Page images
PDF
EPUB

QUERIES

Information is given in this department under the following conditions only: (1) No queries are answered by mail; (2) queries must reach us before the 15th of the month to be answered in the BULLETIN of the month following: (3) inquirers must in every instance be regular subscribers; and (4) names and addresses must be affixed to all communications.

Half a Dozen, Assorted.

C. D. writes: "Here are several questions which I desire to have answered: (1) How many grains of asafetida are used in 6 fluidounces of emulsion of asafetida? (2) How many grains of potassium iodide are required to make one fluidounce of a saturated solution? (3) Is there a Federal law in regard to the sale of ergot, and is there a Michigan State law concerning it? (4) How is liquid sulphur made? (5) What is the formula for solution of citrate of magnesia? (6) How much should a physician be charged for 1⁄2 fluidounce of a 6-per-cent solution of cocaine?" 1. 109 grains.

2. A troy ounce of potassium iodide dissolved in five fluidrachms of water will measure almost exactly one fluidounce.

3. It is contrary to both Federal and State laws to offer for sale any drug the purpose of which is to produce abortion. If ergot is supplied for this purpose, its sale, of course, is a serious misdemeanor. When ergot is sold for other uses, there must be affixed to the container, under the Michigan State law, a label displaying the name of the drug and the word "poison" distinctly shown, together with the name and place of business of the seller, all printed in red ink.

4. By "liquid sulphur" we assume you mean solution of sulphurated lime. The formula follows:

[blocks in formation]

5. Solution of citrate of magnesia can be made according to the formula which appears on page 267 of the United States Pharmacopoeia. Several formulas embodying suggested improvements for making this preparation have appeared from time to time in back numbers of the BULLETIN. We suggest that you consult the annual indexes which appear in the December issue each year if you wish to experiment with different methods of manufacture.

6. The question of the proper price to charge a physician for preparations intended for his own use is one that cannot be settled arbitrarily. Much depends on the druggist's relations with the particular physician. In all cases, of course, the cost of materials and labor should be charged for, and, if desired, a satisfactory profit added. There are some druggists who consider

[blocks in formation]

Rub the acacia with the cod-liver oil in a dry mortar until uniformly mixed, then add at once 250 Cc. of water and triturate rapidly until a thick, homogeneous emulsion is produced; to this add the oil of gaultheria and the syrup, with enough water to make the product measure 1000 Cc., and mix thoroughly.

Additional formulas for cod-liver oil emulsions may be found on pages 46 to 51 of the National Formulary, from which the following for emulsion of cod-liver oil with extract of malt is taken:

[blocks in formation]

Mix the dextrin and water in a tared vessel, and heat the mixture, with constant stirring, to near boiling, until the dextrin is dissolved and a limpid liquid results. Then restore any loss of water by evaporation, strain the liquid through muslin, and allow it to cool short of gelatinizing, when it will be ready for immediate use.

For information concerning emulsifying machines write to the Arthur Colton Co., 794 Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, Mich.; the J. H. Day Co., Cincinnati, Ohio; and to the Whitall Tatum Company, 410-416 Race Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Anti-freeze Mixture.

E. H. W. asks: "Can you recommend an anti-freeze mixture for automobile radiators that I can sell for 50 cents a gallon and still make a profit? I want a preparation that contains no glycerin. I have seen such a product advertised which was guaranteed not to freeze at 14° F."

There are several chemical preparations intended for use in automobile radiators, but we hardly care to recommend them, as their continued use sometimes causes injury to the metal parts of the radiator or to the rubber connections.

Wood alcohol has been greatly favored for this line of work. In the presence of heat and oxygen, however, wood alcohol has a slight tendency to form formic acid, which might in time corrode the parts. It boils at a

lower temperature than denatured alcohol, and consequently less of the latter is required, and as the tendency to evaporate is materially reduced, denatured alcohol is much cheaper to use for the purpose.

