May, 1880. 
THE CHEMIST AND DRUGGIST. 
3 
Bradley, Melbourne (major certificate from Pharmaceutical 
Society, Great Britain); Wm. J. Main, 9 Hindlay-street, 
Adelaide. 
j Deputation to Minister of Lands— The honorary secretary 
reported the result of the interview with the Minister of 
Lands, and stated that the application now rested with the 
Commissioner of Public Works, who was in the occupation of 
the ground applied for. Should the Public Works Department 
offer no objection, the site asked for would be granted. 
Correspondence.— A letter was read from Mr. Holdsworth, 
of Sandhurst, suggesting the idea of enlarging the number of 
members of the council by the appointment of a member 
thereat from each of the large towns of the colony, such mem- 
bers to be honorary members. After some discussion, the hon. 
secretary was instructed to write to Mr. Holdsworth, and 
recommend that the chemists of Sandhurst and other large 
towns should do as Ballarat had done, and form themselves 
into associations, and seek representation on the council by 
election instead of hon. membership. 
Alteration of the Time of Meeting. — The motion on this 
subject standing in Mr. Macgowan’s name was withdrawn. 
Members of Council Absent.— The honorary secretary was 
instructed to call the attention of those members of council 
who did not attend to Buie XI. 
POISONING BY SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION OF MORPHIA. 
The following paper was read by Mr. W. Bowen : — “ I beg to 
submit for the information of the Pharmaceutical Society the 
following epitome of a remarkable case of poisoning by sub- 
cutaneous injection of morphia, which I have gleaned from The 
Times of India , resulting in the death of the Italian Consul in 
Bombay, Chevalier Charles Grondona. The deceased gentle- 
man, while on a visit at a friend’s house, complained of a pain 
in his knee. A physician, Dr. Lorigiola, who was a personal 
friend of the deceased, was likewise on a visit at the same 
house, applied a liniment containing arnica and chloroform. 
This application not proving effectual, the physician determined 
to apply a subcutaneous injection, and accordingly wrote a 
prescription for a solution of morphia, which was forwarded to 
the establishment of Messrs. D. S. Kemp and Co., and dispensed 
by the assistant, Mr. Bristed. A portion of this solution — 10 
minims — was injected into the skin of the inner side of the 
deceased’s right knee, in the presence of another physician, 
Dr. Barbavara. Immediately afterwards, on examining the 
phial containing the solution, a white deposit was observed 
around the stopper, which aroused the suspicion of the 
medical men, who then proceeded to make inquiry from the 
dispenser as to the cause of such deposit. The prescription, as 
intended by the physician was written thus : — 
Morphias hydrochlor., grana ij 
Aq. destillat, scrupula x 
Solve. 
But instead of this, the word grana, illegibly written, was misread 
for gramme ij, or 30 grains, being fifteen times the intended 
strength. The ten minims injected, supposing the whole 
quantity of the morphia had been in solution, would contain 
one grain and a half ; but as a portion remained undissolved, 
it was estimated that a grain and one- third had been ad- 
ministered. In justice to the dispenser it should be stated 
that he had previously dispensed the prescriptions of 
Dr. Lorigiola, and it is well known that European-Con- 
tinental practitioners frequently adopt the French system of 
weights and measures, and likewise that out of several skilled 
witnesses examined at the inquest, one only could be found 
who would read the word for grana , others read it as gramme, 
the remaining number could not decipher the word at all. 
But I cannot exonerate the dispenser from all blame, as I con- 
sider it is the duty of every one having the responsibility of 
dispensing medicines, not only to be careful and precise as 
regards weights and measures, but likewise to examine the 
doses ordered of any important drug, and to satisfy himself 
that they are in accordance with usual practice. Besides, he 
should know that the solubility of hydrochlorate of morphia, 
in accordance with the estimate of one of the highest 
authorities — Mr. Squire — is 1 grain in 20 of cold water, hot 
water will dissolve a larger quantity, but that excess would 
be deposited on cooling ; accordingly, 200 minims would only 
dissolve 10 grains, and that a hypodermic injection should 
always be a complete solution. In bringing this case before the 
notice of the Pharmaceutical Society, I trust the importance 
of its character will be deemed a sufficient apology.” 
