out of danger. In all there were administered during the four hours: Pilocarpine hydrochloride, 1 64-220 gr.; physostigmine sulphate, 13-120 gr.; strychnine sulphate, 40-120; caffeine sodiobenzoate, 20 gr.; ammonia water, 270. The remarkable point about the case is that it was only six and a half hours after ingestion that antidotes were applied and that the patient recovered after taking ninetysix minims of a preparation, the maximum dose of which is two minims.

Dr. Behring, of Berlin, after five unsuccessful attempts, has at last secured a patent on antitoxin and other serums. Nothing more is wanted to show the absurdity of the present U.S. patent laws. Behring did not discover the properties of blood serum prepared by the processes now in use, nor was he the inventor of these processes. The labors of Kitasato, followed by those of Roux and others in the Pasteur Laboratory, Fraenkel, Emmerich, etc., made known to the medical world the fact that the blood serum of animals which had been inoculated with certain diseases was a remedy for these diseases. Now after four years Behring has secured a patent granting him the sole right to make or sell these preparations in the U.S., in spite of the fact that several American firms have been making serums for several years past. In no other country in the world is such a thing possible.

The saddest feature of this case is the spectacle offered of such a man as Behring, whose fame as one of the great benefactors of the human race is world wide, coming down to the level of the patent medicine maker and willing to exchange his reputation and glory for the chance of making a few dollars out of a discovery which he only helped to make. Those who work as Behring has, do not allow their names to be connected with commercial enterprises; their discoveries are for the good of mankind, not for one or two people. Pasteur's name was never connected with a patent; unfortunately for Behring, whatever glory was his will now be taken from him for his attempt to appropriate, as his own, labors of at least a dozen other workers in the same fields, who preceded or were contemporaneous with him in serumtherapy.

MANTRAP PERFUME.

An Irish girl writes to a Northern chemist :— "Please send me Is. worth of the oil of come-along. I was engaged to be married, but the boy is dropping from me." It needed the poetry of the Celtic brain to translate the meaningless title which Johann Maria Farina gave to his perfume into this pretty fancy; and if the come-along does not fetch the wandering boy back to fair Elleen Mavourneen, he is not worth having.-Chemist and Druggist.

Original Papers.

OINTMENTS OF FRESHLY PRECIPITATED SALTS.

T. R. MACY.

The preparation of certain ointments, such as those of white precipitate, lead iodide and yellow oxide of mercury, with commercial chemicals, is surrounded by many difficulties. In general, it will be found that these bodies are of such a gritty character that it is almost impossible to rub them fine enough to produce a perfectly smooth ointment. Many expedients have been proposed, but the results obtained have not been entirely satisfactory. Some months ago, an article by Schweissinger appeared in the Pharmaceutische Zeitung, in which he recommended the employment of freshly made precipitates, and as this appeared to promise good results, we determined to try it. The results were quite up to our expectations, the resulting ointment being absolutely free from grit, perfectly smooth, and giving the greatest satisfaction wherever used.

The objections to the process are: first, the length of time required to thoroughly wash the precipitates, and second, the presence of a small quantity of water in the finished product. To the first it may be replied that the ointment may be made in sufficient quantity to last for three or four months, and that, while the washing is going on, other work can be attended to, as the only care required is to add a little water from time to time. The second objection, the presence of an indefinite quantity of water and consequent lack of absolute accuracy in the preparation, need not be considered of great moment. If we consider that ointments are never applied in exactly measured quantities, but rubbed into the parts in any convenient way, we will see that this objection is of little moment, when by this method we secure a smooth application, free from all grit, a point of such importance in the majority or cases.

We have found the following formulæ to work all right. For washing the precipitates all that is necessary is a piece of fine, well-washed cotton, placed in a funnel or made into a small filter bag. In pouring the precipitate into the bag or on the cotton, care should be taken not to scatter the precipitate all over the latter, the object being to have the precipitate all together so as to have as little loss as possible.

When thoroughly washed, allow to drain, and then press out as much of the water as possible. Sweissinger recommends the use of a filter pump; but this is not obtainable in every pharmacy, nor is it necessary if the cotton be carefully pressed out.

WHITE PRECIPITATE OINTMENT.
Mercuric Chloride...
Solution of Ammonia..

..134 oz. .21⁄2 oz.

Prepare in the same manner as the foregoing.

A slightly better product can be obtained by replacing 25 per cent. of the vehicle in all these ointments by the same quantity of wool fat.

