[From Drugs, Oils and Paints, Philadelphia.]

A DESIRABLE FORM OF RECIPROCITY.

In our last issue we discussed briefly, in connection with the New York Paint, Oil and Varnish Club's recommendations anent the Cuban trade-mark laws, the inequitable provisions of foreign patent laws as compared with our own.

In this connection the appeal of the National Association of Retail Druggists to President Roosevelt is interesting and instructive. The appeal, together with Commissioner of Patents Allen's answer thereto and editorial comments thereon, may be found in the AMERICAN DRUGGIST for October 26, 1903. Briefly stated, the druggists object to the existing laws because they give monopolies "in the drug itself, thereby stifling invention and encouraging exorbitant prices;" "too liberal concessions to foreigners "-most foreign countries do not grant patents on medicinal preparations, though a few grant protection to the process of manufacture; other countries require that the patented article shall be made at home, but the American law allows patents on articles produced abroad. The laxity of the laws, in allowing patents without sufficient investigation of the supposed merit of the invention, is objected to. The trade-mark law is claimed to be defective in protecting the name of the article patented, thus perpetuating the monopoly granted by the patent.

The remedies asked for are as follows:

First. That adequate time be given to investigate the merits claimed by the inventor, so as to demonstrate that it is novel and thereby confers additional good on the community at large.

Second. Patents should be granted on the process only-not on the product.

Third. Articles made according to the process patented must be manufactured in this country.

Fourth. No foreigner to be granted greater privileges in this country than are given to him in his own.

As an alternative for second, we desire that the revised patent laws forbid the granting of letters-patent on medicines, as that term is understood in the art of healing.

The remedies desired as to trade-marks are as follows:

(A) No trade-mark be granted on a name or combination of names, coined or otherwise.

(B) That the trade-mark rights be confined entirely to brands, symbols, signs and devices.

In conclusion, we cannot too strenuously emphasize our objections to the injustice of granting patents on the product instead of the process, and of trade-marking the name instead of the sign, symbol, or device as distinguishing the brand. "Charity begins at home; " under present patent and trade-mark laws, we have gone abroad to dispense good. that we should have, to foreigners who will not grant us equal, if not similar, benefits. The reciprocity that now obtains puts us at the merey of the foreign manufacturer; most exorbitant prices are demanded and received. against which the present laws contain no remedy. We trust that after due consideration of the subject you will more fully appreciate the great public importance of a revision of these laws and give a formal expression of approval on behalf of the much-needed revision.

As an example of the injustice wrought by the existing law antipyrine is cited. This drug, which as a medicinal preparation cannot be patented in Germany, the country where it was invented and is produced, "retailed (in the United States) for $1.50 an ounce; but after the expiration of the patent, the same article may be bought for 18 cents an ounce."

Commissioner Allen's answer strikes us as singularly weak, being merely a defense of the wisdom of the framers of the existing patent laws, which the Commissioner evidently regards as almost miraculous in their perfection. He thinks that, in spite of the contrast between the status of an imaginary American inventor of phenacetin before the German law and that of the German inventor under the American law, the latter "in this respect is wise and beneficent and needs no amendment."

The remainder of his remarks under this heading are worthy of quotation, if merely to show their inadequacy :

The second objection of the Retail Druggists' Association is that our system of law makes too liberal concessions to foreigners, and by that is meant that while a German can obtain, as in this case, a patent for a product in this country, he can only obtain in Germany a patent for the process by which the product is made. This matter is controlled at the present time by the provisions of Article II of the Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, concluded at Paris, March 20. 1883. ratified by the President of the United States on March 29. 1887, and proclaimed on June 11, 1887. Article II of this convention

is as follows:

"The subjects or citizens of each of the contracting States shall enjoy, in all the other States of the Union, so far as concerns patents for inventions, trade or commercial marks, and the commercial name, the advantages that the respective laws thereof at present accord, or shall afterward accord, to subjects or citizens. In consequnece they

shall have the same protection as these latter, and the same legal recourse against all infringements of their rights, under reserve of complying with the formalities and conditions imposed upon subjects or citizens by the domestic legislation of each State."

