LIFE MEMBERS’ SUBSCRIPTION FEE. 
381 
tion taking place as the result of heat applied solely at the surface, this never 
comes about, and the process comes to a conclusion withont any accident of that 
kind. It is as well, however, not to proceed quite to dryness in this manner, 
but to finish by a short exposure to the heat of a water-oven ; the concentrated 
liquids are otherwise occasionally liable to loss by spirting 
THE NEW PHARMACOPOEIA. 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE ‘LANCET.’ 
Sir,—A few days since I prescribed “liquor morphise hydrochloratis,” and my pre¬ 
scription was dispensed by a first-rate chemist at the West-end. The effect of the me¬ 
dicine was such as to satisfy me that my patient had taken more morphia than I in¬ 
tended to administer. 
Speculating as to how a mistake could have been made, I surmised the possibility, 
but could scarcely admit the probability, of the prescription having been dispensed ac¬ 
cording to the formula of the London Pharmacopoeia, which I supposed was now entirely 
cancelled. However, on applying to the chemist, I was surprised to find my suspicion 
realized, and was told that they always dispensed according to the old forms unless other¬ 
wise directed. From this it is evident that for security it is still desirable to head the 
prescription with Ph. B., a proceeding which ought now to be quite unnecessary. I am, 
Sir, yours, etc., Thomas Ballard, M.D. Southwick Place, Hyde Park Square, January, 
1868 .—The ‘ Lancet .’ 
LIFE MEMBERS’ SUBSCRIPTION FEE. 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL. 
Sir,—At a time when the Parliamentary Committee is about to make fresh 
efforts for obtaining a Pharmacy Bill, I do not think it will be out of place to 
consider whether the present bye-law relating to the fee for members taking up 
their life membership, might not be altered with satisfaction to the members 
and advantage to the Society. It will be seen by the annual list of members, 
few members take up their life membership. The reason of this may, I think, 
be explained ; first, by the sum required to do so, viz. twenty guineas, being to 
the majority of beginners in the drug trade an important item, consequently 
they prefer paying the annual subscription of a guinea. In the second place, 
it does not matter how long a member has been connected with the Society, and 
paid his subscription five, ten, fifteen, or twenty years,—if he wishes to become 
a life member, he cannot do so unless he pays the fee of twenty guineas. Such 
a bye-law appears to me to act contrary to the interests of the Society. For 
instance, I believe members in general, on retiring from business, do not care 
to continue their annual subscription, consequently their support is lost to the 
Society. Now, to remedy this, I beg to suggest a scale of fees for life member¬ 
ship, to be determined upon by length of membership. For example : supposing 
the fee of twenty guineas be retained to beginners, I propose a member, from 
five to ten years’ standing, wishing to become a life member, should be able to 
do so by paying the sum of sixteen guineas; from ten to fifteen years’standing, 
twelve guineas; from fifteen years and longer, eight guineas. Such a scale 
would, I believe, induce many members at the several stages to take up their 
life membership ; and it would thus be the means of securing to the Society a 
fund which is now lost to it by members dying off, others seceding, and those 
not successful in business. 
In bringing this subject before the members, I have endeavoured to do so in 
such a manner as to elicit from other members not only their opinions on it, but 
