100 I 
THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
[June 10, 1871 ► 
Druggists’ Prices North or the Tweed. 
Sir,—Your correspondent “ S. G. H.” makes reference in 
last Saturday’s Journal to a retail price list, which, he states, 
has been drawn up on this side of “ the border.” I consider 
it my duty as Secretary to the Glasgow Association to state 
that so far as that body is concerned, they have had no hand 
in its compilation; they have not countenanced in any way 
the dispensing of a one-ounce mixture for fourpence, nor have 
they suppressed the origin of the list issued by their authority. 
James M. Fairlie, 
Hon. See. Glasgow Chemists’ Association. 
St. George's Cross, Glasgovv, 5th June, 1871. 
Sir,—“ It. G. U.” (Bradford) is quite entitled to sneer at our 
prices, but we cannot allow him to misrepresent them. He 
quotes 5 i, 3 iss 5 ij mixtures 4 d., Gd. and 8 d. respectively (it 
should be ^i, 4 d. to 6 d.), and afterwards deducts 2^d. for bot¬ 
tles, etc., to estimate how much is left for skilled labour. Will 
it be believed that immediately above the line he quotes, there 
stands “all prices exclusive of bottles”? and that 5 !, ^iss, 
3 ij phials are priced 2d. each in the same price list. 
Edinburgh. A. N. 
The Chemists’ Club. 
Sir,—I was extremely pleased with the suggestion of 
“ Subscriber ” on the above subject in the Journal, and as he 
invites the opinions of those interested, I with much pleasure 
volunteer mine. 
I think that if a club were established under the control 
of our Council, possessing the necessary accommodation for 
country members visiting the metropolis, for students coming 
up for examinations or attending the laboratories, or for assis¬ 
tants seeking situations, also to be used as a resort for London 
members and assistants, it would be an advantage, the neces¬ 
sity of which has long been felt, and which would be much 
appreciated, and would do much, I am sure, to further a feel¬ 
ing of fraternity and good-fellowship among our brother 
members. 
I think a nominal annual subscription, together with a 
moderate charge for accommodation, would be quite a success, 
and that few indeed of our members, in town or country, 
would withhold from subscribing to so useful an institution. 
I hope to hear the opinions of other gentlemen, and that 
it may be well considered and discussed. 
One who would gladly Subscribe. 
Inspection op Weights and Measures. 
Sir,—It has often occurred to my mind whether chemists 
and druggists are really liable to be visited by inspectors of 
weights and measures, and I now beg leave to put forth this 
question through your valuable Journal, if you will kindly 
allow me so to do. It does appear by the enclosed old list 
that there are copies of the imperial standard weights in 
8 -dram, 4-dram, 2 -dram, 1 -dram and ^-dram ; consequently 
all using these weights in way of trading are subject to be 
called upon by these officials; even all dispensing chemists, 
as well as doctors and surgeons who retail. M. P. S. 
A Medley. 
R. Potass. Bicarb. 5\j 
Ammon. Garb. 5ss 
Liq. Ammon. Acet. 3 j 
Sp. Etkeris Nitr. 5 iss 
„ „ Chlor. 5 j 
Yini Ipecac. 5j 
Liq. Cinchon. (Battley) 5 iij 
Syr. Scilloe §ss 
Aquae ad ^viij. 
M. Capt. partm. Gtarn c. 3 ss succ. limon. ter die in statu 
effervescentia. 
The above is the prescriber’s usual remed 3 r for coughs and 
colds, sometimes omitting liq. cinchon., and in one case omit¬ 
ting it, but adding— 
Sp. Ammon. Co. 5 iij 
Liq. Taraxaci 5 vj. 
Highgate. Ale. Marshall. 
C. A. Threadgale. —The answer to the question “if the ' 
calling of a chemist and druggist is a profession” will depend 
mainly upon the way in which that calling is pursued. Our 
correspondent will see some pertinent remarks on the ques¬ 
tion at page 999. 
F. JL. TV. —(1.) We believe that the rule would be to uso- 
the Pharmacopceia preparation. (2.) We are not aware that 
Mr. Wilson has a preference for any particular aqua mellis. 
