376  Revision  of  the  U.  S.  Pharmacopoeia.   [  -^^Jne^Y/jS; 
the  economic  and  political  ev^ents  of  the  time.  His  advice  was 
freely  sought  on  many  subjects  and  his  judgment  and  opinions  were 
greatly  esteemed.  During  the  war,  the  governmental  authorities 
frequently  sought  his  advice  on  matters  relating  to  the  drug  trade 
and  he  also  served  as  chairman  of  a  local  draft  board  and  gave  un- 
stintedly of  his  time  and  energies  in  this  service. 
A  close  friend  of  Mr.  Ryan  has  written  "he  was  preeminently 
a  man  who  carved  out  his  own  career  from  the  hard  rock  of  oppor- 
tunity. He  rose  from  the  ranks  of  drug  clerks  to  a  position  of 
commanding  influence  in  tiie  pharmaceutical  world."  As  we  study 
the  life  work  of  those  who  have  achieved  notable  successes,  we  find 
it  interesting  to  isolate  the  personal  characteristics  that  were  the 
determining  factors  in  their  elevation.  The  personal  traits  that 
dominated  the  life  and  determined  the  preeminence  of  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  are  not  difficult  to  be  discerned.  Among  these  we 
may  mention  quickness  of  perception,  promptness  of  decision,  in- 
tense earnestness,  unquestioned  justness,  sympathetic  nature,  un- 
swerving integrit}^  close  application,  confidence  in  himself  coupled 
with  unusual  administrative  ability  and  adamantine  adherence  to 
principles.  These  were  the  qualifications  that  enabled  him  to 
inspire  others  with  enthusiasm  and  the  development  of  their  best 
efforts,  that  won  for  him  the  respect  and  admiration  of  his  business 
associates  and  competitors  and  endeared  him  to  a  host  of  friends. 
His  decease  came  \vith  alarming  suddenness  and  was  a  great 
shock  to  the  community  and  the  wide  circle  of  friends.  He  left 
his  office  on  Saturday,  April  17,  apparently  in  good  health.  That 
night  he  was  taken  with  a  severe  chill  and  the  next  morning  medical 
attendance  was  called  in  and  the  ailment  was  promptly  diagnosed 
as  a  dangerous  type  of  pneumonia  from  which  he  succumbed  on 
Tuesday  afternoon,  less  than  three  days  after  being  taken  ill.  He 
is  survived  by  a  daughter,  Mrs.  Charles  A.  Dean,  Jr.,  of  Detroit, 
and  a  grandson,  Charles  A.  Dean,  3rd,  in  whom  Mr.  Ryan  was 
especially  delighted.  G.  M.  B. 
REPORT  OF  THE  CHAIRMAN  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  OF 
REVISION  OF  THE  U.  S.  PHARMACOPOEIA. 
By  Charles  H.  La  Wall,  Ph.M. 
In  presenting  the  report  which  the  by-laws  of  this  organization 
direct  shall  be  made  to  the  Decennial  Convention  by  the  Chairman 
