SUBSTITUTION.

We have on previous occasions endeavored to skotch, if we could not kill this abominable custom that is of incalulable injury to both the practitioner of medicine and his patient. So long as vendors of drugs and pharmaceuticals will permit their love of the dollar to exceed their appreciation of honesty, integrity and correct business methods, we will have to contend with it.

The substitution and imitation evil, as is well known, is only of too frequent occurence, and the medical press can and should exert themselves to suppress it, so far as is possible. The physicians who are engaged in practice, however, can and should do their part, and should let it be well and widely known that they will in every instance coming to their knowledge, not only refuse to send their prescriptions to such offending druggists, but will earnestly urge and advise their patients to avoid such on every and all occasions. The loss of custom following such action will doubtless prove the realization "that honesty is the best policy."

If I prescribe Phillips' Emulsion of Cod Liver Oil for a patient, it is because I want him to get that particular formula or combination, and no matter how good an emulsion a druggist may make or have in stock, if he has not Phillips', he has no more right to substitute anything else, than he has to dispense a five gr. dose of Strychnia Sulph, when I prescribe a five gr. dose of Quinia Sulph. In other instances the immediate results may not be so prompt in disclosing themselves, but so far as the druggist knows, in the end, they may be alike disastrous. If I specify a particular preparation it is because I think that particular one is needed, and no one has a semblance of a right to substitute anything else. It is an injustice and an injury to me, and may be far greater in its injury to my patient. He relies and depends upon my opinion and my knowledge as to what he needs, and I am responsible to him-the dispensing druggist is alike responsible that I shall not suffer in reputation, or my patient in health by assuming or presuming to know that "something else will do just as well or better."

In this day of multitudious pharmaceutical products it is no indication of a lack of business progress or enterprise for a druggist to say that he does have on hand any particular preparation, Galenical or not, and if I see proper to prescribe anything whatever, if he does not have it on hand, it is his duty to say so, promptly and honorably-his only other right is to say-"I will try and get it"-and not to offer anything else either of his own or other manufacture. He is not in a position to know as well or better than the medical attendant what is needed.

Not only should the practitioners of medicine take this matter in hand and keep a sharp and ceaseless lookout for their own and

their patient's welfare, but our legislators might also take a hand in the matter, and legislate against fraud, for it is nothing but fraud of the rankest sort, and it is as much incumbent on them here as in the many other instances in which our lawmakers have endeavored to combat fraud as either a felony or a misdemeanor. In our opininn we would certainly class such substitution as rank felony.

THE SAMUEL D. GROSS PRIZE.

The prize of $1000 will be awarded on Oct. 1, 1901, no essay that was deemed worthy of the prize having been received on Jan. 1, 1900. The conditions annexed by the testator are that the prize "Shall be awarded every five years to the writer of the best original essay, not exceeding 150 printed pages, octavo, in length, illustrative of some subject in Surgical Pathology or Surgical Practice, founded upon original investigations, the candidates for the prize to be American citizens." It is expressly stipulated that the competitor who receives the prize shall publish his essay in book form, and that he shall deposit one copy of the work in the Samuel D. Gross Library of the Philadelphia Academy of Surgery, and that on the title page, it shall be stated that to the essay was awarded the Samuel D. Gross Prize of the Philadelphia Academy of Surgery. The essays, which must be written by a single author in the English language, should be sent to the "Trustees of the Samuel D. Gross Prize of the Philadelphia Academy of Surgery, care of the College of Physicians, 219 S. 13th st., Philadelphia," on or before Oct. 1, 1901. Each essay must be distinguished by a motto, and accompanied by a sealed envelope bearing the same motto, and containing the name and address of the writer. No envelope will be opened except that which accompanies the successful essay. The committee will return the unsuccessful essays, if reclaimed by their respective writers, or their agents within one year. The committee reserves the right to make no award if the essays submitted are not considered worthy of the prize. The trustees are: W. W. Keen, M.D., J. Ewing Mears, M. D., J. Chalmers Da Costa, M. D.

AN ANNUAL COMMUNICATION.

AUSTIN, TEXAS, December 12, 1900. DEAR DR. ROBERTS:-Knowing the strong force of habit, and knowing your long life-time habit of keeping your engagements to the sick, and wishing to secure your active working ability for at least another year, please see enclosed.*

You remember when we were (bad) boys, we were often admonished, (sometimes with applications of that magic lotion—hickory

oil) that we should form good habits, and some of us have endeavored to hearken to said admonitions (and applications) even into our "green old age."

Glad you have returned to the "City of Rocks," and "come to stay." May your shadow never grow less, or step less nimble.

Hoping your big Christmas cider jug may overflow with "Sumner's best," and all the cheering joys of the good, old-time Tennessee holidays come teeming to your warm fraternal hearthstone, pleasantly reminding you of the many happy days of a well spent life, cheering and strengthening your heart for the labors the new century brings to your hands, is the sincere desire of your fellow guardsman of the old line.

