34 THE ALUMNI JOURNAL 



The third recommends a scientific investigation of opium remedies. 



The fourth recommends that all countries adopt reasonable measures 

 to prevent the shipping of opium or its derivatives to any country which 

 bars it. 



The fifth exhorts the delegates to strive to persuade their own gov- 

 ernments to gradually suppress opium smoking. 



The sixth urges governments to examine their systems for regulating 

 the traffic. 



The seventh advises all governments with concessions or settlements 

 in China to close the opium dens. 



The eighth recommends that such governments arrange with China 

 to insure prompt measures to prohibit opium traffic in those conces- 

 sions and settlements. 



The ninth recommends that each government apply its pharmacy 

 laws to its people in the consular districts, concessions and settlements 

 in China. 



The fourth and ninth resolutions were offered by the American 

 delegates; the fifth and sixth by the British and American delegates 

 conjointly. 



RAPID METHOD FOR EXTEMPORANEOUS PURIFICA- 

 TION OF DRINKING WATER. 



The following metho3 of Laurent, in the Jour. Phar. Chem., suitable 

 for quickly sterilizing large or small quantities of water, rendering the 

 same safe for drinking purposes, is specially suitable for troops in the 

 field or for travelers. It is a modification of the permanganate method. 

 To each litre of water to be purified powdered potassium permanganate 

 0.03 gm. and powdered alum 0.06 gm. are added. After standing five 

 minutes the pink color should still be evident; if it be not so a second 

 or a third similar quantity of the salts are added. Excess of perman- 

 ganate is then removed by means of powdered sodium thiosulphate, 

 0.03 gm. ; dried washing soda, 0.06 gm. After ten minutes, by simply 

 straining through absorbent cotton a perfectly pure drinking water is 

 obtained. The permanganate and alum and the thiosulphate and car- 

 bonate may conveniently be prepared in tablet form. In this state, with 

 ordinary precautions, they will keep indefinitely. Or stronger solutions 

 of the two reagents may be employed for quickly dealing with large 

 volumes of water. — Western Druggist. 



