162 
BRITISH PHARMACEUTICAL CONFERENCE. 
One eminent firm has adopted the plan of keeping all dangerous things, as Tinct. 
Opii, Liquor Morpliise, Morphine, Strychnine, etc., in tin cases, without covers, as 
tall as the tops of the stoppers, and so large that the bottles must be taken out to be 
used. 
There is also on the table a specimen of a metal band for poison bottles, invented by 
Mr. Batchelor, of Fareliam. 
Lastly, Merrikin’s caution bottle, for dispensing, similar in its principle to his cau¬ 
tion bottle for the shop, but differing in form, the principle of both being that of ap¬ 
pealing to the sense of touch, and being permanent, effective, and unmistakable, which 
cannot be said of others. 
Our third division of suggestions comes under the head of—• 
SALE OF POISONS. 
It has been suggested on this subject that certain peculiarly dangerous poisons, such 
as Strychnia, Morphia, Prussic Acid, etc., should not be sold in an unmixed state 
without a medical order, under any circumstances whatever. 
That poisons such as Laudanum, Oxalic Acid, and others in common use, should 
as far as practicable be sold only to persons of mature age, and personally known to 
the vender. 
That no poison be sold in dangerous quantity by any assistant or apprentice without 
the express sanction of the principal. 
That dry poisons, such as Oxalic Acid, Sugar of Lead, Bed and White Precipitates, 
etc. etc., be invariably folded in black paper, having the usual label with the name of 
the article, and in addition a label with the word “ Poison ” in bold white letters on a 
black ground carefully attached. 
This concludes the suggestions which have been made to your Committee. Many 
of them meet with their most cordial approval, and will be recommended by them as 
worthy of universal adoption. 
Your Committee have now to lay before you the practical deductions which they 
have drawn from the consideration* of the facts and suggestions brought under their 
notice. 
The first is, that there are seventeen of the twenty-five cases of accidental poisoning, 
in which there is every reason to believe that a thoroughly effective poison-bottle 
would have prevented the accident. 
Next, that there are at least three cases in which, had the poison sold been wrapped 
in paper of distinctive character, and labelled as suggested, there is reason to believe 
that the accident would not have occurred. 
Thus w r e have the encouraging assurance that at least 80 per cent, of the usual 
cases of accidental poisoning may hereafter be prevented, by the use of such meaus. 
Your Committee therefore beg to express their obligation to those brethren who 
have assisted them by their counsel and suggestions, which if not very numerous have 
been very practical, and have enabled your Committee to hope that tlieir labours will 
not have been in vain. They trust that the following recommendations will meet with 
the approval of all who are in earnest in seeking to avoid the terrible consequences of 
error in their most responsible duties. 
Your Committee are happy to be able to observe, that only one of the twenty-five 
cases of accidental poisoning occurred apparently through ignorance , and that in a 
case calling loudly for legislative interference to restrict the sale of poisons to educated 
persons ; but although this case was not that of a chemist or his assistant, we dare not 
assume that only grocers' tvives need to be more highly educated than they are. Your 
Committee therefore beg respectfully to commend to every one engaged in the practice 
of pharmacy, the present facilities for acquiring a good theoretical as well as practical 
knowledge of their business, feeling assured that such knowledge is the best founda¬ 
tion for future safety and usefulness in their calling. 
They next remind their brethren that they consider it indispensable to safety, that 
a separate and suitable part of their shop or premises should be set apart for dispens¬ 
ing prescriptions, wherever this has not already been done. 
Also, that in the dispensing department or other suitable place, there be a reperto - 
rium toxicorvm , or poison cupboard , under lock and key, in which should be kept all 
