Meyer Brothers Druggist PUBLISHED MONTHLY IN THE INTERESTS OF THE ENTIRE DRug Trade. VOL. XXIII. ST. LOUIS, JANUARY, 1902. Entered at the Post-Office at St. Louis, Mo., as second-class No. 1. Editorial Eugene Gustavus Eberle greets you from the frontispiece of the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST for January. He is president of the Texas Pharmaceutical Association; professor of pharmacy and dean of the faculty of the Department of Pharmacy, University of Dallas; chairman of the Section on Education and Legislation of the American Pharmaceutical Association; editor of the Texas Druggist, and a member of the Texas Drug Co. The First Year of the New Century has closed, and its twelve months are now a matter of record. The problem in chronology of legitimately closing one century and opening another is at least quiescent if not settled, and, no doubt, will now slumber for ninety odd years to come. At this time it seems meet that we should review the past period of 365 days and see how the pharmacist and his interests have fared during the calendar year. The Business Side of the druggist's life has become brighter in the new century. He has shared in the general revival of trade and enlarged business activity. Not only has the volume increased, but in most sections better prices are obtained in the retail trade. Many have profited by the experience of the past and now follow better business principles than before. Judicious advertising methods and attention to every detail of the business are placing the progressive retail pharmacists in much more favorable circumstances than surrounded them at the close of the last century. The Wholesale Drug Trade has experienced a decidedly increased volume of business in 1901. But dealers find that the nature of the trade has been such that it is a matter of greater business rather than growth in profits. The tendency to reduce the number of firms has been previously pointed out in these columns. The rate at which one after another retires from business is an indication of the close margin realized by those engaged in this branch of the drug trade. This concentration process in no way portends the extinction of the jobber. His calling is a legitimate one, and he is here to stay. It does mean, however, that much energy, business acumen and capital will be necessary in order to continue in the field and make even a small margin of profit. It is simply the same condition of consolidation and cooperation that we find in other lines of commercial pursuits. Manufacturing Firms have evidenced a spirit of enterprise and pushed their field of work to all sections of the country. The system of local branches and resident representatives has met with favor, and many new arrangements of this kind were made during the past year. The Multiplication of Remedies continues unabated in the new century. The price-list of synthetics is now almost as large as was the general list fifty years ago. American chemical manufacturers are now employing trained chemists to do original work in the organic branch of the science, and we may look for the home production of new synthetics as well as a continuation of discoveries in Europe. New proprietary medicines more than equal those that drop out of sight. The list of so-called patent medicines shows no signs of decline. Elegant pharmaceuticals continue in favor with the physician. Thus, the number of new remedies more than keep up with the identification of "new diseases." Our Greater Navy and large and active army have kept up a demand for many goods in the drug line. This source of output has been of service to the special manufacturer rather than the trade in general. The army, and to some extent the navy and marine service, has given employment to pharmacists. Many who entered at the opening of the Spanish-American war have continued to follow their pharmaceutical calling in the employ of the government. The World's Fair to be held in St. Louis in 1903 has attracted the special attention of pharmacists during the past year. Such educational opportunities are always appreciated by the thinking person, and it is none too early to plan for an extended visit to the Exposition. Several members of the Board of Directors are either directly or by association interested in the drug trade and pharmaceutical profession. They will see to it that the industries, arts and sciences connected with the druggist's calling are given due prominence. Commercial Pharmacy rules above par in this age of keen competition and business activity. The more progressive of scientific and theoretical men are recognizing this fact and becoming imbued with the same spirit in pharmacy which is making the United States the industrial market of the world. The colleges are altering former branches or establishing new chairs to give more thorough drill in the business methods required in conducting the commercial side of pharmacy. The advancement of higher scientific education in pharmacy is by no means at the expense of practical training and intellectual development. The successful pharmacist of today must have integrity of character and be world-wise as well as the possessor of theoretical education. Drug Clerks were Scarce in the first year of the new century. The condition was not a local one, but extended over the entire country. The recent growth of business has increased the demand, and also diminished the supply by inducing former clerks to become proprietors. The restrictions placed upon apprentices have kept some from offering themselves as "clerks," and a general enforcement of State pharmacy laws keeps incompetent clerks from finding situations. The result will be that the better profits in the drug trade will lead to higher salaries and the employment of more competent clerks. We are now in a transition period when it is difficult to find desirable help for the salary offered, but things will soon adjust themselves. Women in Pharmacy now have a fixed place, and evidently have come to stay. Between four and five hundred are busy in the drug stores of the United States. The colleges of pharmacy extend them special invitations to come as students, and their names appear in almost every graduating class. For the benefit of our English cousins, who are now very much exercised over the appearance of women in their midst, we will say that it was not due to a demand for women in pharmacy that we have them, but on account of the American women deciding to become pharmacists, as they have physicians and lawyers. The colossal egotism and brutal abuse indulged in by some English and Irish pharmacists will in no way affect the progress of woman. It is best to do as we have in America and quietly accept the inevitable. Pharmacy Laws continue to occupy the time and demand the attention of some of the best minds in the profession. But the work has been