THE DRUG MARKET

Also see page 62.

Load of Ginseng Brings $8,000. According to a dispatch from Antigo, Wis., a one-ton load of dried ginseng root was sold on the main street of that town for $8,000. The load, although hauled by one horse, was the largest ever hauled to Antigo.

Lemon-Grass Oil.-At the present time about 100,000 pounds of lemon-grass oil are used in the United States, chiefly in the perfume and soap industries. Practically all of this oil is imported, most of it being produced in the East Indies. There seems to be, however, no reason why lemon grass cannot be grown successfully in the sub-tropical portions of the United States.

Quinine. The Sulphate is now offered on the following basis:

nitrate, or chili saltpetre, with which it occurs as sodium iodate. The production of the province of Tarapaca (Chili) has assumed large dimensions within recent years, as a result of higher prices established by a combination of Scotch, French and South American producers.

Good Trade.-After closing the most extraordinary year that St. Louis has ever had, the inclination of most business men is to take a hopeful view of the future. The business done last month broke all monthly records. The large manufacturers have enough orders on hand to insure steady work for many months to come. The feeling is, therefore, that this city will enjoy a high state of prosperity, even if the European war should end during the next few months. While St. Louis manufacturers have been helped by the immense volume of foreign orders, they are not by any means wholly dependent upon such business for continued prosperity. A large portion of the business handled here within the last year was not related to war orders at all, but reflected the expansion of highly profitable domestic business. There is healthy expansion in all lines, with very little indication of over-expansion. American Production of Bromine.-We quote the following from the report of Commercial Agent T. H. Norton, as printed in Commerce Reports.

The entire photographic trade of the country is suffering seriously from the lack of adequate supplies of bromine for use in the manufacture of various bromides employed in the production of photographic chemicals. The scarcity of bromides for use in therapeutics is likewise felt in an increasing degree by the medical profession.

Both categories of consumers will undoubtedly welcome with interest the announcement that the bromine wells in and about Pomeroy, Ohio, and Mason City, W. Va., have again been put in active commission, after remaining in a state of idleness for a number of years. The present monthly production will

amount to five or six tons. This amount will contribute notably to lessen the present shortage. It is highly probable that at an early date American manufactures of bromides will be able to meet the normal demands of domestic consumption.

The American output of bromine has largely been concentrated in Michigan and Pennsylvania, in connection with the salt industry of those States. The total output reached its maximum in the years 1905 to 1907, inclusive. It averaged during these three years 642 short tons. In 1910 it sank to 122 tons. During the past four years, 1911 to 1914, the average output was 306 short tons.

There has not been any very notable importation of bromine and of bromides from Europe. There has, however, been a very large importation of photographic paper from Germany. The annual imports, prior to the war, amounted to about $730,000.

It is now hoped that, with the resumed activity of the bromine wells in the vicinity of Pomeroy, Ameri

can manufacturers of photographic materials will soon be in a position to furnish all needed supplies so far as the use of various bromides is concerned.[Commerce Reports.

Production of Atropine Possible in the Phillipines. -Manila advices are to the effect that it has been ascertained that atropine may be obtained from the plant, datura alba, which grows in great profusion in all parts of the Phillipine Islands. In addition to atropine the plant also contains hyoscyamine. No effort has been made to cultivate the plant, which grows rank in the tropical jungles, and it is therefore not readily obtainable for export demands. Several shipments of the leaves have been made to this country but the industry awaits local enterprise sufficient to undertake systematic cultivation.

Patrons Warned to Buy From Reliable Druggists. -The only way druggists can be sure of obtaining pure medicines is by buying from the original manufacturers or from reliable houses, says the Medical Critic and Guide of New York, in an editorial commenting on the activity of government officials in punishing persons who label medicines falsely.

Suppose you bought some aspirin tablets and took them without experiencing relief, the editorial says. Suppose you analyzed them and found they did not contain the faintest trace of aspirin. Suppose a further examination showed it to be nothing but a mixture of sugar of milk and cream of tartar. What would you feel like saying and doing?

In this instance, the editorial continues, the druggist was honest. He bought the tablets from an itinerant peddler. On finding out the true state of affairs he dumped the entire lot of tablets into the sink.

"When will druggists learn that the only safe way is to buy from the original manufacturers or from reliable houses with an established reputation?" the editorial asks.-[St. Louis Globe-Democrat.

New Advertisements in February.-The announcements made by advertisers in the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST bring practical returns to those who give them careful attention. Among the new advertisements, we list the following: American Cone & Wafer Co. Aschenbach & Miller

Banner Rubber Stamp & Seal Co.

