532 
Ame7'iGan  Pharmaceutical  Association. 
(  Am.  Jour  Pharm. 
1      Oct.,  1883. 
market,  giving  the  variation  of  prices  of  tlie  most  important  drugs  during 
the  year,  and  the  changes  in  the  rates  of  duties  on  drugs,  etc.,  under  the 
new  tariff,  which  took  effect  July  1st. 
The  Association  then  paid  an  official  visit  to  the  exhibition  room,  and 
afterwards  adjourned. 
Third  Session,  Wednesday  Afternoon,  Sept.  12th. 
A  motion  made  by  Mr.  Colcord  that  the  Committee  on  Legislation  be 
instructed  to  ask  an  a^Dpropriation  of  $25,000  of  the  general  government  to 
be  expended  under  the  direction  of  the  Commissioner  of  Agriculture  for  the 
introduction  and  cultivation  of  foreign  medicinal  plants  and  for  the  better, 
protection  of  our  indigenous  medicinal  plants,  was  referred  to  the  Council 
to  inquire  into  the  subject,  and  with  power  to  act. 
The  first  paper  read  was  by  Prof.  Prescott  on  the  quality  of  commercial 
iodide  of  potassium  (see  page  497),  and  elicited  considerable  discussion.  Prof. 
Markoe  stated  that  in  New  England  potassium  iodide  is  frequently  pre- 
scribed with  syrup  of  iodide  of  iron,  and  that  the  slight  alkalinity  of  the 
salt  is  the  source  of  annoyance  and  trouble  in  this  combination.  It  was 
stated  that  manufacturers  were  compelled  to  crystallize  the  salt  from  an 
alkaline  solution  in  order  to  supply  opaque  crystals  as  demanded  by  the 
consumers,  and  that  an  attempt  made  some  years  ago  in  Great  Britain  to 
introduce  the  pure  salt  in  transparent  crystals  had  not  met  with  success. 
While  pure  potassium  iodide,  if  kept  dry,  would  remain  unaltered,  the 
neutral  salt  contaminated  with  some  chloride,  was  said  to  attract  moisture 
and  become  discolored  from  free  iodine.  The  prescribing  of  thisiodide  with 
alkaloidal  salts  or  with  preparations  containing  alkaloids,  was  referred  to 
as  the  cause  of  precipitates,  more  particularly  if  combined  with  mercuric 
iodide,  and  of  possibly  serious  consequences  to  the  patient.  Although  the 
samples  of  the  salt  examined  showed  the  commercial  article  to  be  of  very 
fair  quality,  it  was  contended  that  the  rigid  application  of  pharmacopoeial 
tests  would  tend  to  still  further  improve  its  purity  which  was  deemed  to  be 
entirely  feasible. 
Mr.  Seabury  read  a  lengthy  report  of  the  Entertainment  Committee,  at 
the  conclusion  of  which  various  motions  and  counter-motions  were  made, 
and  after  a  good  deal  of  discussion  |it  was  decided  to  accept  the  report,  to 
lay  a  motion  to  discharge  the  committee  on  the  table,  to  order  the  balance 
of  the  entertainment  fund  of  1882,  amounting  to  $224,  to  be  paid  over  to  the 
present  committee,  and  to  refer  the  committee's  suggestions  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  the  President's  Address.  The  Association  then  adjourned  until 
9  o'clock  on  Thursday  morning. 
Fourth  Session,  Thursday  Morning,  Sept.  ISth. 
After  the  reading  of  the  minutes  a  motion  was  made  to  adjourn  until 
afternoon,  in  conformity  with  the  programme  laid  out  by  the  Entertain- 
ment Committee  ;  the  motion  was  not  seconded.  On  motion  of  Mr.  Diehl, 
fecconded  by  Mr.  Rice,  it  was  resolved  that  hereafter  all  business  pertaining 
to  entertainment  be  referred  to  the  Council  without  further  discussion. 
