What has become of this projected organisation? The writer was one of the first to agitate its formation and some years ago, with Mr. Muir, Secretary of the Quebec Association, drew up a constitution and set of by-laws, which were submitted to the other provincial associations for acceptance. We understand that they were favorably received by all-the only objections coming from the Ontaaio College of Pharmacy. Since that time the matter has remained in abeyance, but we think the time is ripe for some action in the way of resuscitating the scheme.

The advantages of such an organization for the improvement of pharmacy in Canada require no argument. We all know and realize the need of organisation and well-directed, united action in the present changing condition of pharmacy, and if such organisation is to be of any value, now is the time to

commence.

No. 2

THE MONTREAL CITY COUNCIL AND THE DEPARTMENT STORES.

Ald. Galley, the representative of Ste. Anne's Ward has brought up the question of special taxation of department stores. In the course of his remarks he drew attention to the evil results which have accrued from the advent of this new feature of commercial life; the great decrease in the city's revenue caused by the closing up of so many of the smaller stores, with consequent depreciation of the value of real estate; the number of people who have been thrown out of employment, and the other evils which follow on the heel of monopoly. The remedy proposed by Ald. Galley is the same as that which was suggested in these columns nearly two years ago, namely, a progressively increasing tax for each department outside of what is considered legitimate dry goods trade. Something must be done to protect the small dealers. It is all very well to say that the department store is only a development of modern civilization and a sign of the growing tendency towards centralization, but what is to become of the men and women who lose their independence by the too enterprising enterprise of the deparment store? If the city is losing revenue by the establishment of these mammoth concerns, and there can be no question of it, it is only right that they should be made to pay the deficiency, and if they find it a burden to do so, let them curtail their expansion and keep to their legitimate business. If we examine into the underlying principles of the average department store, we will find it based upon selfishness and cupidity; selfishness, in that the proprietors look out for themselves alone, and do not care whose livelihood is wiped out, if they are making money, and cupidity in that by specious advertising the public, and especially the female portion thereof, are lead to imagine that by buying at these places they can save money, the fact, however, being that any cheap goods bought at these places are cheap from every point of view, while other lines are just as dear, if not dearer than in regular old line stores; but the average woman in spite of daily disappointments will still haunt the bargain counter, and to make a saving of five cents, will

spend ten cents in car fare and waste half a day going to the department store. In the meantime, however, the damage has been done and the smaller dealers have to close up shop and go look for another job, the landlord loses his rent, the city loses its revenue, and the department store keeper waxes fat, builds palaces and buys yachts and race horses, and where a hundred were prosperous and independent, we find only one in that condition, and the other 99 working for him as clerks. It is time something was done to stop the ravages of these concerns; streets which were formerly busy and filled with buyers are now quiet, the shutters up and the doors barred, and all through the operations of the department store; a halt must be called unless further mischief is to be done. We hope that the people interested in Ald. Galley's work will give him all the aid possible by demanding that their representatives shall take action on the matter without any further delay.

ly all other colleges of pharmacy are independent institutions which have to compete in the "open market” for students and depend on merit to fill their class rolls. With our college, attendance is compulsory, which guarantees a full complement of students and a permanent revenue more than sufficient to meet all requirements. There is another phase of the subject which might be borne in mind; advertisers look upon this class of advertising as a species of blackmail, and, while submitting to it, their resentment is none the less deep-seated and lasting. Our advice is to discontinue the practice. It ill becomes the dignity of the faculty or any member of it to become an advertising agent, and the time of the secretary-treasurer can be better employed than acting as collector of petty sums of money not required, and which are paid under protest.

THE ANNUAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE ONTARIO COLLEGE OF PHARMACY.

This book is before us, and in design and execution is neat and attractive, and creditable to the College and faculty. All necessary information for either pharmacists, or those who contemplate being such, is contained in it, and so systematically arranged as to be convenient and valuable to those who

Were

may require to peruse its pages. The appearance of the book is added to by cuts of the various lecture rooms and laboratories, with plans of the different floors. Of all the announcements which come to us none is more replete with information, or conveys a more accurate conception of the institution which it represents than does this announcement. it not for one fatal defect it could be pronounced perfect. This defect is the presence of a batch of advertisements, in the front and back of the book, proclaiming the virtues and qualities of divers articles, many of them having no earthly or unearthly connection with pharmacy. Their presence in such a place is an offence against one's sense of the "eternal fitness of things," for which there is no palliation. If the pharmacists of this province want to know of the qualities of Brown's “Malt” and Jones's "Mineral Water," or where to purchase "Smith's Hair Dye" and "Johnston's Horse Powders" there are other sources from which to derive that information more fitting than the annual announcement of a teaching institution, whose chief aim and reason for existence is the elevation of pharmacy in this province. With one exception we have failed to find anothor announcement disfigured in this manner, even though almost all other institutions have a reasonable excuse for such commercialism, which in the case of the Ontario College of Pharmacy is entirely lacking. Near

NEW DRUGS FROM THE WINDWARD ISLANDS.

Dr. B. H. Paul and A. J. Cownley (PHARM. JOURNAL) have examined two new drugs sent for examination by Sir A. Maloney, governor of the Windward Islands. The first, Chione Glabra, is known locally as Violette, and is said to possess valuable tonic and aphrodisiac properties. The specimen received was a pale root bark having a strongly aromatic odor and astringent taste. By distillation 1.5 per cent. of volatile oil of a pale, yellow color was obtained. No trace of an alkaloid was obtained. From the alcoholic extract a tannin, and a saporin-like body were obtained.

