delay of the custom house routine, the habitual slowness of the Latin-American

trade. Jobbers quote 35c., while first

asm, the time a salesman must lose with hands folded waiting for "Manana por la manana," and the other days he must waste in waiting for transportation connections, would give a naturally impatient man nervous prostration if he did not have the good sense to decide that patience must be acquired at any price and that impatience will bring no effectual relief.

As an example of the great amount of time which the salesman must lose according to our standard of traveling, a comparison of Philadelphia and Rio Janeiro, two cities of about equal population and size, will suffice to illustrate my point. A salesman reaches Philadelphia during the night, and he is at work early in the morning. Time being an object to both customers and salesman, there is a mutual endeavor on the part of the buyers to examine the line and give or not give an order. The salesman then packs up and is out of town in three or four days.

Another traveler, just as willing to be enegetic, arrives at Rio Janeiro, and despite all his efforts it is a week before he gets the use of his samples. His customers, being used to taking things easy, put him off from day to day, and it is another week before they commence to examine his goods. Another week may transpire before he can complete the details of these orders and perhaps several more days may be expended in waiting for a steamer to carry him to the next point.

"Shorter Hours" with a Vengeance.

The working day on the road, instead of being from sunrise to any time of the night, as it is in the States, is from 9.30 to 11.30 in the morning and from 1.30 until 3.30 in the afternoon. Before or after these hours it is difficult to make a business engagement. Four actual business hours scem a very short working day to the North American, but do not forget that in a majority of instances you are dealing with men who live their life in a debilitating tropical or semi-tropical climate, where it would be unwise and almost impossible to maintain the energy necessary to a man of the temperate zone.

As long as the short working day is a custom of the country and business is conducted satisfactory to the interests of those most concerned under such a system, take the advice of one who has been there and accept the conditions with good grace. Being in another man's country and under his protection, adapt yourself to his ways and manners and make no disagreeable comparisons, as Americans are apt to do. Praise the advantages of the country you are in and overlook the disadvantages, and we as Americans will be more popular in South America hereafter.

We also have a world-wide and unenviable reputation of being a nation of boasters, and not without reason. American commercial men who travel abroad are invariably selling the best article of its kind sold in the world. A suggestion worth remembering is to say less in this regard unless you are fully informed and can substantiate the facts. In any case, boastful or extravagant statements are considered bad form and are not effectual trade-winners.

J

Market

Review of the Wholesale Drug Market.

It should be understood that the prices quoted in this report
are strictly those current in the wholesale market, and that
higher prices are paid for retail lots. The quality of
goods frequently necessitates a wide range of prices.

NEW YORK, March 9. Condition of Trade. OBBING orders for drugs, dyestuffs and chemicals continue heavy with the bulk of the business coming from interior points where dealers are stocking up in anticipation of a firmer market for many of the leading staples. Speculation in the two leading drugs, opium and quinine, is not now a feature of the market, since opium continues to show a sagging tendency and is offered freely, while manufacturers of quinine are showing a disposition to withdraw prices where a change to a higher range is not announced. The agents of foreign manufacturers have practically withdrawn from the market and deliveries are restricted to orders on account of old contracts. The price changes of the fortnight indicate a generally firmer market, and the advantage appears to be still with the selling interests. We tabulate the more important fluctuations of the fortnight below:

Alcohol has not changed during the interval from $2.44 to $2.48 as to quantity, less 2c. per gallon for cash in ten days. Wood is moving fairly into consumptive channels, with the sales at 75c. to 80c. for 95 to 97 per cent, and $1.20 to $1.50 for purified.

Balsam Copaiba is selling fairly in small lots from jobbers' hands, and there has been no change in the quotations since our last, the range for Para being 41c. to 43c., and Central American, 37c. to 39c.

Balsam Peru is not taken with any freedom and the market is lifeless with only small jobbing sales reported at prices upon the basis of $1.95 to $2.00.

Balsam Fir, Canada, continues to attract attention and values are steady upon the basis of $1.90 to $2.00. Oregon in barrels is held with increased firmness and recent sales have been at $1.10 to $1.25.

