PHARMACEUTICAL LEGISLATION AND THE SALE OF POISONS. 573 
temptation of lengthening this communication, for upon this particular subject, 
as upon pharmaceutical ones in general, there is an enih arras de rich esses, in 
consequence of the different views taken of them by different minds. An 
advocate myself of fresh infusions, and a steady supporter of orthodox institu¬ 
tions, I still cannot help thinking that more might be done towards applying 
the process instituted for gentian to some of the other infnsions ; by way of 
experiment I have tried cascarilla, calumbo, and orange, simple and compound, 
and the result justifies me in saying that I believe the plan would work well. 
It may not be amiss to offer some reasons for thus urging the trial of infusions 
so prepared ; in the first place, as a pharmaceutist I do it in the interests of those, 
and they form a large portion of every class of chemists and druggists, who, 
not having a great or continuous supply of prescriptions daily, find it alike in¬ 
convenient and wasteful to be constantly preparing that for which they have no 
certain demand, and for the preparation of which the customer does not like 
to wait one, two, or three hours. I may be told that the daily outlay for half 
a pint of fresh infusion of every kind in the Pharmacopoeia would entail but a 
very small expenditure ; I would say in reply, that small as it might be, it Avould 
fall probably upon those who should be the last subjected to such a tax. An¬ 
other potent reason is this, that a sound infusion prepared as suggested would 
be decidedly preferable to one that was just upon the turn, though not precisely 
bad ; and I ask all observant and conscientious men, whether such a contingency 
is or is not possible, even in the best regulated establishments; and the eye which 
discerns fractures where others see but flaws, cannot be everywhere,—and, after 
all, the best of men are but mortal. Moreover it is a fact, a well-known fact, 
that concentrated infusions are made in large quantities, consequently must be 
used by some one, possibly by the general practitioners, possibly also by others, 
and though admirable imitations of some of the fresh infusions can be produced 
in a concentrated form, every one has not the convenience for so doing ; hence 
another reason, and I think a good one, for admitting into the Pharmacopoeia 
more generally the process I am now advocating, because every one can work 
it, however small his establishment and however few his appliances ; and it is 
not unworthy of remembrance that a Pharmacopoeia is for the guidance of the 
many and not of the few. Again, it must be patent to every discriminating 
person, that these excellent and valuable vehicles for more potent medicines aie 
not now used bv a great deal as much as formerly ; one strong reason for this is, 
that the prescriber fears that his patient will have to wait whilst the infusion is 
being made ; let there be a preparation that can be always in readiness, without 
the fear of deterioration or waste, and this motive for the non-employment of 
useful vehicles would be overcome. 1 would not urge the adoption of this pro¬ 
cess if I did not feel that neither the reputation of the prescriber nor the health 
of the patient wmuld suffer thereby ; on the contrary, I honestly believe that 
both would be gainers. To say that prescribers would do well to dilute their 
remedies more than they are now in the habit of doing with the bitter infusions, 
or otherwise, may seem presumptuous ; nevertheless I cannot let the occasion 
pass without suggesting it as a subject worthy of their consideration. 
\6th April, 1SG6. 
PHARMACEUTICAL LEGISLATION AND THE SALE OF 
POISONS. 
TO THE EDITOR OE THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL. 
Sir_A careful examination and comparison of the evidence given before the 
Select Committee on the Chemists and Druggists Bill, extracts from which have 