By the provisions of this convention, to which the German Government gave its adherence upon March 21, 1903, to take effect from May 1. 1904, it was provided that the citizens of each of the contracting States should enjoy in all the other States of the Union, in these matters of inventions, the advantages that the respective laws thereof accord to their own subjects or citizens. But it is to be noted that since 1836 our statutes have not limited the right to protection of inventions to American citizens, but have permitted foreigners to avail themselves of the benefits of our legal system for the protection of their inventions, as well as our own citizens. If this statute in earlier days was too liberal in its terms, in that a foreigner could obtain a broader patent in America than his own country would give him, nevertheless. since the International Convention of 1883, no narrower statute would fill the measure of our international obligations, and it is not to-day too broad.

The Association's contention regarding trade-marks he characterizes, justly, we think, as "an absolute misapprehension of the law of this subject," the mass of precedent supporting his statement "that when a patented article becomes public, by the expiration of the patent, the right to use the title descriptive of the article manufactured becomes public also and can no longer be defended as a trade-mark." How the Association, with the "Castoria" decisions fresh in mind, fell into this error it would be hard to explain. In conclusion, the Commissioner says:

The perfect remedy for an exorbitant price will be found in a moment by letting the article alone. But if its great value makes its use desirable, the price should be paid and the view carried cheerfully forward to the time. two years and a half ahead in this instance, when this valuable product will by operation of law become the property of all the people of the United States.

A word as to this conclusion, before proceeding: Suppose the discoverer of ether, of chloroform, of morphine, of quinine, of vaccination, were to have patented these remedies and sold them at a profit of 500 per cent. It would make no difference to us to-day; but it is conceivable that the ancestors of many of us who consider ourselves useful, would have suffered and died because of the prohibitive prices, and that would have been unfortunate, for us at least. The greatest good of the greatest number is still the only safe principle on which to operate a republican form of government, and monopoly in medicinal discoveries is not conducive to the greatest good to any one except "number one." The inventor should have his reward, but it should not be at the cost of the suffering and the unfortunate.

This in passing, but we believe that strict and impartial justice in the matter can be meted out only by reciprocity in the matter of legal protection. If the foreigner cannot secure a patent on an article at home, he should not be allowed to. secure it here. If the statutes are too liberal in this matter, and we think they are, they should be revised. The copyright laws require that works by foreigners must be "printed from type set in the United States," in order to secure protection. The tariff laws are carefully framed to encourage home production. The tin plate industry was deliberately forced to migrate to this country by carefully planned provisions, and similarly the industry of sugar refining. Why not the manufacture of drugs and chemicals?

It is useless for Commissioner Allen to assert that we cannot do anything that is fair and equitable, and it would be only fair and equitable to revise our patent and trade-mark laws somewhat in conformity with similar laws of other countries. Our own laws are in some respects bad, and the German law is conspicuously superior in this very matter of medicinal preparations.

It is desirable that the attention of all trade and commercial organizations in the United States should be directed to this subject, in order to secure

First. A revision of the Cuban law covering registration. Second. Revision of the laws of certain foreign countries, and especially those of Northern Europe, or, failing this, of our laws, which allow of discrimination against our own citizens.

Perhaps eventually a new "Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property" might result in harmonizing the laws of the several signatories to the convention of 1883. Anyway, with all due respect to Commissioner Allen, we think it is pretty generally held that our own patent laws, as well as the Patent Office, need extensive revision.

Ether Soap.-F. L.-The method of preparation of this soap, which is a fluid used to cleanse skin areas before surgical operations, as as follows: Oleic acid, 7 fl. oz., is mixed with 90 per cent. alcohol, 3 fl. oz., and to the mixture is added 11⁄2 fl. oz of a saturated solution of potassium hydroxide in water. After the neutralized product has cooled, add lavender oil, 20 minims, and make the bulk up to 20 fl. oz. with ether.

Ether soap is used by rubbing a small quantity into the skin until the surface is dry, when the skin is thoroughly scrubbed with a brush and hot water. The ether, being a fat solvent, penetrates the epidermis and carries the soap with it.

Liquid Antiseptic Soap.-F. L.-The following method is employed for the preparation of this soap, which is an excellent material for disinfecting the hands before performing surgical operations:

Caustic potash (70 per cent.). Oil of sweet almond....

