2 PHARMACEUTICAL BACTERIOLOGY 



thing of the comparative value of the numerous disinfectants and anti- 

 septics used and found upon the market and should know how to 

 standardize these agents according to recent bacteriological methods. 

 The pharmacist should know that bacteria, yeasts, and related organisms 

 develop very promptly and profusely in all aromatic waters; in carelessly 

 manipulated boiled and distilled water; in dilute solutions of all acids and 

 alkalies; in dilute alcohol and alcoholic liquids; tinctures; infusions; ex- 

 tracts, solid and liquid; decoctions; in dilute salt solutions; in plant juices; 

 mucilages; emulsions; elixirs; wines; in syrups of all kinds; in carelessly 

 manipulated vegetable drugs, crude and powdered; in drugs from the 

 animal kindgom, as ox-gall, lard, oils, fats, pepsin, etc. He should have a 

 clear comprehension of antiseptics as germ destroyers, and should know- 

 how to prepare and use them. He should have a general knowledge 

 of phagocytosis; of leucocytosis in inflammatory processes, in pus forma- 

 tion, necrosis, etc. He should comprehend immunity, natural and ac- 

 quired; he should know about opsonins and the opsonic index. He should 

 have a general knowledge of bacterial enzymes; of toxins, ptomaines, 

 leucomaines; of antitoxins; of bacterial vaccines. He should have a 

 special knowledge of the source, manufacture, and use of antitoxins and 

 toxins, modified toxins, vaccine virus, and related products used in med- 

 ical practice. He should have a general knowledge of the causation of the 

 more common bacterial and protozoic diseases. He should have special 

 instruction in the disinfection of public and private dwellings, and should 

 be able to cooperate with the physician in stamping out threatened epi- 

 demics and in carrying out public prophylactic and hygienic measures. 

 To attain these ends a knowledge of bacteriology, specialized to suit the 

 needs of the pharmacist, is absolutely essential. 



It is not the so-called practical side of bacteriology, represented by 

 dollars and cents, which should interest he pharmacist in this science, but 

 rather the broader view of his profession which will enable him to perform 

 his duties more intelligently and more efficiently. The man whose actions 

 are altogether prompted and directed by the dollar sign has no place in 

 pharmacy or in medicine. He should turn to some non-professional 

 enterprise. 



Text-books on bacteriology for use in universities, medical colleges, 

 and technical schools are not suitable for use in colleges of pharmacy. 

 Some of these books are excellent collateral reading for pharmacists, but 

 most of them are of such a highly specialized nature that they would no 

 doubt do more harm than good should the average pharmacist attempt to 

 use them as a practical guide in the performance of his duties. Bacteri- 

 ology must not be made discouragingly difficult to the pharmacist, in 

 order that the best results may be attained. 



