EDITORIAL. 
351 
importers in ilie first period of their action. We learn from our friend 
John Milhau, President of the New York College of Pharmacy that 
So far, there have been no serious objections evinced, on the part of 
importers, to the practical application of the law. Some difference of 
opinion exists as to the per centage of morphia which good Turkey 
opium should contain, to entitle it to pass the Custom house. The In- 
specting Officer of this Port inclines to the belief that 9 per cent should 
be the minimum standard." "This, we will admit, is an article of 
such importance to the physician that it shovdd never be admitted into 
the country except it be of sufficient strength to be available at the or- 
dinary doses. As matters have been, we have such reason to fear that 
the better kinds of opium were purchased by the manufacturers of 
raorphia; the inferior qualities remaining to supply the various 
forms under which opium is administered." It would be very desirable 
that no opium containing less than 9 percent, of morphia should be used, 
but we fear that a very large proportion of so called prime opium will not 
reach this strength. The frequent essaying of these products will soon 
give us the true state of the opium market, and a standard can then be 
fixed on a rational basis. And so in reference to other articles of an 
organic nature, containing active principles. 
Prescription Blanks. — In our last number we noticed a prescrip- 
tion blank, suggested by our friend Edward Parrish. The idea appears 
tohave been approved by apothecaries^ as we observe numerous editions 
have been issued by others, differing little from the original suggestion. 
In some, however, we observe the apothecary's name has been attached, 
which is in our opinion so objectionable a feature as to induce us to 
suggest to our pharmaceutical brethren its indelicacy. There is no physi- 
cian whose practice is confined to one neighborhood and they cannot 
be expected to carry a variety of blanks to suit the various districts or 
stores ; hence in using such blanks he is subjected either to the neces- 
sity of removing the name, or to the implication of being partial in his 
patronage. 
Vallet's Pills of Carbonate of Iron. — Every apothecary is aware 
that however consistent the mass pill, ferri carb. ; of the U. S. P. may be 
at the time it is made into pills, its deliquescent nature soon causes them 
to attract sufficient moisture to soften and run together in damp 
weather. We have found it very convenient to prepare a quantity 
of the officinal pills in the following manner, viz. : We take a 
a plate of tinned iron, place on it as much of the mass as is sufficient 