Balsam Tolu finds only a moderate sale, being taken rather sparingly by the

Buchu Leaves, short, are scarcer, and the available supply in this market is somewhat closely restricted with holders asking 15c. to 17c. as to grade, the outside figure being quoted for prime green. Long offer freely at 16c. to 18c.

Cannabis Indica is in better supply, and now offers at 14c. to 15c.

Cassia Buds are attracting no particular attention at the moment, but holders are firm in their views at 25c. to 27c.

Coca Leaves continue firm at the recent advance, 20c. being asked for Truxillo and 24c. to 25c. for Huanuco.

Cod Liver Oil is easier in tone, the demand having fallen off. The fishing in Norway is not coming up to expectations, though the high quality of the livers has contributed to a good yield of oil. Sales are reported at $22, and up to $24 is asked. The situation at the fisheries is reviewed in the following letter. dated Tromsoe, February 5: "The cod liver oil campaign opens with chances rather in favor of buyers. The production of oil in 1898 amounted to about 26,500 hectoliters, or just about the average for the last ten years. On account of the extremely mild weather all through the early part of this winter the consumptive demand has probably not managed to do away with any large part of last year's stocks. Whether the production in 1899 will turn out below or above the average is, of course, perfectly in the dark. The first shoals of fish on the northern banks have proved to be in a very good condition, with fat livers. This is generally taken as a prediction of a fairly large output of oil. At Lofoten no fishing has commenced yet, and prospects are not promising just now. Some new oil has come in from the northern banks and some has also been made at Sondmore. This has been sold at from 65s. to 70s. c. i. f., but at the moment there is very little to be had, as fishing has been impeded by bad weather and scarcity of bait during the larger part of January. There is no probability of an abundant catch, neither at Lofoten nor elsewhere before March. In the meantime it is likely that exporters will not see their way to book for prompt shipment at the low prices recently quoted, but will have to raise their limits. In March, however, we shall probably have an easier market."

Colocynth Apples are slow of sale, and the market has an easy appearance with stock tendered at 38c. to 40c. for Trieste and 17c. to 19c. for Spanish.

Cascara Sagrada has been advanced to 7c. to 8c. due to higher prices on the coast and scarcity of bark. The demand continues steady at the new range.

Cinchonidine has been in improved demand during the fortnight, and prompted by the firmer position of quinine and the recent advances in the price of bark, manufacturers have advanced quotations to 18c. to 20c. as to quantity.

Ergot has eased off a trifle since our last and the demand is slow with the range of prices on the basis of 20c. to 25c. for German and 30c. to 33c. for Spanish.

with 30c. to 33c. the range as to brand and quantity.

Morphine continues quoted at $1.95 to $2.05, but the tone of the market is weak and an early reduction is expected.

Opium has undergone a further decline, business having been completed since our last at $3.00. The demand has improved slightly during the past few days in consequence of advices from London and Smyrna reporting a better demand and more reserved offerings. At the close importers were making no special efforts to realize. The range for jobbing lots is now quoted $3.05@$3.10.

Quinine has improved in demand with the appreciation in prices, but offerings

are made with considerable reserve. A number of manufacturers have withdrawn from the market in preference to announcing a further advance. The higher prices for bark paid at the last London bark sales influenced a number of domestic manufacturers to advance prices, P. & W. and Rosengarten & Son, among others, asking 32c., while N. Y. Q. and the agents of foreign manufacturers continue to offer at 28c., with stock in second hands quoted at 28c. to 30c. A few sales from manufacturers' agents making at a trifle less than 30c.

are

Saffron, Spanish, cost more to import, and the spot stock of Valencia is now held at $10.75 to $11.00.

Spermaceti is in improved position, and recent sales have been at 26c. to 27c., as to quantity.

Tonka Beans are maintained steadily at 15c. to 20c. for Para and 80c. to 90c. for Angostura, with a moderate business reported within this range.

Vanilla Beans are quiet, but the market is steady at $11.00 to $16.00 for Mexican whole and $10.00 for cut.

DYESTUFFS.

