DRUG MARKET REVIEW By E. P. Schrader, St. Louis, Mo. The Market Prices Indicated in this Review represent as nearly as possible the correct valuations on the day of going to press with this section of the Meyer Brothers Druggist. Exceptional facilities for keeping in close touch with changes enable us to give the latest word on prices. However, the erratic market conditions make it quite impossible to forecast changes that may occur in the immediate future. Business continues unusually active for this sea E. P. Schrader son of the year and price changes are numerous. The control of exports, the growing scarcity of ocean shipping, the delays in rail transportation, etc., have proven severe handicaps, but in spite of this, business has held up remarkably well. Price changes in most instances have been upward, with alcohol holding the center of the stage. Manufacturers appear to be at sea as to what policy to pursue on account of proposed legislation affecting this item, and in the meantime the price is advancing steadily. Dynamite Glycerin has been in heavy demand both for export and domestic consumption and prices have stiffened considerably. U. S. P. grade has also advanced in sympathy. Bay Rum is quoted at higher figures on account of increased cost of importation. Witch Hazel has again been advanced by the manufacturers due to higher prices being paid for cooperage and the increased cost of Alcohol for fortifying. Gum Acacia is quoted at a higher level on account of the difficulty experienced in securing export licenses from Great Britain and also due to the fact that stocks in this country are light on account of the loss of a large cargo of Gum. Phenol has been in active demand both for export and domestic use, but this has had no effect on the market, as domestic manufacturers are now producing this staple in large quantities. Salicylates continue scarce and holders are asking a substantial premium over manufacturers' prices. Essential Oils are in good demand and advances are noted throughout the entire list. We give below a few of the important items affected by recent market changes. BETA NAPTHOL.-The market is firmer, although prices are practically unchanged at $1.00 to $1.10 the pound for the Sublimed grade. PHENOL.-Exports have been exceedingly heavy. The market, however, is slightly weaker, due to the immense production of this item by domestic manufacturers. In one-pound bottles present quotations range from 60c to 67c according to quantity with the usual reduction for larger sized packages. ACETPHENETIDIN.-The demand is quiet and the market has shown further weakening. Present quotations range from $26.00 to $27.00 the pound. ACETONE.-The market is firm but prices are virtually unchanged. The technical grade is quoted at $1.50 the gallon in fifty-gallon drums. Smaller lots at $1.65 to $1.85 the gallon. Containers extra. ALCOHOL.-Ethyl Alcohol has shown further advances due to the uncertainty as to the future, and the 188 proof is now quoted at $4.25 the gallon in barrel lots. Denatured Alcohol is in good demand and prices are firm at $1.10 the gallon for 188° in barrel lots. The 180° is quoted 1c the gallon lower. ALOIN.-There is only a nominal demand for this item and quotations are made on the basis of $1.15 the pound. ANTIPYRINE.-Supplies are scarce and prices are slightly higher as a result. $27.50 the pound is quoted. BAY RUM. The Alcohol situation was responsible for another increase in the market price of Bay Rum. The increased cost of importation is also a factor. Revised quotations for the Porto Rican article are as follows: The above prices are inclusive. BORAX. This staple is in fair demand and the Lump is quoted at 84c the pound in barrel lots, with the usual advance for smaller quantities. Powdered is quoted 4c the pound higher. CASTILE SOAP.-Importations of pure white Italian Soap have been exceedingly light and case lots of ten bars are quoted at $13.50. CASTOR OIL.-While the demand has diminished somewhat, the crushers are sold so far ahead that prices remain unchanged. No. 1 oil in ten-gallon cases of two 5's is quoted at $2.70 the gallon, incl. GLUCOSE.-With the demand fairly active and the cost of raw material steadily advancing, manufacturers have marked up their prices sharply. Barrel lots are quoted at 74c the pound, with the usual advance for smaller quantities. GLYCERIN.