Jamary 13,1872.] THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
571 
% l^niwtcufital Journal 
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1S72. 
Conmunications for this Journal, and books for review,etc., 
shouU be addressed to the Editor, 17, Bloomsbury Square. 
Instructions from Members and Associates respecting the 
transnission of the Journal should be sent to Elias Brem- 
ridge. Secretary, 17, Bloomsbury Square , TV. C. 
Advertisements to Messrs. Churchill, New Burlington 
Street, London, IV. Envelopes indorsed u Pharm. Journ.” 
SHIPS’ MEDICINE CHESTS. 
Reports have recently been circulating among 
the shipping community to the effect that bad or 
adulterated drugs are frequently supplied to the 
medicine chests of our merchant ships. This is an 
important question, inasmuch as more than 27,000 
ocean-going ships leave the ports of the United 
Kingdom every year, so that the subject is a matter 
of special interest to many of our readers, particu¬ 
larly those who reside in the ports of London, Liver¬ 
pool and Glasgow. It is well known that the 
Marine Department of the Board of Trade autho¬ 
rize a list of medicines and medical stores, which 
was, we believe, first used when the Merchant Ship¬ 
ping Act of 1854 came into operation. This list was 
entirely revised and much simplified in 1867 under 
the terms of the Duke of Richmond’s Act. All 
drugs likely to be harmful in the hands of a non¬ 
professional person were eliminated from the scale ; 
simplicity was studied in the sort of medicines 
chosen, and a Medical Guide, written strictly up 
to the scale of medicines ordered, was compiled 
by Mr. Harry Leach for the use of ship captains, 
and authorized by the Board of Trade to be carried 
with the chest in all merchant ships trading to any 
place out of the United Kingdom. 
The revised scale (as well as the book of instruc¬ 
tions) is, of course, capable of further improve¬ 
ment ; but the general verdict as regards both has 
been very favourable. The subject to which, how¬ 
ever, we desire specially to refer, viz. the adultera¬ 
tion of the drugs supplied to merchant ships, has 
formed the text of a leading article which lately ap¬ 
peared in the columns of the Shipping Gazette, the 
“Jupiter” of journals among the mercantile marine 
community. The statements made as to adulteration 
are very vague, and, indeed, appear to be mere 
rumour. It is possible, however, that some of our 
readers may be able and willing to enlighten us on 
the matter; and it need hardly be said that we shall 
prefer to receive facts rather than opinions. Mean¬ 
while, it is proposed that all medicines and medical 
stores sent to sea for the use of ships’ crews shall be 
examined officially and supplied from bonded ware¬ 
houses, in accordance with arragements now in force 
as to the supplies of lime and lemon juice. The 
Board of Trade may, indeed, under the terms of the 
last Merchant Shipping Act, appoint inspectors to 
examine all medicines shipped; but this section has- 
been, up to the present time, practically a dead letter. 
The new Merchant Shipping Code (which may or 
may not become law during the next ten years) pro¬ 
poses that all medicines etc. shipped shall be brought 
under the Adulteration of Food and Drinks Act. 
Whether either or neither of these plans be adopted, 
it is eminently the duty of chemists in maritime 
towns to contemplate this question in all its bear¬ 
ings. We know that there are some in their ranks 
who particularly desire official interference and su¬ 
pervision. But the necessity for such interference 
must be plainly stated, and still more plainly proved. 
Analytical, as well as other skilled evidence of an 
overwhelming kind was in 1867 brought to show 
that the so-called lime juice sent to sea was in many 
cases a filthy or an inert compound, and then, but 
not till then, the Government stepped in, and 
genuine antiscorbutic is now ensured to the sailor. 
If direct legislation as to medicine and medical stores, 
be required, we believe that an equally direct re¬ 
medy is not far to seek. But the facts must be con¬ 
clusive, and the evidence very strong, before sys¬ 
tematic inspectional supervision can be fairly con¬ 
sidered necessary. 
THE CHEMISTS’ BALL. 
This pleasant reunion of chemists and their friends 
is announced to take place on Wednesday next, the 
17th instant, at Willis’s Rooms, King Street, St, 
James’s. The list of stewards is, as usual, very in¬ 
fluential, and comprises a goodly number of pro¬ 
vincial pharmacists. Mr. T. D. Watson, the inde¬ 
fatigable honorary Secretary of former years, is, we 
regret to learn, prevented by domestic affliction front 
filling this office on the present occasion. The Com¬ 
mittee have, however, succeeded in enlisting the 
services of Professor Attfield as chairman, Mr. R„ 
Betson Warrick (of Messrs. Warrick Brothers) 
as Secretary, and Mr. Thomas Billing, the grace¬ 
ful M.C. of previous years, occupies the post of 
Treasurer. We may safely predict that the Ball of 
1872 will be as successful and as enjoyable as any 
that have preceded it. 
To prevent disappointment, immediate applica¬ 
tion for the remaining tickets should be made to 
either of the following gentlemen:—Mr. Richard- 
Bremridge, 17, Bloomsbury Square, W.C.; Mr. 
Thomas Billing, Hon. Treasurer, 148, New Bond 
Street, W.; Mr. R. Betson Warrick, Hon. Secretary,. 
2, Yerulam Buildings, Gray’s Inn, W.C. 
THE LEGAL RELATIONS BETWEEN SURGEONS, 
APOTHECARIES AND PHARMACEUTISTS. 
The following remarks on the relations between 
surgeons, apothecaries and pharmaceutists as defined 
by law, are taken from an “ Abstract of the Principal 
Laws affecting the Medical Profession, by L. G. 
Glenn, Esq., LL.B., Barrister-at-Law, which is pro- 