Barker, Moore & Mein Med. Co.

Berry, Ella R., Phar. Co.

Blackman Stock Remedy Co.

Bodi-Tone Co.

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Emmert Proprietary Co.

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ST. LOUIS DRUG CLUB

St. Louis Drug Club Officers: Frank J. O'Neil, president; Arthur Kolkman, 1st vice-president; J. A. Wilkerson, 2nd vice-president; Max Lipmann, treasurer; Hugo L. Baepler, secretary; J. A. Fritz, assistant secretary.

Executive Board: Chas. J. Wagner, J. S. Merrell Drug Co.; Frank S. Klein, Sharpe & Dohme; W. F. Kahre, Mgr., Eli Lilly & Co., 11 S. Fourth street; C. L. Chittenden, Sales Manager, 20 N. Fourth street, Schroeder & Tremayne; E. H. Kurtz, St. Louis Wholesale Drug Co., 410 S. Fourth street; Otto C. Hanser, Druggist, 2900 Chouteau avenue.

The Stag Entertainment held in February was a great success and requests are in for another affair of the kind.

A Pool Tournament is being arranged for the month of March. All who think they are good pool players are requested to report to the secretary.

The Masquerade Ball of January 24 is still spoken of with pleasant reminiscences.

New members are wanted, as the limit has not been reached.

The Drug Club Activities are becoming very much in evidence. The real center of attraction and demonstration is the approaching annual meeting of March. The club has, after due consideration and great deliberation, decided to place three tickets in the field and each set of candidates is directed to make things lively. St. Louis will know that a drug club is in existence and an annual meeting scheduled. One ticket has pennants to be hung on the back of automobiles. Street car advertising will also be used and posters will appear in drug stores, jobbing houses and manufacturing establishments. It is ru mored that one of the tickets is in close commune with St. Louis political bosses in order to learn the art of mixing mud and artistically using the same. The St. Louis city spring election is likely to take a second place in public interest when the Drug Club good-natured but lively contest is in full swing. The three tickets are as follows:

Ticket No. 1.-For president, A. C. Meyer; 1st vice-president, A. C. Schmidt; 2nd vice-president, Chas. Hahn; secretary, Hugo Baepler; treasurer, Max Lipmann.

Directors: O'Neil, Crenshaw, Kahre, Deleskamp, Seitz, Mueller, Scherer, Gibson.

Ticket No. 2.-President, Otto Hanser; 1st vice-president, M. Scherer; 2nd vice-president, J. J. Frey; secretary, Hugo Baepler; treasurer, Max Lipmann.

Directors: O'Neil, Lehmberg, Mueller, Drake, McMullen, Duggan, Deleskamp, Kahre.

Ticket No. 3.-President, J. Drake; 1st vice-president. L. A. Seitz; 2nd vice-president, J. J. Mueller; secretary, Hugo Baepler; treasurer, Max Lipmann.

Directors: O'Neil, Chittenden, Drake, Kahre, Seitz, McMullen, Scharlach, Lehmberg, Rheindardt.

STRAY ITEMS AND COMMENTS

The Price Lists in the Meyer Brothers Druggist are worth more than the subscription to the journal. With the February issue we present a very complete price list of chemicals, occupying pages 3 to 48, inclusive. A new and complete price list of drugs will be found on pages 35 to 48, inclusive. The January issue contained a 40-page price list of proprietary articles, including many items usually listed under sundries. Preserve each issue of the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST for reference when a price list is to be consulted.

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT

C. C. White is proprietor of the Eagle Drug Store, at Sikeston, Mo.

J. S. McKeehan is known as the North Side Druggist, Kirksville, Mo.

Dr. E. M. Allee is interested in pharmacy as well as medicine at Speed, Mo.

Edw. F. Lutz, Ph. G., is proprietor of the Palace Drug Store at Richland, Mo.

Dr. Josie Gum Morrison gives attention to both medicine and pharmacy at Everton, Mo.

Harry Vuille owns what was formerly known as the Geiwitz Pharmacy at St. Joseph, Mo.

J. C. Flanner looks after the pharmaceutical interests of the Brown Pharmacy at Bosworth, Mo. Charles H. Riley is located with the Red Cross Pharmacy at Clayton, Mo. J. B. Coats is proprietor. Gordon G. Craighead is a justice of the peace and notary public as well as a pharmacist at Auxvasse, Mo.

Drugs and jewelry are handled by Messrs. Devaney & Levengood, at Elsberry, Mo. Both members of the firm are registered as pharmacists.

