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strength and for which you have no guarantee from used; furthermore, only those products are included the manufacturer?

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Dosage. While there has for many years been a demand for doses in our Pharmacopoeia, they have not been included through conservatism and because of the obvious difficulty of settling upon such figures as would be generally acceptable. The Committee has finally decided to insert approximate doses for adults; this serves as a protection and guide for the pharmacist, but throws upon the physician the final responsibility of deciding the dose for the individual according to age, sex, and idiosyncrasy. This feature is covered by the following declaration : "That neither this Convention nor the Committee of Revision, created by it, intends to have these doses regarded as obligatory on the physician or as forbidding him to exceed them whenever in his judgment this seems advisable." Doses are stated in terms of the metric system, but approximately equivalent ordinary weights and measures are inserted in parentheses.

Metric System.-Opposition to the metric system still exists, and its use is felt by many to entail a great deal of vexation, but the consensus of opinion among scientific men the world over is overwhelmingly in its favor, and while its general use may be delayed until the present generation of physicians and druggists shall pass away, it is sure to prevail in the end. Let us help along the good work if we can, or at least let us not hinder it.

Atomic Weights.-As a unit of comparison is necesary in determining atomic weights, and this likewise in deciding molecular weights, the Committee has adopted the conservative course of retaining "H=1" as the unit, while waiting for the chemists to settle the controversy over H = 1 or = 16. This course has the advantage of retaining the system hitherto in vogue. The figures for atomic weights of the elements are those adopted by the International Committee, published in 1904. Nomenclature.-Through deference to custom, and more particularly to prevent possible mistakes in dispensing prescriptions for toxic substances, it was thought best to retain the nomenclature of previous revisions, in which, for instance, certain endings have become distinctive of certain classes of substances, viz., glucosides ending in "in" and alkaloids in "ine."

Patented Products.—While several "synthetics" (or "new remedies") in common use by the medical profession have been admitted, no trade-names are

in which the patent-restrictions have expired, or will shortly expire, and the substances are of such nature that their composition, identity, and purity can readily be determined. The list is as follows:

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The seventh revision contained only acetanilid and salol, and these are of course retained.

Structural Formula.-Besides using, as heretofore, the ordinary empirical formulæ, the so-called structural formula, which show the atomic grouping or arrangement in the body, are given first place. In very many instances this is of great convenience as it enables one to classify the substance under consideration and to determine certain of its properties.

Synonyms.-The vexed question of synonyms has been disposed of in a very rational way. They have been almost wholly obliterated from the text, but in the index they are printed in small type under the official Latin titles, and cross-references to synonyms are printed in ordinary type followed by the official Latin title.

Important Changes in the Strength of Tinctures. -In so far as possible the recommendation of the Brussels' Conference as to the strength of potent remedies has been followed, and we now have three classes of tinctures, viz.:

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Sweet Orange peel 50%..... (formerly 20%).

While one is compelled to agree as to the great desirability of uniformity, and while it is easy to remember that the term "potent" stands for “10per-cent tincture," still there are some startling changes revealed by the above comparisons, and it behooves the pharmacist to be on his guard and to know that the physician has been acquainted with these changes in tincture-strength, and, moreover, that he has not forgotten it when writing prescriptions. Perhaps there is a chance for a bit of shrewd advertising for the pharmacist in presenting to his physicians a neatly printed card with a statement of these changes in tinctures. The concentration of the two 5-per-cent tinctures, catechu compound (U.S.P., '90) and kino, was probably reduced in hope of avoiding the tendency to gelatinize.

Animal Products.-As was to be expected from the personnel of the Committee, rational views have prevailed and our Pharmacopoeia lists Antidiphtheric Serum. While not capable of production by the retail pharmacist, it can be tested by the proper authorities at any time, and certainly a remedy so potent for either good or harm should be surrounded by every possible safeguard. Two other remedies of animal origin, which have sprung into prominence during the past few years, namely, Desiccated Thyroid Glands and Desiccated Suprarenals, are also given recognition for the first time.

Essential Oils.-The one particular feature upon which our Pharmacopoeia, and in fact all pharmacopoeias, has been lamentably weak is essential oils.

