PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY, EDINBURGH, 
459 
The meeting then separated, having cordially voted their thanks (which 
were moved by Mr. Watts and seconded by Mr. Gwatkin) to the Council 
and the President, both of which were suitably acknowledged by him. 
PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY, EDINBURGH. 
There was a meeting held in St. George’s Hall on Tuesday evening, March 
22nd ; Mr. Kemp, Vice-President, in the chair. 
There was a good attendance, Dr. Seller, Dr. James Young, Dr. Cowan, 
etc. etc., being present. 
Mr. John Mack ay made a communication regarding Robbins’s new com¬ 
pound for the instantaneous production of pure oxygen gas. He named the 
composition of the oxygennesis, and explained the double reaction which 
took place by which the oxygen was eliminated ; and having prepared several 
jars of the gas, he proceeded to burn charcoal, phosphorus, etc., in order to 
show its power in supporting combustion as compared with ordinary oxygen. 
Mr. Mackay further explained that Mr. Robbins had introduced this simple 
and ready method for the production of pure oxygen in order that medical 
practitioners might now, in the sick room, have an opportunity of testing the 
value of the inhalation of the gas as a remedial agent. 
Dr. Seller made some remarks regarding the use and value of chlorate of 
potash in medicine, as well as of other oxidizing agents, and expressed him¬ 
self much pleased with the new and ready mode now proposed for the produc¬ 
tion of oxygen for the use of the medical practitioner. 
Thanks were given to Mr. Mackay for the communication he had made. 
Mr. D. R. Brown read a paper “ On Volumetric Analysis,” with a special 
reference to its use as recommended in the British Pharmacopoeia. 
In commencing his paper, Mr. Brown observed that he was opposed to the 
name “ Volumetric Analysis,” given in the new Pharmacopoeia to the method of 
testing which we were to follow out; for it was not by the separation of sub¬ 
stances from, but by their addition to one another, that we were to arrive at 
our results; and therefore essentially a synthetic method, and not analytic. 
Volumetric synthesis might with propriety be applied to it; but its correct 
designation is Volumetric Estimation. Mr. Brown then proceeded to de¬ 
scribe the manner of testing, showed a variety of tubes recommended for the 
purpose, and then examined, by the volumetric test, several articles, such as 
cream of tartar, chloride of lime, etc. etc. 
On concluding a paper full of interest and ability, a vote of thanks wa3 
proposed by the Chairman to Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Stephenson, and 
carried with acclamation. 
PROVINCIAL TRANSACTIONS. 
LIVERPOOL CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 
Adjourned General Meeting, held February 18th, 1864, at the Boyal Institution; the 
President in the chair. 
Messrs. J. Price and M. Fox were elected members. 
Mr. J. Abraham resumed his review of the ‘ British Pharmacopoeia,’ after which a dis¬ 
cussion ensued, in which Dr. Morris, Messrs. Mercer, Heathfield, and others took part. 
After a vote of thanks to Mr. Abraham, the meeting separated. 
The Ninth General Meeting was held on the 25th February, 1864, at the Royal Insti¬ 
tution ; the President in the chair. 
