Sealing Wax Not Affected by Acid. -W. N. R. writes: "Kindly publish in your next issue a formula for making a sealing wax that acid will not affect.' Sealing compounds which are to be exposed to the action of acids should consist as largely as possible of pure paraffin, only sufficient resin being added to bring the mass to a proper consistency and render sufficiently adhesive. Shellac and pure resin are inadmissable in a sealing wax which is likely to come into contact with strong acids, the latter being particularly excluded for the reason that it is very readily oxidized by the action of many acids; nitric and sulphuric acids decompose nearly all resinous bodies. A luting of plaster of Paris or flaxseed paste stiffened with glue is used to replace wax in sealing bottles containing acids.

The Stamping of Medicines.-A. G. S. writes that he is being constantly annoyed by deputy collectors in regard to stamping articles like paregoric, laudanum, golden tincture, and similar preparations. He encloses five specimens of labels with a request for our opinion as to the taxability of packages bearing these labels. The labels are for paregoric, laudanum, golden tincture, sweet spirit

of nitre and balsam de maltha.

With respect to the labels for paregoric, laudanum and sweet spirit of nitre, there is no wording on them calculated to bring the labels within the provisions of the war revenue act, and these are further exempt as the titles are recognized as the official synonyms of the United States Pharmacopoeia, and they contain no recommendations for the use of the preparations in the treatment of disease.

With regard to the labels for golden tincture and balsam de maltha, it is our opinion that packages bearing these labels are liable to stamp duty, as the preparations named are not officially recognized in the United States Pharmacopoeia, and their composition is the secret of the proprietor.

We should advise our correspondent, in view of the annoyance complained of, to appeal from the decision of the deputy collector to the chief collector of his district, explaining the case very fully to him, when the chief will doubtless issue orders to his deputy which will relieve our correspondent from further interference, so far as the preparations named in his communication are concerned.

Liability of Prescriptions to Liquor Tax.-H. H. B., New York, writes: "Please let me know if I must have a liquor license in order to be permitted to dispense prescriptions like the following:

Sig. 15 Cc. every 2 hours. "I have lost several prescriptions by refusing to dispense prescriptions similar to the above."

Under a strict construction of the law, we believe you did right in refusing to dispense prescriptions of the character of that quoted, you not possessing a liquor license. Under the amended Raines law (Sec. 11, subdivision 3) you may only take out a prescription license, the flat rate for which is five dollars, anywhere in the State, irrespective of location; or a regular storekeepers' license, the fee for which is graduated from ten to five hundred dollars, according to location. This prescription license carries with it the right to sell alcohol, except during

prohibited hours, that is from 1 ̊a. m. to 5 a. m., and on Sundays.

The exact wording of the law follows: Section 11, subdivision 3. Upon the business of trafficking in liquors by a duly licensed pharmacist, which liquors can only be sold upon the written prescription of a regularly licensed physician, signed by such physician, which prescription shall state the date of the prescription, the name of the person for whom prescribed, and shall be preserved by the vendor, pasted in a book kept for that purpose, and be but once filled, and which liquors shall not be drunk on the premises where sold, or in any outbuilding, yard, booth or garden appertaining thereto or connected therewith, there is assessed an excise tax to be paid by such duly licensed pharmacist or the corporation, association or copartnership of which he is a member, engaged in such traffic and for each such place where such traffic is carried on by such pharmacist, or by such corporation, association or copartnership of which he is a member, the sum of five dollars. The holder of a liquor tax certificate under this subdivision may sell alcohol, to be used for medicinal, mechanical or chemical purposes, without a prescription, except during prohibited hours.

Captol.-C. S. writes: "What is the chemical formula of 'Captol?' Is it a synthetical or a pharmaceutical prepara

tion?"

The extent of our information regarding Captol is that it is a condensation product of tannin and chloral, patented by the Farbenfabriken of Elberfeld Co., with a New York office at 40 Stone street. It occurs as a dark brown hygroscopic powder, slightly soluble in cold, more soluble in warm water and in alcohol. It has been recommended in dilute alcoholic solution for falling out of the hair, being an antiseptic astringent of considerable penetrative power.

