learns the greatest amount with the least exertion of mental force. Thus, it is not infrequent that hardworking students are found among those who are unfortunate on the examination. As a young man remarked to the writer only a few weeks ago: "It took me two winters to find out how to study." The same condition is undoubtedly true with other students.

Sickness. We occasionally find that students fail on examination through the effect of some disease which prevents them from properly pursuing the course of instruction. This is very seldom the case, but does occasionally occur. We have in mind more than one instance where students with consumption, or other equally fatal disease, have labored long and diligently to obtain a diploma. They are unfortunate and should always be discouraged in continuing the work.

Among Students Who Come from the Country, and especially from other walks of life than that of a drug clerk, we frequently notice, young men who are in poor health and unfit for study on account of the lack of bodily exercise. They forget that it is necessary to keep up the exercise that they have been accustomed to before their change in occupation. Proper attention to bodily exercise and food will usually bring these young men around all right in the course of a short time. We cannot expect a healthy mind to be active when encased in a troubled body. Thus, the first consideration for any student is to look carefully after the details of general health.

Early Training. At the present time we find students failing on examinations solely on account of a neglect of the early acquisition of a good mental training in the method of study.

The course of instruction in a college of pharmacy to-day is of such a nature that any student attempting to master it must come prepared with a good preliminary training in the English branches. It is really a pity that proprietors take as apprentices young men who are lacking in these qualifications; they may become fairly good apprentices and able to look after the usual duties in a drug store which are relegated to the junior apprentice, but when it comes to the college of pharmacy work, they are lamentably lame and lacking in the first essentials for a student. When all of the States and Territories have laws governing the efficiency of young men and women entering as apprentices in drug stores, this cause of failure on examinations in colleges of pharmacy will disappear.

There Are Several Other Occasional Causes for failure on examination, such as a feeling on the part of the student that he has a special "pull" with the faculty and board of examiners on account of friendship or association with members, or a feeling that we have sometimes realized, that the candidate has failed on so many examinations that the chances are favorable for his passing at last. Still other conditions might be mentioned; we feel, however, that we have enumerated the principal ones. The day for examination is not far distant in the majority of our colleges of pharmacy, and if students who happen to

read what we have said on this subject are advised to carefully consider their individual cases and measure themselves in accordance with the conditions which we have mentioned, their chances for passing satisfactorily will be increased.

We cannot close our remarks without referring to a feeling which is very general, not only in colleges of pharmacy and medical schools, but also in the common school-that is, a belief on the part of the students and pupils that the teacher is anxious to see him fail. Only those who have been in the position of instructor can realize how very anxious the teacher is to see his pupils make a good record. If each and every member of the class shared the same feeling, there certainly would be a much less per cent of failures on examination.

and cents.

The Druggist as a Merchant.-This is an age of materialism, when everything is measured by dollars One century ago the shop-keeper was looked upon as one belonging to the lower class. Even now, in some of the foreign countries, the titled aristocracy and military officials are still looked up to with envious eyes; but in this country the great aim of many is to become a merchant prince.

The druggist, however, is not very apt to reach that enviable (?) position, at least with his legitimate calling as the cause. The drug business is one of the pursuits in life that will, as a rule, give a man a respectable livelihood which is about all that the more fortunate can get out of this world.

The drug business is tinctured with sufficient scientific features to bring it above the simple idea of materialism. No doubt men get into pharmacy who are not adapted to it; and, unfortunately, we are not the best judges of our own shortcomings, while other people are not apt to tell us of our faults; what is more, we do not believe it when we are informed but think our friend is envious.

In the drug business a man can always employ his time profitably; it is a business of much detail. The arrangement of his store, the neatness and cleanliness of every part is a great feature that should always be studied and kept in view. The show cases should always be in excellent order-not too full and not too empty; the shelf bottles kept in good harmony, being well-filled with faultless, clean and prime material; the wall back of them neat and of a color that makes a pleasant contrast or sets off the shelfware nicely; the ceilings and floors must look neat. All this can be accomplished without great expense.

From a commercial point of view it is important that a druggist concentrate his purchases as much as possible-a man who scatters his purchases among too many houses makes a serious mistake. Another great mistake is made in extending credit too liberally and neglecting to collect promptly at the end of each month.

As the variety of goods is constantly growing, it requires great caution not to buy unsalable goods; but when such mistakes are made, it is necessary to devise means to dispose of them and not let them get

bility of the preparations of to-day; they do not disgust the sight or displease the taste of the patient, and in this way prove more acceptable to both physician and patient.

