METHYLATED SPIRIT. 
345 
Clifton should be solicited, in order to give greater weight to such memorial. He then 
alluded to the question of early closing and other local matters, and concluded by ap¬ 
pealing to those present to contribute papers during the present Session, in order that 
the business of the Association might not be brought to a standstill; assuring those 
gentlemen who had not yet contributed papers, that the information they would gain 
during their researches on the subject they may select, would amply repay them for their 
trouble, besides giving them a taste for the acquisition of scientific knowledge,—remarking 
that if our pinions of thought were not sufficiently strong to carry us to the top of the 
tree of science, at all events, by nestling in its lower branches we shall be able to gather 
for ourselves some of the smaller, and be better fitted to appreciate and relish the finer 
fruit which may be thrown down by others. 
ORIGINAL AND EXTRACTED ARTICLES. 
SALE OF METHYLATED SPIRIT AND FINISH. 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL. 
October 26, 1866. 
Dear Sir,—I received the enclosed answer to my inquiries, which, if of service, 
you may print in the Journal. 
In Mr. Sturton’s letter to the Inland Revenue Office, which is in our last 
Journal, he asks if Methylated Finish might be used in making lin. saponis. 
As Mr. Corbett’s reply is that Methylated Spirit may be used for such pur¬ 
poses, I wrote for further explanation, as it appeared to me that Methylated 
Finish and Methylated Spirit were being confounded together. 
I presume, as we are allowed to use Methylated Spirit in making medicines 
for external purposes, we are allowed to keep it without paying for a licence. 
Yours truly, 
J. Melhuish. 
Inland Revenue., Somerset House, London, W.C., 
October, 1866. 
“ Sir, —I am desired to acquaint you, in reply to your inquiry of the 19th instant, 
that methylated spirit may be used in the preparation of any article for external appli¬ 
cation, provided such article be not capable of being taken internally by man or animal. 
“ Methylated Finish, however, is now absolutely prohibited in any preparation. 
“ I am, Sir, your obedient servant, 
“ Wm. Corbett. 
“ Mr. J. Melhuish.^’ 
METHYLATED SPIRIT. 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL. 
Sir,—Perhaps the following letter may serve to throw a little more light on 
the above subject. 
Most chemists and druggists are aware that they will be allowed, after the 
31st December to keep in stock preparations such as lin. saponis co., lin. camph. 
CO. etc., made with methylated spirit, but the Board of Inland Revenue never 
gave any intimation that those who made these preparations on their own pre¬ 
mises would be allowed to keep the spirit in stock for the purpose. 
I myself have seen the difficulty for some time, and thereupon addressed a 
letter to the Board on the matter. The reply, I think, will be found satis¬ 
factory, which is as follows. 
I am, Sir, yours truly, 
John Hurst, 
Louth, Nov. 15, 1866. 
VOL. VIII. 2 A 