In the preparation of a zinc ointment by this method, the zinc is precipitated as hydrate from solution of zinc sulphate with soda, the preciptate well washed and mixed with the vehicle. In this case the zinc is not exactly in the form presented by the authorities, although it practically would have the same effect. The much increased cost is also against this modification. Yellow Oxide of Mercury Ointment is probably the one which is most in demand and which by the official process is most difficult to prepare properly, but made by precipitation as here directed, the product is perfect.

Some five or six years ago a druggist in Detroit placed half a dozen goldfish in a pond near that city. These fish have multiplied rapidly until now it is believed there are many thousand of them. Detroit newsboys have been bringing them to the city and selling them at 25 cents each. There is in this a hint to druggists of a profitable side line.

-Pharm. Era.

Meetings.

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF PHARMACY COUNCIL MEETING.

The semi-annual meeting of the Council was held in the college building on August 2 and three subsequent days. President Henry Watters, of Ottawa, was in the chair and all the members were present; unanimity and harmony prevailed throughout the session. The board was not called upon to deal with any questions of a particularly grave nature. Apart from routine work three subjects of importance received attention. The two years college course, establishing a department of Optics, and Divisional Associations. Two of these were disposed of by deferring action, and the other, that of adding a department of Optics to the college curriculum, was decided upon.

Among the various communications of greater or less importance was one from Messrs. Elliot & Co., wholesale druggists, of Toronto, calling attention to existing uncertainty regarding the time when the revised B. P. comes into force and suggesting that action be taken in the matter by the council, and also when preparations of the 1885 edition are made or supplied, the mark '85 be placed on the label. This was disposed of by report No. 1 of Educational committee containing the following clause which was adopted by Council.

"Regarding the commuication of Elliot & Co., in reference to the British Pharmacopoeia of 1898 the committee reported as follows: "Your committee beg to draw attention to clause 23 of the Pharmacy Act, which is as follows: 'All compounds named in the British Pharmacopoeia shall be prepared according to the formula directed in the latest edition published "by authority," unless the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the province select another standard, or unless the label distinctly shows the compound is prepared according to another formula.' In view of the above clause your committee understand that the 1898 edition of the British Pharmacopœia is now practically in force, and would recommend that all preparations prepared under the 1885 editions be so designated on the label. Your committee further recommend that the 1898 edition be the text book for use in the college in the approaching term."

The report of the board of examiners, containing the names of the successful candidates, was appended, and it was recommended that diplomas be granted to those whose names appeared as having passed. The committee deemed it inadvisable that the suggested change in awarding medals should be adopted at present.

A complete statement of the financial position of the College is contained in the Registrar-Treasurer's report and that of the Auditors which accompanies įt. We give the latter in full and the former in abstract.

REGISTRAR-TREASURER'S REPORT.

These reports show the affairs of the College to be in a satisfactory condition, and free virtually of debt. In paying off the mortgage on the building in May last it was necessary to overdraw the bank account to the extent of $1835.33. This indebtedness is already provided for and will be liquidated this month, placing the College in the very desirable position of "owing no man anything," besides having a small amount to its credit.

During the six month the following medical men has been registered: W. E. Olmsted, Caledonia; C. A. D. Fairfield, Beamsville; W. W. Hay, Wallaceburg; J. H. Hoover, Vienna; J. L. Bradley, Creamore; P. A. McDonald, Penetang; H. M. Jones, Marmora; Jas. J. P. Armstrong, Courtright; E. S. Hicks, Deseronto; W. J. Burns, French River; and W. L. Harper, Madoc,

The number of applicants for apprenticeship has been 75, a few of which await the council's action.

The number of renewals are as follows: 1892, I; 1893, 1; 1894, 3; 1895, 6; 1896, 14; 1897, 77; 1898, 949.

The following is an abstract of the financial state

The question of the two years course of instruction was dealt with in report No. 2 of the Educational committee which follows. This report includes the recommendation of the faculty, who had been requested by the Council to prepare the details of a curriculum of a two years course. According to the faculty such a course is impossible under existing circumstances, a new building of enlarged capacity being required for the purpose. In this respect the committee did not see "eye to eye" with the faculty; amidst conflicting opinions it was decided to defer action for further information. This report also touched on the "reciprocity in diplomas" question. Below is the report.

