PHARMACISTS IN AFRICA.

Joining the British Army as a Compounder.—A correspondent of the British and Colonial Druggist

says:

I was now passed on to the doctor, having first to strip naked in an officer's room. There was a good fire on, but as I had to pass along a corridor I begged to be allowed to retain my shirt. The officer kindly but firmly told me that I must go to the doctor's room sine vestimento. The doctor, a civilian, I found to be rather an austere individual. The first few minutes he spent in staring at me, making me walk up and down, and watching my every movement. Then commenced a minute examination, lasting about an hour. Height and weight were noted. When I stepped onto the cold iron weighing machine I nearly jumped into the air. Then my teeth were each carefully examined, every finger and every toe moved backwards and forwards, chest tapped all over and when I bent forward, with my hands touching the floor, and my back was vigorously thumped, I realized that it was no joke joining the army. Then my heart was sounded, and my eyesight tested by reading cards quickly at various distances on which a certain number of dots were marked. A note was carefully taken of the result of each examination, all birth and other marks on the body being also jotted down, a recent scratch on back of hand not even escaping mention.

Then I was told to dress, and as I walked along the corridor the officer, no doubt noticing my perturbed state of mind, said encouragingly: "Oh, you are all right! if you were going to be rejected you would have been out of this long ago," for which assurance I felt grateful. On going back I underwent the following simple examination:-"What is James' Powder?" "What are Plummer's Pills?" "Strength?" "Chief ingredients?" "What is other name for tartarated antimony?" "What is the dose of red precipitate!" (a catch). "What are the ingredients of Gregory powder and dose?" "What happens when steel drops and tincture of digitalis are mixed?" "By the way, what did you say was the dose of red precipitate?" I again replied that it was never given internally. "Then what is the dose of white precipitate?" "The dose of castor oil for a man?" This finished an examination which seemed to me simple enough, but more medical than pharmaceutical in its nature.

I was then passed on to the adjutant who told me that I was accepted, and kindly gave me many useful hints as to what I should take with me to Aldershot, etc. Finally, the old sergeant-major, whom I had first seen, congratulated me, saying: "It is a fine place the Army-lots of nice fellows in the Army; you will never leave it I am sure. Lots of compounders get on well; get to be clerks to officers, get charge of depots, or look after big stores, etc., and like it well. Yes," he added, as he shook hands, "its a fine place, the Army." And I hope to find it so.

Pharmacists in the British Army.-"Special Compounder" writes from Africa to the Chemist and Druggist as follows:

All the chemists that enlisted for the post of special compounders expected they would be treated as gentlemen, be sergeants in the army, attend sergeants' mess, etc., and generally enjoy themselves. These sanguine expectations were somewhat disappointed

The first batch of us that arrived were all right, so far as sergeants' mess was concerned, but as further additions began to come in, the mess was found to be too small and the stomachs of the compounders too large, so we were finally turned out, and are now messing in barracks the same as the ordinary soldiers.

To begin with, we have to get up at 6:30, rather a new experience for most of us, but unless we did so it would be impossible to appear on parade in time.

The first thing we do is to make up our beds, a very necessary thing, as they stretch right across the room and it is impossible to move conveniently until that is done. I call it a room, but it scarcely deserves the name. It is simply a structure with a floor and a few whitewashed walls.

Brushing our boots is the next operation. The boots are rather clumsy, but excellent for walking I find them much more

comfortable than the ordinary civilian boots and shoes, only it is a relief to get them off after last parade. Next comes shavingunder difficulties. We are served with razors, but they scarcely deserve the name. I believe they cost originally about 3s. 6d. a dozen. They are the kind made to sell. There are no lookingglasses in the rooms, yet everyone is expected to turn out with a face as smooth as a new-born babe's. We finally got hold of a looking-glass between twelve of us, but as it did not exceed a watch-glass in size we had to shave our faces by sections, first half of one cheek then the other half, and so on, until every hair had been finally removed. We had no orders to remove any skin, but most of us did so.