Missouri Board of Pharmacy Children.-Walter C. Paul L. Bender announced a daughter August 15. Hess reported a son November 15.

"Everything Usually Carried in an Up-to-Date Drug Store" is the way J. W. Sims of Morehouse, Mo., announces his business to the public.

Robbers visited the store of W. H. Hubbard at Arrow Rock, Mo., December 29, and took with them cash and jewelry to the value of $30.

George Heidtmann is somewhat divorced from the drug business at Wright City, Mo., but retains his friendly feeling for pharmacy and desires to keep in touch with his old friends.

Dr. J. C. Smith of Albany, Mo., has sold his drug business to Harry Johnson, who was formerly proprietor of the Red Cross Drug Store at Albany. Dr. Smith will devote all of his time to the Frost Remedy Co.

Frederick R. Dimmitt of Kansas City, who called the meeting which organized the Mo. Ph. A. in 1879, is a grandfather since Christmas day; thus his shadow grows longer as he drifts down the pathway of life.

New Pharmacists in Missouri.-At the regular examination in Jefferson City January 8 and 9, the following made satisfactory grades:

Registered. Robert G. Thompson, St. Joseph, Mo.; W. H. Salow, Golden City, Mo.; Joe T. Sheridan, St. Louis, Mo.; Dr. John W. Miller, Kansas City, Mo.; Harry George Schroers, St. Joseph, Mo.; Herbert Roman Speckart, St. Louis, Mo.

Assistant.-Paul Antle, St. Louis, Mo.; Clarence H. Barr, Savannah, Mo.; Claude L. Hill, Jasper, Mo.; Forest B. Meyers, Boonville, Mo.

The next examination will be held at Kansas City April 9. Those contemplating taking the examination should at once correspond with Secretary Edwin G. Cox of Criag.

Dr. J. F. Chandler, president of the Holt County, Mo., Medical Society and a retail pharmacist as well as a practicing physician at Oregon, Mo., was mentioned as follows in the Holt County, Sentinel of January 12:

In a competitive contest, inaugurated by the publishers of Meyer Brothers Druggist, whereby they give a prize to the authors of first three best papers on "The Proper Canduct of a Retail Drug Store," Dr. Chandler, of this city, was successful in capturing first prize, value $25, and his article will appear in the January issue of the magazine. Dr. Chandler was also author of a paper on a medical subject recently, the paper appearing in the Medical Fortnightly. The Missouri Soft Drink Law.-The following is the text of the Missouri law regulating the sale of soft drinks within that state, enacted by the last legislature and approved by the Governor:

J. F. Chandler, Ph.G., M.D.

An act relating to non-alcoholic drinks, defining the same; and prohibiting the manufacture, sale, offering for sale, exposing for sale, or having in possession with intent to sell, and adulterated or misbranding non-alcoholic drinks; and providing penalties for the violation thereof, and providing for the enforcement thereof. Section 1. That it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporate body, by himself, herself, itself or themselves, or by his, her, its or their agents, servants or employes, to manufacture, sell, offer for sale, expose for sale, or have in possession with intent to sell, any article of non-alcoholic drink which is adulterated or misbranded within the meaning of this act.

Sec. 2. That the term "non-alcoholic drink," as used herein, shall include carbonated beverages of all flavors, sarsaparilla, ginger ale, soda water of all flavors, lemonade, orangeade, root beer, grape juice, and all other non-intoxicating drinks.

Sec. 3. A non-alcoholic drink shall be deemed to be adulterated within the meaning of this act, if it contains any added boric acid or borates, salicylic acid or salicylates, formaldehyde, sulphurous acid or sulphides, hydrofluoric acid or fluorides, fluoborates, fluosilicates or other fluorine compounds, dulcin, glucin, saccharin, betanaphthol hydronapthal, abrastrol, asparol oxides of nitrogen, nitrous acid or nitrates, compounds of copper, pyroligneous acid, or other added substances deleterious to health.

Sec. 4. That for the purpose of this act a non-alcoholic drink shall be deemed to be misbranded:

First. If it be an imitation of or offered for sale under the distinctive name of another article, or if it is colored or flavored in imitation of the genuine color or flavor of another substance. Second. If it is labeled or branded or tagged so as to deceive or mislead the purchaser.

Third. If the bottle or receptable containing it be one bearing the name or brand of a manufacturer other than the one using it, whether or not the latter attaches a label to said bottle or receptacle so bearing a name or brand.

Fourth. If the bottle or receptacle containing it be sealed or capped with a seal or cap bearing the name or brand of a manufacturer other than the one using such seal or cap.

