LIVERPOOL chemists’ ASSOCIATION. 
649 
chemists in France, and therefore marked with an asterisk, many have been left out of 
the Ph. Br.—some, in the author’s opinion, unadvisedly. Among these were mentioned 
buckbean and tonne tilla. In sf)eaking of the use of herbs in medicine, he took the 
opportunity to speak highly of ‘ Culpepper’s Herbal,’ improved by Brook, as being free 
from humbug and valuable in those cases in which the author of it spoke from personal 
experience. 
Of chemicals to be kept by all French chemists, chromic acid, codeia, acetic ether, and 
boro-tartrate of potash are not met with in the Ph. Br. 
A list of strange things retained, as crabs’ eyes, coral, egg-shells, dried vipers, oil of 
eggs, etc., concluded this part of the paper. 
A short account of the French system of weights and measures was then given, and 
the English equivalents of those ordinarily used pointed out. In the directions for pre¬ 
parations, there is evidence of a want of discrimination in many cases. Simple things 
have profuse explanations, whilst important and difficult ones are passed by. In the 
directions for making oxygen, no mention is made of peroxide of manganese; half a 
page is given to the powdering of lump sugar; and when ordering the pulverization of 
cantharides, it gives no better direction than telling the operator that “ he must neglect 
no precautions to save himself from the powder of the cantharides various lactates are 
directed to be made from lactate of lime, but no formula is given for the preparation of 
that substance; and, worst of all. in preparing prussic acid the process given is, to make 
anhydrous hydrocyanic acid, pour out and weigh the product, and afterwards dilute it 
with water, with scarcely any precautions as to handling or inhaling such a volatile and 
deadly substance. 
Some of the preparations may mislead an English chemist, if he should have to make 
up a French prescription. Thus, there are three preparations of opium, either called 
laudanum or very similar to it in name, containing respectively 1 part of opium in 13, 1 in 
10, and 1 in 4. Sweet spirits of nitre is not our spiritus astheris nitrosi, but a solution of 
nitric acid in alcohol. White precipitate is our calomel. The vegetable juices are not 
the same as the sued of the Ph. Br. Collyria are not necessarily liquids, but include all 
applications to the eye, as ointments and powders. 
In conclusion, the author said that his object had been to view the French Codex 
from a prescriber’s point of view, and therefore many points were left unnoticed which 
had been sufficiently dwelt upon in the able reviews that have already appeared. 
Mr. Abraham proposed a vote of thanks to Dr. Nevins for his valuable paper, and 
said that he had met wi h some good things in the French Codex. 
Mr. Bedford seconded the motion, and asked Dr. Nevins if he considered that, in this 
country, there was any tendency to a milder treatment of disease than formerly. Dr. 
Nevins considered that in some respects it was so. 
The President and several members offered remarks on the paper, and a vote of thanks 
was carried by acclamation. 
Twelfth General Meeting, held April 11th, 1867; the President, Mr, E. Sumner, in 
the chair. 
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and passed. 
The following donations to the Library were announced :—The ‘ Pharmaceutical 
Journal’ for April; the ‘Chemist and Druggist;’ the ‘ New York Druggists’ Circular;’ 
the Proceedings of the American Pharmaceutical Association, from Mr. Parrish, of 
Philadelphia; the Proceedings of the Liverpool Architectural Society; the Pro¬ 
ceedings of the Liverpool Polytechnic Society. A vote of thanks was passed to the 
donors. 
A letter was read from Dr. Edwards, acknowledging his election as honorary member, 
and thanking the Association for the honour. He also promised a paper on Canadian 
Pharmacy. 
Mr. Sharp exhibited a specimen of Professor Eedwood’s preserved meat, and described 
the process. The sample had been prepared six months, and was perfectly sw^et. It 
was tasted by the members present, and considered good, but rather short of flavour 
and over-cooked. 
Mr. Sharp apologized for not reading the paper announced, and instead of it read 
one on “ The New Pharmacy Bill.” 
VOL. VIII. 2 X 
