because of its lack of genuine amyl nitrite. The specifications of the new Pharmacopoeia are quite elaborate, much more so than in any other authority, but unfortunately they will admit a very poor, in fact almost a spurious, article. The assay by measurement of nitrogen produced is not sufficient as we now have in our possession samples which meet the assay requirement, but which on fractionation prove to contain very little amyl nitrite. The specification that "it boils at about 96° to 99° C." will not suffice if this means that, in common acceptance, it begins to boil at this temperature. If this statement is construed to mean that the liquid shall practically all distil at between 96° and 99° C., it becomes a greater measure of safety; though this is not sufficient to distinguish genuine amyl nitrite, and even if it were, it is too stringent. The safe and reasonable plan is to demand that the liquid shall assay at least 80 per cent by the process given, and, at the same time, 80 per cent or more of the total volume shall distil over between 90° and 100° C. Neither test is sufficient in itself, but together, in conjunction with the tests for free acid, water, and aldehyde, will insure a high-grade commercial article. Pharmacists will of course remember that amyl nitrite decomposes readily on exposure, and will hence keep their stock at a minimum. Antimonii Oxidum.-Omitted. (To be continued.) APOTHECARY TO THE PRESIDENT. The Buffalo Pharmacist Who Dispensed All the Medicaments Used in the McKinley Case-History of the Sad Event-Description of the Pharmacy, which is Considered the Most Beautiful in Buffalo-How a Large Telephone Order Business Has Been Established. By HARRY B. MASON. Among many other unique features of the pharmacy and business of E. A. Kingston in Buffalo are two which deserve particular mention: (1) Mr. Kingston was the apothecary who dispensed every medicament used in that last sad and harrowing illness of the lamented McKinley; (2) and his store is generally admitted to be the handsomest in Buffalo, and one of the most beautiful in the United States. MR. KINGSTON'S CONNECTION WITH THE MC KINLEY CASE. It will be recalled that the president was shot down at the Pan-American fair in the September of 1901, and that, after having been taken temporarily to the emergency hospital on the exposition grounds, he was removed to the residence of John G. Milburn, president of the exposition company, and a leading Buffalo lawyer. Mr. Milburn's house, located on Delaware Avenue, was only a couple of blocks from the Kingston pharmacy. The president was shot about three o'clock in the afternoon, and Mr. Kingston's connection with the case began the same evening, when he was called upon to fill a prescription and to send a considerable supply of surgical goods. The distinguished patient lived only a week, but during that feature of the case was this, that every prescription this important case. As a matter of fact, Mr. and order sent out by the president's physicians was written on odd scraps of paper, or perhaps old envelopes-on anything, indeed, which happened to be handy for the purpose. In not a single instance was a regular prescription blank employed. Two of the prescriptions are reproduced in con Kingston not only supplied what goods he kept in stock himself, but very gladly offered to secure whatever else might be needed during the night when other classes of retail stores were closed. He often woke up dry goods dealers and other merchants in the vicinity in the middle of the night and obtained supplies like Canton flannel desired by the president's messengers. These messengers, it is interesting to note, were two colored men between thirty and forty years of age, whom the president had brought with him to Buffalo, and one of whom had been at the White House for twelve or fifteen years in the service of several presidents. Mr. Cortelyou, who was then "the secretary to the president," was in the Kingston pharmacy a The Milburn residence in Buffalo, where President McKinley died on September 14, 1901. Mr. Kingston, as is told in the accompanying article, supplied all of the medicaments used in the last sad illness of Mr. McKinley. nection with this article, and they will be found of great interest. It happens that both of them were written by Dr. Rixey. The doctor, as everybody knows, was not only the president's physician, but his strong personal friend and intimate also, and it is generally understood that, following Mr. McKinley's death, he was appointed by Mr. Roose Two prescriptions written during the President's case by Dr. Rixey couple of times, and on one occasion Mr. Kingston put up a prescription for him also. The tireless, sleepless, loyal work that the faithful secretary did during that terrible week must certainly have rendered it necessary for him to have a stimulating medicament of some kind! THE PHARMACY ITSELF. Now to pass along to the consideration of the beauties of Mr. Kingston's pharmacy, let it be pointed out that the fixtures are of solid mahogany throughout and are gold trimmed. The trimming is of white metal, triple-plated with gold-the real article! It is exceedingly unfortunate that the illustration of the pharmacy which we present in connection with this article conveys so inadequate an idea of the beauties of the room. Considerable imagination will have to be exerted in order to do justice to the subject. The line of soda tables shown down through the center of the store are of the customary show-case variety, with plate-glass tops. Confectionery and other goods are displayed within them, and the Mr. Kingston's pharmacy is the most beautiful in Buffalo, but this illustration entirely fails to do it justice. The fittings are of solid mahogany, with gold-plated trimmings. It cost $10,000 to fit up the store. seats, when not in use, ingeniously disappear underneath. The