AVovu,ri57h6ar™}  Editorial.  523 
ation  of  a  chair  of  practical  chemistry,  which  should  be  filled  by  a  practical  phar- 
macist 5  also,  one  declaring  in  favor  of  saleable  concessions  for  pharmacies,  and  of 
their  limitation  according  to  the  actual  need. 
Two  scientific  lectures  were  delivered  by  Prof.  Fraas  on  the  geology  of  Wurt- 
temberg,  and  by  Prof.  Reichardt  on  the  examination  of  atmospheric  air  for  ozone 
and  hydrocarbon. 
The  next  meeting  wilJ  be  held  at  Leipzig. 
French  Pharmaceutical  Society. — At  the  Congress  of  the  Local  Pharma- 
ceutical Societies  of  France,  held  at  Clermont,  August  17th  to  19th,  the  formation 
of  a  general  pharmaceutical  society  was  resolved  upon,  and  a  resolution  passed 
recommending  the  extension  of  the  apprenticeship  to  four  years,  and  the  compulsory 
examination  of  assistants. 
Pharmaceutical  Society  of  New  South  Wales. — We  learn  from  the 
"  Pharm.  Journal "  that  such  a  society  has  been  established  for  the  purpose  of 
uniting  the  chemists  and  druggists  in  that  colony  "  in  one  ostensible,  recognized  and 
independent  body  for  protecting  their  general  interests,  and  for  the  advancement  of 
pharmacy  by  furnishing  such  a  uniform  system  of  education  as  shall  secure  the  pro- 
fession and  the  public  the  safest  and  most  efficient  administration  of  medicines. " 
The  new  society  has  speedily  obtained  legislative  recognition,  and  an  act  has 
been  passed  entrusting  to  a  Board  of  Pharmacy,  elected  from  the  council  of  the 
society,  power  to  control  all  matters  relating  to  the  conduct  of  pharmacy,  sale  of 
poisons,  etc.,  throughout  the  colony. 
EDITORIAL  DEPARTMENT. 
The  Sanitary  Condition  of  Philadelphia  during  the  International 
Exhibition. — In  the  June  number,  p.  283,  we  published  a  circular  from  the  Bureau 
of  Medical  Service,  organized  in  connection  with  the  Centennial  Exposition,  in 
which  the  average  mortality,  during  the  past  four  of  five  years,  of  six  cities  of  over 
500,000  inhabitants  was  given,  showing  that  the  average  death  rate  was  lowest  in 
Philadelphia.  This  condition  has  not  been  materially  altered  during  the  past  sum- 
mer months,  notwithstanding  the  protracted  heat  during  a  part  of  that  time,  and 
although  the  influx  from  strangers  was  quite  considerable,-  the  following  circular, 
issued  by  the  same  bureau,  will  give  further  account: 
Bureau  of  Medical  Service. — In  a  former  circular  issued  from  this  Department,  the  exceptionally 
favorable  position  which  is  occupied  by  Philadelphia,  in  comparison  with  the  other  great  cities  of  the: 
world  (z.  e.,  cities  containing  over  500,000  inhabitants),  in  regard  to  its  sanitary  advantages  and  average 
rate  of  mortality,  was  shown  by  carefully  prepared  statistics.  In  anticipation  of  the  unusually  large 
number  of  visitors  who  would  undoubtedly  be  present  in  the  city  during  the  continuance  of  the  Interna- 
tional Exhibition,  great  efforts  were  made  by  the  municipal  authorities  as  well  as  by  those  in  charge  of 
the  Exhibition  Grounds,  to  obviate  every  cause  of  disease.  '1  he  details  of  these  arrangements  will  be 
published  in  the  official  reports  of  the  various  departments,  which  will  appear  after  the  close  of  the  Ex- 
hibition. 
It  is  owing  to  their  thoroughness  that,  despite  the  very  severe  and  prolonged  heat  of  June  and  July, 
and  the  vast  number  of  unacclimated  strangers  constantly  present  in  Philadelphia  since  the  10th  of  May, 
the  general  health  of  the  city  has  been  remarkably  favorable.  With  the  exception  of  the  four  weeks  end- 
ing July  22,  the  range  of  temperature  for  the  past  five  months  has  been  about  the  average.  Thus,  for 
the  entire  period  of  20  weeks  since  May  10,  the  mean  daily  temperature  has  been  71*30°  F.,  while  the 
average  for  the  same  months  during  the  past  ten  years  has  been  71-82°  F.  The  mean  temperature  of  the 
four  weeks  referred  to  (ending  July  22),  on  the  other  hand,  was  8o°,  83°,  83°  and  8i°  respectively,  giving 
an  average  for  the  month  of  81-75°  against  75-5°  F.,  the  mean  temperature  of  the  corresponding  period  of 
the  previous  year. 
The  following  table,  showing  the  relative  mortality  of  Philadelphia  and  some  of  the  larger  American 
and  European  cities,  has  been  prepared  with  strict  care  from  the  official  records.  The  periods  selected 
for  comparison  correspond  as  closely  as  possible.  It  will  be  seen,  on  careful  examination,  that  the  past 
season  has  not  been  an  unfavorable  one. 
