1 6  Conveniences  in  the  Pharmacy.  {^j^'im**^ 
the  outside.  It  is  arranged  according  to  the  classification  of  the 
U.  S.  Pharmacopoeia,  but  is  not  confined  to  the  articles  in  it.  This 
convenience  for  quick*and  accurate  dispensing  is  greatly  appreciated 
by  my  clerks. 
Another  great  convenience  is  the  method  of  filing  prescriptions  by 
means  of  a  Shannon  binding  case  of  special  size,  73^  x9^  inches, 
each  one  holding  about  750  prescriptions.  It  is  cheap,  does  not  take 
up  much  room  when  open  upon  the  counter,  and  gives  easy  access 
to  the  prescriptions,  anyone  of  which  can  be  readily  taken  from  the 
file. 
I  also  exhibit  to  you  two  ointment  tiles,  which  consist  of  pieces  of 
plate  glass  12  x  12,  one  painted  black  upon  the  back  for  mixing 
light-colored  ointments  upon,  the  other  white  for  dark  ointments, 
and  each  imbedded  in  a  walnut  slide.  It  would  have  made  a  neater 
finish  if  the  wood  had  been  painted  instead  of  the  glass. 
I  also  call  your  attention  to  a  container  for  ointments  which  are 
most  largely  used,  such  as  cold  cream.  It  holds  about  2  pounds, 
resembles  a  small  bucket,  is  made  of  heavy  tin,  and  has  a  slot  in  the 
lid  for  the  spatula,  each  can  having  its  own  spatula,  which  saves  the 
time  ordinarily  spent  in  cleaning  the  spatula  after  using. 
.  A  convenience  which  I  hope  to  have  when  provided  by  some 
enterprising  manufacturer,  will  be  a  hard  rubber  spatula  for  mixing 
those  ointments  which  act  upon  metal ;  horn  spatulas  are  absorbent 
and  soon  warp. 
Another  convenience  which,  if  "  cleanliness  is  next  to  Godliness,'' 
should  have  been  placed  first,  is  an  abundant  supply  of  hot  water 
which  I  obtain  by  utilizing  the  store  heater.  Three  stout  pieces  of 
heavy  iron  pipe,  about  twelve  inches  long,  are  connected  parallel  with 
each  other  by  short  elbows  and  placed  in  the  heater  above  the  fire 
pot  on  one  side ;  this  is  connected  with  a  circulating  boiler  and 
gives  all  of  the  hot  water  needed  in  the  laboratory,  at  the  soda 
counter  and  in  the  prescription  department,  and  has  cost  nothing 
for  repairs  for  some  eight  years. 
In  the  corner  of  the  store  adjoining  the  sink,  and  arranged  to 
drain  into  it,  I  have  a  small  counter  covered  with  zinc,  and  over- 
head a  part  of  it  a  hood  connected  with  a  flue  running  into  the 
chimney,  while  gas  is  conveniently  arranged  for  heating  and  light- 
ing. Many  minor  operations  which  cause  unpleasant  odors  or 
gases  can  be  carried  on  in  this  place. 