REPORT NO. 2 OF THE EDUCATION
To the Council,—

Gentlemen,-Your

COMMITTEE.

committee beg to report

upon the question of two years course, as follows:The faculty were asked to prepare the details of curriculum and its arrangement, to be presented at the session. The same is presented and attached to the report, and contains besides the curriculum many building requirements, as follows:

(1) One chemical laboratory, somewhat larger than the one used at present, for junior class.

(2) One pharmaceutical laboratory, larger than one now in use for junior class.

(3) One laboratory, to be used during the junior

term, for instruction in practical Botany, and during
senior term for teaching pharmacognosy.
(4) One additional cloak room.

(5) Increased water closet accommodation.
(6)

Better means of ventilation for all of the large rooms, particularly the lecture rooms.

(7) Larger boiler room, larger heating plant, etc. Your committee has had it also suggested that there should be no difficulty in the two years course and its working in the present building. The present laboratories would be sufficient if cupboards are arranged along the walls for the apparatus of the junior class, required for their table work, this apparatus to be returned to these cupboards when class is over, and a few details and alterations made so that the work of the two classes may not clash.

Your committee at present are not in possession of sufficient information to lead them to believe that the attendance would be any greater than at present, and in view of the conflicting views and the tremendous alterations to the building, as suggested in the report presented to us by the Dean, your Committee would suggest that two members of the Council, with the Faculty, be a committee to present a report to the Council in modification of present scheme, if possible, at next meeting of the Council.

Referring to the suggestions embodied in Feb. report, your committee would recommend that the Registrar-Treasurer be instructed to communicate with the Secretaries of the Provincial Boards of Pharmacy, intimating that this College is prepared to accept reciprocity of diplomas with the Provinces and that no Ontario candidates who have failed to pass the qualifying examination of this College shall be entitled to the privilege of reciprocity.

J. H. MCKENZIE, Chairman. President Watters pointed out that, under existing conditions, graduates and members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain could not engage in business in the Province, and suggested that their diplomas should be accepted. With this suggestion the council did not agree and expressed its views in the following resolution :

Moved by Mr. J. H. Mackenzie and seconded by Mr. W. B Graham: "That it be an instruction to the registrar-treasurer to communicate with the secretary of the Pharma eutical Society of Great Britain, and ask if that body will recognize our diplomas, as this council, in that case, is prepared to reciprocate." The resolution was adopted.

The matter of "the department of Optics" was introduced by Dr. Browett, of Woodstock, who received permission from the council to present a paper which he had prepared on the subject. The discussion following this paper demonstrated that the council was favorable to this department, their views being embodied in a resolution.

Moved by Mr. J. H. Mackenzie and seconded by

Mr. J. Curry: "That the Committee on Education formulate a plan whereby the science of optics be added to the curriculum of the college whether the course be extended or not; the said report to be presented, if possible, at the present meeting, in order that a start may be made in this branch of education."

Acting on this instruction the committee presented the following report which council adopted: REPORT NO. 3 OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE. Gentlemen,

Your committee, after careful consideration and enquiry, find that our students have all the work that can be satisfactorily performed in our present course, and justice could not be done if the optical course is attached, but your committee are prepared to recommend that a course be established to immediately follow the conclusion of the senior course and it is hoped that all druggists may avail themselves of the opportunity to take the course.

Your committee also recommend that the faculty of the College present the details of a curriculum at next meeting of the Council, together with a general plan of arrangement to carry on this work.

Your committee also recommend that the optical course to be permanently established in this College be placed upon such a basis that the council may be in a position to make application to the University of Toronto for the establishment of a degree in Optics.

Respectfully submitted,

J. H. MCKENZIE, Chairman. Following this course the question of "Divisional Association Work," and chairman Hargreaves presented a report showing what had been accomplished since the organization of the committee.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON DIVISIONAL WORK.

Mr. President and Council,

1. Your committee have drafted three circulars, which were sent to all druggists, with result that about one-half of the druggists have shown indifference, while 420 have replied to these circulars, of which 31 were opposed and 389 were in favor.

2.-Your committee are of the opinion that Divisional Association work would be materially benefitted by assistance of qualified lecturers.

3. Your committee are further of the opinion that the work to be satisfactorily promoted and maintained should receive serious consideration and loyal support of every druggist in the Province.

4. Your committee are of the opinion that this cannot be done unless promoted and carried out by an active salaried agent.

5. Your committee, from the information at hand, believes that this cannot be carried on and maintained without a liberal expenditure of money.

6. The expense for this outlay your committee