In

COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS AND CHEMICALS. spected, analyzed and admitted for sale in the State of Georgia up to August 21, 1898, and other information in regard to fertilizers under the supervision of Hon. R. T. Nesbitt, Commissioner of Agriculture of the State of Georgia. Dr. Geo. T. Payne, State Chemist.

This report is full of interest to those engaged in agricultural chemistry, and is evidence of the ability and energy of Dr. Payne, who is well known to our readers as vice-president of the American Pharmaceutical Association.

Catalogues Received.

Bulletin of the College of Pharmacy of the University of Minnesota. Vol. 1, No. 9, 1898.

Announcement of Highland Park College of Pharmacy, Des Moines, Ia. Session of 1898-1899.

The Stein-Vogeler Drug Company, of Cincinnati, O., publish the "Stein-Vogeler Drug Review," of which we have received the January number. It is a monthly publication consisting of sixteen pages of miscellaneous reading matter and sixty-two pages of a catalogue and list of

prices. The solution is rubbed into the scalp, morning and evening, the use of fats, pomades, or soap being strictly avoided.

A New York firm has already placed on the market a solution of Captol (Muhlens & Kropf) and advertise it as a hair tonic.

Storage of Calcium Carbide.-J. H., New York City.-The Bureau of Combustibles has made regulations governing the transporation, storage and sale of calcium carbide. Hereafter, in transit or storage, calcium carbide must be closed in hermetically sealed iron receptacles marked "Dangerous, if not kept dry." No package may contain more than 100 pounds. It must be stored in isolated buildings that are fireproof and waterproof. No artificial light or heat will be permitted in the building where it is stored. Not more than twenty pounds, in bulk, or in cartridges, may be kept in any store or factory and must be in fireproof safe or vault and above the street grade and it must be kept six inches above the floor. The manufacture, transporation, storage, sale or use of liquefied the limits of this city. acetylene is absolutely prohibited within

Tobacco-Spotting Fluid.-C. R. Z. writes: "I have tried the tobacco-spotting fluid made according to the formula pub lished in one of your recent numbers, but it did not work at all. I used one part of ammonium carbonate to 1, 2, 3 and 5 parts of hydrogen dioxide, but none of the combinations gave the desired result. Will you kindly advise me what percentage strength of H2O2 solution to use?"

Try the commercial grade of hydrogen dioxide as made by the Oakland Chemical Company of New York.

Developing Lymphol.-A. G. C.-The composition of a preparation bearing this name is desired. Can any of our readers supply the information?

Formulas for Soap.-H. J. B.-We discussed the manufacture of toilet soapvery fully in our last issue. See pages 67, 68 and 69.

"Progress," published monthly by the Highland Park College of Pharmacy, Des Moines, la., is an exceptionally well-printed pamphlet giving particulars of the course of study pursued at the school. It is illustrated with portraits of several of the faculty, and an engraving of the diploma granted by the institution.

From Charles F. Mann, secretary, 845 Third avenue, Detroit, we have received a bound volume of the Proceedings of the Sixteenth Annual Meeting of the Michigan State Pharmaceutical held The meeting was at Port Association. Huron, August 2-4, 1898, and a number of interesting papers were presented on topics of interest to pharmacists, including the president's address, an unusually able review of the pharmaceutical events of the year.

Digest of criticisms on the United States Pharmacopoeia, Seventh Decennial Revision (1890). Published by the Committee of Revision and Publication of the Pharmacopoeia of the United States of America (1899-1900). Part II., comprising abstracts of papers up to December 31, 1897. New York, 1898.

Copies of this digest can be obtained by any person on request, by forwarding stamps to cover the postage (6 cents) to Dr. Charles Rice, chairman of the Committee, care Bellevue Hospital, New York.

Gonorrhoeal Rheumatism.

Salol is said to be especially useful in gonorrhoeal rheumatism. It may be dissolved in ether and used locally in the following prescription:

Salol Menthol Ether Lanoline

-La Presse Medicale, Feb. 5, 1898.

1 dr. 30 grs. 1 dr.

1 oz.