-Although Fats and Oils show considerable weakness, the market for Glycerin continues strong on account of heavy demand. Producers in this country are being taxed to full capacity to meet the enormous demands of powder makers. Owing to the sold up condition of the market, some of the largest producers predict still higher prices. The U. S. P. grade in fifty-pound cans is now quoted at 73c the pound, inclusive. HAARLEM OIL.-The long overdue shipments have at last arrived and supplies are now available in limited quantities at 85c the dozen. Most jobbers are restricting orders to not more than three dozen to a purchaser. LYCOPODIUM.-Owing to increased cost of import, prices have advanced 5c the pound and quotations are now made on the basis of $2.25 the pound. MENTHOL.-Owing to large arrivals from abroad and slow demand, sellers have reduced their prices in an effort to stimulate business on this item. Supplies are readily procurable at $3.65 to $3.75 the pound. SACCHARIN.-The heavy demand for export continues and practically all available supplies have been disposed of. Spot quotations have reached $55.00 the pound. SALICYLATES.-There is no improvement in the situation-manufacturers still being unable to supply sufficient quantities to meet the present preserving season demand. Outside interests are holding out for prices well above manufacturers' quotations and Salicylic Acid is being quoted at $1.75 the pound in one to five-pound lots. SODIUM BENZOATE.-Lower prices have been made possible by increased production of this item. Quotations now range from $4.85 to $5.00 the pound. SUGAR OF MILK.-This item continues scarce, and in some instances jobbers are restricting deliveries at 55c to 60c the pound. WITCH HAZEL.-Manufacturers have advanced their prices on account of higher cost of production, due to increased prices of cooperage and advances in Alcohol, with which the Witch Hazel is fortified. The following prices are now in effect: BENZOIC ACID.-Some new producers have entered the field and prices are quoted at a lower level. Present quotations are $4.85 to $5.00 the pound. BALSAMS-Copaiba.-South American Balsam is practically unchanged at $1.35 the pound in onepound bottles, inclusive; five-pound tins $1.25 the pound; ten-pound tins $1.20. Fir. Canada Balsam continues firm at $8.25 the gallon or $1.30 the pound, inclusive. Oregon Balsam in one-pound bottles is quoted at 35c. Peru.-There is an increasing demand for Balsam Peru, and prices are again higher as a result. Fivepound lots are quoted at $5.15; one-pound lots at $5.45 the pound. BARKS Cinchona.-Offerings are light in spite of recent importations and prices continue at 60c to 65c the pound for true red quill. Condurango. The market is slightly easier, owing to lack of demand, and supplies are now offered at 18c to 22c the pound, according to quantity. BEANS-Tonka.-Under moderate offerings the market is firm but prices are practically unchanged on the basis of $1.25 and $1.35 the pound for Angostura. Surinam Crystallized Beans are quoted at 10c the pound less. Vanilla.-Importers of Mexican Beans report a firm market with business unusually active for this season of the year. On the other hand Bourbon Beans remain unsettled and quotations late in the week covered a wide range, depending on quality and seller. Trade authorities now place the entire Mexican crop at 90,000 pounds of whole Beans and 30,000 pounds of Cut. The scarcity of the crop tends to strengthen the ideas of sellers, especially in regard to whole Beans. Whole Mexican Beans are now selling at $6.75 to $7.25 the pound, according to quality. Bourbon Beans are freely offered and prices are easier. Quite a little off grade goods is being offered at lower quotations. The inferior quality of the Beans is attributed to the unfavorable shipping conditions. Bourbon Beans are offered at $3.25 to $3.50 the pound. There is practically no demand at present for Tahiti Beans, prices range from $2.00 to $2.15 the pound. BERRIES-Cubeb.-Stocks are still far below normal and prices are strong at $1.00 to $1.15 the pound, according to quantity. Juniper.-There is a good demand for Juniper Berries, but prices are practically unchanged. 