September 1C, 1871.] THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
235 
does come we shall have the new atomic weights, and a 
binary notation and nomenclature in conformity with 
the new system alone. Thus will Dr. Hofmann’s pro¬ 
phecy be fulfilled as regards another important branch 
of practical chemistry. 
One of the proposed changes is, that the names should 
convey more accurately the actual chemical composition 
as found by analyses. Thus, it is proposed that the 
term oxyacetate of copper should be used for verdigris. 
The few cases met with in the Pharmacopoeia similar to 
the above one are, I think, better got over by using 
trivial names, just as we in the Pharmacopoeia specify a 
certain well-known quality of carbonate of calcium as 
chalk, although we have at the same time the pure 
article as far as ordinary chemical processes will give it. 
In fact, it is hard to say how the excess of oxide of 
copper found in the verdigris can be considered any 
more or less of an impurity than the silica found in the 
chalk. I am of opinion that we are rather too much in¬ 
clined to view chemical decompositions as much too 
sharp and definite, and then in some instances to be too 
particular. Because we see a voluminous precipitate 
tumble down on adding hydrochloric acid to nitrate of 
silver, we are naturally predisposed to consider it as a 
perfect precipitation of all trace of silver; but, al¬ 
though such may practically be the case as far as our 
method of detection goes, it is really a rearrangement of 
the balance of forces which has a limit; and it is most 
probable that even with this the most definite of reac¬ 
tions, the precipitations is incomplete, and that, if we had 
instruments or reactions delicate enough, we should per- 
■eeive such to be the case. That is to say, in nature 
there is no such thing as very sharp and hard lines. 
Thus, when we get a basic carbonate of magnesium on 
mixing carbonate of sodium and sulphate of magnesium 
in equivalent proportions, it is merely that some of the 
carbonic anhydride is partitioned off by the new arrange¬ 
ment of the forces; that the point where this parti¬ 
tioning off lies depends upon many circumstances, but 
principally that of temperature, and we get a preci¬ 
pitate of carbonate of magnesium, containing variable 
■quantities of oxide of magnesium as an accidental impu¬ 
rity. Under such circumstances, should we not be 
nearer the truth by retaining the name carbonate of 
magnesium in this and similar cases, and give the nota¬ 
tion as a hydrated carbonate of magnesium, and merely 
state amongst its characteristics that it contains gene¬ 
rally 10 per cent, of oxide of magnesium ? 
I think the great difficulty in the perfect acceptation 
■of the new nomenclature and notation in Pharmacy is, 
that most of the medical licensing bodies do not make it 
compulsory that the candidates should answer in the 
new notation. As long as it is optional with the medical 
student, it will never be perfectly adopted, for Pharmacy 
must sail in company with the practice of medicine. 
Now we find that in the year 1870 there were in this 
Bingdom 1160 medical students registered, being much 
in excess of the pharmacists. With the Pharmaceutical 
student the acceptation of the new system is easy; 
■chemistry is his principal and most difficult study. With 
Botany it constitutes all his science ; he must have both 
•a theoretical and practical knowledge of it, or he is no 
pharmacist. He therefore will not mind a little more 
Irouble, for the new system is a degree and only a de¬ 
cree more difficult. But chemistry hitherto has formed 
But a moiety of the medical student’s study, and the 
little he did learn he looked upon as a matter of se¬ 
condary importance. In such a case, if the student is 
presented with two roads, he will very materially take 
fhe short one. 
Before concluding, I may as well state that I consider 
the nomenclature of the compound preparations of the 
Pharmacopoeia open to a little revision; this would, 
however, be too long a subject to go into here. Thus I 
take it, that all those preparations should be named ac¬ 
cording to their most active therapeutic ingredient, 
the substances used as vehicles being ignored. If more 
than one active ingredient is used, it should be called a 
“compound” preparation. This is hardly carried out 
by the name ‘ tinctura c amphorae composita,’ a prepara¬ 
tion where there are 40 grains of opium to 30 of cam¬ 
phor ; by the omission of composita from tinctura sennoc, 
or tinctura rhei, whilst such names as linimentum po- 
tassii iodidi cum saponc might be shortened by leaving 
out the latter part. I hope, however, we shall have as 
little change as possible ; but when we do make any, let 
it be to keep pace with the progress of science. Thero 
is no danger of Macaulay’s New Zealander appearing 
on London Bridge for some generations to come ; there¬ 
fore, there is a long period before it for Pharmacy to 
assert itself in this country. It is to be done by ever bear¬ 
ing in view “that banner with the strange device— 
‘ Excelsior.’ ” 
Votes of Thanks. 
Dr. Proctor moved a vote of thanks to the authors of 
the papers which had been read at the Conference. 
Mr. Kinninmont seconded the'motion, which was una¬ 
nimously agreed to, and the thanks of the meeting were 
conveyed by the Chairman. 
Mr. Sciiacht moved that the cordial thanks of tho 
Conference and non-resident members be given to Mr. 
Mackay, Mr. Baildon, and the other members of the 
Local Committee for their successful efforts in organizing 
the present meeting, and for the excellent manner in 
which they had made all the necessary arrangements. 
He said they had been fortunate in having been received 
in such a cordial manner, and with such hospitality and 
enthusiasm, by the Committee in Edinburgh. 
Mr. Savage seconded the motion, which was sup¬ 
ported by Mr. Atkins and Dr. Attfield, and cordially 
agreed to. 
Mr. Baildon (as Chairman of the Local Committee) 
returned thanks. 
The Chairman then read a letter from Mr. Reynolds 
as follows :— 
11 Leeds, July 29 th, 1871. 
“My dear Mr. President,—The effects of my late 
accident incapacitate me from joining in the various 
gatherings, whether for business or social objects, which 
happily blend at our Annual Conferences. 
“ This deprivation causes me regrets, but they are 
greatly tempered by a consideration of the perfect suc¬ 
cess of our Association, and the belief that in tho ‘Year- 
Book of Pharmacy’ the Conference has found a talisman 
which will secure the lasting adhesion of its large and 
rapidly-increasing roll of members. 
“ I have also to ask that I may not again be nomi¬ 
nated as one of the General Secretaries. 
“ My fellow-members have a right to the statement 
respecting the past management of the Conference which 
I now desire to make. The general direction of its 
affairs has been in the hands of Professor Attfield, and 
month by month and year by year he has devoted his 
valuable time to its general guidance, and not less to 
the performance of the minute duties of routine, with a 
constancy, forethought and method that has been simply 
perfect. Of the success of the present meeting, and its 
many pleasant circumstances, no one can feel a doubt 
who knows anything of the attractions of “ modern 
Athens,” and of the earnestness and executive abilities 
of our brethren who have offered us welcome to the 
Conference. 
“With grateful thanks to those colleagues and other 
fellow-members, to whom I am indebted for so many 
evidences of kindly feeling during an intercourse ot 
eight years, 
“ I am, my dear Sir, 
“ Very faithfully yours, 
“ Richd. Reynolds. 
