NOTES ON PllESCRIBING. 
613 
As bearing on the remuneration part of the subject, I may also say that I hail 
the prospect of a speedy incorporation of the whole trade, but that I should 
rejoice therein much more could I hope that those to be admitted into member¬ 
ship with the Society, would endeavour to raise their prices as well as themselves 
to a higher level (a reform much needed),—instead of fearing, as I do, that some 
of them will quote that membership in support of the statement that their cheap 
physic is as good as that of their higher-charging neighbour. I shall be glad to 
find my fear a false one. 
I am. Gentlemen, yours respectfully, 
One who thinks that Time, Skill, and Care are worth Money. 
March G, 1867. 
NOTES ON PEESCPJBING. 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL. 
Sir,—In confirmation of Mr. Hanbury’s remarks on the extraordinary form 
in which medicines are nowadays prescribed, I send you subjoined a copy of a 
prescription brought to me this morning to be dispensed. 
You will observe that the medicine is simply a Elute solution of hydrocyanic 
acid, of which the single ounce ordered is sufiicient to last the patient about 
eleven days. The extreme volatility of hydrocyanic acid is in itself a sufficient 
reason why such a medicine should never be prescribed in the form of a bottle 
of drops, to be opened three times a day for nearly a fortnight; but, not content 
with this, the prescriber has ordered the acid to be taken in soda-water, the 
evolution of gas from which is calculated to render the dose still more uncertain. 
I am. Sir, your obedient servant, 
J. Sands. 
London, March 4:th, 18G7. 
[A Copv:.] 
E Acid, hydrocyan. dil. Ph. Lond. 5 ij 
Aqua destillat. 5 Vj. 
Take 15 drops three times a day in a little soda-water. 
Miss -, March ord, 1867. 
COMPULSOEY EDUCATION. 
TO THE IDITOR OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL. 
Sir,—May I beg space to say, in reference to the renewed attack on me by 
Mr. Thompson, of Leeds, (given in your last number,) that I certainly do not 
expect my authority to be of greater weight than that of the presidents of all 
the colleges.” But I claim the right, when my opinion is assailed, to quote 
the authority of the eminent men referred to in conjirmation of it when fairly 
available. ___ 
Your readers can judge between us. 
I am. Sir, yours obediently, 
B. B. Orridge. 
30, Bucklershury, London, March 26th, 1867. 
