36 
PROVINCIAL EXAMINATIONS. 
350-00 . 1 lb. avoirdupois. 
39,200-00 . 1 cwt. 
784,000-00, or 784 kilomonas. 1 ton. 
21-875 monas . 1 fluid oz. of distilled water. 
437-50 . 1 pint do. 
3,500-00 . 1 gallon. 
It is thus seen that every weight now used (in medicine) is expressed in whole 
numbers, with the exception of the ounce avoirdupois, or fluid ounce, and the 
pint. I would therefore discard these, and have a new weight in place of the 
ounce avoirdupois, to be called a “dime,” which should be the tenth part of a 
pound, and would equal If ounces; consequently 5 dimes would equal 8 ounces, 
10, or a decadime, would equal a pint, old measure , or a pound of distilled water; 
and ten of these again, or the hectodime, would equal a gallon. Thus, 
35-00 monas . 1 dime, If oz. 
350-00 „ . 16 fluid oz. of distilled water. 
3,500-00 „ . hectodime or gallon. 
YV. L. Shepard. 
202, Gray's Inn Road, June 19 di, 1863. 
THE PROVINCIAL EXAMINATIONS. 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL. 
Sir,—The above subject, which is now before the notice of the Pharmaceutical 
Society, is one which ought to command the serious consideration of all its mem¬ 
bers who wish to extend its borders, and multiply its numbers ; because, if it 
was generally adopted, it would be beneficial to the Society and to many of those 
not now members : to the Society by increasing its numbers, thereby gaining 
for it more wide-spread reputation and greater influence before the eyes of the 
public ; to those not now members, who stand aloof from the Society on account 
of various reasons, as the loss of time incurred by a journey to London, the ex¬ 
pense and trouble, coupled with the uncertainty of ultimately gaining their de¬ 
sired object. For instance, how many, engaged in business on their own account, 
could leave for the journey to London and back, and staying there, just for the 
purpose of passing the examination, which is their desire. Could it be done more 
advantageously to themselves, who would not eagerly embrace the opportunity, 
if presented in their own town, or the provincial town for the county in which 
they reside ? 
Could not examiners be found in the different towms, who would be able to 
undertake this task, efficiently and correctly, so that the candidates could pass 
an examination similar to the present major ? 
As this matter is now brought under notice, let us hope it will not be d's- 
carded as useless and unprofitable, until it has been subjected to judicious medi¬ 
tation, upon the benefit arising to both parties, and the necessity of adopting 
this useful proposition. 
Yours truly, A Reader. 
Leicester, June 4 th, 1863. 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL. 
Sir,—I hope that such a valuable suggestion as is given to the Pharmaceutical 
Society in this month’s Journal by u Opifex,” will not be permitted to fall to 
the ground as worthless. 
I am sure that the Society would be supplying a long-Jelt want by establishing 
these Provincial Examinations. 
