3  H         Pharmaceutical  Colleges  and  Associations.  {Amjine,r'i878arm* 
A  paper  by  Mr.  E.  Gaillard,  upon  the  impurities  of  acetic  acid  (see  page  293), 
was  read  and  discussed  ;  it  was  suggested  that  the  proposed  test  for  nitric  acid  might 
be  shortened  by  adding  an  equal  bulk  of  sulphuric  acid  to  the  acetic  acid  and  then 
the  ferrous  sulphate. 
Mr.  C.  H.  Cressler,  of  Chambersburg,  Pa.,  communicated  a  paper  upon  the 
effects  of  the  rhizome  of  Aspidium  marginale  (see  page  290),  and  an  additional 
note,  by  Prof.  Maisch,  was  read  describing  the  plants  and  rhizomes  of  the  species 
mentioned,  and  of  Asp.  jilix  mas  j  the  papers  were  accompanied  with  specimens  of 
the  plant  and  rhizome,  sent  by  Mr.  Cressler. 
A  paper  by  Mr.  J.  J.  Brown,  of  Oakland,  Cal.,  upon  a  pill  excipient,  was  read 
(see  page  289),  recommending  a  compound  glycerite  of  starch  for  the  purpose.  This 
induced  a  conversation  upon  the  subject  of  glycerin  as  an  excipient  for  pills,  and 
attention  was  called  to  its  tendency  to  absorb  moisture,  which  rendered  it  unfit  for 
pills  containing  deliquescent  substances,  unless  an  absorbent  powder  be  added. 
Prof.  Remington  exhibited  a  graduated  minim  pipette,  improved  by  Dr.  Squibb  \ 
it  has  a  gum  nipple  attached  to  the  dropping  tube,  and  by  immersing  the  latter  in 
the  liquid  after  pressing  out  the  air  the  desired  amount  of  liquid  will  be  readily 
admitted  and  measured,  and  can  at  once  be  dispensed  on  again  pressing  upon  the 
nipple.  It  is  found  most  convenient  to  keep  such  graduated  minim  pipettes  in  a 
wide-mouthed  bottle,  partially  filled  with  water,  thus  insuring  constant  cleanliness- 
Several  of  the  members  present  spoke  of  the  superiority  of  these  pipettes  over  the 
ordinary  minim  measures. 
There  being  no  further  business,  on  motion,  the  meeting  adjourned. 
J.  L.  Patterson,  Registrar  pro  tern. 
PHARMACEUTICAL  COLLEGES  AND  ASSOCIATIONS. 
Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy.  — The  Committee  on  Instruction  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees  have  had  under  consideration,  for  some  time  past,  the  advisability 
of  establishing  a  graded  course  of  instruction.  During  the  past  winter  the  number 
of  students  in  attendance  was  so  large  that  the  Hall  Committee  had  to  provide 
more  seats  for  their  accommodation,  in  consequence  of  which  nearly  all  the  available 
space  has  been  occupied  by  benches.  The  subject  of  increased  and  still  better 
accommodations  for  the  students  and  the  organization  of  a  graded  course  having 
been  repeatedly  before  the  Board,  that  body,  early  in  January  last,  referred  the 
whole  subject  to  the  Committees  on  Instruction  and  on  Property,  in  conjunction 
with  the  professors,  and  a  plan  was  matured  which  has  received  the  sanction  of 
the  board.  Although  it  will  require  some  time  yet  to  arrange  all  the  details,  we 
may  mention  the  following  outlines  : 
1.  The  instruction  to  the  junior  and  senior  students  will  be  arranged,  with 
perhaps  slight  modifications,  according  to  the  plan  which  received  the  sanction  of 
the  "Conference  of  the  Schools  of  Pharmacy,"  in  1876   (see  "  Amer.  Jour,  of 