Alcohol (denatured) has absolutely no corrosive action on any of the metals with which it comes in contact, and its ability to withstand cold is indicated by the fact that it freezes at about 160° F. Its conposition is necessarily uniform, because it is manufactured in accordance with a formula prescribed by and under the supervision of government chemists. It contains no solid matter, thus making it unnecessary to filter before using and eliminating all danger of its clogging the radiator.

20-per-cent solution freezes at about 10° above zero. 30-per-cent solution freezes at about 5° below zero. 40-per-cent solution freezes at about 20° below zero. 50-per-cent solution freezes at about 35° below zero. In solutions above 40 per cent in strength, however, the alcohol evaporates too readily to make a really practical mixture. In mild weather, too, this mixture boils very quickly.

The radiator should be carefully cleaned out before filling with the alcohol solution, and not filled too full, to allow for expansion when heated. If the car is out of use for more than a few days at a time, it is better to empty the radiator while warm and let it drain dry, taking care, however, to refill it before starting up the engine.

If offered in diluted form, ready for use, you can sell denatured alcohol for 50 cents a gallon at a satisfactory profit.

Liquid Soap.

G. & F. ask: "Will you publish a formula for liquid soap to be used in soap dispensers-something that can be made for less than $1.00 a gallon?"

The following formula suggested by M. I. Wilbert some years ago makes a satisfactory product, the cost of which is well within the limit you set:

best be accomplished by replacing a portion of the water with distilled extract of witch-hazel, rose-water, or orange-flower water, or by adding the necessary perfume, spirit, or essential oils to suit the individual taste or need. A satisfactory odor might be secured by adding the mixture of essential oils used as the flavoring ingredients of the alkaline antiseptic of the N. F. or the liquid antiseptic of the U. S. P.

Guaranty Statements and Patent Laws.

W. A. K. asks: "Will you kindly tell me to whom I must apply for information and instructions concerning the guaranty and registration of preparations under the pure food and drug law? I also have a private formula, and would like to know if it is necessary to get it patented before placing it on the market."

It is not necessary at all, under the Federal Food and Drugs Act, to guarantee any of your preparations. When a manufacturer does guarantee a product it is merely for the purpose of satisfying his distributors, protecting them against legal trouble, and thus earning their good-will. If you do decide to guarantee a product, however, you can no longer get a serial number issued at Washington, and print that serial number on your packages. That method was withdrawn by the government a year or two ago, and the only way now you can issue a guaranty to your dealer is to attach it to each bill of goods. We suggest that you consult your local lawyer about the phraseology of the guaranty. This whole question was discussed at some length on page 307 of the BULLETIN for July, 1914.

It is not necessary, in fact it is not possible, to "patent" a proprietary preparation. The name of such a preparation, however, may be copyrighted, or a trademark for the article may be registered. Full information concerning patents, copyrights, and trade-mark registration may be obtained, free of charge, upon application to the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

[blocks in formation]

In a suitable container, preferably a glass-stoppered bottle, dissolve the potassium hydrate and the sodium hydrate in 250 Cc. of distilled water, add the alcohol, and then add the cottonseed oil in three or four portions, shaking vigorously after each addition. Continue to agitate the mixture occasionally, until saponification has been completed. Then add the remaining portion of distilled water and mix.

The only precautions that are at all necessary are to use the U. S. P. grade of ingredients, and to be sure that saponification is complete before adding the remaining portions of the distilled water. The water used must be absolutely free from soluble salts of the alkaline earths or the heavy metals, and for this reason should be preferably freshly distilled.

The resulting preparation not being official, the pharmacist is at liberty to modify the formula to suit his own individual taste or the preference of his customers. The soap can, of course, be readily made more alkaline, and it can also be made with an appreciably smaller quantity of the alkali.

For general use as a toilet soap it would of course be necessary to give it some distinctive odor. This can

[blocks in formation]

Melt the yellow petrolatum with the oils, allow the mixture to cool, and then mix thoroughly with the acacia in a dry mortar. Next add four fluidounces of water, all at once, and Dissolve triturate until a homogeneous emulsion is produced. the saccharin in the desired amount of solution of hypophosphites, and add it, with sufficient water to make one pint, to the primary emulsion. Lastly, add the benzoic acid dissolved in the alcohol.

