320 
THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. [October 15,1870. 
advantages with. “ Majors ” of which I complain, and that 
injustice I hope to see before long swept away. 
As to showing “brotherly love” toward our “Modified 
brethren,” I think a reperusal by “ Omega” of my letter of 
August 20th will show that I wish to see all fairness done to 
them as to the other members of the community, though I 
cannot help thinking that they already enjoy their share of 
title, for if they wish no higher test of their knowledge than 
the “very modified curriculum” they surely ought to be 
(and doubtless, being of “ retiring dispositions,” are) satisfied 
with what they already possess in “ Chemist, by examination 
of the Pharmaceutical Society.” 
But “ Omega ” goes on to complain that those who have 
passed the Modified Examination do not possess a “ grand 
flaming diploma ” to show for their success. Now, of course 
he cannot be speaking the minds of those gentlemen them¬ 
selves, for they, being of a “retiring demeanour,” would by 
no means wish an opportunity for “parading” their attain¬ 
ments, so he must of necessity be judging them incorrectly in 
one or the other particular when expressing himself in this 
manner. 
I am glad to see that he joins with me in counselling 
“agitation” as the great means for success in this point, 
which “agitation,” however, has been very poorly shown up 
to the present time by the numbers who I am sure are 
desirous of a reformation in these matters. 
I am, Sir, yours obediently, 
“An Aspirant to the Major.” 
Poisonous (?) Feeding Bottles. 
Sm,—I wish to bring under your notice a rather singular 
statement in a letter which has appeared in the Leicester 
Chronicle and Mercury, and to ask the opinion of those more 
experienced than myself whether they consider it possible 
for such a poisonous action to take place. Speaking of the 
now prevalent use of feeding-bottles the writer (Dr. W. L. 
Emmerson) says,— 
“ Unfortunately the caoutchouc or india-rubber decomposes 
the warm milk very quickly, and a poisonous compound re¬ 
mains. Nurses are often surprised when the cork is removed 
and the offensive gas escapes; but they are seldom aware of 
the mischief which the poisonous milk is effecting, and it is 
often too late when the medical man is called to supply a re¬ 
medy. I have often been grieved to see children suffering 
from this cause, and alas, in many cases, the patients were so 
reduced by diarrhoea and blood-poisoning that death was in¬ 
evitable.” 
I can only think that the “ poisonous compound ” mentioned 
by the doctor is sour milk arising from a want of cleanliness 
in not well-washing out and cleaning the tubes before use. 
As it is a rather serious charge against the tribe of “ Feeders” 
now so much in vogue, I lay the letter before your readers 
and am 
Yours, etc. C. B. N. 
Advebtising by Postage Cabds. 
Sir,—I think it high time for the retail trade to adopt some 
effectual means for arresting the evil of wholesale houses 
making the public at large acquainted with trade prices. I 
allude to the advantage that is taken of the halfpenny postage 
cards for advertising (more especially) articles for the toilet. 
Since its adoption on Saturday last I have received three of 
these cards, two of the same not only with trade prices af¬ 
fixed, but stating extra allowances if a certain quantity is 
ordered at one time. 
I may add that one of the preparations is, comparatively 
speaking, a new article in the market, and, in my opinion, 
the proprietor could not possibly have put a more effectual 
obstacle in the way of the retail trade introducing and recom¬ 
mending the articles to the notice of then’ customers than by 
advertising in this public manner both the retail and whole¬ 
sale prices. 
I remain, Sir, yours faithfully, 
Newriham, October 5th. A Countby Chemist. 
Sale oe Poisonous Matebials. 