110-pound bags are quoted at 11c the pound; twenty-five pound lots at 122c; five-pound lots at 15c. The market ESSENTIAL OILS Bergamot. abroad shows no important change, but with the freight outlook anything but favorable, prices continue on the basis of $8.00 and $8.25 the pound. Cloves. Owing to continued advances in whole Cloves, the Oil is again advanced 10c the pound, making the present quotation $3.50 the pound. Cubeb.-In sympathy with higher market price of Cubeb Berries, the Oil is quoted on the basis of $8.00 to $8.50 the pound, according to quantity. Peppermint.-Persistent reports of crop damage caused prices for Oil of Peppermint to hold firm in all quarters. Offerings of new crop Oil for shipment are comparatively small for this season of the year, producers being inclined to hold out for higher prices. The usual market quotation at present is $3.85 to $4.00 the pound. Worm Seed.-Baltimore Worm Seed Oil is in scanty supply and the market is firm at $8.00 the pound. FLOWERS-Arnica.-There is a good demand for Arnica Flowers, and prices continue at $3.25 to $3.50* the pound, according to quantity. Chamomile.-Hungarian style Flowers are in good demand and quotations are made on the following basis: Camphor. The market is unsettled on account of more liberal offerings of Japanese Refined Camphor. Bulk is now quoted at $1.00 the pound; 1-lb. tablets $1.01; 1-oz. tablets $1.02; 3-oz. tablets $1.03; 2-oz. tablets $1.04. Chicle. Offerings from the primary market are moderate and prices are firmly maintained at 90c to $1.00 the pound. Styrax. Stocks are comparatively light, and prices are more or less nominal at $8.75 to $9.00 the pound. LEAVES-Hyoscyamus. Supplies are extremely scarce and the Russian Leaves are quoted at $6.25 the pound. Laurel.-Prices are slightly lower, owing to lack of demand; prices range from 15c to 20c the pound, according to quantity. Marjoram.-French Marjoram is easier, on account of more plentiful supply. Quotations are made on a basis of 45c to 50c the pound. Senna. The market for Senna Leaves is holding firm due to the uncertainty regarding shipments. Tinnevelly is quoted at 25c the pound in 350 pound bales. Smaller lots 27c to 32c the pound, according to quantity. ROOTS-Alkanet.-Supplies are scarce and the market is firm at $3.00 to $3.25 the pound. Ipecac, Cartagena. Under small offerings and fair buying demands, price has advanced 10c the pound making the present quotation for Whole Root, DRUG MARKET $3.25 the pound and the Powdered 20c the pound higher. Senega.-Crop reports are unfavorable and the market is firmer at 85c to 90c the pound. SEED-Caraway.-Stocks are comparatively small especially of the Dutch variety and prices are firm at 90c to $1.00 the pound. African Seed is quoted at about 10c the pound less. Celery. There is a good demand for Celery Seed and with the foreign situation practically unchanged, the market is firm at 32c in bag lots, while for smaller quantities 35c to 38c is asked. Coriander. The market shows considerable weakness on account of freer offerings of Bombay Seed. Natural Coriander Seed is quoted at 28c the pound in bag lots-fifty pound lots 30c-ten pound lots 32c. Less quantity 35c. Bombay Seed is quoted at 23c to 30c the pound according to quantity. Ammonia.-Stronger Ammonia Water 26° has suddenly become decidedly scarce and manufacturers have increased their prices sharply. In 750 pound drums, the present quotation is 101⁄2c the pound. Carboys of about 96 pounds 11c the pound. Smaller lots, 13c to 15c according to quantity. Lupulin. This item is again procurable and is quoted at $1.50 the pound. Send for a Free Copy.-In addition to the numerous changes occurring in the drug and chemical market, the druggist is being called upon to readjust his selling prices on many proprietary items. A great many of the proprietary manufacturers are compelled to increase their list prices on account of increased cost of materials, bottles, packing cases, etc., and the druggist should realize the additional profit on stock he now has on hand by charging the advanced prices. We have prepared a list of the more important proprietary items that have changed in price and we will be glad to forward a copy on request. Kindly address your inquiry to E. P. Schrader, care this Journal. Indigo From Coal Tar.