Next we had to go into a room about twenty yards further along to wash ourselves. There were a few basins scattered about, but the water was turned off, so that we had to wash in the small quantity in some of the basins. Soap could scarcely be had for love or money. However, we finally got fixed up and then came breakfast, which consists of a large bowl of tea and dry bread. I am glad to say we get as much bread as we like, so that, if our stomachs hold out, there is no fear of starving, and we can always buy anything in the food line we require.

First parade at 8:50. Dispensers have special drill to qualify them for marching with the troops in South Africa. The drillinstructor says chemists make very bad recruits, for a time at least. I expect that is due to their scarcity of spare time, so that they cannot go into the volunteer force.

Another parade at 10:50. Then an interval until about 12 o'clock when dinner comes, or, rather, we go for it. It consists of beef and potatoes, and is served out at the end of a long table. Sometimes we have a second course. I must say that everything is very well cooked.

Parade again at 1:50 for an hour, and then we are free for the day to do as we please. We have plenty of spare time, but as the buttons are to be polished, etc., that practically fills it up. We are free until 9:30 unless we care to turn up for another meal of dry bread and tea, which finishes our food consumption for the day. At 9:30 we must be indoors to answer the roll-call, unless out on pass.

Beds are made down every night and "lights out" sounds at 10:15, when everyone must retire. Singing is strictly prohibited after that hour, although talking is not objected to.

A new contingent of compounders has just come in. They had rather a surprise, and I think they expected something better. Some of their remarks were very funny. One could not find the pillow, and he was told to feel behind his head and he would find something like a small square brick-that was the pillow. Another remark was passed about a small draught being felt, and met with the answer that it was a "blooming whirlwind," Another awakened in the morning and found he had kicked the mattress out below him and was sleeping on the iron. He declared "it bumped." I quite believe it did.

Another lot have just come in. No beds for them! They were told to get some biscuits and make their beds on the floor. The sergeant thought they would make their beds first, and then they inquired about the biscuits. They were not aware that "biscuits" is the name given to military mattresses. Very funny, but not very nice if you have come a ten-hours' railway journey, and after searching all over Aldershot for your barracks, finally arrive at them about 12 p. m. with no chance of anything to eat until next morning. Some arrive in tile hats-I fancy they were the most surprised. I cannot help feeling sorry for them. Everything seemed so golden when our services were accepted. I am enjoying it all right. I, for one, thought we should have to rough it, although scarcely so much. However, we are doing our duty to Queen and country, and that will always be some reward.

Don't Forget General Wood.-The Sample Bag asks, "Why did we beat Spain?" Because we are as strong as Sampson, we are as Schley as a fox, we are Miles long, we possess Merritt, we are Hobson's choice, what more Dewey want? . . Only thisafter the war is about over, the public in General Wood commit the care of the Cuban cities to a medical officer.

STRAY ITEMS AND COMMENTS.

Camphorated Oil sold for castor oil caused a death. Water May Be Sterilized by means of ozone. The English are experimenting in that direction.

Bryony Poisoning.-A case is reported in which several horses were poisoned by eating Bryonia Dioica.

All Paint Materials have advanced in price since the first of the year. Those druggists who ordered

stocks last winter are fortunate.

Now is the Time to look over the numbers of the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST and see if any are missing. Keep the file complete so that you can have the volume bound at the end of the year.

Naftalan is the subject of a translation published in this issue of the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST. The interest taken in this ointment base by scientific workers argues well for its usefulness.

Photographic Dealers will be interested in a new use which the English are making of camera boxes. They are becoming quite a fashion with a certain class in London who carry them as lunch boxes.

The Metric Classification of German manufactures gives that country an advantage over the manufacturers of other countries where the metric system is not observed. English Consuls are urging the British government to use the metric system in iron manufactories.

Hospital and College Dispensaries have long been an eye-sore to local pharmacists. In Washington, D. C., it has been decided that the party in charge of such a dispensary need not necessarily be a registered pharmacist. We believe, however, that the case is different in Missouri, and many other sections of the country.