Fifth. If the bottle or receptacle containing it or its label shall bear any statement, design or device regarding the ingredients or the substance contained therein, which statement, design or device shall be false or misleading in any particular; provided that any non-alcoholic drink which does not contain any added poisonous or deleterious ingredients shall not be deemed to be adulterated or misbranded under the following conditions:

A. In the case of mixtures or compounds which may be now or from time to time hereafter known as non-alcoholic beverages under their own distinctive names, and not an imitation of or offered for sale under the name of another article.

B. In the case of non-alcoholic beverages which are labeled, branded or tagged so as to plainly indicate that they are coinpounds, imitations, or blends, and the words "compound," "imitation,' or "blend," as the case may be, is plainly stated on the container in which it is offered for sale; provided that the term "blend," as used herein, shall be construed to mean a mixture of like substances, not excluding harmless coloring or flavoring ingredients not prohibited by this act, and used for the purpose of coloring or flavoring only.

Sec. 5. Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than twentyfive ($25) dollars, nor more than one hundred ($100) dollars, or not more than six months in jail, or both.

A GREAT DRUG MARKET

The Monsanto Chemical Works can be justly characterized as a pioneer institution in industrial preparedness. The wonderful industrial, economical and financial development this country is undergoing at this time makes it particularly appropriate and interesting, we think, to call attention to this institution who, long before "preparedness" became our national slogan, had realized the possibility and necessity of rendering the United States independent of the foreign chemical manufacturer.

and exclusive property and did not look very kindly at this intruder. So the fight began and competition acting as a "tonic," the new works gradually developed, adding from time to time, a new article to their list of manufactures. First came Saccharin, Vanillin and Caffeine, and Monsanto had hardly established themselves as an important factor in the market of these three articles, when they came out with Acetphenetidin (Phenacetin), Chloral Hydrate and Phenolphthalein. Then followed Glycerophosphate Salts, Coumarin, Acetanilid and Phenol.

The Monsanto Chemical Works is a comparatively young institution, having been founded in the latter part of 1900 by John F. Queeny, who has been, ever since, and still is, the president and leading spirit of this organization. The name of John F. Queeny is familiar to many a reader of the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST just as his personality is well known in the drug and chemical trade of this country, with which he John F. Queeny has been identified in various capacities for over forty years. The experience he thus gathered led him to the conclusion that, with a good stock of energy and determination, an ample reserve of perseverence and, above all, hard work and lots of it, there was no reason why he could not, in time, do as well as the "other fellow" on the other side of the Atlantic. This was how, seconded by competent and equally determined chemists, John F. Queeny entered into the manufacture of medicinal and fine chemicals, most of which had before that time been controlled by foreign manufacturers.

The venture was a bold one, for the foreigner had come to consider the American market as his own

The appearance of each one of these products naturally brought with it a recrudescence of competitive efforts on the part of the manufacturers of these products. In fact, in this fight directed against the new manufacturer, in an endeavor to give him the "knocko-out" if possible, the prices of the products in question dropped, at times, below cost price, and in all cases reached the lowest figures ever recorded in their history. Thus the presence of a domestic manufacturer established a new order of things in creating actual competition which rendered impossible the return of old conditions under which, too often, actual monopolies subjected this market to arbitrary prices.

As this price-cutting process-in which this establishment, by temperament, was oftener on the offensive than on the defensive-was going on, Monsanto Chemical Works never lost sight of the standards of quality, and in many instances was responsible for their improvement; this is particularly well illustrated in the case of Glycerophosphates; extensive research work was devoted to these salts in the laboratories of Monsanto Chemical Works before their manufacture was undertaken and their appearance on the market brought about a regular revolution, upsetting old standards and establishing new ones calling for a higher degree of purity, and which standards were officially sanctioned by their adoption in the last edition of the U. S. P. It has been observed that since the Monsanto Glycerophosphates are on the market, foreign manufacturers have followed their lead, endeavoring to produce purer salts. The outbreak of the European war placed the Monsanto Chemical Works, like a number of other chemical plants in this country, in a most critical position, threatening to destroy the fruit of years of persevering hard work and industry. Owing to the comparatively undeveloped state of the chemical industry in this country, the Monsanto Chemical Works were compelled to import from Europe a number of products constituting the basic materials used in the manufacture of their articles. The supply of these materials, or "intermediates," having been shut off by the outbreak of hostilities abroad, this institution was placed in the alternative of either a shut-down or undertaking to make these intermediates. The latter course was immediately decided upon. Chemists and engineers were started to work out practical processes of manufacture and devise the required apparatus, new buildings were erected

and today Monsanto Chemical Works are still manufacturing all the products they were making in July, 1914, and have since then added to this list Phenol and Acetanilid, to be followed by Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin) within the next few months, in addition to the products above referred to as intermediates.

