EDITORIAL. 
287 
for  the  general  market,  if  the  medicine  in  the  course  of  trade  passes  through 
many  hands,  and  is  finally  bought  and  used  by  one  who  is  injared  thereby, 
the  original  maker  is  liable  to  the  person  so  injured,  and  not  the  druggist, 
who,  relying  upon  the  correctness  of  the  label  innocently  sells  the  article 
for  what  it  is  not." 
In  regard  to  the  regulation  of  the  sale  of  poisons  the  author  quotes, 
approvingly,  the  circular  issued  by  the  American  Pharmaceutical  Associa- 
tion, at  its  meeting  in  Philadelphia  in  1857,  in  regard  to  that  subject.  But 
two  adjudicated  cases  in  which  apothecaries  or  druggists  are  involved,  are 
brought  forward,  but  these  are  sufficient  to  prove  the  unpleasant  legal  con- 
sequences that  may  follow  errors,  where  the  parties  injured  are  venal  and 
unscrupulous. 
The  subject  of  poisons  and  poisoning,  is  treated  of  in  seven  chapters. 
The  author  does  not  enter  into  the  subject  in  much  detail,  confining  him- 
self chiefly  to  some  leading  cases  in  which  arsenic  and  strychnia  were  em- 
ployed with  evil  intent.  He  quotes  the  chemistry  of  these  two  poisons 
from  "  Taylor  on  Poisons/'  which  perhaps  at  this  time  is  the  best  treatise 
on  that  subject.  Some  excellent  hints  are  given  in  regard  to  the  conduct 
of  professional  witnesses,  attention  to  which  will  save  much  trouble  to  them, 
especially  to  chemists,  in  regard  to  the  details  of  receiving  material  for 
analysis,  and  in  making  every  link  of  the  chain  of  evidence  complete.  The 
testimony  of  Dr.  Doremus,  in  the  Stephens  case,  at  New  York,  is  highly 
complimented,  and  the  clashing  of  chemical  evidence  in  the  Palmer 
strychnia  case  comes  in  for  a  share  of  criticism. 
The  author  also  calls  attention  to  the  want  of  provision  in  our 
State  laws,  for  the  employment  and  payment  of  competent  chemists  in 
these  cases ;  for  although  in  important  instances  these  valuable  aids  to 
justice  are  called  in,  yet  there  is  often  a  want  of  certainty  about  the 
payment  of  charges  which  renders  the  service  among  able  chemists  an 
undesirable  engagement.  Until  our  courts  provide  more  liberally  for 
this  disagreeable  and  valuable  service,  the  cause  of  justice  will  be  liable 
to  suffer.  Dr.  Elwell's  book  must  be  looked  upon  as  a  valuable  addi- 
tion to  medico-legal  literature,  and  although  more  especially  addressed  to 
medical  men  and  lawyers,  we  recommend  its  perusal  to  every  apothecary 
who  inclines  to  accomplish  himself  in  his  profession,  and  to  enable  him- 
self to  form  a  correct  opinion  in  regard  to  the  legal  responsibilities  to 
which  the  practice  of  pharmacy  is  liable. 
Annual  Address  on  the  Events  of  the  Year.  Delivered  %  appointment,  Feb 
22d,  1860,  according  to  the  By-Laws  of  the  Philadelphia  County  Medical 
Society,  by  Benjamin  Horner  Coates,  at  the  legal  cessation  of  the 
Presidency  for  the  preceding  year.  Published  by  order  of  the  Society. 
Collins,  Printer,  1860,  pp.  28. 
The  topics  chosen  by  the  learned  author  of  this  address  are  numerous  ; 
among  them  pharmacy  and  pharmaceutists  have  come  in  for  a  share.  It 
