THE BRITISH PHARMACOPOEIA. 
519 
■but thoughtlessness the fault of the many, I personally solicited subscriptions 
from the chemists in Bath, and I am very pleased to say that in four cases out 
of five my appeal met with a ready and hearty response, not only from members 
•of the Pharmaceutical Society, but from the chemists generally. As years roll on, 
I doubt not, our members will increase, and consequently applicants for assis¬ 
tance also, to augment the Benevolent Fund. I would therefore suggest for the 
consideration of the Council, whether they might not with advantage follow 
the example of other institutions, by soliciting their friends throughout the 
kingdom to act as stewards, and use their exertions in obtaining subscriptions 
on behalf of so good a cause ; an appropriate time for the meeting would, I 
should think, be the Conversazione of the Society. And here I would say that 
I endorse most fully Mr. Atherton’s proposition for the necessity of an Exhi¬ 
bition of Pharmaceutical and other apparatus, and I think, with Mr. Ince, such 
collection ought to be at some acknowledged centre and recognised institution, 
—what place therefore so central as London, and what institution so capable of 
conducing to its success as the one in Bloomsbury Square ? With such an 
exhibition I entertain no doubt plenty of representatives would be found, and, 
for the provinces at least, the visit would be one both of pleasure and profit. 
I remain, dear Sir, yours truly, 
R. D. Command. 
Bath , March , 1866. 
[We hope the example thus set will be followed elsewhere. A few such active 
canvassers as Mr. Commans, of Bath, and the Local Secretary at Durham, 
would soon swell up the lists of donations to the Benevolent Fund. It will be 
seen by reference to the list at page 492, that several of the subscribers are un¬ 
connected with the Society.— Ed. Ptiarm. Journ.] 
THE BRITISH PHARMACOPOEIA. 
The following letter from “An Hospital Surgeon” appeared in the ‘Lancet’ of 
March 17th:— 
“ Sir,—As this appears to be the appropriate moment for suggestions respecting the 
new edition of the ‘ British Pharmacopoeia,’ I would venture to make one or two sug¬ 
gestions through your columns. 
“ The editors of the ‘ British Pharmacopoeia ’ eliminated altogether the class of 
‘ cerates ’ of the old Pharmacopoeia, replacing many of them, however, by corresponding 
ointments. There is one, however, which has not been replaced, and which is a great 
loss to the surgeon: I mean the ceratum hydrargyri compositum (P.L., 1851), which is 
so frequently employed in the treatment of diseased joints as ‘ Scott’s dressing.’ The 
British pharmaceutists would, no doubt, have us employ the unguentum hydrargyri; 
but practically this is too soft and greasy, and soaks through the dressings very rapidly. 
“ Another most convenient mode of administering mercury has been taken away by 
the removal of the old liquor hydrargyri bichloridi, which contained T ^th of a grain in 
the drachm. A solution of corrosive sublimate is in the British Pharmacopoeia, but is 
forty times the strength of the old liquor, and is intended merely for testing. It is 
obvious that any mistake by a dispenser between the two solutions would be highly 
dangerous. 
“ In conclusion, let me assure Dr. Garrod, from practical experience, that his opinion 
of the value of the tincture of arnica is erroneous, and his experiments respecting the 
absorption of effused blood fallacious, from not having used the tincture sufficiently 
strong. The undiluted tincture I find to be a most serviceable remedy when painted 
upon recent bruises, and a most excellent preventive of ‘ black eyes.’” 