Keeping Ferrous Solutions.

W. S. Myers explains how ferrous solutions can be kept for more than a month in a practically unchanged condition. For example, to a 10 per cent solution of ferrous sulphate he adds 10 per cent of concentrated sulphuric acid and a suitable amount of iron in the form of small wrought iron nails.

ULYSSES G. MANNING,

GAINING THE PHYSICIANS'

I

INFLUENCE.

KNOW of no one who makes a more persistent effort to gain the goodwill and influence of physicians than Mr. Gregory. He issues monthly an attractive four-page folder similar to the one awarded the prize. These folders are much alike in appearance, a heavy tinted paper being used, and the circular is enclosed in envelopes made from the same stock. The paper is light blue and the inks used are usually olive green for the body and purple for the headings. Nothing but the title appears on the first page, and most of the body matter is placed on the two inside pages. I do not believe that the immediate results from a campaign of this sort will be very great, but it certainly will pay in time. Arguments as good as these sent out in attractive form are bound to impress the doctors sooner or later. I do not know what efforts are made by this advertiser to influence the public, but some similar effort should be made in that direction. Physicians can influence the store allegiance of but a portion of their patients. These same arguments in somewhat different form should go to the public also. smaller places this method of influencing the physicians could not be employed so well owing to the limited number of doctors to be reached, and the consequent expense of getting out a limited edition of circulars at short intervals. graphed, typewritten or autograph letters can be used, however, even in small places. Circulars intended for distribu

In

Mimeo

tion to the public can often be so con

structed as to answer for use among physicians also.

CRITICISM AND COMMENT.
Prize Advertisement.

The "American Druggist" offers a prize of One Dollar, each issue, for the best retail druggist's advertisement. The prize this time is awarded to Mr. Willis G. Gregory, Buffalo, N. Y.

We aim to make our prescription department as nearly perfect as is possible. It receives our personal thought and attention, and is given the benefit of our twenty-five years' experience in pharmacy. The facilities for buying, compounding and dispensing the purest and freshest as well as the newest and rarest drugs and synthetical remedies, enable us to fulfill, in a high degree, the hope of medical men for better results in their daily practice. Everything pertaining to the department, prescription case, poison safes, method of checking, preserving full strength and pharmacal apparatus is of the best modern type.

Quality

"Not how cheap, but how good." If we had a motto it would be that, but "mottoes" are not needed to make us realize the importance of quality in the components of prescriptions. For years it has been our firm endeavor to dispense only drugs of the highest standard and efficacy, and to compound in prescriptions only those ingredients that we know to be of full strength and purity. We exercise much care to purchase such prescription stock as we cannot make from perfectly reliable houses, and such names as Squibb, Merck, Parke, Davis & Co. and Wyeth are prominently on our shelves.

3.

Exactness

"Near enough" is an unknown quantity in our laboratory or at our prescription case. We demand precision of ourselves and of our associates-exactness in weight, exactness in measure, exactness in compounding, exactness in stock keeping. Our scales are delicate, accurate and regularly inspected. Prescriptions, after being carefully compounded, are checked over by a second man before delivery. This exactness is essential, we feel, to a perfect prescription department, and is a positive and trustworthy safeguard against error. We are especially prepared for dispensing metric prescriptions, being fully supplied with metric weights and graduates. Though familiar with both systems of metrology, we thus take no chances of possible error in translating metric values to apothecaries' units. Neatness

Can bottles or utensils be too clean? The answer goes without saying. Our pestles, mortars-in fact everything about the prescription case or about the entire store for that matter, is kept as clean as constant care and neverceasing work can make it and keep it. It would be a pleasure to us to receive suggestions from you in regard to our methods, our stock, our prices, or anything about our pharmacy. We respectfully ask you to entrust your prescriptions to us and assure you that we will devote all the skill and care that scientific training and service can bestow on their preparation.

Distributing Gift Coupons.

