that the hunt for an antityphoid serum is sheer lunacy. We are having, as it is, pretty good results in the treatment of typhoid, and experimenting with cultures of the bacillus Ebert or the bacillus coli communis is, in my humble opinion, silly and unwarranted. -Editor.]

Adrenalin and its Uses in

General Surgery.

According to Dr. HarryGidney, F.R.C. S., Adrenalin is of extreme value in arresting hemorrhage during all surgical operations. It is indicated whenever and wherever, any local hyperemia

exists, more especially in inflammations of mucous surfaces such as those of the eye, throat, larynx, pharynx, urethra, bladder, nose, rectum, vagina, uterus, stomach, etc. It is used not only to stay hemorrhage when it exists, but also as a prophylactic, given either internally or externally prior to an operation, so as to lessen the amount of bleeding during the performance of that operation. It is a non-irritant to mucous membrane unless when used too frequently and in excess.

A Dangerous Antidote.

"The antidote to nitric acid is ammonium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate or sodium bicarbonate to be followed with whiskey and heart stimulants such as strychnine and glonoin.”

The above gem is from The Medical Summary (p. 288), and is as wrong as can be. Even junior drug clerks know that carbonates and bicarbonates should be avoided in poisoning with acids on account of the large volume of CO2 which is generated suddenly and which might rupture the eroded walls of the stomach. The ideal antidote is magnesia, and when we say magnesia we do not mean magnesium carbonate, but magnesium oxide, MgO.

Oh, ye blind leaders of the blind!

Sure Corn Cure.

"A sure corn cure is made as follows: Fluid extract of cannabis indica one drop; morphine sulphate, 20 grains; salicylic acid, 10 grains; and collodion enough to

make two ounces.'

The above is from the same source, same page. Now, in the name of common sense, what good will one drop of fluid ex. of Cannabis Indica do in two ounces of colloidon?

Santonin in Locomotor Ataxia. Dr. J. J.-There have been two or three reports of favorable action, but you know what such reports amount to. Negro is sure that the lancinating pains are favorably influenced. I do not believe in much drugging in locomotor ataxia. Still you may give it a cautious trial. Don't forget to report results to the CRITIC & GUIDE.

27

PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY.

Identification.

Six Specimens are submitted for Identification. Concerning them state the following:

(a) Synonym or common name. (b) Official title.

This information is to be written on a special blank furnished for that purpose.

The answers to the following are to be written in the book furnished.

1. Vinum Opii. (a) State proportion of Opium present. (b) State entire proportion of Alcohol.

2. Massa Ferri Carbonatis. (a) Why is sugar present? (b) Give synonym.

3. Pilulae Aloes et Mastiches. (a) Why is mastic present? (b) Give synonym.

4. Confectio Sennæ. (a) How much senna is present? (b) Name four fruits present.

5. Extractum Glycyrrhizae Purum. (a) Describe its consistence. (b) What chemical substance is used in its preparation.

6. Charta Sinapis. (a) How is the drug first treated? (b) How is it caused to adhere to the paper?

7. Define (a) Anhydrous, (b) Hydroxyl, (c) Dioxide.

8. Write the chemical formula for each of the following: (a) Potassium Hydroxid, (b) Litharge, (c) Sodium Chlorate, (d) Borax.

9. Give the English name of the following: (a) Zn(C2H ̧O2)2 (b) H.PO,

(c) CHCl, (d) Sb2S2

10. What test solutions will prove the presence of (a) a sulphate, (b) a chloride, (c) a ferrous compound.

11. (a) Describe the generation of oxygen. (b) Show the reaction by an equation.

12. (a) How is HS generated? (b) Show the reaction by an equation. 13. Complete the following tions:

(a) NaCl+NaHSO,=

(b) BaCO,+HCl=

(c) 3Cu2+6H2SO,+4HNO,=

(d) Fe,O,+3H,=

equa

Potassii et Sodii Tart.. 23.00 Gm. Misce ft. pulv. No. iii.

