528  Memoir  of  Prof  Wm.  Procter,  Jr.  {%t™X?m™' 
in  the  winter  of  1861,  brought  about  at  that  time  by  an  accident.  He 
was  distilling  ether  from  a  preparation,  and  having  his  attention  called 
away,  the  water  in  the  condensing  apparatus  became  warm  and  al- 
lowed ether  vapor  to  escape  into  the  store  ;  mingling  with  the  close 
atmosphere  of  the  room,  an  explosive  mixture  was  in  time  formed 
and  ingnited  by  the  gas  lamp  under  the  still.  The  explosion  forced 
the  glass  of  the  bulk  windows  into  the  street,  but  did  no  injury  to  the 
interior  arrangements  of  the  store,  or  to  those  engaged  in  it.  Again, 
in  1870,  more  room  was  found  necessary,  and  the  whole  of  the  remain- 
ing portion  of  the  first  floor  was  thrown  into  the  store.  In  making  these 
alterations,  convenience  for  dispensing  and  proper  arrangements  for 
storage  of  articles  was  the  first  consideration,  but  little  attention  was 
given  to  the  modern  drawing-room  style  of  some  of  our  pharmaceutical 
establishments. 
In  1847,  Quevenne's  Iron  was  introduced  and  becoming  popular,  Mr- 
Procter  devoted  considerable  attention  to  its  manufacture,  and  pro- 
duced an  article  which  gained  a  high  reputation  in  the  market.  The 
manufacture  having  been  taken  up  by  others  possessing  more  room 
and  greater  conveniences,  he,  after  a  few  years,  abandoned  it. 
When  pepsin  came  into  use,  the  varying  qualities  in  the  market 
induced  him  to  make  experiments  on  its  production  ;  he  devoted  con- 
siderable attention  to  it,  and,  during  the  last  year  of  his  life,  he  was 
quite  extensively  engaged  in  its  manufacture. 
The  subject  of  pepsin  closed  the  last  lecture  which  he  delivered  to 
the  class. 
In  1872  the  Chair  of  Pharmacy  became  vacant  by  occasion  of  the 
death  of  Prof.  Edward  Parrish.  The  season  for  the  opening  of  the 
course  of  lectures  was  so  near  at  hand  that  the  Trustees  of  the  Col- 
lege turned  their  minds  instinctively  towards  William  Procter,  Jr. 
as  the  man  to  relieve  them  from  embarrassment.  The  Trustees  were 
well  aware  that  he  had  an  earnest  desire  for  retirement,  and  can- 
vassed well  the  field  for  one  who  could,  at  so  short  a  notice,  take  up, 
the  course  on  practical  pharmacy.  At  the  request  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  the  College  he  consented  to  fill  the  chair,  and  delivered 
the  course  of  lectures  in  the  winter  of  1872-73.  It  was  known  to 
his  friends  that  the  position  was  intended  by  him  to  be  but  temporary, 
and  that  he  contemplated  retiring  at  the  close  of  the  following  session. 
The  lectures  for  1873-74  progressed  as  far  as  February  9th,  and  but 
a  few  more  remained  to  finish  up  the  work  which  he  intended  should 
