418 
chemists’ assistants’ association. 
However carefully the process may be conducted, the product must contain 
more or less protonitrate; this, however, may be easily remedied, by using a 
slight excess of acid, which is rather an advantage than otherwise. 
I have lately used 3 drms. more than that ordered in the B. P., which I find 
to produce an article of a beautiful transparent reddish-brown colour; and 
though when newly prepared it contains a small quantity of protonitrate, this 
is practically of no consequence, as after having been kept a few weeks, it 
changes entirely into the pernitrate; and that so gradually and with so little 
evolution of nitrous gases, as neither to endanger the bottle, nor blow out the 
stopper. 
I am. Sir, yours respectfully, 
J. Nesbit. 
Portohello, N. B., December 19, 18GG. 
CHEMISTS’ CHAEGES. 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL. 
Sir,—In your Journal of last month, one of your correspondents refers to 
“ Chemists’ Charges,” and gives an exa,mple of a bottle of drops, one and a 
half ounce, charged as o^d. and 6c?., both charges to be condemned by the 
majority of dispensing chemists. 
I think the present competition and lowness of prices for dispensing to be a 
matter of deep regret, and worthy of consideration hy the respectable body 
of pharmaceutical chemists ; we should remember it is not only for the com¬ 
mercial value of the drugs we charge for, but also for the skilly and great 
responsibility which rests upon us, responsibiUty as great as resting on any body 
of professional men. 
We also should bear in mind that it is not fair to reckon by the rule. 
Benzole costs so much, olive oil and peppermint so much, but must add to that 
other costs ; for, in the majority of good dispensing businesses, we cannot keep 
apprentices, neither can we have porters or uneducated men about us to give 
assistance, but must employ thoroughly competent assistants, and all this adds 
to the original expense. 
Cheap drugs do not raise the demand. Cheap jdiysic shops and cheap dis¬ 
pensing, neither raise the pharmaceutical chemist, or give satisfaction to the 
public. Cheapness and purity., cheapness and intellectual and scientific qualifi¬ 
cations, cannot go together,—the intrinsic value of the latter will always com¬ 
mand a higher price. 
Another reason one may add. In the present day everything is rising in 
price, from the raw material to that of labour, rents, etc. ; why, then, should 
we be the first to lower prices, which the public do not ask for, jtnd give our 
labour and skill for nothing, which we cannot afford ? 
I am. Sir, yours obediently, 
11, Strand, Torquay. J. B. GuYER. 
CHEMISTS’ ASSISTANTS’ ASSOCIATION. 
London, with all its brilliance, has its shadows ; one of the darkest being the 
small accommodation for the enjoyment of social life offered to young'Jjmen 
engaged in business. It cannot be expected but that those whose time is fully 
