Am.  Jour.  Pharm.  > 
April,  1914.  / 
Current  Literature. 
panion  to  the  British  Pharmacopoeia,  edition  1908,  under  the  solu- 
bility test,  reference  is  made  to  the  digestion  of  30  grs.  of  white 
Castile  Soap  in  1  oz.  of  cold  alcohol  90  per  cent.,  when  only  24  grs. 
were  dissolved,  whilst  in  the  recently  published  Codex,  under  Hard 
Soap,  the  description  is  "  Hard  or  Castile  Soap,"  thus  assuming  that 
Castile  Soap  is  a  synonym  for  hard  soap.  It  is  well  recognized  in 
commerce  that  the  soap  now  supplied  as  Castile  Soap  is  prepared 
from  a  variety  of  other  oils  than  olive  oil. 
The  resolutions,  therefore,  that  have  been  adopted  by  the  Ohio 
Pharmaceutical  Association  must,  in  the  light  of  commerce  of  to- 
day, be  vieweci  with  some  considerable  amount  of  reserve.  Editorial 
in  "Perfumery  and  Essential  Oil  Record/'  September,  191 3. 
Pharmaceutical  Education. — Dr.  H.  Thorns  writes  in  a  very 
informative  and  comprehensive  manner  on  the  question  of  prelim- 
inary educational  requirements  and  pharmaceutical  training  in  Ger- 
many and  other  European  countries.  It  is  worthy  of  note  that  he 
lays  particular  stress  on  the  value  to  a  student  of  a  good  prelimi- 
nary education.  If  he  possesses  that  valuable  asset,  an  asset  that  is 
the  foundation  of  success  in  any  calling,  he  will,  other  things  being 
equal,  be  able  to  overcome  what  would  otherwise  seem  insurmount- 
able obstacles  with  ease  and  facility.  It  is  proverbial  that  in  building 
operations  the  stability  of  the  superstructure  depends  upon  a  well- 
laid  foundation.  So  with  pharmacy  or  any  of  the  learned  pro- 
fessions. 
It  is  also  worthy  of  observation  that  the  general  trend  of  exami- 
nations in  determining  a  candidate's  fitness  to  practise  his  calling 
is  toward  practical  laboratory  work.  Written  and  oral  examina- 
tions, combined  with  practical  laboratory  work,  are  the  order  of  the 
day  in  Germany  as  well  as  in  most  other  European  lands.  This 
desirable  condition  has  obtained  in  Germany  for  many  years,  as 
has  likewise  the  necessity  of  students  possessing  a  good  general 
education  for  entrance  to  the  study  of  a  profession. 
It  does  not  require  a  great  intellect  to  see  and  appreciate  the 
value  of  further  educational  development  along  these  lines.  It 
means  so  much  to  the  general  welfare  of  a  community  from  the 
stand-point  of  safeguarding  the  public  health.  Men  of  Thoms's 
type,  both  here  and  abroad,  are  emphasizing  this  more  and  more 
every  day. 
Not  only  is  the  pharmacist  expected,  nay,  legally  required,  to 
stand  between  the  physician  and  the  patient,  but  he  must  be  able, 