Cutch has declined in consequence of new arrivals and bale now offers at 4c. to 5c. and boxes 4c to 7c.

Divi Divi is held without important change; quoted $40.00 to $45.00.

Gambier is firmer owing to a slight scarcity on spot and quotations have been revised to 2c. to 3 1-3c.

Nutgalls, Blue Aleppo, remain quiet at 15c. to 15 c.

Sumac, Sicily. is easier, and recent transactions in No. 1 ground have been at $51.00 to $52.00.

Turmeric continues held at 43c. to 63c., with jobbing sales.

CHEMICALS.

Acetate of Lime shows no variation from previous prices; the demand for both brown and gray continues fair.

Alum is passing out freely into channels of consumption and quotations are firmly maintained upon the basis of $1.65 to $1.75 for lump and $1.75 to $1.85 for ground, as to quantity.

Arsenic continues in limited supply, and with the stock closely concentrated values are firm at 44c. to 4c. Red continues in steady fair demand, with the sales at 8c. to 9c. as to quantity and quality.

Borax is held and selling in moderate quantities with prices steady at 74c. to 74., as to quantity.

Boric Acid is held steadily at 10 c. to 11c. for crystals and 114c. to 113c. for

powdered, with numerous sales reported at the quoted range.

Cream Tartar continues in moderate request and crystals and powdered are held at 234c. to 24c., respectively.

Citric Acid is in slightly better demand and manufacturers are quoting steadily at 37c. to 37c., as to quantity, with the tendency upward.

Epsom Salt is maintained with more firmness, manufacturers being less free to offer on account of a scarcity of crude material; quotations have been advanced to $1.10 to $1.25.

Oxalic Acid is in steady moderate request, with sales at 64c. to 6c., as to quantity.

Strychnine Sulphate prices have been revised and pure crystals are now quoted 60c. to 70c. The decline is due to competition between manufacturers.

Tartaric Acid is in good demand by consumers at the quoted range of 32c. to 32 c.

ESSENTIAL OILS.

GUMS.

Aloes of the various grades are selling fairly in a jobbing way at previous quotations.

Asafetida is without new feature of consequence and sales are making at the previous quotations of, say, 14c. to 17c.

Camphor is without important change since our last. The market continues firm in tone in sympathy with the position of crude and manufacturers do not urge supplies below 45c. to 452. for domestic in barrels and cases, respectively. Japanese is quoted 45c. to 47c., according to brand, package, etc.

Chicle is in slightly improved demand and values are steady at 27c. to 30c. Gamboge is held with increased firmness, but the quotations remain changed at 39c. to 40c.

un

Guaiac is without important change; small jobbing sales at 10c. to 15c.

Kino continues in steady demand and the small available supply is held at $2.25.

Tragacanth continues to find a steady sale at 35c. to 66c. for Aleppo as to grade and 45c. to 75c. for Turkey.

ROOTS.

Belladonna is offered more freely and the market is weaker in tone at 9c. to 10c.

Colchicum is firmer in the face of increased demand and scarcity on the spot; quoted 8c. to 9c.

Gentian is finding steady sale at 34c. to 4 c.

Ginger is in better supply and values have eased off a trifle, 17c. to 15c. being now quoted in a large way for bleached and unbleached, respectively.

Ipecac is dull and inactive, but no price changes have come to the surface since our last; quoted $3.10 to $3.40. 1

Sarsaparilla, Mexican, continues firm in view of a slight scarcity and 11c. is now the quotation of the market. SEEDS.

Anise is selling fairly at our quotations. There has been no change in value since our last.

Coriander is easier and natural and bleached have sold during the interval at 2c. to 2c. and 2c. to 2c., respectively.

Celery offers more freely and we hear of a sale at 6c.

Canary has been active during the interval and values are slightly firmer with the sales at 2c. to 2c.; Sicily quoted, 24c. Hemp, Russian, is easier, and 3c. to 3c. will buy.

Poppy is unchanged from 8 c. to 8c. Rape is in better supply and recent sales of English have been at 3c. to 4c.

Hints To Buyers.

