1900] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 159 



Thus the microscope, though not alone sufficient to prove 

 the presence of arsenic, adds an important link to the 

 chain of testimony which proves the presence of arsenic 

 in case of poisoning. — Med. Leg. Jour. 



The Microscope in the Drug Shop. 



To the pharmacist who is so in something more than a 

 name, the microscope is perhaps the most useful scientific 

 instrument which can find a place in the shop. Too fre- 

 quently its aid is not requisitioned, even by the possessor 

 of one, and the cause is in many cases due to it being kept 

 carefully locked up in its cabinet, out of reach of the in- 

 quisitive apprentice. If,instead of being so carefully pre- 

 served, a moderate-priced instrument were placed under 

 a bell glass, and always had attached to it a double nose- 

 piece, a half-inch and a sixth-inch objective, its true value 

 would be soon appreciated. The value of it is not the 

 amount of money it costs, but the amount of usefulness 

 which can be got out of it. The amount of information 

 which may be obtained by submitting all doubtful sub- 

 stances, and also many substances of good repute, to the 

 scrutiny of the microscope is astonishing. It will often 

 solve the strangest problems in the most unexpected way. 

 Quite recently several bottles were returned containing 

 liquids and deposits which were said to have formed in 

 each. The said deposits were quite foreign to the origi- 

 nal contents of the bottles. A microscopical examination 

 proved the sediments in the different bottles to be abso- 

 lutely identical in character and certainly of a common 

 origin. The fact led to inquiries, which proved that the 

 sediment had been found in the bottle only, and in some 

 unexplained way had been distributed among the other 

 bottles by a servant. At the dispensing counter the micro- 

 scope should, and in the hands of resourceful pharmacists 

 does, frequently give good service. To place on a glass 



