1 8  International  Standards.  {^;SrySrm* 
These  two  exceptions  are  tincture  of  canthandes  and  tincture  ot 
strophantus — two  preparations  but  little  known  and  certainly  not 
very  popular  in  this  country  at  the  present  time. 
The  next  item  on  the  accompanying  table,  syrup  of  ipecac,  is 
possibly  open  to  the  criticism  of  not  coming  within  the  strict  defini- 
tion of  a  potent  remedy.  There  is,  however,  some  force  in  the 
argument  that  at  the  present  time  there  is  decidedly  too  much  vari- 
ation in  the  strength  of  this  particular  syrup.  This  latter  argument 
would  certainly  apply  to  the  next  item — syrup  of  iodide  of  iron. 
This  varies  all  the  way  from  the  weak  preparation  of  the  Greek 
Pharmacopoeia  to  the  10  per  cent,  strength  of  our  own  national 
standard.  Some  regulation  as  to  the  strength  of  this  preparation 
would  appear  to  be  advantageous,  in  view  of  its  widely  extended 
use.  In  the  case  of  the  U.S.P.  preparation  it  would  necessitate  the 
reduction  ot  the  strength  one-half,  thus  doubling  the  dose.  The 
preparation  itself  would  probably  be  more  acceptable  —  certainly 
more  stable  than  the  present  U.S.P.  syrup. 
The  proposed  strength  for  diluted  hydrocyanic  acid  will  meet  with 
general  favor  in  this  country,  as  it  practically  corresponds  in  strength 
with  that  official  in  the  U.S.P.  at  the  present  time. 
As  to  mercurial  ointment,  it  may  probably  meet  with  the  same 
objection  as  the  syrup  of  ipecac.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  a  30  per  cent, 
ointment  would  probably  be  more  generally  popular  than  is  the 
50  per  cent,  ointment  official  at  the  present  time. 
The  remaining  three  items  are  practically  identical  in  strength 
with  those  now  official  in  the  U.S.P.  The  possible  exception  is 
Dover's  Powder.  This  would  be  from  20  to  35  per  cent,  weaker  in 
morphine  strength,  using  the  proposed  international  strength  of 
powdered  opium  as  a  basis  of  comparison. 
Altogether,  the  proposed  standards  for  galenical  preparations 
are  in  line  with  the  general  trend  for  more  uniform  formulas,  as  is 
evidenced  in  the  later  editions  of  the  various  European  Pharmaco- 
poeias. 
The  feeling  of  the  leading  men  on  the  Continent  of  Europe  was 
voiced  by  the  veteran  M.  Binz,  who,  at  the  close  of  the  sessions  of 
the  conference,  in  a  speech  thanking  the  Belgian  Government,  con- 
gratulated the  Belgian  delegation  for  so  directing  the  proceedings, 
and  presenting  a  program  that  was  generally  acceptable  and  will 
be  immediately  realizable. 
