92 
EDITORIAL. 
monian  idea  of  theft,  that  it  was  only  disgraceful  when  discovered,  these 
practical  and  theoretical  abortionists  esteem  it  all  right  if  it  can  be 
secretly  conducted. 
The  work  is  divided  into  two  parts.  First,  from  the  standpoint  of 
medicine,  and  second,  from  the  standpoint  of  law.  The  first  discusses 
the  criminality  of  abortion — its  frequency  and  causes — its  victims — its 
proofs — its  perpetratoi  s — its  innocent  abettors — and  the  obstacles  to  con- 
viction. The  author,  after  speaking  of  the  professed  abortionists  and  those 
who  issue  quackeries  to  aid  in  the  work  those  inclined  to  produce  it, 
says  : 
"  Druggists,  as  a  class,  are  little  more  than  the  confessed  agents  of 
these  villains.  Even  should  they  not  directly  recommend  their  nostrums, 
as  however  is  frequently  the  case,  they  almost  universally  keep  them  on 
sale,  labelled  to  catch  the  eye,  and  placarded  on  the  walls," 
This  is  a  sweeping  charge,  and  in  many  instances  wholly  untrue ;  for 
there  are  many  pharmaceutists  that  we  can  point  to  who  habitually  re- 
fuse to  keep  nostrums  of  the  kind  described,  or  to  sell  simple  drugs 
known  to  possess  emenagogue  properties  when  they  have  any  reason  to 
suppose  them  to  be  for  improper  use.  Yet  the  common  habit  with  many 
to  keep  a  full  assortment  of  quackeries,  may  render  them  obnoxious  to 
the  charge  of  the  author.  P-harmaceutists  cannot  be  too  careful  in  dis- 
pensing to  avoid  abetting,  unintentionally  though  it  be,  this  great  evil. 
If  the  author's  statements  and  statistics  be  true,  this  evil  is  already 
largely  influencing  the  rate  of  population  in  New  England  and  other 
parts,  and  is  more  prevalent  in  Protestant  than  in  Catholic  communities. 
The  volume  possesses  great  interest,  and  deserves  attention  from  both 
professional  and  general  readers. 
Proceedings  of  the  British  Pharmaceutical  Conference,  at  the  fifth  annual 
meeting,  at  Norwich,  1868.    London,  pp.  86,  octavo. 
We  acknowledge  the  reception  of  this  work  from  Prof.  John  Attfield, 
one  of  the  general  secretaries.  We  have  anticipated  it  in  our  last  issue, 
from  the  pages  of  the  Pharmaceutical  Journal.  In  addition  to  what  has 
been  there  said,  we  quote  the  following  from  the  prefatory  notice  : 
"  A  list  of  subjects  suggested  for  research  is  sent  to  members  early  in 
the  year.  Resulting  papers  are  read  at  the  annual  meeting  of  the  mem- 
bers ;  hut  any  n^nv  facts  that  are  discovered  during  an  investigation,  may 
be  at  once  published  by  the  author  at  any  meeting  of  a  Scientific  Society, 
or  in  any  scientific  journal,  or  in  any  other  way  he  may  desire.  In  that 
case  he  is  expected  to  send  a  short  report  on  the  subject  to  the  Con- 
ference." 
This  is  a  liberty  sadly  needed  in  our  Association  rules.  No  matter  how 
important  a  discovery  may  be  embodied  in  an  article  read  at  a  meeting^ 
the  author  has  to  wait  the  slow  progress  of  the  annual  volume  for  his 
date  of  priority,  and  may  loose  altogether  his  right  by  anticipation  in  the 
journals  by  another  discoverer.  We  hope  this  rule  will  be  altered.  The 
next  meeting  of  the  Conference  will  be  in  Exeter,  in  August.  The 
annual  subscription  is  five  shillings. 
