AMERICAN  PHARMACEUTICAL  ASSOCIATION.  507 
1.  The  medical  plants  of  Michigan. 
Accepted  by  Frederick  Stearns,  of  Detroit. 
2.  The  process  of  displacement  or  percolation ;  what  are  the  condi- 
tions and  precautions  which  will  give  it  the  greatest  simplicity  and  effi- 
ciency as  a  means  of  extraction  in  practical  pharmacy  ? 
Accepted  by  Prof.  I.  J.  Grahame,  of  Baltimore. 
3.  What  are  the  best  means  of  keeping  the  vegetable  extracts,  and 
especially  those  from  narcotic  plants,  in  the  dispensing  shop,  so  as  to 
avoid  to  the  fullest  possible  extent  the  inspissation  and  alterations  to 
which  they  are  subject  by  unavoidable  exposure  in  dispensing  ? 
Accepted  by  Prof  I.  J.  Grahame,  of  Baltimore. 
4.  Liebig  (Agricultural  Chemistry,  American  edition,  page  184,)  says 
that  the  nicotina  of  commercial  tobacco  does  not  pre-exist  in  the  growing 
plant,  but  is  the  result  of  the  fermentation  set  up  during  the  curing  pro- 
cess. Question, — If  this  be  true,  what  is  the  active  principle  of  green 
tobacco,  and  what  relation  does  it  bear  to  nicotina  ? 
Accepted  by  Wm.  Procter,  jr.,  of  Philad. 
5.  Wine  of  Ipecacuanha.  What  is  the  cause  of  its  tendency  to  deposit 
a  sediment — has  that  sediment  any  medical  value — and  can  the  deposition 
be  avoided  by  substituting  another  menstruum  of  the  strength  of  wine  ? 
Accepted  by  Joseph  Roberts,  of  Baltimore. 
6.  Blue  pill  mass  is  coming  into  use  in  the  form  of  powder.  Question, — 
Does  the  condition  of  the  mercury  undergo  any  change  by  the  ordinary 
exposure  in  the  shop,  as  regards  oxidation — does  this  powder,  after  being 
prepared  a  year,  contain  any  red  oxide  of  mercury — and  what  is  the  best 
process  for  its  preparation  ? 
Accepted  by  Charles  Bullock,  of  Philadelphia. 
7.  The  subject  of  coating  pills  with  sugar,  mucilage,  gelatin  and  other 
soluble  substances,  so  as  to  mask  their  taste,  is  becoming  of  some  impor- 
tance in  practical  pharmacy.  Question. — What  are  the  best  materials 
for  this  purpose ;  and  what  the  best  and  most  practicable  process  for  effect- 
ing it,  both  on  a  large  scale,  and  extemporaneously  in  the  course  of  dis- 
pensing ?  Accepted  by  John  Canavan,  of  New  York. 
8.  The  preparation  of  Saccharides,  or  sugar  in  the  form  of  powder  and 
granules,  impregnated  with  medicinal  substances,  so  as  to  facilitate  their 
administration.  What  is  the  best  process  or  processes  applicable  to  this 
object ;  and  what  is  the  best  proportion  of  sugar  to  include  a  dose  of 
the  respective  drugs  or  preparations  ? 
Accepted  by  Eugene  Dupuy,  of  New  York. 
9.  Mustard.  What  is  the  best  formula  for  a  permanent  liquid  prepar- 
ation of  white  or  black  mustard  seeds  that  may  be  used  as  a  substitute 
for  mustard  plasters  ? 
Accepted  by  Edward  Parrish,  of  Philadelphia. 