wall fixtures on the right end with two telephone booths: these are made of mahogany like the other furnishings and are so constructed that they form an integral part of the architectural equipment of the room. Thus the telephone is made an object of ornamentation instead of ugliness. Behind the beautiful partition seen in the rear of the salesroom are Mr. Kingston's office, a prescription laboratory, a wash-room, and the customary "back room." Hanging over the partition, as may be seen in the illustration, is a handsome oil painting; and this suggests the statement that no placards of any kind are to be seen scattered around the place. An office-like atmosphere is thus preserved, and this comports harmoniously with the beautiful nature of the surroundings. DOES A BEAUTIFUL PHARMACY PAY? Up to within two or three years Mr. Kingston was located on the opposite corner of the street. It cost him ten thousand dollars to fit up his present pharmacy, but he doesn't regret the expense. He He says a man will spend any amount of money to furnish his house elaborately, and yet, particularly if he be a druggist with long hours of daily work, he spends practically all of his waking hours in his place of business. Why not likewise have it attractive? Furthermore, it is his firm conviction that a handsome store is a profitable investment. It attracts people. It appeals to their taste. It insensibly wins their support and patronage. In proof of this optimistic belief, Mr. Kingston asserts that his business has increased about 25 per cent since he went into the new store two or three years ago. DEVELOPING A LARGE 'PHONE BUSINESS. There is another feature of Mr. Kingston's business that deserves particular mention. Realizing that he is in a residence neighborhood with a circumscribed area from which to draw trade, and understanding that under ordinary conditions it would scarcely be possible to develop his business beyond a certain limit, he has sought to extend his business territory by working up a telephone order business. He keeps talking constantly to physicians about transmitting telephone orders, and frequently sends them letters and circulars bearing upon this topic. The same efforts are directed also at the laity. The result is that nearly half of his business comes in over the telephone-and this practically means that his business has been almost The exterior of Mr. Kingston's pharmacy, showing what fine windows he has for display purposes. The location is 1530-1532 Main Street, in the center of a very desirable residence locality. doubled by his success in educating the physicians and the people of Buffalo to order goods of him by 'phone. Orders are filled from all over town, and it is no uncommon thing for dozen or fifteen prescriptions to come in over the 'phone in a single hour in the evening from physicians in different sections of the city. Six messenger boys are constantly employed in the delivery service, and, besides these, the store force comprises a cashier and two registered men. The pharmacy is open until one o'clock at night, and the force is used in shifts. Four employees come to work at six o'clock in the evening, and, indeed, there is more business done in the store after seven o'clock than during all the rest of the day. THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEAN SODA GLASSES. At the left of the room, as you enter, is a large soda fountain which does not show in our illustration. Cold soda is sold the year around, and the business is a very constant and profitable one. It happens that the Buffalo ball field is not far from Mr. Kingston, and during the summer season he gets an immense soda trade from the devotees of our national game. A feature of the soda equipment which deserves special mention is this, that there is a dummy underneath the counter for carrying soiled glasses down to the basement. A woman is there employed for eight hours, every day in the week, and her sole business is to wash soda glasses. Mr. Kingston has found that a woman is much. more satisfactory for the purpose than the "drug store boy;" and he has also found that there is nothing which pleases a soda customer so much as a bright, clean, shining glass! The soda fountain is the worst place in the world for uncleanly and slipshod habits. AROUND THE CAMP-FIRE. An Incident Showing How Phosphorus Should Not Be Sold-The Smart Clerk Who Thought Himself a Joker-A Few Gentle Words Between Doctor and Druggist—A Bunch of Australian Experiences. Three anecdotes are contributed to the campfire this month by E. E. O. Hayringe, an apprentice at present in a well known Canadian pharmacy: THE JOKER WHO WENT TOO FAR. This happened at my brother's store in New York City, two years before I started apprenticeship there, and was told me as a warning: One of the juniors, who did not know one drug from another, was feeling sick and asked the senior what he should take. Jokingly the senior replied: "Why, take 30 grains of tartar emetic!" Not being on to the senior's jokes, the junior went behind the prescription counter, weighed out the 30 grains of tartar emetic, and swallowed it. It was of course not long before he vomited-and vomited some more. Just in the midst of the rumpus the proprietor, who is a doctor, walked in and asked what the matter was. The senior had to own up the whole trouble, whereupon there was consternation in the camp. The doctor administered the antidote, but told both boys that all that saved the junior was that he had taken too much at one time, which caused the intense vomiting. They tell me there was more than one white face in that store that day. And it is needless to say that I, the new junior, never asked the senior to prescribe for me. I went to headquarters when seeking remedies for my aches and pains. AN APPRENTICE'S WAY OF SPELLING PHOSPHORUS. Mr. C., of Ontario, Canada, tells me [continues