38 
MEDICAL ACT. 
and I suppose the Pharmaceutical Society is almost the only body which does- 
not celebrate its anniversaries in that manner. This present season is one 
teeming with happy events and joyful gatherings ; bodies corporate, municipal* 
scientific, and others, have each had their banquets, dinners, etc., according to 
their position ; and why should not the Pharmaceutists have an opportunity of 
expressing their loyalty and unanimity? Besides, it would be of positive ad¬ 
vantage to the Society itself. The social board is one over which Englishmen 
love to gather, and how many new members would not rally round, and throw 
influence and zeal into our undertaking. It would also add to the funds of 
the benevolent branch of the Society, which is so much needed, and which 
appears to have so much difficulty in keeping up subscriptions, from the lists 
which appear occasionally in the Journal. 
I am but a young member of the Society, but I hope that this revival of the 
old question may find a response from many, and though imperfectly expressed 
and put forth, is not less meant in good faith and sincerity, and for the future 
prosperity and welfare of our Society. 
I remain, yours faithfully, 
Frederick Tibbs. 
47, Blackfriars Road , London , May 19 th, 18G3. 
COCHINEAL IN ASIA MINOR. 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL. 
Sir,—In the neighbourhood of Ousliak, in Asia Minor, there occur immense 
quantities of an insect, producing, when bruised, the usual cochineal colour, and 
resembling in every respect the insects of the Cactus cochinillifer of Mexico, ex¬ 
cept that they are covered with a long downy kind of hair. When dry, the 
hairs may easily be removed by gentle friction. These insects feed on a species 
of Cistus , the Cistus laurifolius of Boissier and Balansa, a small shrub with which 
the district abounds. 
Perhaps some of your correspondents can inform us whether any of this cochi¬ 
neal comes into the English market, or has attracted the attention of naturalists. 
Yours, &c., Fred. Pert wee. 
British Hospital, Smyrna , May 21, 1SG3. 
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE MEDICAL ACT OF 1858. 
At a meeting of the General Council of Medical Education and Registration, 
held on the 1st of June, Dr. Corrigan presented the Report of the Committee on 
Amendments of the Medical Act. It states that, 
u The course the Committee have adopted is to go through the sections of the 
Medical Act seriatim, and to append to each section such proposed amendments 
as seemed fit to be submitted for consideration. 
“ The Committee do not propose that the General Council should at present 
express an opinion on the proposed amendments, nor are the Committee unani¬ 
mous in some of the amendments suggested. 
“ The Committee suggest that the present course might properly be, that the 
General Council, without expressing an opinion on the proposed amendments, 
should give instructions to the Executive Council to have a Bill drawn up, em¬ 
bodying the proposed amendments; that the Bill thus drawn up should be trans¬ 
mitted to the several Licensing Bodies mentioned in Schedule (A) for their con¬ 
sideration, and that the amended Bill, with any alterations suggested by the 
several Licensing Bodies, should be submitted for consideration at the next an¬ 
nual meeting of the General Council.” 
