Ana.  Jonr.  Pharm. 
April,  1895. 
Editorial. 
221 
EDITORIAL. 
THE  AMERICAN  PHARMACEUTICAL,  ASSOCIATION. 
As  stated  on  another  page,  the  time  of  holding  the  next  meeting  of  this  Asso- 
ciation, at  Denver,  Col.,  has  been  fixed  for  August  14th.  It  was  first  contem- 
plated holding  the  meeting  in  June,  and  for  some  reasons  this  would  have  been 
satisfactory,  but  the  latter  month  is  one  in  which  many  State  Pharmaceutical 
Associations  are  convened,  and  this  would,  no  doubt,  have  been  the  cause  of 
many  members  failing  to  reach  Denver. 
It  was  certainly  demonstrated,  in  1893,  that  August  is  a  suitable  month  in 
which  tD  hold  the  meeting  of  the  National  Association,  and  that  it  is  by  no 
means  the  most  disagreeable  month  in  which  to  travel. 
PUBLIC  MISUSE  OF  CARBOLIC  ACID. 
We  have  just  received  a  circular,  bearing  the  above  title,  from  a  committee 
of  the  Cleveland  Pharmaceutical  Association,  which  circular  contains  a  valua- 
ble suggestion  and  considerable  sound,  practical  sense. 
The  committee  state  that  "carbolic  acid,  U.  S.  P.,  is  in  crystals;  and  not  being 
convenient  in  this  form  for  the  household  or  medical  use,  it  is  made  liquid  by 
the  addition  of  from  5  to  8  per  cent,  of  water  ;  when  thus  prepared,  it  does 
not  strictly  conform  to  the  legal  (U.  S.  P.)  standard,  yet  by  common  usage  it 
has  become  recognized  by  the  public  and  by  many  physicians,  erroneously, 
as  true  carbolic  acid,  and  has  been  so  labelled." 
Since  this  conveniently  liquefied  acid  apparently  mixes  with  water,  oils  and 
other  liquids,  yet  solution  does  not  usually  take  place.  The  strong,  milky  or 
cloudy  acid  that  remains  undissolved  acts  as  a  powerful  caustic  instead  of  a 
healing  agent. 
"  If  directed  to  be  mixed  at  home  with  oil,  vaseline,  lard  or  other  fats,  the  liquefied  acid 
will  not  dissolve  on  account  of  the  5  to  8  per  cent,  of  water  it  contains,  thereby  resulting  in 
caustic  instead  of  healing-  actions." 
"  If  swallowed  by  accident  it  is  almost  universally  fatal  before  assistance  can  arrive  ;  yet 
it  is  not  desired  or  needed  in  so  dangerous  a  liquid  form." 
"  The  Cleveland  Pharmaceutical  Association,  having  had  its  attention  called  thereto,  and 
believing  that  it  owes  a  duty  to  the  public  to  prevent  injury  as  far  as  possible  without  depriv- 
ing the  people  of  the  proper  use  of  a  valuable  drug,  have  devised  and  adopted  a  formula  and 
label  for  carbolic  acid  for  general  dispensing  purposes,  which  they  hope  will  do  away  with 
much  of  the  injury  due  to  careless  use,  and  respectfully  request  the  co-operation  of  all  phar- 
macists and  physicians  to  that  end. 
FORMULA. 
Take  of  carbolic  acid  crystals  16  troy  ounces. 
Glycerin  40  " 
Melt  the  acid  and  stir  in  the  glycerin. 
OR  FOR  PRACTICAL  PURPOSES. 
Carbolic  acid  •  •  1  measure. 
Glycerin   2  measures. 
"  This  formula  furnishes  a  33  per  cent,  carbolic  acid  fluid.  The  label  explains  the  rest.  It 
is  to  be  popularized  as  No.  33  carbolic  acid,  which  indirectly  instructs  the  physician  as  to  the 
strength  of  the  acid  and  indirectly  enables  him  to  tell  what  strength  it  is  by  its  directions  for 
making  a  practically  1  per  cent,  solution  ;  thus  also,  by  multiplying  the  amount  directed,  he 
can  order  a  1,  3,  4  or  5  percent,  solution,  as  desired. 
"  This  No.  33  acid  mixes  readily  with  water  or  alcohol  in  all  proportions,  and  not  being  as 
caustic,  cannot  result  in  as  much  mischief  or  fatality  if  taken  accidentally  or  purpose!}-. 
