72 
THE CHEMIST AND DRUGGIST. 
January, 1882. 
of stock, between whom a greater bond of sympathy ought to 
exist, is beyond all doubt. Hitherto there has been no publi- 
cation devoted to the advancement of scientific knowledge in 
connection with the diseases of animals, or for recording 
observations on their nature, origin, and distribution, although, 
from climatic and other influences, many are known to assume 
forms peculiar to Australia. 
“ As this country is rapidly becoming one of the greatest 
stock-raising centres of the world, the health of our animals 
is of paramount importance. We therefore feel certain that, 
in publishing the Australasian Veterinary Journal— which 
will provide a ready means of collecting and recording the 
observations not only of professional men and stock inspectors, 
but also of many intelligent stock-owners, who have frequently 
better opportunities of watching the progress of diseases — we 
shall have the support and assistance of all who have the 
welfare of the country at heart. 
“ Australia, probably owing to its isolated position and 
excellent climate, has so far enjoyed an immunity from many 
contagious and infectious animal diseases that prevail in other 
countries ; but the fact that such diseases as pleuro-pneumonia 
and foot-and-mouth disease in cattle have already made their 
appearance, proves that our climate and geographical position 
are not alone sufficient to prevent their introduction. 
“The continual importation of foreign stock, and the 
increased rapidity of transit between this and other countries, 
renders it highly probable that ere long our shores may be 
visited by more of these scourges, and it behoves us to be on 
our guard, so that, if unable to prevent their introduction, we 
may at least be in possession of information that will enable 
us to adopt effective measures to arrest their spreading. 
“ Breeders and owners of stock in this country have, from a 
combination of circumstances, had to rely almost wholly on 
their own practical experience in dealing with the diseases of 
stock. But this experience, which has often been dearly 
bought, has seldom proved of any avail when any new form 
of disease has made its appearance, or some unlooked-for 
mortality, arising from neglect of natural and sanitary laws, 
has caused serious losses which a general knowledge of 
veterinary science might have averted. 
“ One of our most valuable sources of information will be 
through the Australasian Veterinary Medical Association, 
which is now represented in all the colonies, and has for one 
of its main objects the attainment of effective intercolonial 
legislation for preventing the introduction and spread of con- 
tagious and infectious diseases. 
“ Although aware that some professional men are averse to 
the circulation of veterinary information amongst owners of 
animals, we can confidently state, from long experience, that 
those who are best informed on the breeding, feeding, and 
management of stock, in health and disease, are invariably 
our best clients. We therefore feel that, in endeavouring, as 
far as lies in our power, to diffuse scientific and useful infor- 
mation, we are not only serving the best interests of the 
veterinary profession, but, by supplying a want that has been 
long felt, are performing a duty which, as veterinary surgeons, 
we owe to the country of our adoption. 
“ Australia presents a field for pathological investigation 
that, if equalled, is not surpassed by any country in the world. 
All our domestic animals have been either imported or reared 
from imported stock ; consequently, the opportunities for 
studying the different modifications of disease from climatic 
and other causes, as well as of new indigenous forms, are 
almost unlimited. 
“ We therefore hope to have the support and assistance of 
many active workers — lay, as well as professional — who are 
desirous of promoting the advancement of science and the 
welfare of the community.” 
into the theoretical quantity of pyrogallol, and I have recom- 
mended this process as a ready method of preparing pyrogallol 
for alkaline development in photography. As glycerinum 
acid gallici is intended for internal use, the possible presence 
of pyrogallol may be attended by unlooked-for consequences,, 
this body being highly poisonous. According to Personne 
( Comptes Rendus, 69, 749) it acts in the same manner as 
phosphorus, namely, by abstracting the oxygen of the blood. 
Two or three fatal cases have been recently reported in the 
photographic journals from pyrogallol having found its way 
into wounds or cuts during the processes of dry plate manipu- 
lation. 
TROCHES OF BORAX. 
Troches of borax are difficult to prepare by the usual method 
for pieparing troches, because with gum arabic amass scarcely 
plastic and difficult to divide is obtained, while tragacanth 
yields an extremely elastic mass impossible to divide. F. Vigier 
recommends the following process : — 
ft Borax 
Powdered Sugar 
Carmine No. 40 
Tragacanth in flakes 
Distilled water 
Tincture of benzoin (Siam) 
100 grams. 
900 „ 
0*15 „ 
2*50 „ 
60 „ 
10 
Prepare a mucilage from the tragacanth, and one-half each 
of the water and tincture. Mix the sugar with the carmine,, 
and add one-half of this sugar in small quantities to the 
mucilage ; then add the remainder of the water and tincture, 
and with this mixture incorporate the powdered borax and 
remainder of the sugar, previously thoroughly mixed. Divide 
the mass into troches, each weighing 1 gram, and containing 
0T0 gram of borax. 
These troches have been used with good success by M. 
Poinsot, dentist, in various affections of the mouth, such as 
aphthae, &c. 
TRANSATLANTIC OFFENCES AGAINST PHARMACY 
LAWS. 
“ Coelum non animum mutant qui trans mare cur runt ” We 
regret to notice that the spirit which leads to aggressions and 
breaches of legislation for the regulation of pharmacy in Great 
Britain is also represented in her colonies. The Ontario Col- 
lege of Pharmacy has been compelled to consider the subject 
of breaches of the Pharmacy Act of that province, and it has 
recently resolved, with a view to protect the public and the 
members of the College from the sale of drugs by unauthorised 
vendors, that when such cases of infringement are “ credibly 
reported” to either the registrar or president, those gentlemen 
shall be authorised in expending a sum not exceeding fifteen 
dollars in endeavouring to secure the conviction and punish- 
ment of the offenders. If the sum of fifteen dollars represents 
the probable average cost of proceedings in each case, “ law” 
must be a cheaper luxury in Canada than in the old country. — 
Pharmaceutica l Journal. 
THE ANNUAL CRICKET MATCH. 
Wholesale Chemists 
v. 
Retail Chemists. 
NOTE ON GLYCERINUM ACIDI GALLICI. 
(By T. E. Thorpe, F.R.S.) 
This preparation is made, according to the British Pharma- 
copoeia, by rubbing together one part of gallic acid with four 
parts of glycerol, and heating the mixture until complete 
solution is effected. It is advisable to call attention to the 
fact that unless great care is taken to prevent overheating, 
the gallic acid may be converted into pyrogallol. I have 
shown ( Chemical Ne?vs, 43, 109 ; Journal of the Chemical 
Society, Abstract, 1881, p. 662) that at a temperature of from 
190 deg. to 200 deg. C. this conversion in presence of glycerol 
takes place very rapidly, the gallic acid being transformed 
The match will be played on Melbourne Cricket Ground on 
Thursday, the 26th January, 1882. 
The following are the players from whom the retail team 
will be selected : — Strutt, Baker, Barnard, Lewis, Gibson, 
Cooper, M‘Kie, Hope, Cattach, Pleasance, Evans, Ross, 
Gabriel, and Swift. 
A practice wicket will be available on Monday next, the 
23rd, on Melbourne Cricket Ground, at three o’clock (Rich- 
mond end). All the above are requested to be present ; final 
team to be picked at termination of practice. 
Wickets will be pitched on the 26th January, at half-past 
eleven a.m.j luncheon on the ground at two p.m. 