It appears to us that the development of this institution constitutes a good illustration, not only of the possibilities offered the manufacture of fine and medicinal chemicals in this country but also, in its way, of the effort furnished by our chemical industry in general during the last two and a half years. The events which have been taking place in Europe during this period have clearly established how important it is for a nation to possess a well-organized chemical industry, and present conditions offer us a unique opportunity to establish such an industry in this country, by seconding the efforts made by our manufacturers in every way possible, from the formation of good chemists to the enactment of adequate tariff legislation. In this age of industrialism, industrial independence is the best guarantee of our political independence of which we are so justly proud and jealous.

OURSELVES AS OTHERS SEE US

I Enjoy Reading the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST. -[J. H. Burns, Ph. G., Coffeyville, Kan.

The Best Journal to Keep Posted in the drug trade is the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST.-[J. C. Andras, Manchester, Ill.

I Cannot Get Along without the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST. It is a splendid journal.-[Otis L. Yancey, Wenatchee, Wash.

A Dandy is the November issue of the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST, which we have just received.[W. M. Akin Med. Co., Evansville, Ind.

I Am Highly Pleased with the contents of the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST. I shall never be without it, as it furnishes so much news about the pharmaceutical world.-[M. S. Morris, Ph. G., R. P., Mexico, Mo.

I Enjoy the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST.-[W. H. Rudder, Salem, Ind.

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

Chemical Abstracts Published by the American Chemical Society.

Preserving Milk.-J. W. Davies. U. S., 1,197,270, Sept. 5. After pasteurization at a temp. of 60-65°, milk is stored in a room heated to the pasteurizing temp. to preserve it for long periods of time.

Sterilizing and Preserving Milk and Other Foodstuffs.-A. Benninghoven. Aust., 72,010, June 26, 1916. An app. is specified by means of which the material under treatment may be subjected to pressure.

Preservation of Tincture of lodine.-Hugenholz. Boll. chim. farm. 54 584 (1915). Recent expts. indicate that tincture of I may be preserved unchanged by only partially filling the glass container and exposing the latter to the light.-[H. S. P.

Non-staining lodine Ointment.-Anon. Boll. chim. farm. 54 584 (1915). To 95 pts. of vaseline melted on a H2O bath there are added 5 pts. of powdered, twice sublimed I; the mass is mixed and kept in a liquid condition until homogeneous, then allowed to cool. [H. S. Paine.

Preserving Fruit Juices.-C. E. Burke and D. E. Fogg. U. S., 1,197,442, Sept. 5. The juice of lemons, oranges, grapefruit or other fruits is clarified by treatment with an ext. expressed from pith of the fruit with small amts. of SO2 and of CaCO3 Ca (OAc)2, MgCO, or Mg (OAc), at a temp. of 25-35°

Mimeograph Inks.-R. Hochstetter. U. S., 1,198,440, Sept. 19. A carbon black pigment is ground with mineral oil, together with a small amt. of blue pigment, and Turkey-red oil is added. U. S., 1,198,441 describes a similar mode of making colored mimeograph inks, using colored lakes or pigments instead of C and with addition of a small amt. of linseed oil varnish.

Bread as a Food.-Note. Pub. Health Repts. 31, No. 33, 2205 (1916). Apparently some erroneous conclusions concerning the value of white flour have been drawn from an article, "Bread as a Food" (cf. C. A. 10, 2249). From a broad view of nutrition it is probably immaterial what kind of flour is used, provided an adequate mixed diet is consumed.-[H. S. Bailey.

New Medicines.-Anon. Svensk Farm. Tid. 20,363,380,400 (1916). Karamose, a caramel food accessory for diabetics. Moronal, CH2 (OH) OSO,Al(OH)2, stable in H2O soln., cryst. in hexagonal plates, sterilized by heat, recommended for sores and inflammations. Bi bromogallate and Bi iodogallate as substitutes for bismuth subnitrate.. Optanin, Ca. salt of tannic acid, for intestinal astringent. Solarson, NaCl isotonic soln. of ammoniumhepta chloroarsenate, recommended for subcutaneous injection in cases of neuralgia, chlorosis, anemia, etc. Beniform, a specially prepd. Cu saccharate, for vaginal lavage.-[A. R. Rose.