MINUTES OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL MEETINGS. 309 
Specimen No. 1 had a good pilular consistence and ap- 
pearance, and was made by George W. Ridgeway of Phi- 
ladelphia. One hundred grains of this mass was found to 
contain twenty-eight grs. of mercury. 
No. 2 possessed the proper appearance and consistence, 
maker's name not known. This specimen contained twenty- 
six per cent, of mercury. 
No. 3. This sample to which Clement Cresson's label was 
attached, was obtained by Samuel C. Sheppard from a stock 
put up for Dr. Shoemaker of Pennsylvania. Its consistence 
was so soft as to render it unfit for making pills without 
the addition of some other substance. One hundred grains 
yielded twenty-five grains of mercury. 
No. 4 was labelled Baily of Wolverhampton, and had a 
good consistence and color. One hundred grains yielded 
twenty-five grains of mercury. 
No. 5, was labelled " Pil : Hydrarg : L. P." It was 
dry pulverulent, apparently very old, and contained globules 
of mercury of sufficient magnitude to be visible to the un- 
assisted eye. It contained thirty-four per cent, of mercury. 
This specimen probably contains a larger proportion of 
mercury than when originally prepared, owing to the eva- 
poration of moisture. 
These were the samples originally submitted to the com- 
mittee, but in furtherance of the objects of the report they 
have examined four other specimens, viz. 
No. 6. A second sample of Ridgeway's manufacture ob- 
tained from George W. Ridgeway by the committee. Its 
consistence was good, but the cut surface exhibited several 
white specks, and by analysis it yielded twenty-eight per 
cent, of mercury. 
This specimen was made with the design of submitting it 
to the Committee, and the manufacturer states that the full 
proportion of mercury was employed, that the mill run a 
few hours longer than usual, and that nothing occurred in 
the process to which the deficiency could be attributed. 
No. 7. A third sample of Ridgeway's manufacture, handed 
