THE AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY. 
313 
Bad Words for Cocaine. — In the Weekly Medical Review A. B. Shaw, 
M.D., says: — “Cocaine is devilish in its action; it undermines the mental and 
physical powers and the moral and intellectual qualities ; it ruins its captives 
socially, morally, and financially ; it produces insanity in a remarkably short 
space of time, if used continuously and in increasing doses.” The American 
Lancet adds to the above that “ Other eminent observers claim that no harm 
comes from its use, but sufficient facts have not yet been accumulated to serve 
as a basis for scientific conclusions. It is plain, at all events, that cocaine 
must be ranked with those seductive drugs which enslave.” — Druggists' Circular. 
The Medical Act Amendment Bill lately introduced into the English Parlia- 
ment has for its chief object the prevention of unqualified persons from falsely 
assuming medical titles or descriptions. The term “ medical hall ” is one of 
those to which the restrictions of the bill apply. 
In one of the most frequented thoroughfares of Vienna, the Maria Hilfer 
Strasse, a tragedy of an uncommon kind has taken place in broad daylight. A 
young tailor went to a physician for a consultation. On being told that he was 
incurable he fired two shots at the medical man, one striking the ear and the 
other the arm. The tailor then killed himself, firing seven shots from a small 
revolver. The wounds of the physician were not dangerous. 
The Czar has conferred on M. Pasteur the Order of St. Anne of the First 
Class, with diamond insignia, and other decorations on the physicians and 
surgeons who co-operated with the eminent savant in the treatment of the wolf 
and dog bitten Russians who went to Paris expressly to place themselves in 
his hands. 
An Eccentric Chemist. — The British and Colonial Druggist reports the 
death, at Stockport, of Mr. Henry Warrall Oldham, chemist and druggist, 
“popularly known as Hr. Oldham,” of whom the following account is given: 
“Mr. Oldham has been in declining health for a long time, and, although not 
confined to the house, was attended by Hr. Whitehead. He died on Monday, 
17th May. Mr. Oldham was over sixty years of age, and had occupied the 
shop in Hillgate for about forty years ; his father, who came from Wilmslow, 
having previously been the tenant of the same shop for more than half a century. 
Mr. Oldham was unmarried, and had no very near relations. His life was one 
of comparative seclusion, and he was well known to be a man of a very 
eccentric character. As proof of this it may be mentioned that at one time he 
possessed a number of horses, which he would not allow to be removed from the 
stables. Here they were kept for a long time, and, although offered very high 
prices, he refused to sell them. At length they became so fierce that they had 
to be shot. Mr. Oldham took great pride in these horses, but he would not 
permit anyone to see them. At his late residence there is a large iron safe, 
which is imbedded in one of the walls. This safe, it is stated, has not been 
opened for a quarter of a century, and contains the family plate and other 
treasures of a bygone age. The key was in the possession of Mr. Oldham, and 
he was most probably the only person in the world who knew where it was 
kept. Anyhow, it cannot be found. Certain interested persons are doing their 
utmost to discover the whereabouts of a will, which will be essential in the 
settlement of deceased’s affairs.” 
“Are you successful, as a rule, in fever cases, doctor?” asked a druggist of 
a young physician. “ Well — er, I haven’t had many such cases as yet, but I 
have no doubt I shall be. There is one kind of fever that I imagine you might 
cure without difficulty.” “Ah, thanks. Ho you mean scarlet fever ?” “Ho; 
life’s fitful fever.” 
