Am  Jour.  Pharm 
Feb.,  1878. 
}     Dispensing  Dangerous  Compounds. 
67 
the  name  of  the  firm,  as 
shown  in  the  cut  No.  2.  The 
checks  are  made  of  sheet 
iron,  with  the  figure  and  firm 
name  engraved  thereon.  The 
clamp  works  by  means  ot 
two  spiral  springs,  3^, 
be- 
tween which  is  placed  a 
piece  of  cork,  b,  to  prevent 
too  strong  a  pressure.  A 
person  coming  with  a  pre- 
scription receives  a  check, 
and  the  prescription  is  placed 
in  the  corresponding  clamp. 
If  the  medicine  is  called  for, 
the  check  is  demanded,  and  in  this  way  mistakes  are  prevented  and 
much  unnecessary  questioning  of  the  customer  saved,  who  sometimes 
declines  giving  his  name.  Remarks  like  "  paid,"  u  half  the  quantity," 
etc.  are  written  upon  the  prescription,  a  corner  of  which  is  bent  for  the 
purpose. 
I  have  no  doubt  that  this  cheap  and  very  useful  contrivance  (I  have 
24  such  clamps  in  use)  will  also  find  favor  in  your  country,  and  I  should 
be  pleased  if  you  would  bring  this  communication  to  the  notice  of  your 
readers.    I  remain,  etc.  H.  E.  Schelenz. 
Rendsburg,  Germany,  Nov.  23,  1877. 
DISPENSING  DANGEROUS  COMPOUNDS. 
As  druggists  are  occasionally  required  to  compound  and  dispense 
chemical  compounds  of  an  explosive  character,  they  are  usually  educated 
as  to  their  nature,  and  cautioned  as  to  their  manipulation.  Notwith- 
standing this,  we  occasionally  note  accidents  as  occurring  from  such 
mixtures,  and  as  the  recital  of  a  case  may  prove  a  useful  lesson,  arid 
tend  to  prevent  the  repetition  of  the  error,  the  following  instance  is 
mentioned  : 
A  physician  sent  to  a  druggist  a  prescription  for  nitro  muriatic  acid 
and  tincture  of  cardamom.  The  druggist,  after  compounding  the 
formula,  handed  the  bottle  to  the  messenger,  who  was  in  the  act  of 
