OUR CUBA DEPARTMENT. BY B. E. HOLSENDORF, HAVANA. Matanzas Pharmacies.-Matanzas, the capital of the province of that name, is a very pretty Cuban town of about 30,000 inhabitants. It is situated in the sugar cane district, near the Yumuri valley, said to be one of the most beautiful in the world. The city has five or six modern and thriving drug stores, and quite a number of smaller ones. One of the largest and prettiest was the Farmacia Francesa, located on the corner of Calle Santa Teresa and Plaza La Libertad." Another large store was the Farmacia "San Juan," on Calle de Tirry. These stores have the appearance of being thoroughly up-to-date and are a credit to the city. Dr. Arturo C. Bosque is one of the well-known Cuban pharmacists. He is a graduate of the School of Pharmacy of Havana University, a member of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Havana, and secretary of the Section of Pharmacy of said academy. He is a member of the college of pharmacy of Havana, and inspector of pharmacies for one of the districts of this city. He is owner of a very neat little retail drug store at 38 Tejadillo Street, and enjoys a very large patronage. DR. ARTURO C. BOSQUE. The Practice of Pharmacy in Cuba differs very little from that in the United States. While the pharmacists are not so progressive, in a business sense, as their American brethren, they certainly conduct their stores with much professional dignity. The Cuban pharmacist is looked upon by the public as a professional man in the same sense as a physician, and conducts himself accordingly. In the Stores Where a Very Large Prescription Trade is carried on, a check system is in use. A printed form, on which appears the name of the firm, the number, date and price of the prescription, together with the name of the prescriber, is given to the bearer of every prescription. A duplicate number is stamped across the face of the recipe, and it is then sent into the dispensary to be compounded. The finished product, after being labeled, etc., is returned to the front of the store and kept until called for, the printed check being presented for identification. This practice is very convenient and has given good results. The label does not contain as much information as those of the American pharmacist, in many instances the number of the prescription and the dose only being given. There is Little, if Any, Counter-Prescribing, the cordial relationship which exists between the physician and the pharmacist, on account of their affiliation in the Medical and Pharmaceutical Association, being responsible, in a large measure, for this state of affairs. Neither is there any attempt on the part of the physician to dispense his own medicines, nor to conduct a retail drug store. There seems to be a very good understanding between the physician and pharmacist in this respect. We Agree. -The Northwestern Druggist recently "spoke right out in meetin'" regarding the insertion of advertisements in proceedings of pharmaceutical associations. Their remarks are applicable to other publications issued by pharmaceutical bodies, and we commend them to all and sundry who have such matters to deal with. "In plain words, the habit is regarded by the trade generally as a species of blackmail to which they submit with what graciousness they can while all the time feeling a contempt for the association that thus annually plays the part of a sturdy beggar for a few paltry dollars. Even were the money willingly contributed-nay, were it voluntarily offered the association, the latter should refuse to accept it or to allow itself to be placed under obligations to any body. They can give no quid pro quo in the matter. The They do not in any sense neglect the business side circulation of the books-a few hundred once a year of the profession, as can readily be seen by the num--is too insignificant to make them of any real value ber of successful drug stores in Havana and other cities, but it seems to be their aim to confine their business principally to articles of the legitimate drug trade. The stores carry few side lines, with the exception of toilet articles. This is particularly true of the smaller stores. They carry good stocks of patent medicines, but there is no rate cutting, the full price being charged in each case. Prescription Department. In the larger stores there are usually two or three prescription pharmacists, who do nothing but dispense prescriptions. The system of numbering and filing the recipe is very similar to the practice in vogue in the States. as advertising mediums, and disguise it as we may, all money so obtained is given either as enforced charity or as a mild levy of blackmail."- [Canadian Pharmaceutical Journal. Are You a Policy Pharmacist?