THE ALUMNI JOURNAL. 



211 



INCOMPATIBLES FROH THE DRUG= 

 GISTS' STANDPOINT. 



Physicians are very apt to be critical 

 as to the work of the druggist who com- 

 pounds their prescriptions. In a series 

 of articles and discussions in the Journal 

 oj Medici7ie and Science, several druggists 

 have presented their side of the question, 

 and show that doctors sometimes do not 

 prescribe in an ideal way. Mr. T. J. 

 Stevens, of Portland, Me., after making 

 some observations upon the subject of 

 "Incompatibles, Chemical and Therapeu- 

 tical," states that a rather common mis- 

 take is made in prescribing the salts of 

 the alkaloids. The addition of an alka- 

 line hydrate to a solution of these salts 

 causes them to precipitate. He had, at 

 the time of his writing, a prescription 

 containing a mixture of morphine sul- 

 phate, bromide of soda, and cinnamon 

 water, in which the bromide of soda de- 

 composed the morphine salt, precipitating 

 the pure alkaloid. Another noteworthy 

 incompatibility is that of tannin with the 

 salts of the alkaloids. A prescription 

 was received containing tannic acid and 

 sulphate of morphine. This produces an 

 insoluble tannate of morphine. Another 

 curious thing, that still continues to be 

 prescribed, is "colorless tincture of io- 

 dine," made by the addition of hydrate 

 of potassium to tincture of iodine. This 

 is really a solution of the alkaline iodides. 

 Mr. Stevens remarked that the medical 

 profession is unusually generous in sup- 

 plying material for his di.scourse, and 

 soon after getting his morphine and bro- 

 mide prescription he received one con- 

 taining calomel and syrup of iodide of 

 iron. The calomel is decomposed by the 

 iodides or bromides and metallic mercury 

 is liberated, which is described as a 

 "powerful poison" — a statement to which 

 we can hardly agree; but, all the same, 

 it is not what the patient is expected to 

 receive when calomel is prescribed. A 



frequent incomptability is the addition of 

 tincture of iron to some bitter tonic con- 

 taining tannin, by reason of which the 

 patient receives a more or less agreeable 

 preparation of ink. If water is added to 

 tincture of cannabis indica in a prescript- 

 ion, as is sometimes done, the resin of 

 the cannabis rises to the top and the pa- 

 tient gets a very strong dose, unless the 

 bottle is well shaken. 



The Portland physicians seem to be, 

 on the whole, however, rather careful 

 prescribers. The occasional mixing up 

 of mucilage of acacia with spirits of nitre 

 or other strongly alcoholic fluids, and the 

 addition of iodine to oil of juniper, are 

 examples of what might be considered 

 "breaks" in the matter of proper pre- 

 scribing. 



In the discussion by physicians; which 

 followed that of the druggists, the possi- 

 bility of making mistakes or prescribing 

 incompatibles does not seem to be very 

 much considered. The burning question 

 in Portland seems to be, rather, whether 

 a physician should prescribe at all or 

 should dispense his own drugs. Radical 

 opinions were expressed upon both sides 

 but the general view was the very sensi- 

 ble one, that both practices should be 

 adhered to. — Medical Record, June, i8p6. 



Sai,T puts out a fire in the chimney. 

 Salt in the oven under baking tins will pre- 

 vent their scorching on the bottom. 



Salt and vinegar will remove stains from 

 discolored teacups. 



Salt and soda are excellent for bee stings 

 and spider bites. 



Salt thrown on soot which has fallen on the 

 carpet will prevent stain, 



Salt put on ink when freshly spilled on a 

 carpet will help in removing the spot. 



Salt in whitewash makes it stick. 



Salt thrown on a coal fire which is low will 

 revive it. 



Salt used in sweeping carpets keeps out 

 moths. — Cincinnati Lancet Clinic. 



