Pharmaceutical  Colleges  and  Associations.  {^^'iHl'^^o^^' 
be  easily  broken,  the  metal  being  quite  granular  and  in  numerous  places  forming- 
larger  and  smaller  cavities,  which  contained  crystalline  red  oxide  of  lead. 
Professor  Remington  inquired  if  any  present  had  seen  so-called  S^uassia  Cups 
made  from  other  than  quassia  wood  j  he  had  been  informed  that  some  had  been  put 
on  the  market  in  a  Western  State. 
Mr.  Mclntyre  inquired  whether  there  was  any  process  known  for  completely  deo- 
dorizing coal  oil  or  benzin.  In  reply,  it  was  stated  that  lime  was  used  with  some 
effect,  but  did  not  completely  remove  the  odor. 
A  very  handsome  sample  of  neats-foot  oil  was  presented  to  the  cabinet  j  it  was 
stated  that  this  oil  was  now  a  commercial  article  being  constantly  supplied  to  the 
trade. 
After  a  short  discussion  upon  several  different  topics  the  meeting,  on  motion, 
adjourned. 
Thos.  S.  Wiegand,  Registrar. 
PHARMACEUTICAL  COLLEGES  AND  ASSOCIATIONS. 
Alumni  Association,  Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy.— The  first  social 
meeting  was  held  Oct.  12th,  President  Hugh  Campbell  in  the  chair. 
Dr.  A.  W.  Miller  addressed  the  meeting  on  the  subject  of  prescriptions,  giving 
the  derivation  of  the  word,  explaining  the  difference  between  officinal  and  magistral 
preparations,  and  stating  the  reasons  for  the  general  adoption  of  the  Latin  language 
in  prescriptions.  The  lecturer  then  explained  the  various  signs  used  in  prescrip- 
tions, and  their  proper  construction,  the  abbreviations  and  some  of  the  Latin  terms 
which  are  occasionally  employed  in  the  directions. 
Mr.  L.  E.  Sayre  described  the  flower  heads  of  Pyrethrum  roseum^  and  made  some 
experiments  upon^flies  and  tadpoles,  to  show  the  prompt  effect  upon  them  of  the 
pure^^'powder,  while  some  of  the  commercial  insect  powders  were  not  at  all  effica- 
cious. Dr.  Miller  remarked  that  the  microscope  would  most  likely  be  the  best 
means  for  discovering  adulterations  in  insect  powder. 
After  some  remarks  on  the  arrangement  of  a  collection  of  materia  medica  speci- 
mens for  the  use  of  students,  one  question  each  in  materia  medica,  chemistry  and 
pharmacy  was  announced  to  be  answered  in  writing  by  the  members  of  the  class, 
after  which  the  meeting  adjourned. 
At  the  second  meeting,  held  Nov.  9th,  Mr.  Krewson  occupied  the  chair,  and  Mr. 
Cookjdelivered  a  discouise  on  natural  orders  of  plants,  their  limits  and  systematic 
arrangement.  Dr.  Miller  illustrated  and  explained  the  symbols  that  were  in  use  by 
the  alchemists,  after  which  the  report  of  the  delegates  from  the  Alumni  Associa- 
tion to  the  meeting  of  the  American  Pharmaceutical  Association  at  Saratoga  was 
read,  and^some  remarks  made  by  Dr.  Miller  on  the  numerous  mineral  spiings  of 
that  watering  place,  and  on  some  of  the  most  interesting  features  of  the  exhibition 
which  was  held  during  the  meeting  of  the  National  Association.  A  number  of 
specimens  were  shown,  and  several  questions  propounded  to  the  members  of  the 
class.    The  meeting  then  adjourned. 