Camphor is a Commercial Commodity which the Japan government is able largely to control, as explained in previous issues of this journal. We learn that the Japan government is carefully arranging to regulate the camphor. There is a possibility, however, that the manufacturers of artificial camphor will interfere with the calculations.

Pack Goods Carefully when intended for a foreign port. The United States Consul at Uraguay complains that United States merchants fail to properly pack their goods intended for Uraguay. He says: "When our merchants place their goods here as quickly and in as good condition as those sent from other foreign countries, they will win the market."

"A New American Dispensatory" is the title of an article in a recent issue of the Pharmaceutical Journal. It does not refer to a fourth dispensatory of American origin (we now have three on the market), nor to the new edition of the American Dispensatory. It is the eighteenth edition of the United States Dispensatory that the editor has under consideration.

Good Boston Pharmacists.-The retail druggists of a section of Roxbury were forced into an unusually strict observation of the Sabbath by the authorities, who decided that one of the old blue laws should be revived. As a consequence, the druggists were permitted to sell only medicine on the Sabbath. One of the first and most vigorous complaints was made by a judge who was refused a two-cent postage stamp.

The Metric System, as previously stated in the columns of this journal, has met with the approval of the Russian Government. Article 10, of a ruling of November 20, 1899, went into effect January 1, 1900, and reads as follows: "The international meter and

kilogram, and their subdivisions, may be used in the Empire in bargains, contracts, estimates, etc., on the mutual consent of the parties interested.

The Virginia Legislature has, by a special act, authorized a physician to practice pharmacy without the formality of an examination. Such an attempt was made in Kansas recently, but failed. It is to be regretted that the members of the Virginia Legislature are not better acquainted with the qualifications necessary for the competent management of a drug store. We are confident that the better physicians of the State will regret the action of the Legislature.

New Mexico was inadvertently mentioned in an item published in our January issue, and referred to another section of the country which is not so fortunate as this State in regard to its pharmacy law and the enforcement of same. New Mexico has a very good pharmacy law and an exceptionally active and competent board of pharmacy. Meetings are held regularly semi-annually. The MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST has frequently published reports of meetings, and we take pleasure in calling our readers' attention to the good work being done.

Dr. Thomas Lauder Brunton Was Knighted by Queen Victoria New Year's day. The doctor is a prosperous and leading physician of London. He is also well known in this country, as well as at home, on account of his exceedingly practical medical books. Prominent among those of interest to pharmacists is his "Handbook of Pharmacology, Materia Medica and Therapeutics." Dr. Brunton, or Sir Knight Brunton, as we must now call him, was the therapeutic expert for the British Pharmacopoeia of 1898. He is an honorary member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. The doctor is by no means an old man, since he took his first degrees at Edinburgh University in 1866.

Evidently, there is room for improvement of the conditions of the pharmacists in the British employ. Perhaps some "Dr. Payne" will come to their rescue as Geo. F. is doing for those in the United States service. Two Former Illinois Board of Pharmacy Members passed away the last week in November (see MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST for December, page 396). Dr. H. Lee Hatch, of Jacksonville, and the Hon. W. P. Boyd, of Arcola, were both pharmacists of the State who had been engaged in business for a time representing the average life of a generation. They had exerted considerable influence in molding the affairs of the Illinois Pharmaceutical Association, and contributed time, money and much thought to the work of the Illinois Board of Pharmacy. They were also alike in that they made friends wherever they went and were esteemed for their charity and liberal views upon all subjects of interest. The MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST unites with its many readers in Illinois and adjoining States who knew the deceased board members well, and extends sincere sympathy to the bereaved relatives.

