ADeJc°.T;iP8HRM'}  Minutes  of  the  Pharmaceutical  Meeting.  583 
Chinese  camphor.  To  convert  it  into  compressed  camphor  it  is  placed  in  a 
still  and  a  moderate  heat  applied.  The  condenser  is  a  large  chamber,  having 
projections  so  arranged  as  to  lengthen  the  course  of  the  vaporized  camphor 
In  the  first  partition  the  product  is  mostly  in  the  pulverulent  form;  in  the  last 
it  crystallizes  in  beautiful  snow-flake-like  crystals.  It  yet  contains  the  water, 
and  volatile  oil  on  account  of  which  the  ordinary  refined  camphor  is  preferable 
for  medical  purposes.  The  crystalline  powder  is  then  placed  in  iron  moulds, 
which  are  moistened  with  water  to  prevent  the  camphor  from  adhering,  and  by 
hydraulic  pressure  pressed  into  rectangular  blocks  of  various  weights.  The 
iron  rust  of  the  moulds  somewhat  colors  the  exterior  of  this  camphor,  which 
is  used  to  prevent  the  ravages  of  moths,  and  the  object  of  this  form  is  to  pre- 
vent too  rapid  evaporation.  Specimens  illustrating  the  various  stages  of  this 
process  were  exhibited  by  Professor  Maisch. 
Very  handsome  refined  camphor  is  now  produced  in  this  city  by  Messrs. 
Kurlbaum  &  Co.,  also  in  New  York.  Refined  camphor  was  formerly  imported 
from  Europe,  where  it  is  sublimed  in  glass  spheres,  which  are  broken  to  obtain 
the  camphor.  In  this  country  the  subliming  vessels  are  of  such  a  form  as  will 
allow  of  their  being  taken  apart.  The  volatile  oil  contained  in  the  crude  cam- 
phor is  also  collected.  Years  ago  camphor  was  refined  in  this  city  by  the 
Messrs.  Wetherill,  also  by  John  Farr.  The  changes  in  this  industry  have  been 
owing  to  the  tariff. 
Prof.  Remington  remarked  that  the  sublimed  camphor,  if  free  from  moisture 
and  volatile  oil,  might  be  used  as  powdered  camphor,  it  being  essentially  the 
product  recommended  by  John  C.  Lowd  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  American 
Pharmaceutical  Association,  1871,  page  441. 
A.  W.  Miller,  M.  D.,  presented  Fee-jee  nux  vomica,  so  called,  and  desired 
some  information  in  regard  to  it. 
Prof.  Maisch  stated  they  were  the  seeds  of  Strychnos  potatorum,  which 
were  exhibited  to  the  College  in  May,  1871.  For  accounts  of  them,  see 
Amer.  Joum.  Pharm.,  1871,  pp.  241,  281,  412  and  525. 
Dr.  Miller  also  showed  oil  of  sassafras  containing  14  per  cent,  of  resin,  which 
is  left  upon  evaporation,  and  was  probably  added  as  oleo-resin. 
R.  Y.  Mattison  presented  pseudomorphic  crystals  of  bicarbonate  of  sodium 
from  the  Pennsylvania  Salt  Company.  The  commercial  article  of  this  com- 
pany is  bolted  and  of  very  good  quality,  containing  less  carbonate  than  any 
other  brand.  It  contains  occasionally,  but  rarely,  traces  of  alumina,  and  is  to 
be  preferred  over  the  best  imported  brands.  See  Amer.  Joum.  Pharm.,  1872, 
p.  41. 
Dr.  Miller,  on  behalf  of  Prof.  Dr.  Robert  E.  Rogers,  extended  an  invitation 
to  the  faculty,  members  and  students  of  this  College  to  visit  the  new  halls  and 
■cabinets  of  the  Medical  Department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  Thirty- 
sixth  and  Woodland  avenue,  also  a  special  invitation  to  his  lectures  on  chem- 
istry, which  are  held  on  Tuesday,  Thursday  and  Friday,  from  11  to  12  o'clock. 
Upon  motion,  the  Registrar  was  directed  to  convey  to  Prof.  Dr.  Rogers  our 
warmest.thanks  for  his  kind  invitation. 
Prof.  Maisch  exhibited  American  asbestos  in  its  natural  state  as  found  in 
this  country,  also  the  same  purified,  both  being  in  very  long  fibres.    The  puri- 