Glycerin

Gm. 50 .Gm. 200

.Gm. 100

Distilled water, enough to produce. .Gm. 1,000

Dissolve the caustic potash in twice its weight of water; add the oil and the glycerin and agitate well. Add the remainder of the water and keep the mixture on the water bath at 60 to 70 degrees C. for 24 to 36 hours, when saponification will be complete. A clear mixture will then be obtained, covered by a layer of emulsified, non-saponified oil. This unsaponified oil is siphoned off; the transparent jelly of soft soap remaining is then treated with:

The mixture thus obtained is heated to 60 degrees C. for several hours, then set aside in a cool place for several days, when it is strained through absorbent cotton, yielding a bright amber colored liquid.

Bottling Waxes.-J. C. M. writes: "Please publish a formula for a preparation to be used for sealing bottles air tight. I desire something similar to that used for sealing Mennen's Corn Cure containers."

Various mixtures are used as capping compounds. The particular preparation about which you make inquiry is made somewhat as follows:

Hydrate the gelatin in the usual way, by allowing it to soak in the water until the latter is all absorbed and a jelly results; then melt it on a water bath and add the glycerin, afterward tinting it any desired color by the addition of the required coloring matter, zinc white for white and an aniline dye solution for tints.

This capping fluid is best applied by dipping the neck of the corked bottle in the mixture, which is maintained in a fluid state by the application of heat. The bottle is withdrawn from the capping fluid with a rotary motion, which is kept up until the capping sets.

A bottle capping fluid for use with non-alcoholic preparations containing glycerin is recommended to be made as follows: Shellac .3x Guttapercha

Venice turpentine...

.zi

.zi

These ingredients are melted together in a pot by means of heat carefully applied, and when fluid the mixture is poured out on a stone slab to cool. When cold, powder and macerate in Wood alcohol.... ..Oiij

Dissolve and strain through absorbent cotton. This varnish compound is used in the same way as the gelatin mixture previously described.

Formalin Mouth Wash.-P. K.-An extensive series of dentrifrice formulas was printed in the volume of the AMERICAN DRUGGIST for the first half of 1900, beginning with the issue for March 29. The formaldehyde mouth wash of which you speak was one of the first formulas printed, and is here repeated for your benefit and that of new subscribers: Formaldehyde solution, 40 per cent....Gm. 50 Tincture of benzoin.. .Gm. 200 Tincture of myrrh.. Peppermint oil. Anise oil..... Cinnamon oil. Cassia oil.. Cochineal. Alcohol..

M. sec. artem.

.Gm. 50

Gm. 3

Gm. 2

.Gm. 1

Gm. 15

.Gin. 2 .Gm. 1,000

Manufacturers of Crude Potash.-H. B. N. wishes to be put in communication with manufacturers of crude Potash.

The following is a partial list of chemical manufacturers who list caustic potash, viz.: Roessler & Hasslacher Chemical Company, 100 William Street, New York; General Chemical Company, 25 Broad street, New York; Wing & Evans, 22 William street, New York; Charles Cooper & Co., 194 Worth street, New York.

Address Wanted.-J. A. Loomis & Son, 91 Union street, East Hampton, Mass., desire the address of the manufacturer of or any one selling the "Michael Powder Divider," illustrated in Remington's Practice of Pharmacy, page 1087.

Saccharated Iron Oxide.-The following method of preparing "Ferrum Oxydatum Saccharatum" is official in the supplement to the Dutch Pharmacopoeia (Phar. Post, through Phar. Jour.) Ferric chloride solution (containing 15 per cent. of Fe), 20, is mixed with simple syrup, 20, and water, 20; this is gradually added to a solution of sodium carbonate, 24, in water, 60, care being taken that the temperature of the mixture does not exceed 15 degrees C. When the evolution of carbonic acid gas has ceased, sufficient caustic soda solution, about 14, is added to give a clear liquid; then sodium bicarbonate, 9, and boiling water, 600, are added. The precipitate thus obtained is collected on a cloth, washed free from chloride with boiling water, pressed, mixed with powdered sugar, 70, and dried on the water bath.

Correspondence.

A Modified Formula for Paregoric.

