May 6,1871.] 
THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
893 
PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY, EDINBURGH. 
The last Scientific Meeting of the North British Branch 
took place in St. George’s Hall, on Monday evening, 24th 
April, at half past eight o’clock; Mr. Aitken, President, 
in the chair. 
Mr. Paton, Assistant-Keeper in the Industrial Mu¬ 
seum, was introduced by the President and road a paper, 
“ On the History of Oriental Spices.” 
The paper was illustrated by coloured drawings and 
specimens. It will be printed in a future number. 
A vote of thanks to Mr. Paton for his interesting com¬ 
munication was proposed by Mr. Young, seconded by 
Mr. Leitch, and carried with acclamation. 
The President then proceeded to give his Valedictory 
Address:— 
Gentlemen,—We are now come to the close of the 
last meeting of another session, and I think we may 
congratulate ourselves on this being in all respects the 
best attended, the most agreeable, and fully as instructive 
as any of former years. 
During the past session we have had various and valu¬ 
able papers on scientific subjects from gentlemen of the 
highest standing in science and the arts. 
In November last Dr. Stevenson Macadam favoured 
ns with an able paper on Fermentation. In the course 
of this lecture, after having referred to the old theory, 
the lecturer introduced the more rpcent improvements 
of Dr. Tyndall, Monsieur Pasteur and Dr. Angus Smith. 
Dr. Macadam, in his usual happy manner, illustrated 
these with many diagrams and tables. 
At our next meeting, which took place in the Masonic 
Hall on the evening of the 23rd January, Dr. Balfour, 
Professor of Botany in the University, very kindly gave 
a lecture on Ipecacuanha-root and its Cultivation in the 
Royal Botanic Gardens here. The Professor had a large 
and an attentive audience. This lecture, most ably 
delivered, was illustrated by many specimens, diagrams 
and a number of living plants, together with a large 
collection of drawings, beautifully painted from nature 
by Mr3. Balfour. 
Again, in February we had a very popular lecture 
from Professor Archer, of the Museum of Science and 
Art, the subject being the History and Properties of 
Isinglass and Allied Substances, with the manner in 
which it is procured, prepared and used. Specimens of 
the air-bladders of fishes in the different forms in which 
they are dried for preservation and use were shown in 
illustration. 
After making a few observations on some of the 
peculiarities and fondness of the Chinese, Japanese and 
other Oriental nations for gelatinous substances similar 
to isinglass, the Professor concluded by stating the great 
difficulty and expense incurred in procuring such forms 
as these, and specially mentioned the fabulous prices 
given for edible birds’-nests, etc. 
Our fourth scientific meeting, on the evening of the 
22nd February, was enhanced by a paper on a discovery 
of Priestley, given by James Dewar, Esq., F.R.S.E. & 
F.C.S. This lecture was exceedingly well illustrated by 
several practical experiments and was much applauded 
throughout. 
Mr. Dewar, having given an interesting account of 
the successive experiments made by Joseph Priestley in 
1772 in connection with fixed air, how produced and its 
effects on vegetable life, traced the discoveries subse¬ 
quently made by scientific inquirers into the connection 
betwixt light and the life of plants. A few beautiful 
specimens of these were exhibited, and the lecture 
brought to a termination by Mr. Dewar promising at 
some future time to favour us with another paper on 
some popular subject connected with our profession. 
Then again to-night, being the winding-up of the 
business of this session, we have been earnest listeners 
to the very admirable paper 4 On the History of Oriental 
Spices’ from Mr. Paton, Assistant-Keeper, Edinburgh 
Museum of Science and Art. The excellence of this 
example of Mr. Paton’s researches on the subject, and 
the able and fluent manner in which it has been illus¬ 
trated and brought before us, has already drawn from 
you unmistakable evidence of the pleasure afforded,—I 
think also of your desire to hear him again; and I have 
no doubt, should ‘the learned gentleman see his way to 
favour us with a like paper next session, the obligation 
will be acknowledged and appreciated by every one of 
us. 
I am glad to say, gentlemen, that the large number of 
candidates presenting themselves for examination, and 
who have been successful in passing during this session, 
testify most clearly to their careful attention and study. 
The proficiency in many cases being so decidedly marked, 
manifested on their part an anxiety to get through 
creditably and with honour. 
I might here, gentlemen, take some notice of the 
queestio vexata , which is causing such a sensation at the 
present time amongst the members of the drug trade. 
Both sides, however, being so ably championed, and the 
feelings of each so well ventilated in the Pharmaceutical. 
Journal, and also in the Chemist and Druggist, I think 
it advisable to leave this alone, seeing that to-night we 
have so little time for any discussion upon the subject. 
At the same time, my own conviction is, should legisla¬ 
tive enactments be necessary for enforcing compulsory 
poison regulations on us, they ought certainly not to bo 
one-sided, but include surge on-druggists a3 well, and all 
others who sell or dispense poisons in any shape what¬ 
ever. In the establishments of this city the greatest care 
is taken to secure the public from danger; and while we 
are all anxious and willing to make such arrangements, 
and use such precautions and safeguards as suit our own 
places of business, with every satisfaction to our cus¬ 
tomers, I cannot see that any Legislative Council what¬ 
ever has the right to burden us with their enactments, 
unless with the full consent of those so deeply concerned. 
You will have observed a very modest intimation of 
some six or eight words at the bottom of the billet call¬ 
ing this meeting. It simply states that subscriptions to 
the Benevolent Fund are earnestly requested. You are all 
well aware that in every large community many do fall 
somehow into difficulties; it may be through some severe 
dispensation of Providence, or it may have been their 
own imprudence, or their want of sufficient care, atten¬ 
tion and energy in conducting their business. In what¬ 
ever way this has happened, they are kept down by the 
heavy hand of misfortune and poverty, rarely able to get 
up again. It is to such as these the Benevolent Fund 
brings relief, and it has been the means of making the 
widow’s heart sing for joy, and it has brought, in many 
cases, some degree of comfort and happiness to many a 
poor and desolate fireside. We are commanded to re¬ 
member the poor, the surety is unquestionable : For he 
that giveth to the poor, lendeth to the Lord. 
And now, gentlemen, before retiring from the position 
of president, to which you so kindly elected me, and 
having enjoyed the honour for three successive sessions, 
may I venture to express the hope that the duties of the 
chair have been conducted to your satisfaction. 
I would wish also to tender my sincere thanks to those 
gentlemen who have evinced such an interest in our 
meetings, and have ever readily and handsomely come 
forward and given us so many valuable papers, lectures 
and communications on scientific subjects. 
And to all of you, gentlemen, my sincere acknowledg¬ 
ments are due for your continued good will and courtesy 
on every occasion of our meeting together. I trust a 
large measure of like kindness may be accorded to my 
successor, Mr. Baildon, a gentleman well known to all 
of you, of the highest standing as a pharmacist, and one 
of the oldest members of this Society in Scotland. 
As to the younger brethren, and those who have al¬ 
ready passed or are about to pass their first examination, 
I would just say, having made a good beginning, sec that 