The specifications have been so meager and so inaccurate as to afford practically no protection to either pharmacist or consumer, and if there is any one particular field where mediocrity and sophistication are rampant it is that of essential oils. It is quite refreshing to turn to the Eighth Revision and see Oil of Bitter Almond assayed for benzaldehyde, Oil of Cajuput and Oil of Eucalyptus assayed for cineol, Oil of Cloves assayed for eugenol, Oil of Cinnamon for cinnamic aldehyde, Oil of Lemon for citral, etc. We confidently expect a marked improvement in the quality of oils, and reputable producers of oils who have been striving for better things will now come into their own.

Appendix. It would not be proper to close this preliminary review without mention of the mass of useful information intended for the aid of the pharmacist, which is included in the appendix. Numerous "conversion," "equivalent" and other tables are given, and no pains have been spared to make all formulæ, tests, and processes so clear that even a tyro may not go astray. The subjects have been systematized, the list of reagents enlarged, some tests which were found unsatisfactory have been replaced by others (as in case of the arsenic test), and the tables of elements and principal pharmacopoeial chemicals have been revised to correspond International Committee on Atomic Weights. One with the figures for the elements adopted by the change which is liable to be overlooked, but which deserves the highest commendation, is the adoption of the new standard temperature for optical rotation and specific gravity of 25° C. (77° F.), expressed as 25 C. It requires little experience expressed as to demonstrate how much more convenient it is to determine specific gravities at 25° C. than on the basis of 15° C.

25° C.

One hundred and fifty-one official articles have been deleted and 117 new ones have been introduced. Surely no body of men have ever labored more unselfishly or with greater singleness of purpose than our Committee on Revision, and we' believe that this New Pharmacopoeia is worthy of the pains bestowed upon it. Let us now, one and all, do all that lies in our power to sustain it and encourage its rapid adoption.

[NOTE BY THE EDITORS.-The succeeding instalments of this commentary, beginning with the next BULLETIN, will deal with

the subject matter of the Pharmacopoeia in detail, article by article.]

A BIG BUFFALO STORE.

That of the Cahoon-Lyon Drug Company-Owned by an Eastern Group of Drug-store Capitalists
Whose Operations are Briefly Mentioned-Description of the Store Itself-Its
Aggressive Manager, and His Advertising and Business Ideas.

There is

By HARRY B. MASON.

A GROUP OF DRUG-STORE CAPITALISTS

in the Eastern States whose operations are annually increasing. In Providence is the Hall & Lyon Co., with four stores in the home city, and with two others in the Massachusetts towns of Worcester and Waltham, making six large places in all. Then there is in Brooklyn the Bolton Drug Co., with five stores, and in New York City the William B. Riker & Son Co., with a couple more: these two corporations have recently consolidated. In Boston is the Jaynes Drug Co., with four stores. Finally, a large establishment was created in Buffalo a little over a year ago under the name of the Cahoon-Lyon Drug Co. It should be understood that all of these several corporations are distinctly separate entities, and that no actual combination exists between them; and yet the same capitalists are represented in differing degrees in them all.

It is the recently established Buffalo pharmacy which is to be made the subject of this particular sketch; and at the very outset it is interesting to note the personnel of the Cahoon-Lyon Drug Co. George C. Lyon, of the Hall & Lyon Co. in Providence, is president of the company; Wm. C. Bolton, of the Brooklyn combination, is vice-president; Edward D. Cahoon, treasurer of the Wm. B. Riker & Son Co., is also treasurer of the Buffalo corporation; while Edwin P. Dodge, formerly general manager of the Hall & Lyon Co., and still its vice-president, is secretary and manager of the new company. The board of directors comprises the foregoing men, together with Charles P. Jaynes, president of the Jaynes Drug Co. in Boston; A. H. Cosden, secretary of the Wm. B. Riker & Son Co. in New York; and L. K. Liggett, secretary and general manager of the United Drug Co. The latter name suggests the statement here that this same group of capitalists is also vitally represented in the United Drug Co., whose laboratory, as everybody knows, is located in Boston, and whose products, called the "Rexall"

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to secure a satisfactory "Rexall" agency in Buffalo, the three men instantly made up their minds to open a store at the earliest possible date. A four story building at 319 Main Street, a block or so from the Iroquois Hotel, and in the very center of the retail shopping district, was at once rented, although the conditions were such that it could not be occupied by the new tenants until spring.