To the Editor:

Sir,-A suggestion in regard to the preparation of tr. opii. camph., U. S. P., if published in your columns, would probably be of some value. This tincture is prepared, according to official directions, in a manner too promiscuous to insure the best results, especially from its most important ingredient— opium.

The following formula, or method, will insure a product of good, deep color, and be found entirely up to standard strength: Dissolve the camphor, benzoic acid and oil of anise in 480 Cc. of alcohol; then to the opium add 100 Cc. of boiling water, triturating gradually from a smooth paste to a thick mixture. Return this to the beaker and heat moderately for five minutes more. Then add this to 380 Cc. of water, mix well, and add to alcoholic solution and glycerin 40 Cc. Set aside for three or four days and filter.

The advantage of this method lies in the oetter incorporation of the opium. D. L. SNYDER, P.D. 2000 Beaver avenue, Allegheny, Pa., January 28, 1904.

Book Reviews.

A MANUAL OF TOXICOLOGY. A Concise Presentation of the Principal Facts Relating to Poisons, with Detailed Directions for the Treatment of Poisoning. Also a Table of Doses of the Principal and Many New Remedies. By Albert H. Brundage, A.M., M.D., Phar.D., Professor of Toxicology and Physiology in the Rhode Island College of Pharmacy and Allied Sciences, etc., etc. Third Edition, Revised and Enlarged. New York: The Henry Harrison Company, Broadway and Gates avenue, Brooklyn. London: Bailliere, Tindall & Cox, 8 Henrietta street, Covent Garden, 1903. Pp. x-401. [Price, $1.50.]

Only a short time has elapsed since we reviewed the second edition of this work, and the fact that a third edition has been made necessary by the demand sufficiently attests its popularity. Although enlarged to 401 pages, the revision has been pretty thorough and the volume still remains of a handy size.

Considerable new matter has been added to the chapters on chemical analysis, and a useful new feature consists of illustrations of the commoner poisonous plants. The chief organs concerned in the absorption and circulation of poisons in the human system are shown in diagrammatic charts, and these should prove suggestive and useful to students and teachers. Another new feature is a dose table, embodying rules for the administration of medicine to children. The author's own rule for determining the proportionate dose of any given drug for a child less than one year old is novel and interesting. To the number of months the child lacks of being one year old he adds 12 to form the denominator of a fraction, the numerator of which is 1. This fraction is then taken to indicate the approximate fractional part of the adult dose suitable for a child. For example, a child three months old would get 1-21 of an adult dose.

LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS IN GENERAL INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, compiled and arranged for the use of students. By James O. Jordan, Ph.G., Professor of General and Pharmaceutical Chemistry in the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, Boston, Mass., 1903. Pp. 4 to 56. [Price, 25 cents.]

The students of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy are to be congratulated in the possession of a teacher like Professor Jordan, who gives in this booklet such unmistakable evidence of his thorough comprehension of the needs of beginners in the study of pharmaceutical chemistry. In 27 exercises he gives detailed directions for the carrying out of 234 experiments, these being intended to supplement the lectures in the college course. The directions for the carrying out of experiments are in simple, terse language, which removes all possibility of ambiguity or misunderstanding; and as for the experiments themselves, they impress us as rational and admirably adapted to serve the purpose for which they are intended.

BUSINESS BUILDING

By W. A. DAWSON

Under this head will appear suggestions and plans for increasing trade, advertising experiences, information, and notes of interest useful to the pharmacist in the preparation of his advertising matter. Specimens of current advertising will be reproduced, with suggestive analysis and criticism, and queries relative to advertising matters will be answered. To avoid delay address communications to the Department of Business Building, AMERICAN DRUGGIST, 66 West Broadway, N.Y.

ADVERTISING IDEAS.

Illustrated private mailing cards are a rather expensive form of advertising, considering their first cost, but they are one of the best of that miscellaneous class of business builders known as advertising novelties. Local scenes reproduced in half-tone cuts from photographs are the only embellishment needed for such cards, aside from the type matter advertising the pharmacy issuing them. The cost of getting out a series of these cards is not so great as one would imagine, while the advertising would be perpetual, practically, as the cards would be preserved and kept on view by the recipients. A new design gotten out each month for a year and mailed or distributed to prospective patrons would bring large returns on the investment in some localities. Any good printer will furnish estimates of the cost, including the half-tone plates made by some engraving house. The plates can afterward be used to illustrate a booklet or grouped to form the illustration for a calendar back, used on a blotter ad and on many other advertising novelties.

