NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
255 
The Neio Pharmacy Act. —A correspondent (“ Wholesale ”) makes the following ob¬ 
jection to the 4th clause:—“ Reading literally the clause with reference to Assistants, 
those in the wholesale are excluded, and yet it cannot be that they are less efficient be¬ 
cause to their retail they have added three years’ wholesale experience. Many of them 
have fondly thought that by going into the wholesale for a while, the increased oppor¬ 
tunities they would have of examining and comparing the different qualities of drugs, 
with opportunities also of seeing many which, being seldom used, are not often kept in 
stock by the retailer, would render them better capable of conducting a retail establish¬ 
ment ; but if this clause is read literally their efforts are thwarted. The clause is indeed 
an absurdity, and in effect limits the business to ‘dispensing the prescriptions of duly 
qualified medical men.’ Were this all required, it might be sufficient for the dispenser 
simply to dispense the prescriptions brought him ; but then is he not supposed to be 
thoroughly acquainted with the articles dispensed ? If so, surely a man who traces the 
progress of serons of bark from their importation, through the examining, comparing, 
sorting, and grinding, knows more of the real value and purity of the article, than he 
who passes a few grains through his hand now and again. But absurd as the clause is, 
the absurdity does not lessen the wrong done to the wholesale assistants; and, assuming 
that it is to be read literally, will you kindly insert this letter in the next Journal as a 
call on them to meet and see if something cannot be done towards amending the clause?” 
The Lecture Hour. —Sir,—I beg to suggest that the lecture hour be altered from half¬ 
past eight to nine o’clock, which would be quite as suitable for the assistant and more 
convenient for the master. When these lectures were first started, it mattered little to 
the great majority of assistants. They had then only a limited attendance, principally 
residents within gunshot of the institution. Now that the Legislature has brushed up 
the energies and developed a desire amongst our juniors to arrive at a more scientific 
attainment, it is the duty of those who have the regulation of these matters to foster the 
feeling, and clear the way of all impediments. I have always given my assistants the 
option of attending, but have hitherto had some difficulty in persuading them to do so ; 
but now, from practical experience, I find it a sine qua non on their part, so that a large 
increase may be expected this session. It must be borne in mind that he is expected 
to put the shop in working order, besides getting his breakfast, before he starts ; the 
former of these operations is only a matter of assiduity with him, but the latter concerns 
the household. Few of our craft, I guess, breakfast before eight,—in fact, this may be 
considered the regulation hour, and allows those only residing within a one-mile radius 
of the lecture room to be there by half-past eight. Of course, it is not possible to fix a 
time to suit the whole of the metropolitan druggists ; if, however, the time were to be 
altered to nine o’clock, it would give to those within a three-mile radius an opportunity of 
attending with convenience to all concerned.—I am, Sir, yours obediently, 
Sept. 12th, 1868. A Founder. 
A. T. (Meath).—The necessary information may be obtained by application by letter 
to the Secretary, 17, Bloomsbury Square. 
“ Dispenser ” (Brighton),— Poison Bottles ,—thinks that, as in the label “ not to be 
taken,” the word “ not ” is sometimes obliterated, it is better to use a label “ For Ex¬ 
ternal application only.’’’ 
U A Druggist .”—The statement that “Betts’s Patent” expired in January last is, 
we believe, perfectly correct. 
A. B. C. wishes for a formula for “Liq. Copaib. c. Cubeb. et Buchu.” 
R. T. R. (Burnley).—Of the labels sent for inspection, that for “ Orange Quinine 
Wine ” is liable to the Patent Medicine Stamp ; the other would not be liable, provided 
no further directions are given with the “ Solution.” 
II. S. G. (Bradford), in answer to “ M. D.” (Tuam), states that Chlorodyne, known 
as “ Dr. Ogden’s,” contains Indian Hemp. The formula for this preparation we have 
given before, it will be found in Vol. III. (N. S.), page 584. 
A. C. (Uckfield).—See page 115 of our last number. 
M. L. C. C. (Liverpool) should write to the Secretary, with name and address, 
who, no doubt, would admit to the Modified Examination. 
“ An Assistant ” (New Kent Road).—See article in our last number on “The New 
Pharmacy Act.” 
“ Ferrodyne” (Halesworth).—(1.) We believe the dose to be perfectly correct in both 
cases. The quantity of acid in the latter accounts for the apparent discrepancy. 
