90 
THE AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY. 
other gentlemen who had done so much to raise the status of pharmacists in the 
southern colony, were held] in reverence among members of the art located in 
the northern parts of the continent. 
Mr. Blackett then read a paper, which he modestly styled a note, on “ Ipeca- 
cuanha Wine.” Mr. Blackett reviewed the new process for the preparation of 
ipecacuanha wine prescribed by the British Pharmacopoeia, observing that 
sherry wine (ordered in the B. Ph.) contains from 17 to 20 per cent, of rect. 
spirit, and also contains bitartrate of potash and tannin. As free acid in wines 
is an advantage in the preparation of ipecacuanha wine, said Mr. Blackett, since 
the ipecacuanate of emetina is precipitated in long-kept wine if no free acid is 
present, it is suggested that the best, dry, high-priced sherries are not so suitable 
for this preparation as an acid and common wine. Mr. Blackett questioned 
whether a weak tincture would not be better than the wine as prepared according 
to the B. Ph., since, if the wine be made in the old way, and with strong sherry 
containing much tannin, the deposit would continue so long as any alkaloid 
remained, and it will be found that old, long-made wine will give very poor 
indications of the presence of emetina through the usual tests. Mr. Blackett 
doubted whether it was necessary to evaporate the powdered root to a dry extract* 
as ordered, considering that if the evaporation be continued until no odour of 
acetic acid is perceptible it would be quite sufficient. The paper concluded with 
a favourable comment upon the new process, mention being made of the fact 
that the wine when first thus prepared does not possess the characteristic odour 
of that which is made according to the' old method by simple maceration, but 
that the odour gradually develops, although not to the extent to which we have 
been accustomed. Mr. Blackett referred his hearers to Bentley and Trimens on 
Medicinal Plants, vol. ii., p. 145, for further information upon the ipecacuanha. 
An interesting discussion ensued, and Mr. Bowen expressed the feeling of the 
meeting when thanking Mr. Blackett for the paper in question, and for the many 
others which he had contributed upon former occasions ; and hoped that other 
members would follow Mr. Blackett’s example. 
Mr. Bowen, as the retiring President, then delivered his address, as follows : — 
“ It is an interesting occupation, when ascending a mountain, to look around you 
and to observe from different standpoints the very varying scenery. Our presence 
here may be compared to such a position. We are assembled here this evening, 
as members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australasia, to review the progress 
we have made during the past year. Some of those present will remember 
the origin of our establishment. The objects which we first had in view were 
of a modest character, and, indeed, scarcely contemplated more than the establish- 
ment of a Registration Society, the reading of occasional papers, and the discussion 
of matters affecting the welfare of our body. It is true that our journey has 
been a toilsome one — sometimes even discouraging — but, under the able leadership of 
Mr. Blackett and Mr. Bosisto, we steadily pursued our way, until at length we 
reached a resting-place in the establishment of the College of Pharmacy. From 
this point of vantage the view became more extensive, and of a more scientific 
character. And I feel assured that the members of this institution will be excused a 
feeling of pride in the results of their labours. Since the establishment of this 
college 312 students have passed the preliminary examinations, 138 have passed 
the Materia Medica, and in the other examinations the number of successful 
students has also been satisfactory, the numbers being : — Botany, 144 ; Chemistry, 
148. In the major examinations 48 students have passed in Practical Pharmacy, 
and 108 have been successful in the modified examinations. Do not imagine, 
gentlemen, that we have yet attained the height of our ambition. Far from it. 
We have, as yet, only laid the foundation, but I sincerely trust that that foundation 