NEW MONEY.

Some time ago, in talking of advertising schemes with a brother pharmacist, the conversation turned on Macy's new penny scheme. The New York house of R. H. Macy & Co. were the originators, or perhaps only one of the pioneers, of the modern department store idea. At any rate, they were the inventors of the odd price idea, and all their prices in the old days were so arranged that, unless you tendered the exact amount, no matter what money you gave in payment, there was one, two, three or four cents in the change you received, and these were always new coins, copper cents, fresh from the mint and as bright as gold pieces. Consequently, when a New York mother went shopping the children clamored and begged until she promised to go to Macy's and bring them some "gold pennies." When one can make every child in his city "root for him at just the psychical moment, he can call himself an advertising genius.

On meeting the aforementioned pharmacist a few days ago, it developed that he had adopted the idea and had extended it to include all coins, giving in change nothing but newly minted cents, nickels, dimes, quarters and half dollars, and was thinking of further extending it to include bills, and advertising "clean money." He said that it was the best advertising he had ever done. The whole town was interested, and the sight of a new coin started everybody around to talking of him and advertising his business.

The expense was an initial investment of five dollars and an expense of about two dollars a week for a few months, and was now about one dollar a week, not counting interest on the money used. This expense was for extra express charges on money shipments that he paid his bank. By special arrangement he deposits all the old coin taken in and draws out sufficient new coin for each day's business; the bank keeps a supply sufficient for his needs, and charges him only for the expense of the extra weight of coin that is shipped back and

forth. From $500 per week the amount of new coin used has fallen to about $200 a week, as there is now a large amount of new coin in circulation in the town. Coins whose luster is dimmed in the slightest degree are at one retired from circulation.

Criticism and Comment.

The following circular letter regarding cod-liver oil, mailed to physicians by a New York City pharmacy, is a good example of how effective "plain printing" is when done with good ink and good presswork on good paper.

The paper is a heavy, cream white octavo note sheet, printed upon the first and third pages with a light-faced De Vinne Roman letter and plain black ink of good quality. The press

work is excellent, for the paper, though thick and soft, shows

no impression of the type on the back of the printed sheet, and

every letter stands out clear, sharp and distinct in the printed

matter, and is of even and uniform color throughout.

It is a pleasure to see such an example of good advertising argument so simply well dressed in these days of imitation type-written letters and strike-you-blind type display, and it will undoubtedly prove a business builders for Knapp & Sons :

Norwegian Cod Liver Oil is now quoted from $150.00 to $160.00 per barrel, as against former ruling prices of from $25.00 to $40.00 Scarcity is the cause of this advance. So limited has been the catch of fish in Norway during the past few seasons, that the oil produced does not meet one-tenth of the demand. As a consequence all kinds of substitutes-such as oil from Newfoundland, Japan, and other sources

are being utilized. Aside from palatability, it is a well-known therapeutic fact that no substitute approaches the true Norwegian Oil in medicinal value.

It is our intention to continue selling the Norwegian Oil exclusively-unless it should prove to be unobtainable after our winter supply has been exhausted.

Knapp's Emulsion (with Lime) will continue to be made from the Norwegian Oil. It is a perfect product-in the mechanical sense-does not separate and is made at frequent intervals. If you do not feel assured that your patients are receiving the best grade of Cod Liver Oil, either in its pure state or as an Emulsion, we would be pleased to supply them, delivering it by our messenger, if they desire.

Yours very truly,

P. B. KNAPP & SONS.

sician.

Hope

Don't--Don't-Don't talk mournfully in a sick room. The patient hears and understands more than you think. Hopefulness in a sick room is worth much medicine. Never show that you have lost hope, or allow any visitor to show it. Never give up the fight. When allowed by the physician to talk with the patient. talk about pleasant, agreeable things. Try to get the patient's mind off of himself and on other cheerful subjects. ConRead inspiring stories. Diet The best cook books have special recipes for sick folks. Look these up and ask your physician what is best. We carry a full line of Fresh Prepared Foods for invalids. Telephone. We deliver promptly without extra charge for delivery.

sult your physician about these points. They are very important.

