ANove°mberfiam"}      British  Pharmaceutical  Conference.  571 
The  Oxidation  and  Determination  of  Uric  Acid  and  Urates. — J.  F. 
Tocher,  F.I.C.,  F.C.S.,  gives  a  process  for  the  conversion  of  uric 
acid  into  urea  by  chromic  anhydride,  and  the  subsequent  estimation 
of  the  urea  with  hypobromite  solution. 
Aseptic  Surgical  Shaving  Paste  Edmund  White,  B.Sc,  F.I.C., 
gives  a  formula  for  a  wax  emulsion  to  be  used  instead  of  soap  lather 
for  shaving: 
22-  hard  paraffine  (M.  pt.  550  C),  3-  suet,  2-  soft  soap,  and  68-  of 
water  are  placed  in  a  suitable  dish  on  a  water  bath,  and,  when 
melted,  are  beaten  together  until  a  white  emulsion  is  formed ;  then 
shake  in  gradually  2-  tragacanth  in  powder.  When  nearly  cool  add 
2*  glycerin  and  I*  oil  of  lavender. 
In  use,  a  small  quantity  is  rubbed  over  the  area  to  be  shaved,  and 
the  razor  immediately  applied. 
Compressed  Tablets. — Edmund  White,  B.Sc,  F.I.C.,  and  R.  A. 
Robinson,  Jr.,  advocate  the  use  of  an  excipient  made  by  melting  one 
part  of  oil  of  theobroma  and  adding  three  parts  of  starch,  stir  thor- 
oughly, and  when  uniformly  mixed  allow  to  cool. 
In  use,  enough  of  this  preparation  is  taken  to  impart  a  somewhat 
granular  character  to  the  mixture  of  drugs  desired  to  be  made  into 
tablets. 
Liquor  Thyroidei. — Edmund  White,  B.Sc,  F.I.C.,  suggests  that  for 
every  20  grammes  of  the  trimmed  and  bruised  thyroid  glands  1 5  c.c. 
of  glycerin  be  added  and  allowed  to  macerate  for  twenty-four  hours. 
Strongly  express,  and  make  up  the  desired  volume  by  the  addition 
of  equal  parts  of  glycerin  and  water. 
Tasteless  Cascara  Preparations. — Edmund  White,  B.Sc,  F.I.C., 
and  R.  A.  Robinson,  Jr.,  think  the  bitterness  of  cascara  is  due  to 
anhydride  or  lactone  and  suggest  that  the  addition  of  5  c.c.  of 
potassium  hydroxide  solution,  or  of  7  c.c  of  strong  solution  of 
ammonia  to  100  c.c  of  liquid  extract  of  cascara  sagrada,  with  sub- 
sequent heating  on  a  water  bath,  will  effectually  destroy  the  bitter 
taste  of  cascara  without  impairing  its  activity. 
The  Education  of  the  Pharmacist — Professor  Marshall  considers 
the  training  of  pharmaceutical  students  under  three  heads :  Simple 
apprenticeship,  apprenticeship  followed  by  coaching  or  cramming, 
and  apprenticeship  followed  by  a  collegiate  education. 
In  conclusion,  Mr.  Marshall  said  :  "  The  collegiate  training  of  a 
youth  is  best  done,  and  in  many  cases  most  economically  done^ 
before  he  enters  his  apprenticeship." 