Mr. Dodge, then the general manager of the Hall & Lyon Co., was offered the management of the business, and the Cahoon-Lyon Drug Co. opened its doors to the public in the spring of 1904. The store was beautifully decorated for the occasion, and it happens that all of our illustrations are made from photographs taken at the time, showing the establishment in gala attire. The business started out under full sail, paid expenses almost from the start, and has in a little over a year become one of the most profitable pharmacies in the country.

MANAGER DODGE HIMSELF.

Edwin P. Dodge was well fitted by training and temperament to undertake the task of organizing

and establishing so large a business. He had entered one of the Providence stores of the Hall & Lyon Co. as a boy early in life, and from that humble position had quickly worked up to become Mr. Lyon's right-hand man. He is probably not over 33 or 34 years old. A nervous, aggressive, shrewd, resourceful man, his brain is constantly at work, and he is always scheming up something in the way of progress and advancement. His efforts are capably supplemented by Mr. Arthur M. Kelsey, who serves as the floor manager of the Buffalo corporation, and who has charge of things in Mr. Dodge's absence. Like Mr. Dodge, Mr. Kelsey grew up in the Hall & Lyon Co., and has been well trained in the conduct of the retail business on a large scale.

The Cahoon-Lyon Drug Co. has a capitalization of $75,000. A stock is carried ranging from $40,000 to $50,000. Twenty-eight people are employed in the store, and there are 18 floor salesmen. Women are used principally behind the counters devoted to toilet goods, leather goods, confectionery, and the like. The cash register system is used instead of cash carriers or cashiers, and something like $3500 worth of the instruments are utilized. The sales

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double story show windows in front, and this suggests the explanation that about half of the salesroom is of double story height, being 36 feet from floor to ceiling. As we enter the door, we observe a gallery on both sides of the room providing for access to the upper shelves, and down about halfway we see a mezzanine balcony running across the store and occupied by the office force. It is up here in this eyrie that Mr. Dodge has his desk, and he thus commands a thorough view of the salesroom while exempt from interruption and annoyance. The galleries and the balcony are suggested in the second illustration: the nature of the engraving is such that they are not very clearly portrayed.

Standing as we are now, at the entrance on Main Street, and still glancing at the second illustration, we see that the cigar department is the first on the left hand, and we shall get a better view of it now if we consult the third engraving. Beyond the cigar department is the cashier's desk for the sale of soda checks, and next in turn comes the soda fountain, seen in detail in the fourth illustration. The foun

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tain is a handsome "Innovation," represents a large investment, and occupies 32 feet of space.

When we have reached the end of the soda fountain we are about half-way down the room, and here we find an elevator leading up to the office on the mezzanine balcony, and also to the other floors of the building. The right side of this first half of the salesroom, to be seen in the second illustration, is devoted to candy, leather goods, perfumes, and to a rather unique department in the drug business,

(5) This shows the "Rexall" and proprietary article department, located on the right side of the lower half of the room. Opposite here are the liquor and physicians' supply departments.

establishment, we see on the right the large stock of proprietary articles and "Rexall" remedies shown in our fifth illustration. At the left are the two departments devoted respectively to liquors and to physicians' supplies and surgical goods, while at the very end of the room is the prescription department, as we may observe from the last illustration. It will. strike many readers as rather odd that the strictly drug departments-those representing drugs, proprietary articles, physicians' supplies, surgical goods, and prescriptions-are thus all seen to be located in the lower half of the salesroom. The idea is to have strictly drug customers walk down through the establishment in order to have their wants supplied, and then walk back again in going out. Thus they are brought in contact with an enticing array of side lines well displayed and calculated to enlist their patronage.

DISPLAY AND ADVERTISING METHODS.

And this suggests the statement that display is one of the chief features of the Cahoon-Lyon establishment. Goods are attractively shown every

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