530 
THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
[January 18, 1873, 
appointment,” and the consciousness of doing good, will fully 
reimburse them for both time and any little pecuniary loss in 
the shape of stamps and paper, etc. 
Gknerositate. 
January 14 th, 1873. 
Fellows of the Pharmaceutical Socibtt. 
Sir,—I beg to make a suggestion in reference to the above’ 
as chemists in active business have but little leisure to devote 
to the scientific advancement of pharmaceutical chemistry, 
and still less to give much attention to analysis, ether than 
their own business requirements, though, of course, all are not 
alike situated. 
I c vnnot help feeling the force in the remarks of Dr. Att- 
field in respect to the great difficulty he experiences in induc¬ 
ing talented young men to remain in the ranks of pharmacy, 
owing probably to the unattractive prospects behind a retail 
counter that present themselves to the studious mind of a 
man who has attained a high standard at Bloomsbury; thus 
man y arc drifted away into other channels, and discoveries that 
might otherwise brighten the pharmaceutical horizon, and 
elevate its status, are lost. 
, In order to remedy this state of affairs, would it not be ad¬ 
visable to appropriate the surplus (or a portion of the) funds 
ot the Society towards the foundation and endowment of 
“Fellowships,” tenable for a certain period, or for life in some 
instances, as may be thought expedient, and under certain 
conditions? 
Thus men obtaining these distinctions would be free to pur¬ 
sue their investigations, and in their own way become real 
helpmates to their less favoured brethren, and would be the 
men of all others to select as public analysts, and also as 
teachers and demonstrators to the various provincial associa¬ 
tions. 
Of course these fellowships would be open to men already 
in business, and would not prevent young men, who may 
obtain one, entering business if they choose. 
Trusting the suggestion may not prove entirely useless, I 
am, Sir, yuurs respectfully, 
Chemist. 
PJtyl, January 9 th, 1873. 
Association op Assistants. 
Sir,—I believe that not a few of the chemists’ assistants in 
London have of late been considering how much their interests 
might be furthered, and their educational requirements ad¬ 
vanced, by the formation of an association amongst them. 
"W e hear of several being already instituted by assistants 
in some of the leading provincial towns, and surely there is 
no reason why we, so numerous a body, in London, should 
not be able to raise an association, and one, too, of consider¬ 
able importance. 
Our examinations, we have been informed, are to become 
more stringent than they now are, so that there is need of 
some exertion on our part if w r e would meet successfully the 
well-meaning advances of education, as well as the worthy 
Board of Examiners. 
We know that the numbers are comparatively few who 
have the privilege or means of attending lectures, laboratories, 
or schools of medicine, but we may feel sure that the numbers 
would be very considerable who could attend evening classes, 
and practical instruction, if an association were founded 
where we might, at a moderate expense, have teachers for 
the difl'erent subjects. Much could be said on the advantages 
that would be derived by our having such a means of comin^ 
together, but this may suffice to introduce the subject. 
_ What we require, then, is the kind assistance and sugges¬ 
tions of some of the leading gentlemen connected with the 
trade in town, who know how to set about the matter, and 
where to select a central place for the institution; and there 
are not a few who, I am sure, will consider it a pleasure to 
contribute their energies towards such a praiseworthy cause. 
I have no doubt, many intelligent and active assistants will 
also gladly give their services, as far as they can, in whatever 
way may be required, towards seeing established, ere long, an 
influential “ Chemists’ Assistants’ Association” in London. 
Robert Thomson. 
390, Uolborn, W.C., January 14 th, 1873. 
A Word op Caution. 
Sir,—We think it desirable to put chemists throughout the- 
country on their guard, with respect to various wine and 
other agencies which are being hawked about. 
The following case has just come under our notice :—A man. 
called upon one of our customers, soliciting him to become an 
agent for one of these companies; he objected for some time, 
but was ultimately persuaded to undertake it. A paper was 
then produced for his signature, which he incautiously signed.. 
Thinking next day he had not been sufficiently careful, he- 
looked at the paper, a copy of which was left with him, and 
found he had agreed to take about £100 worth of wine and 
give a bill on receipt of the goods at four months. He wrote 
at once to the parties cancelling the order, but they would not 
consent, and after some correspondence, served a writ upon 
him. He placed the matter in the hands of some respect¬ 
able solicitor, who eventually compromised it for £20. 
As this is not the first instance of the kind which has come 
to our knowledge, one case involving the man in ruin, we- 
think a word of caution to chemists and others is not out off 
place, urging them not to sign any paper until they 
thoroughly understand the purport of it, and to what it ren¬ 
ders them liable. 
Preston and Sons. 
83, Leadenhall Street, January 15 th, 1873. 
Curiosities in Dispensing. 
Sir,—I, in common with many of your correspondents who 
have written on the above subject, occasionally meet with 
remarkable formulae brought to be dispensed. 
The following, I think, may fairly claim a place in the first 
rank of “ Curiosities in Dispensing ” :— 
R. Nitrous acid.2 drams. 
Dilute Phos. Acid.6 „ 
Chloroform ........ A ,, 
Paregoric Elixir.ll ,, 
Tinct. Cardam.1^ „ 
Simple Syrup.1 „ 
Mix. 
The verbal message given was to make it up with the- 
strong acid and no water. The chloroform, of course, re¬ 
mained at the bottom, and there were no directions to shake- 
the bottle, or, still worse, what dose was to be taken. 
J. H. Baldock. 
South Norwood, Jan. lith, 1873. 
Analysis op Milk. 
Sir,—Allow me to call the attention of milk analysts to an 
adulterant which I have not yet seen mentioned,—anatto; it 
disguises the sky-blue tint, and enables skimmed or partially 
skimmed milk to be sold as new, and possibly might inter¬ 
fere with the use of the lactoscope. 
J. Slade. 
Messrs. White and Chignell, J. JLofthouse and Brothivood .— 
The advertisements and post-office orders have been handed to 
the publisher. They should have been seat to Messrs. J. and 
A. Churchill, New Burlington Street. See the Notice to 
Advertisers, published every week on the second page of the 
advertising sheet. 
Sydney Taylor .—TV e do not think the charges were high, 
considering that stoppered bottles were used; but may sug¬ 
gest that it would hare been preferable to have used ordinary- 
corked bottles, in which ca-se a lower charge would have been 
sufficient. 
An Associate .—The words quoted refer to the practical 
part of the examination. 
M. Graham .—We thank you for your suggestion, but the- 
plan is adopted more frequently than you appear to suspect. 
“ Cert us :—(1) An Associate becomes such by election by 
the Council, not by examination. (2) It would depend upon 
the terms ot the agreement. Consult a solicitor. 
‘’Junior .”—The limitation as to age does not come into 
operation until 1874. 
“Plumule.” — McNicoll’s Dictionary of Terms and 
Walker’s i’ronouneing Dictionary. 
Communications, Letters, etc., nave been received from 
Messrs. E. Charlwood, T. G-arside, Goldsworthy, J. Slade,. 
J. R. L c’cson, F. J. B rrett, H. 13. U., T. C. 
