MINUTES OP THE PHARMACEUTICAL MEETINGS. 341 
it in large doses without observing that it produced any 
effect on the human body. It is, therefore, not employed 
in medicine; but it is extensively used in the manufacture of 
borax. 
MINUTES OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL MEETINGS. 
October 3, 1842. 
Dr. Carson in the Chair. 
The minutes of the last meeting were read and adopted. 
Dr. Bridges, on behalf of Dr. William R. Fisher, presented 
to the College a box of cupreous minerals, many of them rare 
specimens. 
The Committee to whom was referred the paper of Charles 
Ellis on " The Febrifuge Powder of Bark," reported. 
Some observations on the volatile oil of Gaultheria pro- 
cumbens were made by William Procter, Jr., which had re- 
ference to researches recently made by him on the chemical 
character of that volatile oil. He stated that it proved to be 
closely allied in its chemical relations with the Oil of Spiraea 
ulmaria, which has received the name of Saliculous Acid, 
Like that acid it unites with the bases, potassa, soda, and am- 
monia, baryta, &c; and also with chlorine, bromine, and 
iodine, forming most generally crystalline compounds, which 
in many instances appear identical with those described as 
resulting from the union of saliculous acid with the same 