The first three questions relate to the Practical Exercises.

1. (a) Give weight of each pill, expressed in grains. (b) What excipient did you employ? State quantity employed.

2. (a) State order in which you mixed. (b) State why you followed such order.

3. (a) Give official title of the preparation of which the powder is a component. (b) Give common name of this preparation.

4. When making Tincture of Arnica Flowers is it better to moisten the flowers, or pack them dry, preparatory to percolation? Give reason for your

answer.

5. Paregoric:-Give full official title. Name all of its constituents. Give method of preparation. State quantity of Opium present in one-half fluid

ounce.

6. (a) Why does the Pharmacopoeia direct that Tincture of Ferric Chloride be set aside for at least three months before using? (b) How does a Spirit differ from a Water? (c) Name an Ointment Base which is readily miscible with water. (d) From what source is this Base obtained? (e) Define the term "Torrefaction."

7. When making U. S. P. Laudanum why should the Opium be first macerated in water for twelve hours? Does water extract all the desirable active principles from Opium?

8. If a Gum-resin is triturated with water what is the resulting mixture

8. What alkaloids are obtained from each of the following: (a) Golden Seal. (b) Henbane. (c) Belladonna. (d) Jaborandi. (e) Ipecac.

9. Give the botanical name of five plants which furnish official seeds.

10. (a) Sulphur Lotum. (b) Sulphur Precipitatum. (c) Sulphur Sublimatum. State how they differ and how they are prepared.

11. Name the official Salts of (a) Morphine. (b) Quinine.

12. From what are the following obtained: (a) Acetic Acid. (b) Salicylle Acid. (c) Stearic Acid. (d) Lactic Acid. (e) Gallic Acid.

13. Give the official title of five Cerates.

14. Give the official title of a drug belonging to each of the following classes: (a) Alkaloid. (b) Gum Resin. (c) Glycerite. (d) Oleoresin. (e) Resin.

15. Define the following terms: (a) Inspissated. (b) Herbaceous. (c) Succulent. (d) Fecula. (e) Biennial.

16. Give the common names of the following: (a) Rhus Glabra. (b) Matricaria. (c) Hyoscyamus. (d) Cimicifuga. (e) Spigelia.

TOXICOLOGY AND POSOLOGY.

N. B.-In giving doses WRITE THE NAME OF THE DRUG and give Minimum and Maximum dose, unless otherwise directed.

1. To what does Oil of Bitter Almond owe its poisonous properties? Name proper antidote.

2. Should the stomach tube or pump be used in case of corrosive poisoning? Why?

3. Define Toxicology. Posology Chemical Antidote. Physiological Antidote.

4. Explain the use of Alcohol in case of poisoning by Carbolic Acid. Is its action chemical or physiological?

5. How many official Troches of Santonin should be given a child 3 years. What emergency treatment should be used in case of overdose?

6. What emergency treatment would you employ in poisoning by Atropine? Nitrate of Silver? Opium?

7. What does the law require of a pharmacist when selling a poison in "Schedule A?" "Schedule B?"

8. What emergency treatment should be employed for poisoning by Strychnine? By Arsenic?

9. By what chemical test would you

identify Corrosive Sublimate? Nitrate of Silver? Strychnine?

10. How do Hypodermic and Rectal doses of a medicine compare in size with the average mouth dose of the same medicine?

11. State the emetic dose of Sulphate of Zinc. Sulphate of Copper. Mustard. Syrup of Ipecac.

12. What is the dose of Ammonium Chloride? Codeine? Morphia Muriate?

Sodium Salicylate?