-Advices from Midland, Michigan, tell us of the first production of indigo from coal tar in the United States. One thousand pounds of 20 per cent paste are produced daily despite the fact that in the last tariff bill the ad valorem duty on dyestuffs was struck off from indigo and alizarine colors. The annual consumption of indigo in normal times is 10,000,000 lbs. annually. By 1912 the German makers of the coal tar indigo, which is chemically the same as the product of the tropical indigo plants, had driven the natural products from the world's markets, including even China and Japan, where vast quantities of it are grown. The artificial is better and more reliable than the natural dye. Owing to the war, the natural product has come back upon the market again, but in normal times it can hardly be expected to hold its own. [Canadian Druggist. Glycerin Made From Sugar At a Greatly Reduced Cost.-Discovery in the internal revenue division laboratory of a process for manufacturing glycerin from sugar has been announced by the Treasury Department. Under the secret process evolved, the cost of this substance, a heavy factor in the manufacture of explosives, will be reduced to slightly more than onefourth of its present cost. Glycerin at present is manufactured almost entirely from fats, at a cost of 90 cents a pound, which is six times its cost of production before the war. Extraction of the product from sugar will insure production, officials estimate, at 25 cents a pound or less. The immense importance of the discovery in conserving the fat supply of the nation is pointed out by officials who declare that Germany's fat shortage is largely due to the use of fats for production of explosives. Germany has long since been forced to discontinue the manufacture of soap in order to conserve the fats for munitions making. Advance in Proprietary Medicines. The following goods have been advanced in price by manufacturers on account of the general condition of the drug market: (Also see Meyer Brothers Druggist for July, page 231.) "The West at Work" is a new publication, edited and published by Paul W. Brown, well known for his literary ability and business judgment. The new publication which is published twice a month is a non-technical journal of finance and industry of the ST THIS GLAD HAND CITY Mississippi Valley. Pharmacists are as much interested as other tradesmen in the useful information to be found in the columns of this St. Louis enterprise. John F. Queeny, president of the Monsanto Chemical Works, has offered to reIcruit and uniform a unit of Home Guards. If you place a one cent stamp on a magazine or newspaper, located on the right hand corner of the cover and deposit it in a St. Louis mail box, the publication will in the course of time reach soldiers at the front. Postmaster Selph has perfected this arrangement. Better Than a Messenger Boy.-A. W. Peterson, Ph. G., of Fifteenth and Chambers streets, St. Louis, has a wonderful dog. He goes to the post office for the mail and to the bank for change. Mr. Peterson trusts as much as a $20.00 bill to him when change is wanted. He never tarries on business trips but occasionally absents himself from home for a week or more but always returns ready for business. The St. Louis Natural History Museum Association has been organized. It will, for the present, devote its energies to popularizing the museum idea. Herman Schwarz, of 702 Clark avenue, Webster Groves, is president, and L. P. Jensen, of 4 Busch place, St. Louis, secretary and treasurer. ONE man's money is as good as another's, if the right man has it. .75 .1.10 .90 .90 2.00 .66 .96 .96 .60 .96 ..... 1.05 Tincture Hydrastis 3.25 Tincture Iodine. 