54  Minutes  of  the  Pharmaceutical  Meeting.     i^"^- j^n!im^'''^' 
masses,  puch  as  are  used  in  the  preparation  of  the  plasters  now  so  largely  sold. 
On  motion,  the  thanks  of  the  College  were  tendered  to  the  givers  for  their 
kind  remembrances. 
Mr.  H.  J.  M.  SchrcEter  read  a  paper  upon  Bitter  Wine  of  Iron.  In  response  to 
a  query  whether  the  articles  examined  were  those  largely  advertised,  or  those 
generally  made  by  different  pharmacists  for  their  own  sales,  the  reply  was 
that  the  most  advertised  ones  were  not  those  examined.  Bitter  wine  of  iron 
had  long  been  made  before  it  was  admitted  in  the  Pharmacopoeia.  One  member 
thought  it  originated  with  the  senior  Dr.  Meigs ;  another,  however,  stated  that 
Dr.  Physic,  or  the  elder  Dr.  Parrish,  had  prescribed  it  and  given  a  formula  for  it. 
A  paper  upon  Fluid  Extract  of  Cimidfuga  was  read  by  Mr.  E.  C.  Lesher, 
who  also  exhibited  the  results  of  his  experiments;  and  a  paper  upon  Fluid 
Extract  of  Asarum  Canadense  was  read  by  Mr.  Frank  P.  Streeper.  The  papers 
were  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Publication.  One  of  the  members  inquired 
whether  the  samples  submitted  had  been  filtered,  and  the  reply  was,  that  only 
one  had  been,  the  others  retained  their  bright  condition  without  any  treatment. 
Mr.  Thompson  thought  this  a  proper  occasion  to  have  a  general  expression  of 
opinion  upon  the  subject,  and  said  that  every  student  should  comprehend  the 
importance  of  making  his  own  pharmaceuticals  ;  that  they  came  here  to  obtain 
an  education  that  fitted  them  to  do  so,  and  that  it  ought  to  be  their  aim  and 
pleasure,  as  it  is  their  profit,  to  do  it.  Mr.  Mclntyre  said  that  the  persons 
requiring  medicines  could  be  divided  into  two  classes :  those  who  got  them  of  the 
doctors,  and  those  who  obtained  them  from  apothecaries.  Every  druggist 
could  prepare  fluid  extracts  of  the  strength  of  half  an  ounce  of  drug  to  the  fluid- 
ounce,  and  it  was  desirable  that  they  so  should  be  prepared;  this  would  help 
both  patient  and  apothecary.  Mr.  Thompson  wished  to  hear  Mr.  Robbins 
express  his  opinion  on  this  sul)ject,  as  he  had  a  very  large  experience  in  this 
matter.  Mr.  Webb  inquired  whether  Mr.  Robbins  thought  that  a  light  drug, 
such  as  buchu  or  senna,  could  be  exhausted  with  a  quantity  of  liquid  equal  to 
the  weight  of  the  drug  used.  Mr.  Robbins  said  that  the  drugs  just  named 
doubtless  could  be  exhausted.  The  opinion  had  been  expressed  heretofore  that 
fluid  extracts  would  be  better  made  if  prepared  so  that  a  fluidounce  represented 
but  half  an  ounce  weight. 
Mr.  Mclntyre  showed  specimens  of  blue  and  white  wrapping  paper  of  a 
character  that  would  repel  moisture,  being  thus  better  adapted  to  the  use  of 
putting  up  Seidlitz  powders,  and  other  substances  of  a  hj'groscopic  character; 
the  paper  is  that  commonly  known  as  parchment  paper. 
Mr.  Thompson  read  a  facetious  article,  an  "  Epitaph  on  a  Chymist,"  taken 
from  a  publication  dated  about  1800. 
A  member  said  that  as  the  question  of  the  revision  of  the  Pharmacopoeia  was 
approaching,  it  would  be  desu^able  to  ascertain  the  opinion  of  the  members 
of  the  College  upon  the  subject  of  parts  by  weight;  it  would  probably  be 
found  that  a  large  majority  were  not  in  favor  of  it. 
There  being  no  fiuiher  business  the  meeting  adjourned. 
T.  S.  WiEGAND 
Registrar. 