13. What is the dose of Black Draught? Extract of Nux Vomica? Spirit of Ammonia Aromatic? Veratrin?

14. What is the dose of Chloral? Chloroform? Phosphorus? Wine of Ipecac.

15. What is the dose of Fluid Extract of Conium? Tincture of Digitalis? Oil of Wintergreen? Bromide of Soda?

downing the products of American chemists. Thru information received by me I have learned that your efforts in the cause of legitimate pharmacy and medicine and your crusade against nostrum venders have earned you the bitter enmity of the above publication, which is attempting to pervert the issue by circulating silly and false reports. To earn the hostility of such a journal as the Medical Brief, whose editor is the chief proprietor of many preparations to the propaganda of which this journal is devoted, is an honor for which you should feel profoundly grateful.

To rehabilitate itself this journal has made strenuous exertions of late to secure contributions from prominent medical men thru a professional stenographer, who supplies articles to various medical journals. That some of these gentlemen, however, were evidently unaware that their contributions were intended for Medical Brief is shown by the resentment they have since expressed in letters that have appeared in the medical press. No one, however, who has followed the progress of the Medical Brief will be deceived by thinking it is anything more it has been in the past— the chief organ of the nostrum vendor. Wishing you the utmost success,

66 E. 112th St. A. L. Goldwater, M. D.

Dear Doctor:-Enclosed please find my renewal subscription to the CRITIC & GUIDE. With best wishes for success, Wm. W. Owen, M. D.

150 East 127th St.

Dear Dr. Robinson:-Enclosed please find check for $1.00 for CRITIC & GUIDE for 1904. With best wishes for CRITIC & GUIDE, I remain,

G. Kerr, M. D., 74 Market St.

Dear Dr. Robinson:-I beg to remit $1.00 for second year's subscription to CRITIC & GUIDE. Your excellent journal is doing much good. You were successful in 1903, may you be even more successful in 1904, and may the C. & G. continue to prove a welcome friend and an effective help both to doctors and pharmacists. H. J. Straten, M. D.,

105 Rapeleya St., Brooklyn.

Dear Dr. Robinson:-I am pleased to compliment you on your success in keeping up the interest in your journal. Let the good work go on. With kind regards, Yours very truly, F. E. Stewart, M. D. 214 Townsend St., San Francisco.

EDITOR CRITIC & GUIDE: The causes of the decadence of the drug business are numerous and I do not wish to discuss them here. I may do so in another place, but I will refer now only to the dispensary and hospital abuse. The poor run to the dispensaries and the rich to the hospitals. As an illustration I will cite one case, which possesses some curious features.

A neighbor of mine, and incidentally my customer, called in a local physician to treat him for a bad cold he contracted "on the curb" in Wall St. The physician diagnosed the case as simple bronchitis and prescribed accordingly. The patient did not feel very much better the next day when the physician made his second call. The patient prevailed upon the

physician to give him another thoro exa mination; and when the physician still adhered to his original diagnosis, and made light of his case, the patient became dissatisfied and suspicious. He called up his family physician, who made an elaborate examination and pronounced the case as one of central pneumonia. After the doctor left, promising to bring a nurse with him and send up some oxygen gas and other paraphernalia, the patient became alarmed, telephoned for an ambulence from the neighboring hospittal, called for a lawyer, arranged his legal business, sent a message down town cancelling and liquidating his obligations,-in short, an hour after the doctor had left, everything but the undertaker was arranged for. When the patient reached the hospital, he found a private room, nurse, and all necessary accessories waiting for him. When the visiting physician first went "over" him, he wanted to know who had diagnosed pneumonia. There was not even evidence of acute bronchitis! The patient was promptly discharged. His cough and rapid pulse were said to be due principally to an overindulgence in cigarettes, to which he was indeed very much addicted. You can readily imagine the surprise of his family when he made his appearance at home! H. BEINFIELD,

941 Amsterdam Ave.

Dear Doctor Robinson:-Enclosed find one dollar for the renewal subscription to CRITIC & GUIDE for 1904. Can't get along without it. It is the best journal I take. Always anxious for the next

number.

Don C. Weber, Arlington, Neb.

Dear Dr. Robinson:-With pleasure I am sending you my dollar to renew my subscription for the coming year. With many others I doubted if your paper would live a year. I am glad I was mis