An Objectionable Bill.-Senate Bill No. 34 is aimed against progressive medicine and the welfare of the human family. Its well-meaning friends refer to it as an anti-vivisection act. We trust that all of our readers will write their representatives at once to

use their influence in defeating the measure. Writing on the subject, Dr. W. W. Keen, president of the American Medical Association, says:

It hardly needs to be pointed out that this would seriously interfere with or even absolutely stop the experimental work of the Bureau of Animal Industry and the three medical departments of the Government-the Army, the Navy, and the Marine Hospital service. The animals themselves might cry out to be saved from their friends. No more humane work can be done than to discover the means of the prevention of diseases which have ravaged our flocks and herds. All those who raise or own animals, such as horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, etc., are vitally interested in the preservation of their health and the prevention of disease. The inestimable value of these scientific researches as to the prevention and care of disease among human beings, it is superfluous to point out. Modern surgery and the anti-toxin treatment of diphtheria alone would justify all the vivisection ever done.

A New Argument Against the Use of the Metric System in medicine and pharmacy. Col. J. W. Colcord, of Lynn, Mass., who can appreciate a joke, and who is an adept at relating anecdotes, is responsible through the columns of the Druggists Circular for the following:

Not long ago a physician who used the metric system wrote the following prescription:

When the prescription reached the pharmacist there was nothing to show the amount desired. After puzzling awhile, Mr. Colcord came to the conclusion that this portion had been torn off; so, stepping to the front of the store, he asked the woman who brought it if she knew anything about it. "Yes," she said, "I did it; I wasn't going to get all that amount he wrote for a dollar and a quarter's worth-nor let him make the price, either!" She had added up the writ

ten column of figures, arriving thereby at the conclusion. After explaining matters she was sent back to the physician for a new prescription, a sadder and a wiser woman. She probably now knows enough not to "monkey" with the prescription.

We notice that the few remaining physicians who are opposed to the use of the metric system are becoming very hard up for arguments to be used on their side of the question. We suggest that this incident will give them a new point of about as much value as the average objection raised to the metric system.

Help Along the Metric System.-The Committee on Coinage, Weights and Measures, of the House of Representatives, is again considering the subject of the adoption of the metric system of weights and measures as the legal system of the United States, with a view of presenting a report to Congress upon this subject. The chairman of the special Committee on Weights and Measures, of the American Pharmaceutical Association, Dr. F. G. Ryan, urges all members of the association and all pharmacists of the United States who favor the adoption of the measure, to write to the Hon. James H. Southard, chairman of the House Committee, Washington, D. C., presenting their views upon this subject. Probably no class of persons would be more benefited by the adoption of this measure than noyed as they now are by being compelled to use avoirthe pharmacists of this country, hampered and andupois and apothecaries' weights, wine measure, and in some sections imperial measure, as well as the metric system. Since the foundation of the Republic, there probably has never been a time when the importance of this subject was more apparent than it is at present. With the acquirement of new territory in distant parts of the world, and the increase of our commerce with foreign nations, a universal system of weights and measures becomes more than ever desirable. Pharmacists of the United States are to be congratulated on the advanced position they have taken in securing the adoption of the metric system, exclusively, by the United States Pharmacopoeia in 1890, and it is hoped that they will continue to aid in securing its adoption by Congress as the only legal system of weights and measures in the United States.

African War Items.

The English Pharmaceutical Journals are giving much attention to the war in South Africa.

Beecham's Pills are sent gratis by the manufacturer to any soldiers in South Africa asking for them.

A Large Manufacturer of Soap opened their works to the public, charging one penny admission, the money going to the war relief fund.

Mr. James Donaldson, a druggist, found himself in Kimberly during the siege, but managed to escape and join the British forces.

The Manchester Pharmaceutical Association decided to recall the invitations to a ball and cancel the date on account of the sad condition of affairs in South Africa.

A Druggist in a Small Town near Johannesburg made use of his camera when he saw a Boer woman looting British shops. As a consequence, he is minus a camera, and has a vivid recollection of a whipping which reminds him of his school-boy days.

An Ideal Pharmacopœia.—I cordially indorse the suggestions of Prof. Hinrichs touching the next revision of the United States Pharmacopœia.