Editor Advertising Ideas:

I distributed the enclosed mimeograph_letter in sealed envelopes a few weeks before Christmas. With the letter I enclosed a coupon calling for a sample of the perfumes. I mailed eighty-five, and forty-eight coupons were returned. At least thirty-five of those presenting the cards made purchases of from 20c to $1. They seemed to be ashamed to call for a sample of the perfume without making a purchase; the card was usually discovered by "accident" when the party was ready to leave the store. I use the mimeograph freely and get good results. I enclose an ad on Hair Tonic. The idea that rats are used as hair growers by the Chinese, I got from the clipping that appeared in the AMERICAN DRUGGIST-another benefit obtained by reading a good drug journal. Washington, Mo.

G. H. SAPPER.

The circular letter sent out by Mr. Sapper advertised a line of perfumes and the coupon called for a free sample of them. The number of coupons received was higher than the usual average, due probably to careful selection of names.

Unless the supply of samples was limited, I see no reason why the letter, which was excellent, should not have been sent to more people. The letter might have been sent even though the coupon was omitted. This coupon method can often be employed to advantage, especially in pushing special preparations. If often

pays to mail out coupons which offer a reduction from the regular price of specialties, making it clear that the offer is simply for the purpose of introducing the remedy, and that no subsequent reduction can be made.

One difficulty about the method is that many of the people you most desire to interest are averse to taking advantage of the offer. Their pride stands in the way; this disposition was manifested in Mr. Sapper's case. I doubt if any real benefit is secured when people feel forced to buy something before presenting their coupon; their "state of mind" isn't right. It is better in all such advertising to assure people that it is to your advantage to have them come in; that you will consider it as a personal favor if they will use the coupon, and that you are going to feel real bad if they don't.

Mr. Sapper's Hair Tonic ad was doubtless read. The following introduction preceded the substantial argument.

CHINESE

WOMEN

know that rats used as a food stops the falling out of hair and makes the locks soft and beautiful, says the Medical Age. What a relief to know that we need not resort to this diet when access to a welltried remedy like Sapper's Quinine Hair Tonic is so easy, etc.

A Neat Card.

Mr. Adon Rice, Buffalo, N. Y., sends a very neat card. It is set in antique type and is printed in two colors. It reads as follows:

"No retail druggist can do more than handle the products of firms which produce the best drugs. The Porter Ave. Pharmacy, in compounding prescriptions, uses only the goods of the most reputable chemists, which is the best assurance of purity any druggist can give."

The card is good as far as it goes, but it will not go very far. It is suitable for

one neighborhood distribution, and for enclosing in packages that leave the store. It should soon give way to something else. It will never impress anyone but once, but will serve its purpose if supplemented by other advertising.

Rightly Advertised Specialty.

Mr. C. A. Charles, Malden, Mass., submits a circular advertising his grip cure that is notably better than the average. The printer has felt his responsibility almost too much, and in endeavoring to do justice to the copy has rather overdone

it. The borders around the side-heads throw the pages out of balance. This circular is better than the average because it tells something. It gives real information about the disease and the remedy that is to relieve it. Any one reading the circular would be impressed with the thought that the advertiser believed what he said. The impression would be clinched by the straightforward guarantee, and by the first-class testimonial which is appended.

Mr. Charles is the man who gives his location at "37 Steps West of Post Office." The half step is a clear stroke of genius.

The

sufferers several things that would have increased their interest and made them feel that the remedy was their one immediate need. This circular may arrest attention, but it will not convince. idea that brevity is of itself a good thing is the cause of a lot of mistakes in advertising, especially in the medical line. More advertising fails on account of not enough than too much being said. People who are sick, or who think they are, will read a volume that treats of their particular malady if you can get them interested. Put in every bit of information and argument you can scare up, but tell it as briefly as you can.

If this ad fairly represents the style regularly employed, improvement is possible in two directions. First, there is not enough contrast in the setting. The black border, black-faced type and uniformity of the displayed lines would render the ad inconspicuous in most papers. If this body type is to be used the border should be a light-faced one. Headlines should be bolder, though any heading would be handicapped by the bold display of the store name above it. This had better go to the bottom so as to give the headline a chance.

