BIRMINGHAM CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 
317 
quences, though such have occurred in other places; hut it is certainly an anomaly in 
the law of the kingdom that a grain of arsenic cannot be purchased except under proper 
restrictions, and that such articles as Pharaoh’s serpents, containing as deadly a poison, 
may be sold in any quantity, and be purchased by any schoolboy or child.” 
Mr. Ilopwood, one of Dr. Macadam’s assistants, was present, and read some interesting 
details regarding the poisonous effects of the sulphocyanide of mercury on some of the 
lower animals. He further stated that more extended experiments were about to be 
carried out, when the result would be made known to the Society. Thanks were 
unanimously accorded to Dr. Macadam for his communication. 
Specimens of the seeds, cake, and oil, of the Argemone Mexicana were then sub¬ 
mitted. These were presented by Messrs. Morson and Son, of 19, Southampton Row, 
London. 
The Secretary drew the attention of the meeting to the fact, that the properties of 
this oil had already been noticed in the Pharmaceutical Journal, vol. iv. p. 167, vol. xii. 
p. 292, and vol. xiii. p. 642. He also mentioned, that Messrs. Morson were now pre¬ 
pared to supply the oil as an article of commerce. 
Dr. J. Argyle Robertson, who was present, made the following observations:— 
He remarked that about two years ago he had received from Dr. Andrew Inglis a 
sample of the resin of the Argemone Mexicana, with the information that it was much 
employed by the native oculists in India as a local application in cases of external in¬ 
flammation of the eye. The preparation he was recommended to employ was made by 
dissolving some of the powdered resin in an equal part of glycerine, whereby a dark- 
brown oily liquid was obtained. He had employed it to a considerable extent in inflam¬ 
mations of the conjunctiva, and views it as an excellent astringent. Dr. Robertson was 
of opinion that the great class of washes and lotions, which were denominated “ stimu¬ 
lant-astringents,” should be divided into two groups—the one possessing purely astringent 
qualities, the other possessing stimulant properties as well. Many cases of conjunctivitis 
occur, in which the application of a moderately strong solution of sulphate of zinc, alum, 
or sulphate of copper was productive of injurious rather than beneficial effect, and in 
which lotions of acetate of lead or other pure astringent would effect a rapid cure. He 
was thus led to divide the class of stimulant-astringents into the two above-indicated 
groups. He found that the Argemone Mexicana was more especially useful in the acute 
and irritable forms of inflammation of the conjunctiva, and was therefore inclined to 
regard it as a good pure astringent. Dr. Inglis had also informed him that he had used 
the argemone in all the external inflammatory affections of the eye that he had met 
with, and with excellent results. The particular affections in which Dr. Robertson had 
found it most applicable were the catarrhal ophthalmia. 
Thanks were voted to Messrs. Morson and Son for their donation to the museum. 
The meeting thereupon adjourned. 
BIRMINGHAM CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 
An attempt has been made in Birmingham, since the meetings of the Pharmaceutical 
Conference were held in that town, to perpetuate the local interest created by the Con¬ 
ference, in the establishment of a more permanent scientific and commercial association, 
embracing the four midland counties of Warwick, Worcester, Stafford, and Shropshire. 
The Committee, who worked so actively and successfully on that occasion, issued two 
hundred and forty-five printed notices, to a portion of the chemists of these counties, 
with a view of ascertaining what amount of success they were likely to meet with ; but 
of this number fifty replies have been received, and twenty-six only have signified their 
willingness to take part in the project. The Committee, therefore, have determined to 
discontinue any further efforts to promote the Association at present. We need scarcely 
say that we regret that this Association, intended to be in friendly alliance with the 
Pharmaceutical Society and other bodies connected with the trade, should have met with 
such little support as to necessitate so early a termination. 