Q. C. SMITH, M. D.

[*The enclosed being a P. O. money order for one dollar, it being the twenty-third remittance of similar amount, that has been annually received about this time of the year. Such appreciation for so many years, from one whom we have never had the pleasure of meeting, is encouragement indeed, for our journalistic labors.-Ed. S. P.]

PROPRIETARY MEDICINES.

In the developments of the closing years of the 19th century, among the many advances and improvements to be noted as being of material value in the treatment of the manifold forms of disease, certain compound preparations can be justly ranked as of material and lasting value. As the successful general accomplishes as much by the correct combination, formation and movement of his troops as is ever found due to their courage, endurance and vim, so by the judicious combination of various drugs equally satisfactory results are alike certain in the physician's struggle against the invasions of disease and death.

Among the propietary compounds, Tongaline, or Liq. Tongæ Salicylatus, as prepared by the Mellier Drug Co. of St. Louis, enjoys a most enviable reputation. It has come to stay, and it will stay to benefit many a poor sufferer writhing under the pangs and tortures of Rheumatic and Neuralgia pains. For a number of years past it has given such repeated and satisfactory results, that we have wondered how we managed to do without it in the long ago. The numerous instances in which the agonies of Rheumatism and Neuralgia have snbsided under its use have seemed almost magical, and the certainty on many occasions has equalled the melting of a lump of ice subjected to the noonday rays of an August sun.

Those who have failed in its use, so far as we can ascertain have been too timid in its use-in order to be effective it must be used in full doses until results are obtained-which will be indicated by free catharsis or relief of pain. Our custom has been to

give it in adults in full doses of two fluid drachms, every three or four hours, or at least four times in the twenty-four hours and continue until an effect is produced. If free catharsis results, the dose is reduced one-half or even more or less and its use continued.

Its external use, by keeping cotton cloths saturated with it, applied to the painful locality, has also aided in bringing relief.

PROTONUCLEIN by increasing the number of Leucocytes, destroys toxic germs, increases the inherent resistance to disease, quickens glandular activity, arouses the nutritive forces, gives tone to the system and stimulates cell-life throughout the organism. Frequent and repeated use of it has given the most satisfactory results, especially in septic conditions, and most notably in cases of puerperal infection.

PEPTENZYME is one of the most perfect digestives. It digests every variety of food. In physiological activity it presents the active and mother ferments of the entire group of digestive organs. It aids digestion by furnishing an additional supply of protoplasmic material out of which active ferments are elaborated, and perfects the process by increasing cellular activity.

TROPHONINE is a palatable and nutritious liquid food, and contains the nutritive elements of beef, wheat gluten, and nucleoalbumins, so prepared as to be readily absorbed and aid almost immediately in the process of reconstruction. It furnishes the sick with the largest possible supply of nourishment, and with the minimum tax on the digestive organs.

These preparations are made by Messrs. Reed and Carnrick, 42-44-46 Germania Ave., Jersey City, N. J., who will supply you at any time with other samples and literature regarding these most valuable aids in the sick room. And if you want any aid from their Pathological, Chemical and Bacteriological Laboratories, their illustrated booklet and fee table which will be promptly sent on application will furnish all desired information.

THE "SKELETON SKETCHES," sent out this year illustrating the Antikamnia Calendar, we regret to learn are the last of the Original Crusius Water Colors. Dr. Crusius had a peculiar faculty with his pencil of giving expression to the most expessionless article in the wide world—a skeleton or a skull. His early death is greatly to be lamented, and we very much regret that his remarkable labors as an an artist were so soon concluded.

However, much as we prize their "Skeleton Sketches," we are promised by the Antikamnia Chemical Co., that they have in view for next year, a new and artistic idea with which to greet their very many friends throughout the world.

RELIABLE. This is to certify that I have examined a trade bottle of Phillips' Emulsion of Cod Liver Oil (with Wheat Phosphates) purchased from druggist's regular stock, and find the same to contain fully 50.2% by volume of Cod Liver Oil, also phosphates as claimed upon the label. The emulsion was as nearly perfect as is possible to make; when subjected to microscopical examination the oil globules were found to be as minutely subdivided as the fat globules of cow's milk.

V. COBLENTZ, PH. D., F. C. S., ETC.,

Prof. of Chemistry New York College of Pharmacy.

The above cut shows very plainly a very neat and unique little device manufactured br Mr. E. B. Marshall, 5625 Jackson Ave., Chicago, Ill, Send for one and you will always have an inde pendent seat-at base ball or foot ball games, open-air concerts, public meetings, etc., to say nothing of when you go a fishing or undertake any out-door excursions, as well as being a most excellent milking stool. I have seen the time when I would have given the full price for only a few hours use of one. It will make

a very convenient rest for a gouty foot that may follow the season's festivities and good cheer. It weighs but little over two pounds and only needs to be seen to be appreciated. Mr. Marshall is also the sole manufacturer of Marshall's Convertible Buggy Case and Saddle-Bags, which are unquestionably the very best in the world-compact, neat, strong and durable, and filling in every respect an urgent need of all practitioners of medicine, rural or urban.