718 
a student’s observations on the b.p. 
acid ; and, although the term ‘ carbolate of iodine ’ may not be regarded as 
correct from a chemical point of view, it is, perhaps, the best that can be ap¬ 
plied, so as to convey to the profession its general composition and properties. 
“ Ciias. R. C. Tichborne. 
“ 12 th April, 1870.” 
The above report establishes the genuineness of my preparation, and puts 
W. G. Smith, M.B., into this predicament, that he either has exhibited, as an 
analytical chemist, ignorance and incompetency,—(for he has found a salt pre¬ 
sent which is not in it, and failed to detect other substances which are,)—or he 
has operated upon a spurious article : from either point of view his statements 
are very serious to me. 
In conclusion, let me say it is not consonant with justice nor law, nor 
according to the moral principles of a well-regulated mind, to condemn any 
man as guilty of deception and fraudulent imposition without first giving him 
an opportunity of establishing his innocency or confessing his guilt. 
I am, very respectfully yours, 
John Evans, M.D., L.A.H. 
49, Dawson Street, Dublin, 1 9th April, 1870. 
A STUDENT’S OBSERVATIONS ON THE B.P. 
BY JOSEPH YOUNG. 
The following brief remarks will, it is hoped, be found seasonable, the more 
especially, as at a recent meeting of the Society to discuss the British Pharma¬ 
copoeia, students were invited to express their opinions:— 
Molecular Weights and Natural Orders. —Can any reasonable objection be 
urged against the insertion of the molecular weights of the chemical formulae, 
and the botanical order of each official plant in future editions of the national 
Pharmacopoeia ? 
Aloe , Aloes. —If the diaeresis were to be placed over the last vowel (as ob¬ 
served only on p. 276) wherever the genitive occurs in the B.P., it would, at least, 
prevent the diphthong pronunciation, so often uttered by careless tongues ; e. g. 
decoctum “ alloze” compositum, w et hoc genus omne.” 
Quercus, Quercus. —The circumflex acceut indicating -the genitive, is in this 
case also more conspicuous by its absence than otherwise, being found only on 
p. 268. 
Alumen Exsiccatum. —Why may not the formula NH 4 A1(S0 4 ) 2 be inserted 
for dried alum, as in the case of dried Fe S0 4 , Na 2 C0 3 , and CuSC 4 ? 
Calx Chlorata. —Might not this compound be defined as a mixture of hypo¬ 
chlorite and chloride of calcium, Ca 2 C10,CaCl 2 (=Ca(C10)Cl), with a vari¬ 
able amount of chlorate and chloride of calcium, Ca 2 C10 3 and CaCl 2 ? 
Ferrum. —Of the nine official preparations in which “ iron wire” is ordered, 
there is but one, where the size of the wire is specified, viz. vinum ferri. Is 
the size of less importance in other preparations, to wit, the mistura ferri aro- 
matica, that a stated gauge is given in one form, and omitted in others? 
With a proper definition on p. 140, this might be avoided, as \—ferrum; an¬ 
nealed iron wire, having a diameter about - 005 inch ( — No. 35 wire-gauge), or 
“ wrought iron nails free from oxide.” 
Cuprum. —The decimal equivalent to No. 25 wire-gauge=‘02 inch, might 
be conveniently inserted on p. 95. 
Pilulce. —In those formulae where the weight of the excipient is not stated, 
the approximate quantity (found elsewhere in the B.P.) may be thus inserted:— 
