in a large measure a matter of legislation, it being evident that there is not only need of legislation to elevate the states severally, but that there is need for national laws to regulate exchange of certificates and establish national standards."

Bezoars are compact concretions of mineral matter found in the stomachs of ruminant quadrupeds. The nucleus is usually some indigestible substance which was taken into the stomach with the food. Nature gradually coats the substance until it becomes a compact concretion usually radial in structure but sometimes composed of concentric layers. Our older readers who were raised in pharmacy will recall the time when occidental and German bezoars were mentioned in books of materia medica. In the Museum of Vienna may be seen bezoars mounted in gold, as a precaution in preserving and a convenience in handling the specimens. Bezoars were considered as an antidote against poisons and efficacious in counteracting the effect of the bites of reptiles. They also guarded their owners against various diseases, particularly those of a contagious nature. The pharmacy of today does not carry bezoars in stock but in many sections of the country, lode stones, charms, blood and other substances are sold for uses based on as ridiculous ideas as were the use of be

zoars.

The Pharmaceutical Syllabus is about to take the national character which a publication of that kind should hold. The convention at Pittsburgh, December 27, decided to revise the present edition in a manner which will meet the demands of practical pharmacists and teachers as well as the boards of pharmacy. The following are some of the principles adopted:

In the selection of matter for this necessarily restricted syllabus, the primary object should not be the treatment of the subjects in the complete scientific manner governing the collegiate course, but rather the needs and conveniences of the retail pharmacist.

That while considerable attention to detail is necessary in the Syllabus to the end that the boards may be properly guided in their examinations, such detailed treatment should not go farther than is necessary to accomplish that purpose.

That the Syllabus is intended to allow the individual teacher or school the widest possible liberty as to the order and grouping of these topics and methods of presentation. Its object is to specify what topics are to be taught by the schools and expected by the board without concerning itself with the manner in which this result is reached by any school, teacher or book.

Under "Revision" the following are interesting:

That suitable suggestions concerning notebooks be formulated and included in the Syllabus in a suitable place, as under "General Terms," page 17.

Change the definition of physics to "Physics is the science of the properties of matter and the forces governing it."

That any reference to the comparative time values of lecture, recitation and laboratory hours be omitted.

That the Syllabus Committee accepts and approves the requirements adopted by the American Conference of Pharmaceutical Faculties and by the National Association Boards of Pharmacy as constituting the minimum requirements for schools and colleges of pharmacy.

That the American Pharmaceutical Association be requested by the Executive Committee to undertake the financing, publication and distribution of the revised Syllabus and to carry the excess of receipts above expenditures to the credit and for the use of the National Syllabus Committee.