Second, the introduction of irrelevant matter is seldom justified. What Mark Twain thought or said has nothing to do with the subject, and nothing is gained by the introduction of such matter. The ad that is all business is almost invariably the best ad. We are apt to lose sight of the fact that no ad can be written which will be of interest to every reader of a paper, and that nothing is gained by having it read by those who have no use for the article advertised. The best plan, therefore, is to always try to interest just the class who have need of the goods advertised, and to do this the headline should be made to appeal to them.

A Clever Calendar sent out by Wm. P. Herbst, 2500 Pennsylvania avenue, Washington, D. C. The photo in the centre shows Mr. Herbst engaged in making a chemical analysis.

A Lost Opportunity.

Editor Advertising Ideas:

Pat's Receipt.

Our porter, "Pat," was a very slick window cleaner. The show windows he cared for were

always clear as crystal, without streak or spot.

We submit the enclosed ad for criticism and suggestions. It was used in our local paper and also sent out in the form of circulars to other druggists who have our remedy on sale. Sumner, Ill. DALE & SHERIDAN.

There is nothing the matter with the material in your circular, but I feel inclined to find fault with you for stopping where you did. With the knowledge you possess about your preparation, I feel confident that you could have told grip

McGregor's English Dentifrice, 25c.

Frisbee's Handoline, 25c.

Wintry winds and raw air are dangerous conditions; it doesn't require much exposure to bring on Coughs and Colds and Lung Troubles.

Don't neglect your Coughdon't think it is too trifling and will wear itself out. Delays are dangerous-so are some cough medicines.

Frisbee's White Pine Syrup

is as harmless as it is effective; is pleasant and it cures cough. The chief ingredient is pure White Pine Gum combined with drugs that aid its action. It tastes good and does good. We have made it for fifteen years and for fifteen years people who use it say it is the best.

Anyone who uses half a bottle and is not satisfied may have the money back.

Price in Quarter-Pint Bottles, 35c. FRISBEE'S PHARMACY, Drugs, Wall Paper, Paints.

The grocer's porter, across the way, grew envious. After watching Pat from across the way, and seeing how easily he polished the glass, he thought Pat must have some secret or chemical mixture for doing the work. He crossed the street one day and said to Pat: "Say, vill you tell me vot dot mixture is, vot you glean vinders mit?"

"Sure oi will, Hennery," says Pat, from the top of the ladder; "it's clane cold water, elbow grase and good Irish wit; now will you be good, Hennery?"

THE DRUGGIST'S COTERIE.

BY M. QUAD.

I have never had the least trouble in making friends with a lawyer, doctor or professor, but have somehow always been little too late to get into the little coterie invariably surrounding a druggist. My family druggist is a case in point. I freely admit that I should like to hang around his store for a couple of hours every evening in the week, and that I sometimes ache to give him pointers on how to run his business, but I have never had the cheek to go further than to call him "Doc" and discuss the weather with him. I simply remain on the outside and watch his confidential friends and envy their good fortune. There is the real estate man, four doors below the drug store. He constituted himself a sort of guardian of the druggist several years ago, and his familiarity is due to his personal interest. About six times a day he leaves his office and saunters into the drug store to note how trade is going on and to drop valuable pointers. He calls the druggist by his first name, and he helps himself to a cigar or a box of coughdrops or looks over the prescription book in a way which is more than fatherly. Once or twice the thought has occurred to me that if the real estate man were to drop dead of heart failure the druggist would heave a sigh of relief, but the thought was suppressed almost as soon as born..

When the plumber across the way isn't plumbing he is comfortably seated in the drug store. He never discusses traps and sinks and bath-tubs. His interest is in drugs. He also calls the druggist by his first name, and it's a cold day when he doesn't offer advice as to how to run a drug store. If he had the store he'd change this or that-mark up sponges or mark down chloride of lime-buy sticky fly-paper by the ton and go short on borax. The druggist ought to love him for his unselfish interest and devotion, and perhaps he does. If the plumber were to go to the grocer or hardware man or the blacksmith and proffer advice he might be turned down, but I don't believe the druggist has ever gone as far as to ask him why he didn't devote two or three hours per day to his own business. On several occasions, when the druggist has been busy, the plumber has offered to fill prescriptions for me, and my refusal has appeared to injure his feelings and arouse his resentment. I think he talks against me to the druggist, probably calling me a crank and a kicker.