1.50 Pharmacy Under War Time Conditions make mands on you both as an individual and as a ber of the American Pharmaceutical Associa You concede this truth-but are you satisfied your answer to these demands both as an in ual and as a member of the senior association pharmacists? The greatest effort put forth as individuals by number of business or professional men never b the results required; of necessity, there must b ordination of effort, mutual understanding, uni plans, a common purpose and an "all pull-toge spirit in which each individual shares. Never in our country's history was there need for safe reasoning and careful planning pharmacy than now. None of the meetings of American Pharmaceutical Association so urg needed you as does this one. Will you come? The Indianapolis Branch expects a large at ance, and especially desires that more of our 1 bers than ever before shall attend their first A A. convention this year. All of the section mee will be held at the headquarters, Claypool Hotel there will be ample opportunity to assemble gether "for sociabilities' sake" when the formal 1 ings are recessed. Please be assured that a hearty welcome wi yours, and come prepared to learn and to tea [A. D. Thorburn, H. S. Noel, E. B. Carter, C. B. dan, Committee on Publicity. STRICTLY UNOFFICIAL Drugs Are Supreme. "We can live without cooks, Remember That Old Admonition. Learn as if to live forever, Live as if to die tomorrow and you'll come as near living a helpful life as any man under the sun. The Home Garden. Yes, in the poor man's garden grow Far more than herbs or flowers, Kind thoughts, contentment, peace of mind, -[The Poor Man's Garden. Sal or Sarah. "Sarah ammoniac-have you some?" "Do you mean sal ammoniac?" asked the druggist. "I believe it is sometimes called that," replied the lady stiffly. "My Hair Is Falling Out," admitted the timid man to the chemist. "Can you recommend something to keep it in?" "Certainly," replied the obliging assistant, "Here is a nice card-board box.”—[From an Exchange. So Say We All of Us.-We went to Dr. House today and got some medicine for our lumbago. His instructions on the bottle say to take a teaspoonful 15 minutes before we feel the pain coming on. There's something wrong somewhere.-[Leesville Light. (Colo.) Kinterbys, Like the Poor, They are Always With Us. The evening callers were chatting gaily with the when a patter of little feet was heard from the stairs. "Hush!" said Mrs. Kinterby, softly. "The children are going to deliver their 'good night' message. It always gives me a feeling of reverence to hear them-they are so much nearer the Creator than we are and they speak the love that is in their little hearts never so fully as when the dark has come. Listen !" There was a moment of tense silence. Then"Mamma,' came the message in a shrill whisper, "Willie found a bed bug!" The above pleasantry reminds the editor that during all of his years of experience on the tripod, bedbug exterminators and roach destroyers have been timely formulas. Who will get up something which will annihilate the entire bed-bug race and banish roaches from their canny corners? ODD ORDERS It Did Not Taste Well, even though the spelling is amusing: Half once of bustorn purry and half once sweet skernia and drop of sweet oil 3 drops turpin 15c. Very Polite Was the Customer of the Macon Drug Co., Macon, Miss., who wrote as follows: "Pleas sin me a 25 cent swr eean if you pleas mr." He Got What He Wanted but it required some ingenuity on the part of Dr. L. C. Sondol, of Columbia, Ill., to make Merrell's Penetrating Oil out of the following: "marlpinlarl oil 50c." The Customer of E. W. Thoms, of Arkadelphia, Ark., did not send in an odd drug order but the name as spelled is sufficiently odd for a place in this department: The "monny order" is for "cokadack fims." "I want the kind of fims that fits the cokadack I bought of you." Illinois Gems in the Way of Odd Orders are furnished by Henry Dauber, Ph. G., of Mascoutah, Ill. 1. Liar Salt. 2. 3. Marquet tablets. 1 Bar Castile Soap 1 ear shrinz few drops Leisoil or Carb. acid. 4. Bleace Mr. D. Send me a bottel of goot Cofe medden and 5c Lockich. A Mixture of Botany and Surgery. The customer certainly had the power of description who placed with the St. Paul Drug Co. the following order for Balm of Gilead Buds: "10c worth of bumgillian buds hard little buds look and are the coller of cockroaches with the head and legs of." Just for Practice see what you make out of the following: sing sing An Odd Order for An Odd Mixture is contributed by H. G. Posey. It reads as follows: "marualaus Cold Cream 50 "teale cut tea com Puder 5 "unlucks 5 "Rule taberlut 10" The following was dispensed: "Marvelous Cold Cream, "Talcum Powder, "Envelopes, "Ruled Tablet." |