192         Pharmaceutical  Colleges  and  Associations.  {AmAiXi877a-rm* 
improbable  that  the  fusing  point  may  vary  from  50  to  io°  F.,  being  influenced  by 
the  latitude  in  which  the  wax  was  collected.  He  urged  members  to  procure  speci- 
mens of  pure  wax  from  different  countries  to  settle  this  point. 
Mr.  A.  P.  Brown  presented  samples  of  syrups,  made  in  accordance  with  the  sug- 
gestions of  one  of  the  students,  by  percolating  the  drug  with  simple  syrup  or  with 
simple  syrup  and  alcohol,  in  proportion  of  15  fluidounces  of  the  former  to  1  of  the 
latter.  They  all  appeared  to  possess  the  virtues  of  the  drugs,  and  presented  a  fine 
appearance  j  the  preparing  of  1  pint,  in  some  cases,  required  8  to  10  days.  Prof. 
Remington  said  the  only  question  that  occurred  to  him,  as  to  whether  percolation 
with  cold  syrup  would  exhaust  the  active  principles  of  the  drug.  Several  members 
thought  that  the  solvent  power  of  the  sugar  would  have  that  effect. 
Mr.  Wright  mentioned  as  having  prepared  syrup  of  orange  peel  by  rubbing  the 
fresh  orange  peel  with  sugar,  and  then  percolating  with  sufficient  water,  as  making 
a  very  fine  syrup  that  will  bear  dilution  with  its  own  bulk  of  simple  syrup. 
Mr.  Wright  exhibited  a  root  which  had  been  sold  here  as  calumba.  It  occurred 
in  longitudinal  slices,  resembling  gentian,  but  of  a  much  lighter  and  more  yellow 
color.  Prof.  Maisch  pronounced  it  to  be  the  root  of  Frasera  Walteri,  the  so-called 
American  calumba. 
Prof.  Maisch  raised  the  question  when  measures  were  first  introduced  into 
pharmacy.  He  showed  a  number  of  old  English  works  in  which  the  signs  ^  and  fib 
were  used  for  both  liquids  and  solids  5  also,  some  stating  that  great  uncertainty 
existed,  and  that  they  were  then  interpreted  by  some  as  meaning  measures,  by  others 
weights  only.    He  hoped  the  subject  would  be  further  investigated. 
Mr.  Gerhard  mentioned  as  having  utilized  the  cans  in  which  preserved  fruits  are 
sold,  for  ointments,  etc.,  by  melting  off  the  top  and  then  melting  the  bottom  off 
others  to  form  a  top  for  the  former  ;  a  sample  was  presented. 
Mr.  Wright  said  that  he  had  been  so  using  them,  and  found  them  superior  to 
the  glazed  ware  for  ointments,  which  did  not  become  rancid  so  readily. 
Dr.  Pile  mentioned  that  he  had  experimented  with  cloves,  exhausting  them  with 
gasolin  (3  qts.),  and  obtained  (from  quantity?)  4  ounces  of  oil  of  fine  flavor  and 
greenish  color. 
Dr.  Miller  thought  that  the  yield  mentioned  at  the  last  meeting  in  regard  to 
obtaining  3  lbs.  essential  oil  from  25  lbs.  of  cubebs,  must  have  been  an  error,  and 
was  going  to  convince  himself  again  of  the  fact.  Two  samples  of  oil  of  ylang-ylang 
were  exhibited  by  Dr.  Miller  ;  there  was  a  marked  difference  in  the  odor. 
C.  W.  Hancock,  Registrar  pro  temp. 
PHARMACEUTICAL  COLLEGES  AND  ASSOCIATIONS. 
Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy. — The  lectures  of  the  fifty-sixth  course 
closed  on  Wednesday,  Feb.  28th,  and  the  examination  commenced  March  1st,  and 
lasted  until  Tuesday,  March  6th.  The  written  examinations  were  on  the  following 
subjects,  one  afternoon  being  allowed  to  each  branch : 