E. E. O. Hayringe] a funny story of what one of his juniors, who had been with him but a short time, did in the way of dispensing phosphorus: One morning Mr. C., being busy with other customers, Junior Jim went behind the counter to ask what he could do for a farmer who had just come in. The man asked for 20 cents worth of phosphorus. Mr. C. told Jim where it might be found, and the junior, thinking he was doing well, weighed out the required amount, wrapped it in paper, and gave it to the farmer, who put it in his coat pocket, paid In a few minutes he the price, and walked out. rushed back yelling "Fire!" and angrily asking why "that boy of your'n gev me this darned stuff!" Well, Mr. C. explained the accident in some way, and the farmer went out pacified with 20 cents worth of phosphorus-not wrapped up in paper! Jim was scared stiff and afterwards always asked, before selling anything, "Will this stuff go off?" Of course he got wise in time. THE DOCTOR WAS WARM. Mr. C. tells the following incident also. A prescription came to him some years ago from one of the local doctors. It was for a two-ounce mixture in which it was stated there should be two drachms of sulphate of morphine, and the dose was one teaspoonful! Mr. C. knew at once that this extraordinary dose could never be given, and, not being able to wait until the doctor should come in, he dispensed the prescription with two grains of morphine instead of two drachms. The same day the doctor came in, whereupon Mr. C. called his attention to the error and told. him what he had done. The doctor became angry, because of his own mistake, and said, "Any druggist who would use two drachms instead of two grains would be a fool!". Whereupon Mr. C. informed him that "Any doctor who would write such a prescription, and, after it had been corrected, would not know enough to thank the druggist for using some common sense, was a greater fool!" A few days later Mr. C. missed the prescription from his book-the doctor needed it, no doubt, to remind him of the maximum dose of morphine sulphate! SOME AUSTRALIAN ANECDOTES. The following batch of anecdotes comes from an Australian pharmacist who signs himself "Pax:" It was way back in 1893. At that time I was "pill-punching" for the natives in a dreary little town in Australia. The town was not of much account. Some three months after my arrival the usual monotony consequent on country life was considerably altered by a little adventure I had with a young Irishman, a new arrival from the "ould sod." A couple of days previously I had prescribed some methyloid [methylene blue] tablets for him. In a moment of temptation he had forsaken "the narrow path of virtue for the broad road which causes a dart to strike through the liver," as a wise old man once put it. On this particular day (a Sunday) I was quietly enjoying my dinner when a furious ringing of the side door bell caused me to hastily rush to the door. There stood my Irish friend, his countenance showing deep traces of mental suffering. He said his "wather was as blue as the hivins above," and he wanted to know whether he had better send for his dear old mater, make his will, and do various other things. The spirit of deviltry taking possession of me, I promptly assured him that he was in no danger, and gave him a few santonin powders, at the same time asking him to report progress in a few days. At the allotted time, back came my worthy friend with a grin expressive of the deepest contentment, and assured me his "wather" was a beautiful green, and shure it was a fine docther I was afther being! HE HAD TO GUESS AGAIN. A little experience I had with an almond-eyed son of Confucius comes back to me. This placid looking individual came in one day with three others. They all started jabbering at once. Vainly trying to discover their meaning, I came to the conclusion a purgative was wanted, and so, just to test the rapidity of the machinery, I gave him 8 grains of calomel and 60 of compound powder of jalap. He turned up next day, and the look on his face reminded me of a devilish creature I dreamt of once. "Whaffor, allee same, no good medsin man, me welly sick, you no givee light medsin.” showed me a big sore on his right leg! I "squared" He there and then pulled up his pants, and him all right, though, by putting on some boracic ointment. In fancy I see him getting a move on in double quick time, when the powder I gave him first started to get a grip on him! AN EXPERIENCE WITH AN AUSTRALIAN BAGMAN. One of my first scares as an apprentice was with a "bagman." This individual belongs to that particular class who have no settled occupation in the Australian colonies. They toil not, neither do they spin, but are ever on the lookout for beer. They scent the opening of a new inn like flies do a treacle pot. Their liquid-holding capacity is tremendous. This particular day a wild-eyed, haggard looking "bagman" came in, and started to use some queer expressions. "Look at him, ha, no you don't!" "Help! he's biting me; for the love of heaven keep him away." "Look at his teeth," and so on. My hair started to rise, slowly at first, then at a gallop, as he rambled on. However, I managed to ask him what was the matter, and he told me a green dog kept jumping up at him, and had been following him for several days. I tried to soothe him by suggestion, and gave him 30 drops of tincture of opium for a starter and talked away at him for a few minutes. He said he wanted. to let his brain cells for birds to build nests in them. I gave him half a pint of black draught to shift them, and told him to run away and play, but not in my back yard. "Orlright, boss," and with that he tumbled or rather staggered out. Whether he succeeded in finding a tenant for his brain cells I do not know, but I didn't forget him for a long time. for a long time. Dreams of green dogs were common for weeks after. |