The foregoing formula is intended for a preparation to be used as a tonic. If it is desired to employ the mineral oil for its laxative properties, an emulsion con

taining from 50 to 75 per cent of oil should be used. We will print a formula for such a preparation upon request.

Camphorated Phenol and Camphorated Naphthol.

O. D. writes: "I have a prescription, written by a French doctor, which calls for camphorated phenol and camphorated naphthol. Please tell me how to make the two preparations."

Camphor and crystalline carbolic acid (phenol), when triturated together, form an oily-appearing liquid (camphorated phenol) which does not possess the caustic properties of phenol. The mixture is made ordinarily with 3 parts of camphor to 1 of phenol by weight.

The Standard Formulary gives the name, "phenolated camphor," to the following:

[blocks in formation]

is in our querist's State, New Jersey, we cannot undertake to say. Viewed broadly, we would not advise that a preparation be put out under the name "Sun Cholera Mixture" unless it is made in accordance with the N. F. formula; and if made in accordance with the N. F. formula it cannot escape the restrictions imposed by the Harrison act.

Paregoric Under the Harrison Law.

F. R. S.-The revenue authorities have ruled that paregoric is exempt from the operations of the Harrison act. It does not contain a sufficient percentage of opium to bring it within the purview of the law. This and many other important points concerning the Harrison act will be found clearly set forth in a new booklet entitled "Observing the Harrison Law," recently prepared by the BULLETIN OF PHARMACY for the benefit of druggists generally. A copy will be sent post-paid for 25 cents. Order of E. G. Swift, P. O. Box 484, Detroit, Mich.

[blocks in formation]

Between Two Fires.

J. P. requests: "Kindly publish a revised formula for Sun Cholera Mixture to comply with the Harrison act."

Sun Cholera Mixture is an N. F. preparation, and should its opium content be reduced to 2 grains to the ounce, or less, thus relieving it from pressure from the Harrison act, or should its formula be changed in any other manner, the change made must be made known on the label. These are the conditions imposed by the Federal food and drugs act. State laws differ, some of them, we believe, imposing restrictions which cannot be overcome in the manner indicated. Just what the law

BOOKS

"PRINCIPLES OF GENERAL PHARMACY AND CHEMISTRY." This is the title of a series of pamphlets, Charles J. P. Fennel, Ph.G., Pharm.D., Professor of Theoretical and Applied Chemistry, Cincinnati College of Pharmacy, being the author. Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 have been issued. It seems to be the intention to amplify the set, a book eventually being the result. The field is very thoroughly and comprehensively covered.

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Taking the Bunk out of Bonus

Mennen Announces New Price List on Entire Line for 1916 and Elimination of all Bonuses.

BECAUSE the bonus or the "free deal" has so often been mislead

ing as to the exact cost of the goods, the House of Mennen announces the elimination of all Bonuses or free goods deals, effective January 2, 1916.

An Advantage for the Retailer.

The "free deal" or "bonus" is the cause of many misunderstandings between the manufacturer and his customers.

This Company believes that the whole situation will be greatly clarified by, and better merchandising result from, a complete elimination of all salesmen's bonus, free deals or "schemes." We believe that the trade will welcome a clean-cut statement of the absolute net cost of the goods in various quantities and that the confidence and friendship which should prevail between maker and distributor will be increased by a price list that will have no variations because of the presence of the salesman in the territory, seasonable conditions or other factors affecting price, beyond the dealer's control.

House

The New Price List.

The Mennen Price List for 1916 is a radical departure from the kind of price list which has been current in the trade for years, and is in keeping with the progressive and above-board business methods of the House of Mennen.

The buying of these kinds of products is now placed on a sound and business-like basis. All the prices are clearly indicated, being marked net. Our customer knows exactly what he is paying for his goods.

A new Price List, together with a booklet entitled "Taking the Bunk out of Bonus," have already been mailed you. Please be sure to read these carefully. Misunderstandings are arising from hasty reading. If you haven't received it, write in for another copy.

of Mennen,

Newark, N. J.

« PreviousContinue »