Drop a postal card to Smith & Painter, Wilmington, Del., mentioning the AMERICAN DRUGGIST, and get a copy of their "Manual of Soda Beverages" free of charge.

Write Jas. W. Tufts, 282 N Congress street, Boston, and get full particulars of his "Reliable Automatic Carbonator." It saves money, saves time and gives satisfaction.

The Gem Spoon Co., of Troy, N. Y., would like to send all soda dealers a circular describing the Gem Ice-Cream Spoon, without which no soda counter is complete.

The Duroy & Haines Co., Sandusky, Ohio, have some good soda fountain formulas which they will furnish free to correspondents mentioning the AMERICAN DRUGGIST.

Tufts' Reliable Carbonators are meeting with ready sales, and are proving very satisfactory. Sales in all sections of the country show a large increase over the past two years.

Write to the Humphreys Homeopathic Medicine Co., New York City, for special terms on their cabinet outfits of "Humphreys' Specifics." They are selling in large quantities.

Henry K. Wampole & Co., Philadelphia, are the originators of perfected and tasteless preparations of cod liver oil. Write them for free samples and descriptive literature of their preparation.

Send 10 cents in stamps to Neidlinger Bros. for a sample Sterling Graduate Rack. When you have one, you will want to get an entire set, for it is one of the best "graduate savers" ever introduced to the trade.

W. J. Bush & Co., 5 Jones Lane, New York, would like to correspond with druggists who wish to have the daintiest soda counter attraction yet placed on the market. This is Wild Strawberry Pulp, imported from France. It has never before been placed on this market.

E. Krauser & Bro., Milton, Pa., make a "Liquid Extract of Smoke" for curing meat, which has a very large sale and which druggists can push with great advantage in the agricultural districts. Write them for quotations and full details. Can be bought from all wholesale dealers.

Every properly equipped pharmacy should have a stock of Docuta Sandalwood capsules manufactured by the old and reputable firm of Dundas, Dick & Co., 112 White street, New York. This article has received the very highest indorsements of genito-urinary specialists.

Write for a price-list of collapsible tubes made by A. V. Benoit, 146 Fulton street, New York. This line is of unusual excellence, being made of best imported English tin without the addition of any other metal. Druggists who put up their own toilet articles should be interested.

The Hillside Chemical Co., of New

burgh, print on page 14 a list of remedies owned by them on which they pay the

popular wherever introduced. Druggists who want to be up-to-date should write for his catalogue, mentioning the AMERICAN DRUGGIST.

The most deservedly popular brand of hydrogen dioxid on the market to-day is the solution prepared by the Oakland Chemical Company, of New York. It is fully up to the U. S. P. requirements, and of markedly permanent character. The Oakland Chemical Company is the only manufacturer of the article who seems to consider the druggist worth appealing to. The natural result is that the druggist returns the compliment by extending the house his hearty co-operation.

The Allegretti Chocolate Cream Co. have just begun the manufacture of pure solid chocolate wafers, tablets, cigars, etc. Much of the goods of this kind which have been on the market heretofore have

been made from the cheapest character of material and largely adulterated. The Allegretti goods, like all those made by this house, will, however, be first class in every respect. Write to the Allegretti Chocolate Cream Co., 159 State street, Chicago, for quotations on this new line and on their liquid chocolate, which is the ideal chocolate for the soda fountain.

We invite the attention of our readers to the advertisement of Winthrop M. Baker, 545 Atlantic avenue, Boston, which appears in these columns for the first time. This concern has won a reputation all over the country for a line of fine chocolates and bon bons, not only of surpassing quality, but displayed in a The same strikingly attractive manner.

appropriate for the imitation the literature of the original, making it appear that certain investigations which have proved the value of a given remedy apply not to this particular product, but to the crude ingredients which it contains, regardless of the special manner in which they are combined, is a form of imposition which should not be tolerated." M. J. Breitenbach, of New York City, the proprietor of Gude's Peptomangan, claims that they have suffered from this kind of "perversion" referred to above, and issues some interesting literature on the subject, which they will be pleased to furnish free of cost to such of our readers as apply to them for it.