To put the question in another form, we will ask: How many diseases of to-day are cut short in their course or prevented altogether on account of the intrinsic value of improved pharmaceutical preparations?

The advances in surgery are of a much more definite and satisfactory character. Statistics are plentiful to show that the surgery of to-day saves lives that could not have been saved under like conditions a few years ago; that deformities are corrected and operations performed which would have been out of the question within the early memory of our older readers.

Bacteriology has also come to the rescue of suffering, diseased humanity and pointed out the way for the prevention of many diseases and the control of numerous other troubles.

Are we right in feeling that the progress in pharmaceutical manipulations has failed to keep up with the strides in other departments in the practice of medicine and surgery? We will be glad to hear from the readers of the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST on this subject, freely expressing their views.

"Should Diplomas be Granted without store experience," is a question in the list published for discussion at a State meeting. Since the multiplication of degrees in our colleges of pharmacy, the word diploma now requires qualification; the degree Ph. G., standing for graduate of pharmacy, indicates proficiency in the art and practice, and should be confined to those who have the practical experience necessary for proficiency. In other words, persons cannot be graduates in pharmacy in the full meaning of the expression, unless they are competent to hold a responsible position in the retail drug store. So far as the dozen or more other degrees are concerned, such as Ph. C., Ph. B., etc., practical experience is not indicated by the title and not necessarily demanded in the curriculum.

Doses and the U. S. P.-If the next revision of the Pharmacopoeia is issued without a list of doses it will disappoint the pharmacists and physicians of this country. Ten years ago there was considerable opposition to the introduction of doses, but it was confined to but a few parties who were emphatic in their protestations. Since that time some of them have changed their views. What is more, the Pharmacopoeia is, to-day, discussed by a larger number of retail druggists and practicing physicians than was the case ten years ago. The arguments in favor of doses are sound and the objections unimportant. It is to be sincerely hoped that the pharmacopoeial convention will unanimously favor the dose list.

To Better the Condition of the Pharmacists in the United States' Employ.-Such is the noble aim and worthy purpose of a committee appointed by the American Pharmaceutical Association, with Dr. Geo.

F. Payne, of Atlanta, Ga., as chairman. The doctor has held this position for several years, and through his efforts and those of his associates much has already been accomplished. The A. Ph. A. has contributed liberally to the work, but we are informed that voluntary contributions will also be received by Dr. Payne. It is likely that the present session of Congress will be a short one, so whatever is done must be done quickly. If you feel like contributing, do not delay in doing so.

Why the A. Ph. A. Conventions are not Better Attended. Although the attendance at these meetings is very large, many of our readers have wondered why still greater numbers do not go. One reason is, that the meetings are held, or have been for some time past, about the first of September, a date when the druggists throughout the country are busy with school books and other trade incident to the opening of the public schools.

We have on file many letters from prominent druggists in different sections of the country, who say that they will not be able to attend the meetings until the

date is fixed at some more convenient time.

Which Is It?-As far as we can judge, the best authorities at the present writing have decided that the next century begins on January 1, 1901. We learn from the December issue of one of our exchanges that "before the next issue of this journal reaches the hands of its readers the nineteenth century will have passed away." Such being the case, the periodical will suspend publication for twelve months. Is it the intention of our friends to deprive their readers of the pleasure and profit of the monthly visits during 1900, or does the nineteenth century close with the end of 1899 ?

Not So Bad a Prescription After All.-The pharmacist must have smiled when asked to fill the following prescription:

Morphine Laudanum.

Opium

Oil of Cloves..

Equal parts.

It is anything but pharmaceutical, and would be justly criticised by a junior clerk. We venture the assertion, however, that the mixture had the desired effect. If so, the prescriber and patient will both contend that a prescription which eases the toothache is all right.

Clerks and Students are reminded that the columns of the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST are always at their service. No one should feel that a question is too trivial for due consideration. If an answer will interest one of our readers, we are confident that it will prove of value to others. So, send along your queries, no matter how simple they may appear.

Patent Medicines are "medicines" in Illinois. The Supreme Court has decided that they come under the section of the law designating what can be sold only in a drug store. The news comes just as we go to press and too late for comment on its far-reaching influence.

STRAY ITEMS AND COMMENTS.

