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THE AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY. 
discussion which ensued, Sir George Owens remarked that every day men came 
up at the Apothecaries’ Hall for examination who were grossly ignorant as to 
the making of tinctures, masses, and other preparations. The excuse they made 
was — “ We get them ready made from druggists.” It was eventually decided to 
inform Mr. M'Cormack that the subject had been already considered by the 
Council, but that the support promised by the pharmacists of Ireland to the 
establishment of the school had not justified their proceeding further in the matter, 
and that they had no funds which they could allocate to the purpose. 
At a meeting of the British Association, at Birmingham, on 6th September, 
it was decided, in response to an invitation from the New South Wales 
Government, to send out representatives to Sydney at the commencement of 1888, 
on the occasion of the centenary of the colony. Sir H. E Roscoe, F.R.S., was 
elected president of the meeting to be held next year at Manchester. 
Our columns are open to all. We do not, however, hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our 
correspondents. 
ANALYSIS OF HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINES. 
To the Editor of the Australasian Journal of Pharmacy. 
Dear Sir, — Mr. Edward Geo. Owen, having given vent to his splenic composition on 
quackery and the B.P. preparations in your last issue, I beg you will allow me space in 
your next to ask Mr. Owen if he can name “the many preparations of the B.P. which 
are known by the name of the ingredient of which they contain least.” Having made the 
assertion, he need not fear treading harder “ on the corns” of the drug trade generally 
with which he is on such “very friendly terms.” 
Perhaps, at the same time, he would favour with some process for an analysis which 
will enable one to certify to either the “ special strength or purity” of the Homoeopathic 
mineral tinctures, which, I believe, contain one grain in 13T601 gallons, and might safely 
be labelled “ Dilute Spirits of Wine,” so as to act up to the Chinese motto of “We don’t 
cheat here.” 
If Mr. Owen thinks to defend his Homoeopathic remedies, quack or otherwise, at the 
expense of the British Pharmacopoeia or Allopathic Pharmacy, I venture to think that 
“ that’s where he’ll make a mistake.” 
I question the ability of anyone to give satisfactory replies to the above queries, but 
if Mr. Owen can do so it will certainly be “ much to his advantage.” — I am, sir, yours 
respectfully, 
PAUL HENNE SMITH. 
South Melbourne, 10th November, 1880. 
To the Editor of the Australasian Journal of Pharmacy. 
Sir, — In reference to my query asking Mr. Johnson if he would favour with the 
method of analysing the infinitesimals which he has certified to as containing “the exact 
proportions and qualities they are represented to be,” Mr. Johnson has not yet replied, 
evidently owing to his illness, otherwise I am sure his well-known courtesy would have 
prompted him to do so at once. In the meanwhile a champion appears in the person 
of Mr. E. Owen, who passes the question, and attempts to raise a false issue by 
abusing everybody and everything, including the B.P. As I have nothing to do with 
Mr. Owen in the matter, I do not propose to reply to his communication, but request 
you will kindly renew the favour of allowing me to ask through your columns how an 
analysis can be made of the Homoeopathic tinctures of silica, stannum, mercurious, 
which are evidently included in Mr. Johnson’s certificate ? I shall be pleased to learn 
from any subscriber how to obtain even a trace, let alone the exact proportions, of 
the supposed remedy. 
Trusting you will grant this the same publicity as you have previously done — 
Enclosing my card, I am, sir, very truly yours, 
F. M. S. 
Richmond, 15th November, 1886. 
The Customs department, Tasmania, has made a seizure of 50) ba* of opium, 
■which was found in the possession of a Chinaman who has a shop in Hobart. 
It is supposed it was brought by the Acacia from Melbourne. 