Another self-constituted guardian is the coal man on the next block. It was he who years agone advised the druggist to

take the store. I believe he got a divvy

with a real estate man for his advice, but that is a matter I have kept to myseli. At brief intervals for the last six or seven years he has given his ideas as to how a drug store should be conducted, I have happened to overhear two or three of his "strictly confidential" talks, which invariably begin as follows:

"Now, Homer, I have your interests at heart, and there's nothing selfish about me. I want to see you do well here, and so I remind you that a drug store is not a coal mine. In a coal mine all you have to do is to blast out the coal, get it to market and sell seventeen hundred pounds for a ton. It's different with a drug store. You have got to keep alum and borax and all that, and if a man comes in and asks for a porous plaster you want to have it for him. You don't smile enough. You don't seem glad to see customers; you let an old woman go out of here yesterday after buying five cents' worth of sulphur and never said thank you. Why, man, if you would only meet the public half-way it would take a drygoods box to hold your weekly receipts! I'm not criticising or fault-finding. I'm just telling you, as your oldest and dearest friend, how your trade can be doubled."

I expect the druggist has listened to those words a hundred times without giving any back talk, and that he will listen a hundred times more. He must realize that they come from the heart and are meant for his betterment.

Another one going to make up the coterie is the laundry man around the corner. Years and years ago he may have starched a shirt or a couple of collars for the druggist, and thereby secured the privilege of advising and directing. It may have been that, or it may have been only an over-supply of the milk of human kindness. At any rate, the druggist had not been in business over three months when the laundryman began dropping in with his suggestions. The fact that he was running a one-horse laundry was no sign that he didn't know how to run a first-class drug store. From the very first day he felt at home in the store. If he wanted a glass of port wine or a cigar he helped himself, and was solicitous as to the number of prescriptions which had been filled and the bills payable on the desk. As time went on he got the feeling that he owned the store. To-day he is firmly assured that he owns the druggist as well, and that but for his personal influence trade would drop off one-half in a week. Now and then I have chanced to hear some of his suggestions as guardian angel, and have jotted down the following:

That the druggist dress in blue uniform, with a gold-lace cap.

That he run a creamery in connection with the store.

That he hire an ocean steamer to sail around the world to advertise his cough syrup.

That he get himself arrested for murder in order to attract custom to his store.

That he hire a brass band to play in front of his store six times a day, and that every musician should bear a sign reading: "Tooth brushes at nine cents."

That he buy the old family coach of George Washington and use it with six white horses attached to deliver all purchases.

That he offer a bushel of potatoes or a

hundred pounds of coal with every fivecents purchase.

The druggist has not adopted any of the above up to the present time, but nevertheless I am sure he must feel grateful for the interest which prompted them. I was looking over the ground again the other day with a view of getting inside the lines, but I had to give it up. It's a close corporation, and one jealous of newcomers, and there is no show of my being let in. If I was inside I could give the druggist a dozen good pointers a day, but as it is the best I can do is to gaze upon him from afar and trust that his guardians and confidential friends will pull him safely through.

Price Lists, Etc., Received. February catalogue and price list of the Stein-Vogeler Drug Co., Cincinnati, 1898.

February catalogue and price list of the Robinson-Pettet Co., wholesale druggists, Louisville, Ky.

Sixteenth annual report of the Proprietary Association of America. Record of Proceedings at annual meeting held at St. Louis, Mo., October 17-20, 1898.

Formaldehyde gas as a germicidal and disinfecting agent is employed with the sanitary formaldehyde regenerator. H. K. Mulford Co., Philadelphia and Chicago.

David F. Dodds, traveling representative of Fox, Fultz & Co., in Brooklyn and neighboring boroughs, has presented his customers with an exceptionally neat and attractive calendar for 1899.

"La Revue des Produits Chimiques journal des fabricants et negociants en produits chimiques, drogueries, couleurs et vernis" is a new periodical published from Paris, France, in the interest of wholesale dealers and manufacturers of chemicals, drugs, paints and varnishes. The foreign subscription price is 13 francs.