Communications have been received from the following per- 
sons — F. W. Reay , J. Brinsmead, H. C. M l Burney , W, H. 
Eager , F. II. Nerotli. 
MODIFIED EXAMINATION. 
The twelfth modified examination of candidates eligible to 
pass and be registered under the Pharmacy Act was held 
on the 7th of June, at the Mutual Provident Buildings, 100 
Collins-street, before the board of examiners, Messrs. Bosisto 
(materia medica ), Blackett (pharmacy and Latin), and John- 
son (chemistry, of the pharmacopoeia). The following were 
the candidates who passed : — 
Frederick J. Bartlett, Hotham. 
Edward Tunnercliffe, Melbourne. 
Alexander A. Morison, East Melbourne. 
Hugh Marwick, Collingwood. 
Alfred Beeve, Carlton. 
Samuel Park, Sandhurst. 
PBELIMINABY EXAMINATION. 
The ninth preliminary examination was held on the 3rd 
of Jane. The following are the candidates who passed 
Bobert M ‘Mullen, Stawell. 
Cuthbert B. Blackett, jun.,Williamstown. 
Joseph Barnes, jun., Queensberry-street, Hotham. 
YETEBINABY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 
A meeting of veterinary surgeons took place on the 1st June 
at Menzie’s Hotel for the purpose of forming a veterinary 
association for Australia ; Mr. Graham Mitchell, F.B.C.Y.S., 
presided. The chairman stated that this movement had been 
started by Mr. Kendall, and read a letter written by that 
gentleman, which appeared in the Leader a few weeks ago, 
pointing out the unsatisfactory state of veterinary science 
in these colonies. He then went on to show that the profes- 
sion had met with so little encouragement either from the 
Government or the public that many good scientific men had 
left the ranks of the profession to follow occupations of a more 
thankful nature. The prevailing diseases of stock were then 
briefly alluded to, and it was stated that the regulations of the 
stock department, as at present existing, were totally unfit to 
cope with the spread of disease. Mr. Mitchell also observed 
that tuberculosis (consumption) was a very serious disease in 
cattle, as instances had been known of the disease being pro- 
duced in children by drinking the milk from affected cattle. 
The hydatid disease in sheep is now very prevalent, and as 
numbers of sheep are pasturing on the watersheds supplying 
the Yan Yean, the water may possibly become impregnated 
with the larvae of these entozana, which in the adult 
form become developed into tape worms in the human 
subject and the dog. Many other diseases were men- 
tioned, which it will be the duty of the association 
to inquire into. The chief objects will be to pro- 
mote veterinary science by encouraging the united action 
of members of the profession throughout these colonies 
in the investigation of diseases of animals and the important 
effects they have upon the health of the community ; to draw 
the attention of stockowners to the necessity of rendering all 
the assistance they can in these investigations by describing 
outbreaks of disease and noting their progress, and by forward- 
ing whenever opportunities occur, morbid specimens for 
examination, Sec.; to watch the general interests of the pro- 
fession, and to protect it against the frauds and impositions of 
unqualified persons. To facilitate these objects it is intended 
to hold monthly or quarterly meetings, at which papers will 
be read, pathological specimens exhibited, and subjects 
brought forward for discussion. Several letters were then 
read from members of the profession in different parts of the 
country, regretting their inability to attend, and expressing 
their sympathy with and approval of the movement. It was 
then proposed by Mr. Kendall, and seconded by Mr. T. C. 
Dobson, that a Veterinary Medical Association for Australia 
be formed, which was carried unanimously. Mr. Kendall was 
then elected hon, sec. pro tern., and the following gentlemen 
appointed as a provisional committee to draw up rules for the 
