468 
Minutes  of  the  College. 
5  Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
\     Oct.  1, 1872. 
lutions,  Wine  of  Opium,  Black  Drop,  Tinctures  of  Aconite  and  Nux  Vomica,, 
and  solutions  of  Strychnia  and  Morphia,  in  poisonous  quantities.  These  would 
have  to  be  defended  from  excessive  use,  according  to  the  second  resolution, 
solely  by  the  labels.  The  question  then  naturally  arises,  if  these  poisons  are 
safely  trusted  to  the  protection  of  the  label,  why  should  not  poisons  and  mix- 
tures for  external  use  be  equally  safe  ?    But  the  language  of 
The  second  resolution  requires  "  that  all  bottles  containing  poisons  should 
not  only  be  labelled  '  poison,'  but  should  also  have  another  indicating  the 
most  efficient  and  convenient  aniidoteV 
The  first  part  of  this  resolution  is  excellent,  coming,  as  it  does,  from  high 
medical  authority,  yet  the  dispenser  will  often  hesitate  to  label  such  internal 
medicine  "  Poison,"  unless  specially  ordered  by  the  prescribing  physician,  be- 
cause patients  sometimes  take  alarm,  unless  the  doctor  has  explained  ;  and  he 
will  also  have  to  consider  whether  the  recommendation  of  the  Philadelphia 
College  of  Physicians  will  be  his  sufficient  guarantee  in  case  of  any  difficulty 
arising  from  such  a  course. 
As  regards  the  second  part  of  the  2d  resolution,  to  put  the  antidotes  on  the 
label,  the  Committee  are  of  the  opinion  that  it  would  be  difficult  to  carry 
out,  in  an  intelligent  and  effective  manner,  on  the  small  bottles  usually  required 
for  poisonous  medicines,  especially  where  a  mixture  of  poisons  is  prescribed. 
It  might  do  some  good  to  name  the  poisonous  ingredient  and  state  the  strength 
of  the  solution,  so  that  in  case  of  poisoning,  the  first  physician  arriving  would 
know  the  character  of  the  agent  with  which  he  has  to  deal. 
Having  thus  given  a  general  statement  of  the  subject,  it  is  proper  that  the 
College  should  know  that  a  difference  of  sentiment  prevails  in  the  Committee 
as  regards  the  eligibility  of  the  plan  of  using  specially-shaped  and  colored  bot- 
tles for  external  medicines.  One  part  believe  that  the  necessary  concert  of 
action  between  the  public  and  the  apothecaries,  of  all  grades,  would  be  nearly 
impossible,  and  that  the  necessity  of  keeping  six  or  seven  sizes  of  poison  bottles 
would  entail  on  the  apothecary  a  great  increase  of  trouble  and  expense,  and  a 
constant  liability,  on  the  part  of  those  doing  a  small  business,  to  run  out  of 
them,  when  other  bottles  would  have  to  be  substituted.  They  believe  a  bold 
black  letter  poison  label,  with  the  skull  and  cross  bones  as  a  symbol  added  for 
those  who  cannot  read,  is  a  far  safer  guard  from  the  evils  of  accidental  poison- 
ing than  a  meaningless  color  and  shape  to  the  bottle — meaningless  to  all  but 
the  few  instructed  in  its  character. 
The  other  part  favor  the  -adoption  of  the  plan  of  the  resolution,  and  think 
that  it  may  be  carried  out  under  the  joint  action  of  the  Colleges  of  Physicians 
and  of  Pharmacy,  and  that  the  glass  blower  would  soon  provide  for  all  de- 
mands. They  also  advocate  enlisting  the  editors  of  daily  papers  to  advocate 
the  scheme,  and  think  the  public  would  hail  it  as  an  earnest  effort,  on  the  part 
of  druggists,  to  protect  the  community. 
It  is°for  the  College  to  decide  what  course  it  will  pursue.  If  this  body  agrees 
to  the  resolution  regarding  bottles,  it  will  become  necessary  to  call  a  general 
meeting  of  all  classes  of  apothecaries  to  ascertain  how  the  measure  will  be  re- 
ceived, before  taking  any  positive  steps  with  the  public. 
As  the  attendance  at  such  general  meetings  has  usually  been  small,  it  may 
prove  a  better  plan  to  address  a  circular  of  queries  to  every  dispenser  of  medi- 
cines in  Philadelphia,  and  request  it  promptly  returned  with  his  approval  or 
disapproval,  If  a  decided  majority  affirm  the  resolution  plan  of  using  bottles 
for  poison  of  special  color  and  shape,  then  the  College  can  take  such  measures 
as  will  fully  acquaint  the  public  with  the  experiment,  and  ask  their  earnest 
support  and  encouragement. 
William  Procter,  Jr.,  "] 
Edward  Parrish,  !  Committee, 
Joseph  P.  .Remington,    [  ^u 
W.  C.  Bakes.  J 