A Dainty Picture.

We reproduce in half-tone on page 24 a picture which, when lithographed, is one of the most attractive and artistic premiums ever presented free to the drug trade. These pictures are to be furnished to the trade by the "Best" Tonic department of the Pabst Brewing Co., of Milwaukee, Wis., to whom our readers should write for full details.

Ten Routes to the South.

Four trains daily go South from Chicago, via the popular Monon Route, via Cincinnati and two via Louisville (with stopover at West Baden and French Lick Springs and Mammoth Cave). Through tickets are sold to all Southern resorts and low excursion rates are made for homeseekers. Send a red stamp for illustrated booklet. Frank J. Reed, G. P. A., Chicago.

these goods and they will furnish an ample supply of printed matter for free distribution to druggists who apply to them, mentioning this journal.

J. Ellwood Lee Co., Conshohocken, Pa., illustrate on page 22 a corner of their laboratory where the most advanced scientific methods and the most skilled operators produce a line of high-grade plasters, surgical dressings, etc., which have a world-wide reputation. Write to them for their catalogue, which is a very instructive one.

Special trains for the Catskill Mountains are run over the West Shore Railroad during the summer season, combining the highest degree of comfort with the greatest rate of speed. Elegant drawing-room cars are attached, running to all the principal points in the Catskills, Saratoga and Lake George. Remember this when arranging for your summer outing.

"Make your own soda water without a generator," is the novel announcement of the American Carbonator Co., 424 East Nineteenth street, New York, which announcement will be found on another page of the present number. Now that the soda season is at hand, what this concern has to say to the drug trade will be read with interest. Write to them and mention the AMERICAN DRUGGIST.

Druggists who contemplate putting in a new soda fountain or repairing their old one should write at once to Zwietusch, Milwaukee, Wis., for quotations on his line of soda fountains. This manufacturer has invented a number of special features which have served to make his fountains

They are offered direct to the retail drug trade by the manufacturer. The retail price is secured and affords a handsome margin of profit. Read the advertisement on the back cover.

Less than Wholesale Price.

In order to show the character of their goods, the Mattson Rubber Co., New York City, will send a sample of their Atlas Ladies' Syringe, postage paid, upon receipt of 35 two-cent stamps. This is less than the wholesale price and only one syringe will be sent to any one druggist. When ordering be sure to mention the AMERICAN DRUGGIST and enclose business card or label.

Florida and Cuba,

Via Pennsylvania, Southern Ry., F., C. & P. and F. E. C. The only route operating through Pullman sleeping car service New York to Ormond, Rockledge, Palm Beach and Miami. Connection for Havana, Key West and Nassau. Route of the "New York and Florida Limited."

Substitution and "Perversion."

The "Medical Register" says: "Whenever a preparation of value is perfected by the enterprise and patient investigation of any manufacturing chemist, there immediately appear upon the market a score of imitations, the manufacturers of which have expended upon their product a minimum of time, capital, and brains. To trade thus upon the reputation of an established remedy by similarity of name is culpable enough, but to go further and

Association for the institution of an allState Board of Pharmacy, sending protest after protest against its passage to their representatives at Albany. A ser

ious schism was threatened in the New York State Pharmaceutical Association and was made apparent to those responsible for the appearance of the bill when a large delegation of pharmacists from Greater New York went to Albany on the 21st instant to speak against the measure at a hearing before the Committee on Public Health of the State Legislature. The danger was recognized by all concerned and the offer of a compromise was received with a feeling of real relief. The New York State Pharmaceutical Association agreed to ask the introducer of the measure for its withdrawal, while the representatives of the various colleges and pharmaceutical associations of Greater New York undertook on their part to take measures for the framing of a new law to operate uniformly throughout the State, and which should be acceptable both to the up-country druggists and those doing business in Greater New York. The agreement entered into between the Committee on Legislation of the New York State Pharmaceutical Association and the representatives of the Colleges of Pharmacy and local pharmaceutical associations of Greater New York was reduced to writing and adopted. The text of this interesting document is as follows:

Resolved, That it is the understanding of the representatives of the various pharmaceutical associations and interests of the State of New York here assembled, that Assembly Bill No. 668 has been withdrawn by its advocates in consideration of the agreement by the representatives of the organizations of Greater New York, acting as individuals, that they will use their best endeavors to secure the presentation and adoption by the associations which they represent, prior to the next meeting of the New York State Pharmaceutical Association, of a State pharmacy law which shall be acceptable to all parties concerned. (Signed)

H. H. RUSBY,
CLARENCE O. BIGELOW,
Committee.

Harmony among the various opposing factions is thus assured for a time at least, and it is the earnest wish of everyone who has the interests of pharmacy matters in the State of New York at heart that the peace will be a lasting one. The threatened rupture has apparently but cemented more firmly the bond of fellowship and good feeling among the city and provincial druggists and the agitation in connection therewith has been productive of good by demonstrating the value of organization and in promoting interest in affairs affecting pharmacy among the fraternity.

THE ADVANCE IN FLINT

A

WARE.

N advance of about 5 per cent in the prices of flint ware has been announced as a result of a meeting of Western bottle makers, held in Chicago, on March 14th. The plans to interest an English syndicate have been practically abandoned and the manufacturers are now making an effort to float the corporation which was formed at Trenton some three months ago. Whether this corporation is successfully floated or not, the efforts of the organizers seem not to have been entirely wasted, since the Western makers are very firm at the advanced prices, claim to have an excess of orders on hand and assert that there is great probability of a further advance in the very near future. The flint bottle situation is undoubtedly a very strong one and our readers would do well to place their orders at the earliest possible moment, for there is practically no prospect of any easing in the market and the confidence with which the manufacturers speak of the situation leads one to give credence to their prognostications of a higher market.

UNPROFITABLE PUBLICITY.

M

ANY retail druggists have been practically ruined in business by having their names associated with some suicide case or accidental poisoning case, although the druggists themselves were wholly blameless in the matter. The great detriment which arises from the association of a druggist's name with any such unfortunate occurrence is thoroughly appreciated by the trade and induces druggists frequently to submit to unjust impositions rather than to defend their rights by resort to the courts. A recent instance has occurred in which it is a proprietor instead of a retailer who has been made to suffer by this unprofitable publicity.

Kutnow powders were mentioned again and again in connection with the death of Henry C. Barnet, for all the indications were that he had been poisoned by a drug sent to him by his anonymous enemy under the guise of this particular medicine, to which he was addicted. And although there was nothing to cast a reflection on the powders themselves, this sort of notoriety contributed largely to the situation that induced the creditors of the firm to take summary action looking towards the bankruptcy of Herman and Gustav Kutnow, the proprietors of this remedy.

The great injustice which is done through the unreasoning prejudice aroused in the public mind in cases of this kind is very difficult to combat, and in the case of the retail druggist the only hope

of overcoming this prejudice is by establishing so admirable a record for scientific knowledge, accuracy and trustworthiness as to be in a position where only the most overt act will serve to prejudice the public mind.

IS IT A LABOR MEASURE?

T

HE Eminent Thimme has declared that the so-called "Druggists'

Shorter Hours Bill" is not a labor measure. This declaration was evidently made with a view of removing the prejudice which exists in the minds of many drug clerks and pharmacists regarding their association or affiliation with Labor Unions. The effect of his statement upon the strength of his organization cannot be guessed at, since the membership of the "Druggists' League for Shorter Hours" is a fluctuating one and much of it exists in Thimme's imagination. The president of his organization once claimed a membership of 30,000 and based his claim on his own presumption that 30,000 persons were in sympathy with the object of the organization.

That some trickery is being practiced by this imaginative individual (Thimme) is evident from the fact that so late as the 21st of this month the Tammany Assemblymen at Albany wère basing their advocacy of the passage of the bill on the ground that it was a labor measure, Tammany always posing as the champion of the working man and laborer; and drug clerks and pharmacists being necessarily working men and laborers, the passage of the bill must be secured. Was ever anything more calculated to make the gods weep than gallery play like this?