About ten years ago I had the honor of "going on record" in the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST in the same righteous cause. Again I repeat that the practical pharmacists of the United States want to see, once more, a clean-cut, briefly expressed, standard book for the working counter. The Pharmacopoeia should be the daily and hourly "book of reference." A regular vade mecum to the busy manufacturer. Therefore, it should be concise, exact, small, cheap, well bound and well printed. By all means let it give doses, and let it leave elaborate details to Remington's United States Dispensatory. A volume gotten up on these lines will be universally employed by intelligent druggists.-[JOHN B. BOND, SR., Little Rock, Ark.

Patents on Medicines, Etc., in Foreign Countries. -We quote below a letter we have just received from our patent correspondents, Messrs. Davis & Davis, of Washington, D.C., appropos of the question of barring the grant of patents in this country for medicines,

etc.:

In your November number we notice a quotation from the speech of Mr. C. L. Hay, chairman of a committee on trademarks, of the N. A. R. D., which touches upon a matter with which we are familiar, and we therefore take the liberty of calling your attention to an error in his statement. He is in error in stating that "no civilized country but ours grants patents on products used in the healing arts." A couple of years ago we prepared a bill for the New York Dental Society, designed to prevent the grant of patents for methods of curing diseases, and in preparing our brief for the Congressional Patent Committee we had occasion to investigate foreign patent laws in reference to this very subject. We found that Great Britain and Canada, and other Colonies of Great Britain, grant patents upon medicines, food, etc., and that Russia grants patents upon methods of producing such articles, although that country bars patents upon the articles themselves. It is our recollection that Germany and France also grant patents for methods of producing medicines, etc., although patents upon the articles alone are barred. It is our impression also that some minor countries follow closely our practice and the British practice in this respect, granting patents both for the method and the article.

An Echo From the East.-Interesting comments from Geo. B. F. Hannay, secretary and treasurer of the New Jersey Liability Association:

Some time since I read with interest a copy of the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST for November, 1899, in

which appeared the minority report of the N. W. D. A. committee on Drug Adulterations-"Is a National Pure Food and Drug Law Desirable?"-as well as the majority report of the N. W. D. A.

I have read both reports very carefully and with much interest. I trust this important matter is not likely soon to be out of the minds of the parties interested.

From what I have learned during the past year, of food adulterations, I must accept the citations as correct, and I believe the stand taken to be the only right stand on the question.

Mr. Queeny must have taken a great deal of pains in the preparation of the report, which is done so well and so elaborately. It is entirely in accord with my sentiments. It is high time this National Government took this shameful, shameless subject by the hair of its bushy head and handled it as it deserves.

The comparison of the efforts made in the Department of Agriculture to the lack of effort in this direction, is good and forceful. You have probably seen that by reason of the avarice in man more is done for the protection and to improve the development of everything else than is done for the protection and improvement of the human race. How long will a breeder of horses permit them to be fed on adulterated stuff? And yet, how little thought has he of what he takes into his stomach! What would he think of seeing any horse driven under the lash as some men drive themselves. With the study and development of every kind of modern science, there should be a corresponding study and development of the science of human protection and preservation; but I fear that however much is known about the latter, it is poorly practiced.

Pharmacists in the Marine Hospital Service.—I have read, with interest, the letter published in your January number, on the pharmacist in public service. In the main it is, I believe, correct. Yet, as to the lack of social privilege, or slights from the medical officers to the hospital stewards, so far as the marine hospital service is concerned, has not always applied. Prior to 1889, the medical officers were not commissioned, being appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury, as were the stewards. In consequence, social lines were never tightly drawn, and if the steward was a gentleman and worthy of social recognition he was generally accorded it. At the time the officers were struggling to secure the passage of a bill by Congress, the stewards were promised that if they would exert their influence in the medical officers' behalf (which they faithfully did) that their case would be immediately taken up and a substantial increase of pay given. Finding that this promise was forgotten, and seeing no prospect that the condition of the corps would be bettered, I resigned to accept a more remunerative position. I am informed that, since the medical officers have been commissioned, the condition of the steward, socially, is materially changed. One point your correspondent makes is undeniably true-that is, the wholesale appropriation of the credit