10 
Dispensing  Poisons. 
i  Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
t     Jan.  1, 1874. 
Although  the  process  of  heating  to  the  boiling  point  is  followed  by 
a  deposit  of  the  resin,  the  alcohol  is  also  dissipated.  And  while  it 
still  retains  sufficient  fragrance  of  the  former  to  prevent  rancidity, 
the  necessity  of  the  absence  of  the  latter  is  obvious. 
The  effects  following  its  application  is  all  that  can  be  desired. 
And  I  have  to  hear  the  first  fault,  after  dispensing  it  three  years  in 
various  affections. 
Philadelphia.  December  18th,  1873. 
DISPENSING  POISONS. 
By  Benjamin  Lillard,  Phar.  D. 
The  accurate  dispensing  of  poisons  is  of  the  greatest  importance 
to  the  profession  and  the  public ;  and  at  different  times,  various  sug- 
gestions of  more  or  less  practical  value,  for  the  accomplishment  of 
that  object  have  been  made  ;  among  which  may  be  mentioned  labels 
of  unusual  designs  and  colors  or  with  sanded  edges,  and  bottles  of 
fancy  colors  and  shapes  or  with  rough  edges  or  places.  These,  how- 
ever, are  intended  more  to  prevent  errors  in  administering  than  in 
dispensing.  The  practice  of  dispensing  poisons  when  ordered  by  a 
physician,  in  any  unusual  way,  to  prevent  improper  administration, 
should  not  be  adopted  without  the  advice  or  consent  of  the  physician. 
We  have  a  right  to  suppose  the  physician  has  given  all  the  necessary 
precautions.  However,  when  he  has  omitted  the  dose  or  directions 
for  use,  it  is  well  to  cautiously  inquire  how  it  is  to  be  used,  and,  if 
necessary,  say  a  word  about  diluting. 
The  principal  duty  of  the  pharmacist  should  be  to  use  all  the  pre- 
cautions he  can  to  prevent  errors  in  dispensing.  The  plan  I  have 
adopted,  although  not  entirely  original  or  new,  yet  probably  possesses 
some  features  not  generally  known.  All  poisonous  drugs  or  compounds 
are  kept  in  a  separate  closet  under  lock  and  key,  and  taken  out  only 
under  the  following 
Rules  for  Dispensing  Poisons. 
First.  Each  and  every  dispensing,  for  any  purpose  whatever,  must 
be  entered  by  the  dispenser  and  witnessed. 
Second.  The  witness  must  examine  the  package  containing  the 
poison,  see  that  it  is  the  one  wanted,  and  that  the  correct  quantity  is 
taken  out ;  and  place  the  package  back  in  the  poison  case. 
Third.  The  witness  must  examine  the  prescription,  order  or  person 