Sir,—In this district a large quantity of sulphate of copper 
is used for dressing wheat. This trade is being done to some 
extent by grocers, who send out the article with no label, and, 
of course, at sometimes a penny per pound cheaper than the 
chemists. This is obviously unfair,—is it legal ? These men 
would rather not sell the more virulent poisons; customers 
who ask for them arc referred to the nearest druggist, while 
the provision dealer, happy in having no responsibility, pockets 
the profits accruing from the sale of senna, Epsom salts, 
castor-oil, and a variety of articles certainly not in the cate- 
gory of provisions.' If the Pharmacy Act gives the pharma¬ 
cist and the druggist a greater responsibility, it should also 
give him protection. Sulphate of copper looked at in the 
light of sugat's, and retailed at 3 %d. per pound, is derogatory 
to the dignity of the beautiful crystal, and the people who 
vend it are treading on our corns. Can you give me the 
remedy ? 
Yours, etc., 
October 4 th, 1870. Bbeasting the Hill. 
Pharmacy and Medical Practitioners. —We have received 
a letter from Mr. George Mee, stating that in consequence of 
only a portion of a former communication having appeared 
in the Journal of last week, his meaning is liable to be mis¬ 
interpreted. He thinks that chemists cannot appreciably 
lower their charges, and that this is never done without a cor¬ 
responding deterioration in the skill and materials employed. 
If practitioners made their attendance more valuable, they 
would order less medicine; and in good neighbourhoods, 
where practitioners have given up their dispensing, not a 
tithe of the medicine has been prescribed, without any loss of 
prestige on their part. 
[# # # From want of space we are unable to print the letter 
entire.—E d. Ph. J.] 
An Assistant (Thirsk) complains that some chemists do not 
make the tinctures, etc., which they sell retail, according to 
the B. P., and thus are enabled to undersell others who do. 
He suggests that the liability to a penalty of £5 for not 
making up prescriptions according to the B. P. should be ex¬ 
tended, and that before going any further with the poison 
question, steps should be taken to secure a uniform strength 
for all tinctures, spirits, etc. 
J. M. Paldoclc. —Our correspondent’s letter does not con¬ 
tain anything that is not thoroughly well known and appre¬ 
ciated, and since his arguments do not seem relevant to the 
subject he refers to, the publication of his letter would be on 
all grounds undesirable. 
J. Pingley (Northampton).—We believe that the hydrated 
chloride of aluminum is being introduced by Messrs. Bolton 
and Co., Holborn Bars. 
“Young Dispenser ” (Oldham) should apply at the War 
Office. 
“ Spero.” —(l.)’The examinations must be passed sepa¬ 
rately. (2.) Bentley’s ‘Manual of Botany’ will be ready in 
a few days. (3.) At a herbalist’s. (4.) Either would pro¬ 
bably suit. (5.) Yes, if properly studied. 
T. L. (Everton).—We do not know of a work so compre¬ 
hensive that is published at so low a price. 
An Apprentice of the Society (Bromley).—There is danger 
of an explosion while rubbing up chlorate of potash with any 
organic substance. 
J. Thompson (Liverpool) should appty to the Excise Com¬ 
missioners at Somerset House. 
“ Cymri ” (Chester).—There is a work by Mulder on wine, 
but not, that we are aware, one on beer. 
Andrew Parfoot (Leicester).—An article will shortly ap¬ 
pear on the subject referred to, so far as is consistent with 
its treatment in a pharmaceutical journal. 
G. P. (London).—The Botanical Exchange Club, of which 
Dr. J. Boswell Syme is the Curator. A copy of the last 
Report and the Regulations of the Club might be obtained 
by applying to the Secretary, Dr. Trimen, 71, Guilford Street, 
Russell Square. 
Communications, Lettebs, etc., have been received from 
Mr. F. B. Benger (Manchester), Dr. Divers (London), Mr. 
T. B. Groves (Weymouth), Mr. A. H. Mason (Liverpool), 
Mr. Houlton (Witherby), Mr. F. M. Rimmington (Brad¬ 
ford), Mr. W. W. Stoddart (Bristol). 
Instructions from Members and Associates respecting the 
transmission of the Journal should be sent to Elias Brem- 
bidge, Secretary, 17, Ploomsbury Square, W.C. 
Advertisements to Messrs. Churchill, New Purlington 
Street, London, Tf r . Envelopes to be endorsed for “ Phartn. 
JournP 