A Successful Pharmaceutical Association, is the Tri-City Druggists' Association of Davenport, Ia., Moline, Ill., and Rock Island, Ill.

Complete Your Files of the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST for 1899 while you have the opportunity of securing back numbers. A bound volume at the end of the year will prove useful.

Either Botanical or Medicinal.-Under the head of "Botany and Materia Medica" one of our bright and valued exchanges has an interesting item about spider bites, kissing bugs, etc.

Carbolic Acid is a very popular poison in Europe, England and America for the use of those who at tempt suicide. Strange to say, the law-makers in these different countries are slow to place the sale of carbolic acid under proper restrictions.

Board of Pharmacy Examinations.—For information about the dates, places or nature of the examination of the various boards of pharmacy, consult the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST. If answers to any other questions are desired, write the editor on the subject.

The Pharmacy Law of New Mexico reads very well, but the conditions of that country do not favor its enforcement. Railroad fare is four cents a mile and the druggists are scattered over an extended territory. We learn from the secretary that the board has not held a meeting for several years.

The State and Local Pharmaceutical Conventions for 1900 will soon begin. We take it for granted that all of our readers are members of one or more associations. Do not remain at home and then criticise the actions of those who attend the conventions. Plan

to be present and express your views on current topics. The Colleges of Pharmacy are well supplied with students the present session. This indicates that the members of the trade and profession realize the necessity of a college training. The tendency of the times is in that direction, and blind is the young pharmacist who fails to see and realize its meaning. Have You a Copy of the United States Pharmacopoeia? If so, how do you like it? Read the criticisms of the work which are published in each issue of the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST, and let us hear from you along the same line. This will enable the revisers of the work to improve the 1900 edition over the former ones.

"The Most Useful Pharmaceutical Journal among a long list which I am taking is the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST." Such is the testimony of an old and prosperous pharmacist who has long been a subscriber to this publication. It is the ambition of the publisher and editor to meet the every-day requirements of the average reader, and "useful" is a very satisfactory word to use in describing the contents of our columns.

They Do Not Always Write to English Journals. -The Chemist and Druggist, of London, quotes from a New York City correspondent who offers to pay his subscription to that publication sixty days from date, if the editor will tell him: I. About an oil better known as Japan or Japanese oil pain-killer, a treatment for prevalent diseases of man and beast. 2. Give him a formula for a good liquid dandruff cure. 3. A face cream, one that has a watery appearance, very cool and not sticky or greasy. This was more than our English exchange could stand and it publicly announces that it does not trade on such terms.

Clerks in France, according to the United States Consul at Bordeaux, will not close a shutter or dust off the top of the desk at which he works since that is the business of an ouvrier. The registered pharmacist of this country, who not only dusts counters and cases, but cleans windows and looks after the cellar, must envy his cousins in France. The same authority states that a man who moves in good society will not permit himself to be seen carrying a package of any sort along the street. Evidently American druggists who visit the wholesale houses for rush orders and carry them home with them, would not move in good French society.

Dowie Pens in Chicago.-Several subscribers have been good enough to send us a cutting from the Christian World regarding a new paper entitled Leaves of Healing; a Weekly Paper for the Extension of the Kingdom of God, which is published in Chicago. The Rev. John Alex. Dowie is responsible for it, but appears not to be responsible for himself. Of druggists he says: "They are a mass of organized murderers. The scripture calls them sorcerers, pharmakoi, and says they will all go to hell. . . . Tell every pharmacist in Chicago that unless Revelation xxi: 8 is a lie, he is going to hell.” If Mr. Dowie's knowledge of the drug trade has been obtained in Chicago, we suggest that our confrères there should deal with him-if he is worth it.-[Chemist and Druggist.

Drug Stores as Temporary Hospitals. The drug stores of Newark, N. J., are no exception to the rule of those being obliged to serve as emergency or temporary hospitals. In a recent street car accident we find evidence that Newark pharmacists have a better eye to business than their brothers in other sections of the country. The victim of the accident was taken into a drug store, as usual, and his wounds dressed. The druggist very promptly presented a bill for $15.00. The charge was contested and at this writing the result has not been announced. We hope the druggist will get his money and that pharmacists in general will take the hint. There is no reason why a druggist should have his trade interfered with, his store soiled, goods used, and throw in his time as a matter of accommodation, although such is usually the case when a street accident occurs. The fact that, in the above instance, the patient was a Chinaman, and a bill for $15.00 was presented to the street car company, adds interest to the case.