November 9,1872.] THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
365 
%\t p^riMctulital Journal. 
- ♦-- 
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1872. 
Communications for this Journal, and books for review, etc., 
should be addressed to the Editor, 17, Bloomsbury Square. 
Instructions from Members and Associates respecting the 
transmission of the Journal should be sent to Elias Brem- 
ridge, Secretary, 17, Bloomsbury Square . W.C. 
Advertisements to Messrs. Churchill, New Burlington 
Street , London , W. Envelopes indorsed u Pharm. Journ.” 
DEODORIZERS, DISINFECTANTS AND 
ANTISEPTICS. 
So much lias been written on the genuine or as¬ 
sumed merits of agents professing to possess deo¬ 
dorizing, disinfecting and antiseptic qualities, that 
we are not surprised to find in them, as in other 
matters, science and commerce joining hands, and 
working somewhat too closely for the benefit or con¬ 
venience of the general community. Chemists have 
been endeavouring for many years, assisted to a 
greater or lesser extent by the practical experience 
of doctors, to find out an innocuous and efficient de¬ 
stroyer of bad smells, a neutralizer of the baneful 
products of decomposition, and an arrester of that 
process, but with comparatively ill-success. Our 
leading medical and chemical authorities appear still 
to give carbolic acid the first place, for though highly 
poisonous, safety ought to exist in its smell. For, 
in spite of the accidents recorded, we take it that 
none but drunkards or lunatics would ever think of 
swallowing it, and as Mr. Disraeli observed, “ it 
is impossible to legislate for the unaccountable ec¬ 
centricities of stupidity.” The solution of chloride of 
zinc has lately got into disfavour among the “patent 
safety ” organizers, as it is not only poisonous, but 
colourless, and comparatively inodorous. The 
permanganates and the perchloride of iron are good 
in some respects, and convenient, but are costly 5 
and chloralum, chloride of calcium, the “ marvel ” 
fluid, the “ Eureka ” fluid, the “ chlozone disinfect¬ 
ing fluid,” and, for aught we know, many more, are 
still untried, but are all being pushed into the 
market with marvellous persistency and assiduity. 
Meanwhile, we have been favoured with another 
(a very lengthy) communication from “ One of 
the Laity,” who demurs to the editorial remarks 
appended to his letter that appeared on the 28tli of 
September, and again attacks the official scale of 
the Board of Trade. He is probably ignorant of 
the fact that the amiable rulers at Whitehall, 
doubtless with a view of conciliating as many “ deo¬ 
dorizers” as possible, have (wholly unmindful of 
shipowners’ pockets) ordered three varieties of puri¬ 
fiers to be carried, viz., Condy’s fluid, carbolic acid, 
and chlor-alum. This, which may be called the C 
process of disinfection, affords the charm of variety 
to the bewildered captain, and should afford at the 
same time consolation to our discursive correspon¬ 
dent. But, in spite of asseverations to the contrary, 
we find, as a result of much practical experience 
afloat, that carbolic acid is still generally used. Our 
correspondent says that “ carbolic acid has caused 
the death of more people in the last seven years than 
chloride of zinc has occasioned since the time (now 
many years ago) when Sir Wm. Burnett was per¬ 
mitted to foist his fluid on the Royal Navy, much after 
the style wherein carbolic acid has since been foisted 
on the public by certain occult pseudo-scientific in¬ 
fluences.” We cannot, in the absence of categorical 
proof, accept the first statement as gospel. We 
neither know, nor care to know, the particulars of 
“ foisting ” so successfully pursued by the late Sir 
W. Burnett. But if “ One of the Laity ” can sug¬ 
gest some harmless and efficacious variety of carbolic 
acid, “ occult pseudo-scientific influence ” will not be 
required in order to foist it on the public. 
THE JOHN CARGILL BROUGH FUND. 
We have much pleasure in directing attention to 
the announcement respecting this subject, which will 
be found elsewhere. Mr. Brough’s many literary 
and scientific claims to our respect need not be 
mentioned, as they are sufficiently well known. 
To Mr. Brough we are largely indebted for the 
exercise of influence over those, once called “ out¬ 
siders,” whom by his example and his writings he 
persuaded to advance the general good, and to unite 
with one heart and soul in promoting the interests 
of pharmacy. In healing the unhappy disputes 
which then prevailed, Mr. Brough had no minor 
nor inconsiderable share. He was the originator ot 
those monthly written examinations on chemistry 
which have so effectually aided the progress of the 
pharmaceutical student: and he would have been 
formally numbered in our ranks, had not constant 
ill-health and pressing occupations hindered. The 
influential names on the Committee are sufficient 
guarantee that the fund may be cordially supported. 
Probably no one in his lifetime was more eager to 
help others to the utmost of his ability than Mr. 
Brough : he was indeed conspicuous for his daily 
kindnesses. We feel sure that the five children who 
were dependent on him for support will not be left 
unprovided for by that large circle of pharmacists 
to whom the late John Cargill Brough was so 
much endeared, and amongst whom his name was a 
household word. 
The number of candidates entered for the Cam¬ 
bridge University Local Examinations in December 
next is 3075, being an increase of 242 as compared 
with last year. The examinations commence on 
Monday, December 1(5, and are held at 44 centres 
for boys, and 34 for girls. 