“ Hydrargyrum.” —The stain may be removed by heating 
the button carefully in a glass-tube until the mercury is 
volatilized. 
M. M. L. —You are quite correct in your supposition. 
J. Hooge. —One of the best books for preparing for the 
Minor Examination in the subject mentioned is Garrod’s 
‘ Essentials of Materia Medica.’ There are also a good work by 
Scoresby-Jackson, a new edition of which has been published 
recently, and Farre’s Abridgment of Pereira’s Materia 
Medica. 
“Ferment.” —Pasteur’s papers on Fermentation were pub¬ 
lished in the ‘ Comptes-Rendus des Seances de T Academie ties- 
Sciences.’ 
F. Liley .— The temperature would be about 180° F. 
“ Cyathus.” —We have already given, at p. 878, a few re¬ 
cipes similar to those you ask for, but it requires only a small 
amount of pharmaceutical ingenuity to produce any of the- 
flavouring syrups used for aerated drinks. 
C. S. —A precipitate must be produced if the medicine be 
dispensed according to the prescription, and if there be the 
proper amount of quinine in the ferro-citrate. 
“ Aquila” had better write to the editor of the Hair¬ 
dressers’ Chronicle. 
“ Dubitas.” —If the preparation be kept, it is liable to ex¬ 
plode. 
A. P. S. (Liverpool).—(1.) We do not know of any autho¬ 
rity for preferring one kind to another. There is a consider¬ 
able difference in the price. (2.) The results obtained appear 
to be of sufficient interest and importance to justify their being- 
made the subject of a paper, and we shall be glad to open the- 
inquiry by publishing them in the Journal in that form. 
“Amygdala.” —A solution containing one scruple in one- 
ounce of water will keep at ordinary temperatures. 
IV. Morgan. —We are obliged for the information, and will 
place it at the disposal of future inquirers. 
A. P. S. —The question has already been asked, but has- 
not yet been answered. 
“ Capsicum.” —Probably because rectified spirit of wine is- 
the better solvent of the active principles. 
A. Parron. — (1.) The most trustworthy test for chloral 
hydrate is the production of chloroform by the action of alka¬ 
lies upon it, but the method of using the test would depend 
upon circumstances. (2.) We have noticed the coloration- 
spoken of, but are not aware of the cause. Probably it is due 
to some slight impurity in the preparation. 
S. Maslcery. —If the pills were put up in boxes containing- 
more than a dose, we think that the label would be liable. 
“ Stucco.” —The action is due to oxidation of the spirit 
vapour induced by the spongy platinum and generating suffi¬ 
cient heat to keep the platinum red-hot and evaporate the- 
perfume. 
“ Guliehnus.” —We think the label is liable as referring to 
a remedy for a disorder, and giving directions for use. 
G. TV. —Mix seven parts of water with one part of the acid 
referred to. 
H. TV. H. —The article mentioned is a proprietary one, and 
we are therefore unable to give the formula for its prepara¬ 
tion. 
“ Inquirer.” —Yv r e know of no authorized formula. 
“Alpha.” —You would probably find the information in a 
work on perfumery. 
G. H. Stricldand. —The amount is very small and variable. 
Erratum.— In last week’s Journal, p. 983, col. 29, line 17 
from top, for “ utmost entire absence” read “ almost entire- 
absence.” 
Communications, Letters, etc., have been received from 
Mr. S. Wilson, Mr. J. H. Kay, Mr. J. Edwards, Mr. E. II. 
Strickland, Mr. D. Hanbury, Mr. R. Manlove, Report of the 
Nottingham and Notts Chemists’ Association, H., “ Spes,’* 
“ Investigatio,” “ Minor,” “ Associate.” 
READING-CASES. — Ashworth’s Patent “Looped 
Binder” Folios, made to hold six, thirteen, or twenty-six 
numbers of the Pharmaceutical Journal, are now ready, 
and may be had of Messrs. Taylor and Co., Printers, 10, Little 
Queen Street, London, W.C., price Is. 6d. Binders, 6d. per gross. 