Doctor's Directions Follow his instructions faithfully and

intelligently. Don't try experiments. Don't be careless or forgetful. Devote yourself to carrying out completely the physician's directions and suggestions. Get whatever he advises. You may thing that some of the things suggested are not necessary," but he knows best. Remember that!

Medicine Our prescription work is recognized by the best physi

cians as being skillful, accurate and thoroughly reli able in all particulars. We use none but the purest. highest quality fresh drugs, and our Prescription Department is equipped with the best modern impiements for scientific compounding. Every known safeguard is enforced. All prescription work is done by experienced graduate pharmacists (no apprentices or boys). Our prices are the lowest consistent with good work and good materials. We invite your trade on all sick toom goods. We have an excellent line of hot water bottles and Fountain Syringes. W. J. BOULET,

PRESCRIPTION DRUGGIST, 614 South Broadway. If you get it at Boulet's it's Good.

Among the subjects that may be used for such cards are: Lists of holidays-something like 30 in the various States. Church days and feasts.

Seasons, with local climatic conditions, agricultural calendar.

Language of flowers, gems, metals, etc.

Wedding anniversaries.

Digestive and dietetic tables.

Birthday significances.

Health rules.

Physical culture exercises.

Local calendar, time and tide tables.

Places of interest, and their distance from your store.
Weather signals, signs, observations, etc.

Moonlight nights, morning and evening stars, etc.
Standard and true time.

Care of the complexion, the hands (manicuring), the
hair, etc.

Bathroom card, bath temperatures, bathing hints, etc.
Local population and other local census statistics.
Local history and events.

Kitchen card-cooking tables-useful hints, etc.

The few named here will suggest many more. Those of purely local interest are best, and if the facts have not heretofore appeared in print all the better. The popularity of the proprietary almanac is based upon just such information, and a wealth of suggestion will be found in those which you may have on hand at this moment.

TABLES OF INFORMATION AND ITEMS OF INTEREST FOR USE IN ADVERTISING MATTER.

Mr. Boulet, whose series of mailing cards were reproduced in our last issue, has sent us a card of Sick Room Hints," on plain white card, 34 x 8 inches, which we reproduce on this

Mrs. Stubb: "I think that druggist is horrid." Mr. Stubb: "Why so, Maria? He left three urgent prescriptions to give you a stamp."

Mrs. Stubb: "Yes, but he didn't say Louis" Post Dispatch."

Thanks.'-St.

Danger in Bargain Purchases.

in nine big stores out of ten that one goes into, odds and ends and stickers of all sorts are much in evidence. When one of these supposedly prosperous concerns goes to the wall, its shelves and warerooms are nearly always found loaded down with surplus stock, bought to save a trifling something in price. Part of the lot sold and the rest stuck. Style changed, something else came into favor. The owner lacked the courage to knife prices to the forcing point and still they stuck. By and by the inevitable happened.

The retailer who speculates, who buys a quantity to get a price, no doubt picks up some good snaps. But we doubt whether, in the long run, he ever makes as much money as he would have made had he handled more items and turned his stock oftener.

In the former case he many times steers his business perilously close to the rocks, whereas in the latter case his vessel is always in the safe open channel.

We cannot say too often: The safest profit a retail store can make is one that compounds every time the stock is turned.

Lost motion, as it refers to advertising, means poorly prepared copy, injudicious selection of mediums, carelessness regarding position and display, and negligence in changing advertisements as they should be changed.

W. C. Kirchgessner, of Grand Rapids, Mich., discourages the unauthorized repetition of prescriptions by attaching a small label to the bottle or package, bearing the following legend: "More harm than good is sometimes done by refilling a prescription, so consult your physician before getting this refilled."

Some advertisers go upon the assumption that advertising is read reluctantly or not at all. They resort to fantastic schemes and lures to induce readers to read against their will, and as a consequence produce the kind of advertising that stands the least chance of being read. If there is one thing certain in advertising it is that forceful, vital, informing publicity always finds an audience.-Printer's Ink.