3,000 Medical Questions.

Self examination for medical students, consisting of 3,000 questions on medical subjects, is the title of a stoutly bound little book, just from the press of P. Blakiston's Son & Co., No. 1012 Walnut street, Philadelphia. The questions are marked by a system of figures and letters, to enable the student to refer to the subject in a standard book. The book, which is published at the astonishingly low price. of ten cents, should meet with a large demand.

An Acute Crisis in Chicago.

THE KETTERING BILL PRECIPITATES A WARM DEBATE.

Proprietors Support Retailers.

Chicago, Feb. 17.—Something very like a bombshell is likely to drop into the camp of the wholesale druggists that persist in selling proprietary goods to the department stores and other price cut

ters.

The developments of the last fortnight demonstrate the fact that the National Association of Retail Druggists has been doing some very effective work, and that it is nearing some important and farreaching results. It holds the whip hand over all of the interests that have heretofore caused the demoralization in the proprietary department of the business. All, that now remains is for the Association to stand firm in all of the cities in which it is organized and the victory is won. Otherwise it is in position to do the wholesalers and the manufacturers incalculable harm and inflict an injury from which it will be difficult for them to re

cover.

The Kettering Bill Discussed.

The true inwardness of the situation was brought out at the recent meeting of the local retail dealers' association, at which the Kettering bill, recently brought before the State Legislature, was up for discussion. Chairman DeWitt, of the Proprietary Association, was before the meeting to enlist the support of the Association in defeating the measure proposed by Mr. Kettering, who is himself a Chicago retailer. W. A. Waide, who is Mr. Kettering's attorney, and who drafted the bill, was there to represent Mr. Kettering. The subject opened up so much that was meaty that it occupied all of the time at the disposal of the meeting and all other matters were deferred to future meetings. Mr. Kettering's bill in effect requires each manufacturer doing business in Illinois to file a sample of his preparation with the State Board of Pharmacy, together with the formula and methods pursued in manufacture. If it is found to contain no deleterious matter the Board will issue a license for its sale within the State. Though the rank and file of the retailers in attendance at the meeting did not see the true effectiveness of the weapon placed within their grasp, it was nevertheless made plainly apparent to enough of the moving spirits to permit the opportunity being quickly seized. They saw that the measure hit the manufacturer hard and they allowed the objections of the retailers to Mr. Kettering's measure to prevail and helped to appoint a committee to request him to withdraw it. In the discussion between Mr. DeWitt, for the manufacturers, and Mr. Waide, for the bill, it was seen that the bill would not only rule all of the proprietary articles out of this State, but

other State legislatures, and it would soon be but a short time before the whole list of proprietary goods would be ruled off the retail list. That this city was looked upon by the manufacturers as the criterion for the whole country was made very plain.

Proprietors and the Cutters.

It was developed during the stay of the manufacturers' representatives in this city that the short-sightedness of selling to the department stores was being fully realized by the manufacturers. They found that the standard articles having a reputation were being advertised at cut figures by the department stores simply as a bait to draw trade and that even then it was the common practice to substitute some cheaper article of the same general character when the standard article was asked for. As this had been demonstrated by the serious falling off in orders from these stores and more particularly by the lessened sales by the retailers who were competing with them, the agitation caused by the Kettering bill proved the very best thing that could have happened to the retailers. Proprietors May Establish a Depot in Chicago It is now practically assured that if the local wholesale dealers persist in selling to the department stores the manufacturers of proprietary goods will establish a depot in Chicago for the sale of their preparations at wholesale and will effectually shut out the local wholesalers. If the wholesalers and department stores then attempt to secure supplies at other cities the National Association of Retail Dealers will promptly checkmate them by sending their orders direct to the manufacturers' depot here.

Retailers and Manufacturers Agreed.

