1 8  8  C  orrespondence.  { AmAJprnr;  iarni ' 
45*5  per  cent,  volatile  oil.  This  oil  has  a  yellow  color,  and  in  one 
sample,  redistilled,  we  obtained  a  specific  gravity  at  150  C.  of  0-928 
and  an  optical  rotation  of  -{-  5°  45 
There  seems  little  doubt  but  that  this  balsam  is  a  product  of  a 
genuine  copaiba,  of  which  there  are  a  number  of  species  growing  in 
Africa.  Dr.  E.  H.  Fenwick,  F.R.C.S.,  has  made  therapeutic  experi- 
ments with  this  material,  and  summarizes  thus:  "The  oil  possesses 
undoubted  therapeutic  power,  all  the  patients,  with  one  exception, 
acknowledging  much  benefit  from  its  exhibition.  I  am  told  by 
patients  that  it  is  less  nauseous  to  take,  repeats  less,  but  is  less  potent 
in  its  effects  than  the  copaiba  oil  at  present  on  the  market  (South 
American).  I  have  used  it  in  prostatic  inflammation,  fresh  and 
chronic  urethritis,  stricture  and  pyelitis."  (Pharm.  Joimi.  and  Trans. , 
I893-) 
With  the  evidence  indicating  that  African  copaiba  is  the  product 
of  a  genuine  copaiba  closely  related  to  the  South  American  variety, 
and  with  clinical  proof  such  as  Dr.  Fenwick  offers,  there  seems  to 
be  little  reason  why  this  product,  when  sold  properly  under  its  own 
name,  should  not  be  granted  a  legitimate  position  in  the  treatment 
of  those  diseased  conditions  to  which  the  other  copaibas  are 
applicable. 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
PHARMACEUTICAL  DEGREES. 
Baltimore,  February  1,  1905. 
To  the  Pharmaceutical  Press  of  Ametica  : 
I  began  the  New  Year  owning  the  same  peculiar  devotion  to 
pharmacy  and  its  loyal  votaries  that  has  consistently  possessed  me 
during  all  the  years  that  have  passed  since  I  first  entered  its  "  por- 
tals," and  it  is  in  this  old-time,  respectful,  devoted  and  hopeful 
mood  that  I  come  with  a  plea  to  the  Pharmaceutical  Press;  fully 
acknowledging  its  benign  interest,  splendid  influence  and  unequalled 
power  in  all  things  pharmaceutic. 
I  come  begging  that  this  interest,  this  influence,  this  power  may 
be  actively  directed  towards  the  correction  of  a  mistake,  the  removal 
of  a  hindrance,  and,  thereby,  the  advancement  of  a  cause—no  less  a 
cause  than  pharmacy  itself.  I  come  earnestly  begging  the  concen- 
trated direction  of  all  these  potencies,  because  I  am  sadly  convinced 
