106 
pharmaceuticalInotes  of  travel. 
The  rooms  of  the  Edinburgh  Pharmaceutical  Society  are 
pleasantly  located,  and  contain  a  neat  cabinet,  mounted 
somewhat  in  the  manner  referred  to  in  describing  the  Liver- 
pool Cabinet.  The  most  novel  and  interesting  specimen  was 
a  nest  of  large  and  perfect  crystals  of  Aloin,  deposited  by  T.  &  H. 
Smith,  of  Edinburgh,  the  discoverers  and  manufacturers.  This 
neutral  crystalline  principle,  which  has  hitherto  been  known  only 
by  reputation  in  America,  and  the  utility  of  which,  as  a  remedy, 
has  been  doubted,  is  among  the  most  beautiful  of  the  organic 
proximate  principles.  It  is  considerably  used  as  a  mild,  though 
tolerably  certain  cathartic,  in  doses  of  1  to  3  grs.  From  the 
same  manufacturers  an  elegant  specimen  of  caffein  was  displayed 
in  large  silky  tufts.  The  assortment  of  Cinchonas  has  been 
augmented  by  contributions  from  Prof.Christison,  who  has  remem- 
bered the  collection  in  disposing  of  many  duplicates.  Among  the 
articles  deposited  by  Mackay  were  some  Egj^ptian  Lentils,  a 
very  cheap  and  highly  nitrogenised  article  of  diet,  which  seemed 
worthy  a  more  general  introduction  to  use. 
Before  leaving  Edinburgh,  I  should  speak  of  the  gelatine 
manufacture,  which  is  here  carried  on  pretty  extensively  by 
J.  &  G.  Cox  who  send  large  quantities  of  the  article  to  America, 
where  it  is  almost  universally  sold  by  pharmaceutists  and 
grocers.  John  Mackay's  pure  extract  of  calves  feet  is  design- 
ed as  an  improvement,  being  warranted  to  be  obtained  entirely 
from  fresh  calves  feet,  obviating  the  objection,  of  many  physi- 
cians and  nurses  to  the  materials  from  which  the  ordinary  gela- 
tine is  said  to  be  obtained,  while  the  jelly  it  yields  possesses 
a  richness  and  softness  to  the  palate  in  which  jellies  made  from 
gelatine  are  usually  deficient. 
Pharmaceutical  organization  is  not  in  so  great  esteem  in  Scot- 
land as  in  some  parts  of  England.  The  Chemists  and  Druggists 
are,  many  of  them,  in  a  small  way  of  business,  and  the  payment 
of  five  guineas  initiation  fee  operates  as  a  great  objection  to 
their  becoming  members  of  the  London  Society.  There  is  no 
School  of  Pharmacy  in  Scotland,  and  the  number  of  students7  who 
qualify  themselves  to  appear  before  the  Examining  Board  located 
in  Edinburgh,  is  small.  This  is  the  more  remarkable,  from  the 
known  qualifications  of  some  of  the  pharmaceutists  to  teach, 
and  from  the  presence  of  the  University  with  its  elevating  and 
inspiring  influences. 
