326 
Notes  on  Pharmaceutical  Subjects. 
Am.  Jour.  Pbarm. 
July,  1905. 
(2)  Encouragement  will  be  given  to  candidates  to  specialize  on  the 
physical  or  biological  side.  (3)  The  increased  importance  given  to 
materia  medica  and  pharmaceutics  by  the  extension  of  the  time 
devoted  to  them  in  the  examination  will  encourage  the  teaching  of 
these  subjects,  and  induce  more  students  to  become  expert  in  what 
should  be  regarded  as  the  most  important  branches  of  the  art  of 
pharmacy.  (4)  The  inclusion  of  pharmaceutics  with  materia  medica 
on  a  suitable  syllabus  will  insure  that  a  candidate  who  takes  the 
biological  side  will  be  sufficiently  examined  in  applied  chemistry  to 
avoid  any  diminution  of  the  real  value  of  the  title  of  "  Pharmaceuti- 
cal Chemist."  One  member  of  the  Board,  Professor  Trail,  suggested 
that  in  the  case  of  candidates  taking  the  biological  side,  zoology 
might  with  advantage  be  added  to  the  subjects  for  the  Major  Ex- 
amination. The  Boards,  while  regarding  the  suggestion  as  worthy 
of  consideration,  do  not  at  present  press  the  point.  The  scheme 
has  only  just  been  published,  and  so  far  there  has  been  no  time  for 
correspondence  in  the  pharmaceutical  journals.  It  would  seem  to 
be  a  wise  departure.  There  are  many  pharmacists  who  would  find 
it  useful  to  have  a  wider  knowledge  of  chemistry  than  is  obtainable 
in  the  present  Major  course  of  instruction,  owing  to  the  time  devoted 
to  botany.  And,  vice  versa,  those  who  wish  to  devote  themselves 
more  to  biological  studies  would,  under  this  scheme,  be  allowed  to 
drop  part  of  the  course  in  chemistry.  The  need  is  great  for  attract- 
ing more  candidates  to  the  Major  examination.  For  pharmacists  to 
hold  their  own  with  the  medical  men  with  whom  they  come  in  daily 
contact  it  is  very  desirable  that  their  training  in  pharmacy  should 
be  as  thorough  as  possible.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  a  trial  may  be 
given  to  this  scheme  of  specialization. 
PRACTICAL  NOTES  ON  PHARMACEUTICAL  SUBJECTS. 
By  Thos.  S.  Wikgand. 
It  may  seem  strange  to  come  before  the  pharmaceutical  meeting 
with  the  simple  subjects  which  my  paper  treats  of ;  but  recent  con- 
versation with  some  who  have  had  good  opportunities  to  learn 
convinces  me  that  it  is  well  to  reinforce  the  lessons  they  have 
received  from  far  more  able  teachers. 
First  the  subject  of  percentage  solutions,  which  seems  so  plain  to 
most  pharmacists,  is  still  a  stumbling-block  to  some  who  should 