A committee of retailers was appointed at the meeting to wait upon the wholesalers to secure their unqualified consent to shut off the department store cutters. If the wholesalers refuse or fail to act honestly with the retailers in the matter the manufacturers are prepared to stand by the retailers, take up their indebtedness with the local wholesalers wherever it is advisable and give the cutters a stiff fight to a finish. The fact that the methods and aims of the National Association of Retail Druggists have commended themselves to the manufacturers to such an extent that the latter are now ready

to

transfer their allegiance from the wholesale to the retail distributor can only be looked upon as a most remarkable achievement. The active workers in the Association are following up their advantage and are securing the active and hearty support of many retailers throughout the country who have heretofore been far from hopeful that any good could be accomplished by the Association. The effects are far reaching, as it will teach all branches of the trade to act henceforth with more regard to sound business principles than has been the rule in the past.

The Kettering Bill.

The Kettering bill, above referred to, is printed in full below. The author has prepared and published a plea for the bill which contains a severe and somewhat hysterical arraignment of the entire patent medicine industry and of the methods pursued by the manufacturers:

A BILL

To Regulate and Restrict the Sale of Compounds or Preparations of Drugs or Chemicals which may be Poisonous or Deleterious to Health. Section 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois represented in the General Assembly: That it shall be unlawful for any person to sell at retail any compound or preparation of drugs or chemicals for use as a medicine either internally or externally unless the same shail have been compounded or prepared by the person making such sale, or unless the manufacturer of such compound or preparation shall have complied with the provisions of this act, except upon the written order or prescription of a physician or surgeon duly authorized to prac tice the profession of medicine or surgery. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be deemed to be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not less than twenty-five doliars nor more than two hundred dollars for each such offense.

Sec. 2. Any person, firm or corporation engaged in the manufacture of any compound or preparation of drugs or chemicals for use as a medicine, either internally or externally, which is to be sold at retail to consumers or users thereof by persons other than such manufacturer shall, upon the payment of a fee of twenty-five dollars, be permitted to file with the board of pharmacy a statement of the following facts: (1) The name under which such compound or preparation of drugs or chemicals is to be sold; (2) the names and quantities of the ingredients composing such compound or preparation; (3) the method or process by which such compound or preparation is compounded or prepared; (4) the quantities or doses in which such compound or preparation is to be administered.

Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the board of pharmacy to examine all statements filed under the provisions of this act, and, in case it appound or preparation of drugs or chemicals therepears from any such statement that the com

in described does not contain any drug or chemical which is poisonous or deleterious to health in the quantity or doses in which such compound or preparation is to be administered, the board of pharmacy shall prepare and deliver to such manufacturer filing such statement a certificate signed by the members of the board of pharmacy and attested by its secretary, which certificate shall set forth the fact that such manufacturer of such compound or preparation has complied with this act, and that such compound or pre paration, giving its name, may be sold at retail by persons other than such manufacturer without the written order or prescription of a physician or surgeon, as required by the first section of this act, for a period of one year from the date of such certificate.

Sec. 4. Any person, firm or corporation to whom a certificate has been issued under the provisions of Section 3 of this act shall, upon the expiration of such certificate and from year to year, be entitled to a renewal of such certificate upon the payment of a fee of five dollars and by filing with the board of pharmacy a statement of the following facts: (1) That no change has been made in the ingredients as named in the statement upon which the original certificate was issued: (2) that the quantities or method of compounding or preparing such ingredients have not been changed.

Sec. 5. Every person, firm or corporation to whom a certificate has been issued under the provisions of this act shall affix or cause to be affixed to every bottle, packet, box, vial or other receptacle in which any compound or preparation of drugs or chemicals may be contained for the purpose of sale at retail by any person other than such manufacturer a label upon which shall be printed the following words: "Notice-The manufacturer of this medicine has complied with the laws of the State of Illinois." Any person, firm or corporation who shall affix or cause to be affixed to any bottle, packet, box, vial or other receptacle in which any compound or preparation of drugs or chemicals is contained for the purpose of sale at retail by any person other than the manufacturer thereof the notice herein provided for without having first complied with the provisions of this act shall be deemed to be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars for each such offense.

Sec. 6. Whenever the board of pharmacy shall have reason to believe that the statement filed by any manufacturer is untrue in any respect the board of pharmacy shall transmit such statement to the secretary of the faculty of the School of Pharmacy, University of Illinois, with a request