34 Kansas Academy of Science. 



secret medicines and the law relating thereto, with a view to further 

 legislation for the prevention of fraud and quackery." 



At the risk, of being unduly lengthy in this conclusion, I wish 

 to call attention to the patenting of a recent medicine discovered 

 in Germany by Ehlich, I refer to the "Dioxydiamidoarsenoben- 

 zol," otherwise known as "Salversan." The patenting of this 

 preparation, which is also known by the name "606," has been 

 very much criticised, both by the medical and pharmaceutical pro- 

 fessions, but it must be taken into consideration that Ehlich made 

 these investigations under an arrangement with a German chem- 

 ical house, whereby said house furnished him with the money nec- 

 essary to carry on the experiments, with the understanding that if 

 a product was obtained of sufficient value to warrant its being in- 

 troduced, it was to be patented and the patent controlled by the 

 commercial house. This fact puts a diflPerent phase upon the mat- 

 ter. In Germany, if the ^invention relates to the process for the 

 production of a new substance, this patent protects the process 

 and substance. Medicines, however, are excluded from patent 

 protection not only in Germany, but also in France, Austria-Hun- 

 gary, Italy, Japan, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Russia, 

 and a number of other countries. 



Dr. F. E. Stewart, in a recent circular, says, in effect: "I be- 

 lieve that the arrangement made by Ehlich with the German 

 chemical house represents a plan of cooperation between profes- 

 sional and commercial interests which, if purged of the monopo- 

 listic feature now pertaining to it, might be made in every way 

 commendable. The great manufacturing houses engaged in the 

 chemical and pharmaceutical industry, with their scientific de- 

 partments, are in a position to render the most valuable kind of 

 service to the medical profession. Their equipment, influence and 

 large facilities make it possible, by such arrangements with physiol- 

 ogists, pharmacists and others, to advance the science of medicine 

 and pharmacy which otherwise^would be impossible. 