defensive rather than aggressive. We find a growing feeling that it is best to let well enough alone and not tamper with In some present laws unless in extreme cases. States a score or more of amendments and bills have been presented, but, almost without an exception, they come from parties not at all or only indirectly connected with pharmacy. The committees on legislation have been kept busy fighting such measures. Our new possessions had pharmacy laws at the time they changed governmental ownership, but they do not suit our American idea, and we find the work of revision being pushed with true Anglo-Saxon doggedness. The Philippine pharmacy law of June 21, 1901, published on page 364 of the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST, is now under consideration for revision. Pharmaceutical Education is evidently prized to a greater degree today than ever before. The colleges of pharmacy are increasing their facilities, adding new branches of instruction and raising their requirements. The pharmaceutical press is devoting much space to what might be termed "student text journal subjects." Correspondence instruction schools are multiplying in number. Wherever we turn, evidence of higher and more extended education for the pharmacist is to be found. It is quite evident that the dispenser of the new century must acquire higher educational attainments than did his preceptor and gain the commercial prestige which they have been predecessor. gradually losing during the past few years. The Metric System has been given more attention by the British and United States governments than ever before. The commercial interests of these countries demand a more complete adoption of the system of weights and measures so generally used by those with whom John Bull and Uncle Sam do business. It is likely that the change will come about at a very early date. Cuba and our new possessions have long used the metric system, so that the fortunes of war are also forcing it upon us. The Revised United States Pharmacopoeia provided for in May, 1900, will not be ready for use for some months to come, but much work has been accomplished during the past year. While none of the dignity and scientific standing of the work is to be sacrificed, it is evident that the committee of revision will be influenced by the demand for a practical working guide and reference book for the everyday pharmacist. The appearance of the work is anxiously awaited, and the jobbing trade report frequent orders for the "new Pharmacopoeia." The National Formulary work was undertaken by the A. Ph. A. in 1885, and the first issue appeared three years later. The last revision appeared in 1896. The A. Ph. A. committee is now busy with a new and more thorough revision which will appear about the time the revised Pharmacopoeia is ready for delivery. Meantime the demand for the present edition of the National Formulary continues, and the A. Ph. A. reports a net profit of over $4,000 on the sales to date. Death has reminded us that its relentless grasp is ever near and that all must sooner or later succumb to its embrace. Dr. Chas. Rice, the father of the United States Pharmacopoeia, as the world knows the work today, passed away early in the year. W. S. Thompson, prominent in the commercial, legal and educational pharmaceutical work, followed just at the close of the A. Ph. A. convention. A number of others of value to the calling have brought their work to a conclusion in 1901. It is true, as Meredith says, that "nature takes no notice of those that are coming or going"; but we feel that it is but right for us as nature's children to remember the useful ones among us, for, as Longfellow says "A life of honor and of worth Has no eternity on earth 'Tis but a name; And yet its glory far exceeds That base and sensual life, which leads To want and shame." Are You Losing Trade?—If so, we suggest that you follow the same frankness of spirit and freedom of prejudice in considering your surroundings as now characterizes the tone of British trade publications. Our English cousins have been criticised for seeing their own faults and recognizing personal shortcomings. The faculty is evidence of a strong character, and will go far towards enabling the English to re If your trade is not what it once was, or what you now consider it should be, we adjure you to become alive to the fact that no one can long remain stationary. Prosperity cannot be maintained without the exercise of energy. You must take initiative steps in your business, exercise foresight, and see that you follow an inflexible determination. Study the methods adopted by your competitors, and see if they are not wide-awake people. You may have been long established in business, but reputation is like a cloak -it soon wears out and requires frequent replacing. Demonstrate to your trade that you are thoroughly alive and continually progressing. Minute Organisms too small to be seen by the most powerful microscope may exist. The experiments of Lode, Gruber, Beijerinck, Abbe and others show that certain liquids passed through microbeproof filters continue to act as pathogenic agents. This shows the possibility, if not the probability, of organisms existing which are smaller than any with which we are now acquainted. It remains for some one to devise a more powerful microscope than we now have, or invent some new method of proving the existence of minute bodies. Until that time we can only conjecture as to the physical nature of the mysterious pathogenic agents. We may be entirely wrong in calling them organisms. The suggestion reminds us of the far-reaching force of the old statement that Big fleas have little fleas On their backs to bite 'em, Red Albumen is an article about which we can give but little information in answer to the inquiry of several subscribers. It is recommended through very clever advertisements as an article which causes hens to lay when they would not otherwise produce eggs. We learn that some wholesale houses have declined to handle the article. Some claim that it should be classed with black pepsin, which was advertised a few years ago as an article which would increase the amount of butter obtained from milk. New Degrees continue to be offered those seeking diplomas, certificates and titles. "Graduate and Master Optician" is one, and "Doctor of Refraction" another of those recently brought to our notice. We also learn that a pharmacy student can become a "finished optometrist" without interference with his college studies. Thus, we may look for "G. M. O." and "Dr. R." as new titles for the names of ambitious young pharmacists. If You Keep Up with the times in the line of new goods you must consult the advertising pages of the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST. Only Eight Months to the A. Ph. A. meeting at Hotel Walton, Philadelphia, September 8 to 13, 1902. |