The other drug examined, Neurolœna Lobata, the leaves of which are locally known as "é herbi à pique," is used as a substitute for quinine, and also in dysentery. A small quantity of an uncrystallizable, bitter alkaloid was obtained.

THE ANTITOXIN PATENT.

To say that the announcement of a patent on antitoxin in the United States has caused a profound sensation in medical and pharmaceutical circles is to state the condition mildly. Indignation and resentment are the prevailing sentiments. Indignation that within the ranks of the profession is a member who would barter a glorious heritage for a mess of pottage, and resentment against the man who has brought reproach upon a profession the members of which have, since earliest history, led the van in self sacrificing efforts for the benefit of their race, hoping for no reward but to know that help and hope have come to their fellowmen, gladly laying down life itself, if from the seed thus sown a rich harvest of good to mankind might be reaped. The words of

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TORONTO.

Dr. F. W. Mann in The Medical Age on this phase of the subject are most apt :

"If Professor Behring admits any merit in the work of his predecessors and contemporaries, his claim to be the exclusive inventor of diphtheria antitoxin is in contravention of all the ethics of a scientist's career. His claim is an offence against common morality. Had Simpson patented chloroform anæsthesia, or had Lister patented antiseptic surgery, the world would have had two selfish empirics and lost two medical heroes. If Behring, by the righteous judgment of mankind, can be adjudged sole and undisputed inventor of antitoxin, he has a place in the Temple of Fame for achieving the most beneficient discovery of modern times. It remains to be seen whether the temptation to be rich will overcome his ambition to be great, and whether for a tinsel crown he will barter a diadem of everlasting renown.

The commercial aspect of the case is worthy of a notice in passing. If there is not political corruption in the securing of this patent then our neighbors across the border have urgent need to rearrange the registrations of their patent department. A law which permits the most gigantic injustice of a century cannot be repealed any too soon. The present position of Serum Therapy is the result of the developments of the last half dozen years. In attaining this position the brightest intellects of the most advanced epoch in the world's history have been aided by unlimited capital placed at their disposal by men ever ready to encourage those who have devoted their lives to advancement of scientific knowledge.

This decision of the U. S. patent office simply proclaims to the world that the men whom we delight to honor are frauds and imposters, and that Pasteur, Roux, Chamberland, Kitasato, Arouson and Eineride have been posing before the world as philanthropists when they should occupy a place in a police court beside the man guilty of petty larceny. It means also that this man Behring and his associates are to receive all the financial benefits which will accrue from the labor of such intellectual giants, as the foregoing, joined to the commercial enterprise of such firms as Parke, Davis & Co., H. K. Mulford & Co., who have done so much to bring the manufacture of antitoxin serums to the present perfected condition. All their labors then have been "labors of love"-not for humanity-but for Professor Behring. That such a monstrous iniquity could be perpetrated, without protest even in the home of combines and monopolies, is inconceivable. terested scientists named have no legal redress against the man who is endeavoring to filch from them the merit and credit which is their just due, but the manufacturers interested are determined to fight to the bitter end for the enjoyment of the benefits

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which they are justly entitled to as the result of their enterprise. Messrs. Parke, Davis & Co. have retained the foremost firm of patent lawyers in the Union to look after their interests, and one of the biggest legal battles of a generation may be looked for, before the deciding judges of the Supreme Court deliver their finding as to the means and influences by which this patent has been secured.

THE PREVENTION OF CUTTING.

While the majority of patent medicine manufacturers are talking about schemes and plans to prevent cutting, and violently protesting their desire to protect the retailer, cutters are getting their supplies from some source. There are a few notable exceptions to the general indifference to the demands of the retailer. The principal among those who are making an honest and successful effort in that direction are the Quickcure Company, and the Abbey Salt Company. These two concerns are keeping their goods in the legitimate channels, and if occasionally a cutter secures a small supply of either of these articles it is through the treachery of some of those whose interests lie in the opposite direction. Manufacturers give as one reason for their indifference that druggists "substitute" (of course our views differ as to what constitutes substitution); but the fact is that if a druggist makes a fair profit on an article it is not to his interest to substitute, but if the article is sold by cutters and departmental stores then the druggist in self-defence is compelled to get up and push a similar preparation. That this is so, is proved by the fact that although Abbey's Salt is probably the best selling specialty in Canada, we have never heard of a druggist getting out an article resembling it, or which by any stretch of imagination could be called a sustitute, and the same with Quickcure. If manufacturers would only see that the interests of the druggists are identical with their own, they would not hesitate so long about doing what is right. The concerns before mentioned understand the question thoroughly and they have not been afraid to take the right road, and it has lead them to success. The results are that these companies are prosperous, their goods sell well, the druggist is satisfied with the profits obtained, and everyone concerned is pleased with the results. If this be so why cannot other manufacturers adopt similar means to prevent their goods getting into the hands of cutters.

Moissan has prepared a hydride of calcium by heating calcium in a hydrogen. This body is a powerful reducing agent; it is decomposed on contact with water, giving off its hydrogen. Heated to dull redness it burns in oxygen, chlorine, bromine and iodine.