379 
PHARMACY IN ITS RELATION TO THE MEDICAL 
PROFESSION. 
We wish particularly to call attention to a paper on the above subject, read 
at a meeting of the Manchester Chemists and Druggists’ Association by Mr. 
Hampson (see page 404), in which important questions are very ably discussed. 
THE MEDICINE STAMP AND LICENCE. 
Since the publication of the article with the above heading in our last num¬ 
ber, the subject has occupied the attention of the Council of the Pharmaceutical 
Society, and a resolution has been passed at a meeting of the Board, which will 
be found in the report of their proceedings. Communications have also reached 
us from correspondents who are interested in the subject, two of which are in¬ 
serted elsewhere. It is important that those who consider their interests in¬ 
volved, who entertain opinions not already expressed, or whose experience may 
enable them to supply valuable information on any points connected with the 
subject, should communicate such matter before the Council have become com¬ 
mitted to a decided course of action. Some of the views expressed in the letter 
signed “ Utile,” are particularly deserving of consideration. 
PENALTIES FOR KEEPING PETROLEUM OR BENZINE 
FOR SALE WITHOUT A LICENCE. 
In the November number of this Journal, we directed attention to the regu¬ 
lations required by law, and being rigidly enforced by the municipal authorities, 
for guarding against accidents arising from incautious storing and sale of vola¬ 
tile hydrocarbon oils, such as are included in recent Acts of Parliament under 
the name of “Petroleum.” This term, in the I »rliamentary sense, comprises 
not only crude petroleum oils, but products obtained from them, and oils, or 
other volatile products made from any bituminous substance, such as coal, pro¬ 
vided such oils or products give off an inflammable vapour at a temperature of 
less than 100° F. The liquid sold under the name of benzine or benzol comes 
strictly within the definition of the term “ petroleum,” and although the Under¬ 
secretary, Mr. Liddell, some time ago, stated to a deputation who waited upon 
him with reference to this subject, that he did not think it was ever intended 
the law should apply to the retail sale of small bottles of benzine, yet there is 
no doubt that, strictly speaking, it does apply to such cases, aud that those who 
sell benzine without a licence are liable to a fine. The Government promised 
au alteration of the law, to meet the cases of small retail dealers, and a Bill was 
introduced into Parliament last session with that object, but it was afterwards 
withdrawn, a promise being given that a more comprehensive measure would, at 
a later period, be substituted for it. Meanwhile the law, as it was, remains in 
force, and some serious accideuts having occurred in which much damage has 
resulted from the ignition of petroleum, the authorities are unusually active in 
putting the provisions of the Act into operation. Three wholesale patent 
medicine dealers have recently been fined, and although we have not heard of 
any instance in which retail dealers have been proceeded against, we have 
thought it right to put such on their guard. 
THE TAX ON ARMORIAL BEARINGS. 
Notices have been recently inserted in some of the newspapers, which appear 
to have emanated from the Inland Revenue Office, and are intended to caution 
2 c 2 
