THE A L UMNI JO URN A L . 



133 



Query 9. Prescription difficulties and 

 how to solve them. 



Query 15. Iron. 



The four papers presented in answer 

 to Query 2 principally suggest non-secret 

 or proprietaries. 



The two in reply to Query 4 showed 

 manifest study and personal eifort. 



In reply to Query 5 we are told that 

 powdered drugs are largely mixed with 

 bran, flour and corn meal; that manufac- 

 turers furnish fluid extracts much defi- 

 cient in drug power and wanting in al- 

 coholic strength, and from these the 

 pharmacist makes tinctures, syrups and 

 infusions that are of little value. 



We are told that many give preference 

 to fluid extracts so reduced in strength 

 that they will not precipitate. 



It is pointed out that many chemicals 

 are deficient in quality and we should use 

 those of the promoters of the competition 

 if we would alwaj's be sure of having 

 them "O. K." but the ground upon which 

 these conclusions are based, the method 

 by which they are determined and im- 

 proved processes by which impurities 

 may be avoided are not presented. 



Query 9. which is presumed to touch 

 every retail pharmacist in a most vital 

 point is neglected by all but one respond- 

 ent. Fortunately this paper showed ob- 

 servation and care, was adjudge worthy 

 of a prize and will be published. 



It occurred to me that this Association 

 might publish "An Observation Sheet," 

 This should be arranged so that any 

 difficulty in practice or any peculiarity in 

 experience could be at once made note of 

 and a copy of the complete sheet forward- 

 ed to the chairman of the Scientific vSec- 

 tion lor comment and presentation at our 

 next meeting. If our members would 

 show interest in that direction, a large 

 store of valuable suggestions as to incom- 

 patibilities, improved formulas, improve- 

 ment in menstruae, refinement of tests. 



correction in description, etc., might be 

 secured. 



These Observation Sheets might be mail- 

 ed with the minutes of the meeting to 

 each member with a request to use them. 



We might say that a rough classifica- 

 tion of the Merck papers would give. 



Papers requiring original observation 

 and personal work. 8 per cent. 



Papers involving commercial aspect 

 only. 10 per cent. 



Papers relating to educational, ethical, 

 remunerative and general business as- 

 pect. 82 per cent. 



The difficulties barring the way to suc- 

 cess may be summarized as "Too many 

 stores." "Lack of sense of accountabil- 

 ity." "Too great a variety of stock and 

 impossibility to become familiar with it." 

 "The smallness of the trade narrowing 

 the mind." "Long hours and mass of 

 detail generate apathy and lack of atten- 

 tion in all but strong willed or persistent 

 minds." "Too close competition and too 

 great expense in conducting business." 

 " Physicians dispensing." " Cost of 

 maintaining favor with the physician." 

 "Too little preliminary education to meet 

 the requirements of the present day." 

 "Insufficient remuneration for demands 

 that must be met." "Too little attention 

 to the commercial side of business. " "A 

 general lack of business methods, ' ' ' 'Too 

 much theoretical training unfitting for 

 the commercial acumen or business 

 push." 



Some of the remedies recommended 

 are. — "A national pharmacy law involv- 

 ing a national commission which shall 

 arrange for a uniform practical examina- 

 tion in all the states and territories." 

 "Combinations that shall regain and 

 maintain control of the distribution and 

 the adjustment of prices of proprietary 

 and kindred goods." "The manufacture 

 and pushing of non-secrets to replace 

 every advertised nostrum of note." 