-The Canadian The policy of courting medical patronage. amendments to those already in existence-having AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION reference to pharmacy and the pursuit of this pro The Semi-Centennial Meeting of the American Pharmaceutical Association will be held at the Hotel Walton, in the city of Philadelphia, during the week beginning Monday, September 8. fession-come immediately into the province of this section. Among these, laws regulating the sale of drugs to habitues have become a matter of grave importance, and druggists of States where such laws exist, of cities where ordinances are in force regulating the sale, are requested to report upon them as fully as possible, relative to the construction and degree of success they have achieved." Papers The local secretary, Wm. L. Cliffe, has acted in accordance with a resolution adopted at the St. Louis meeting, September 21, 1901, and named a committee on arrangements for the meeting of 1902. The follow-bearing upon the prerequisites for examination before ing are the members, all of them being located in Philadelphia: Howard B. French, Harry L. Stiles, Joseph P. Remington, Clement B. Lowe, Mahlon N. Kline, Henry K. Mulford, Miers Busch, Richard V. Mattison, Walter A. Rumsey, Henry C. Blair, (Third), Geo. D. Rosengarten, Wm. A. Sailer, Walter V. Smith, Harvey H. Mentzer, D. E. Bransome, Jacob M. Baer. Mr. Cliffe is chairman of the committee. The president has appointed the following committee on semi-centennial celebration: Geo. M. Beringer (chairman), Camden, N. J.; Richard M. Shoemaker, Philadelphia, Pa.; Mahlon N. Kline, Philadelphia, Pa.: Joseph L. Lemberger, Lebanon, Pa.; Henry P. Hynson, Baltimore, Md. The committee on exhibition has been appointed by the council as follows: Thomas P. Cook (chairman), New York City: Joseph P. Remington. Philadelphia, Pa.; Wm. L. Cliffe, Philadelphia, Pa.; Thos. V. Wooten, Chicago, Ill.; H. L. Meredith, Hagerston, Md. These three committees are already at work arranging for the September convention, which promises to be the most interesting and largely attended in the history of the A. Ph. A. It is none too early for the pharmacists of America to make note of the date and prepare for the meeting. Volume XLIX of the proceedings was delivered early in March. If any member has failed to receive a copy, application should be made to the secretary, Charles Caspari, Jr., 109 Aisquith Street, Baltimore, Md. Reduced railroad rates will be secured and announced by the committee on transportation in due time. Section on Education and Legislation.—The chairman begs first to say he is sorry that his time has been so encroached upon that up to the present he has been unable to advise with the members comprising the committee on education and legislation relative to formulating a plan for work, but that very soon he will be able to devote time and attention to this section. The journals will, no doubt, respond cheerfully when they are requested to communicate some of the ideas of the committee relative to the work committed to their charge. At this time the members of the association are earnestly requested to prepare papers and items of interest for discussion during the meetings of this section, and such matter will be received with thanks and due appreciation by the committee. It has already been suggested that the committee is not now in position to submit a list of specific questions, and the selection of topics is left entirely with the contributors. "Matters relative to new laws and a board of pharmacy will no doubt develop interesting discussions. The following resolution was adopted last year: Resolved, That it is the sense of the Section on Education and Legislation of the American Pharmaceutical Association that the actual preparation for the practice of pharmacy by way of study and training is of far greater importance than the examination which is required by law; and that, therefore, candidates who have not studied the subjects covered by the examination have no rightful claim to be examined by the board of examiners in pharmacy. For discussion before State associations, it would perhaps be of value to develop a closer feeling-one of greater interest amongst the membership—for and in behalf of the American Pharmaceutical Association and its work. Such questions can be variously stated so that they will not only be fully in accord with the requirements of this section, but of other sections as well; therefore, you are earnestly requested to embrace the opportunities that may present themselves and make the best possible use of them. Methods of teaching are such important factors in the development of our profession that papers upon this important subject are earnestly solicited. The general condition and trend of pharmacy are subjects in which we are deeply interested, and no paper, perhaps, elicited more discussion at our last session than one bearing upon these subjects. We might continue reference to matters which would furnish field for thought and work, but each individual member will no doubt select his own topic according to his preference, and his labors for the interest of the section shall have our grateful appreciation. Finally, this year of our association will be the best in point of numbers in attendance. Let us make it also the most beneficial, most successful and most enjoyable one, but only in relation to those that have preceded, and still continue to look onward and forward. Attention is directed to the following: Article IV, Chapter IX, of the By-Laws provides that any person preparing a paper for the association which will require more than ten minutes for its reading, must accompany same with a synopsis which can be read within ten minutes' time. The paper and synopsis must both be furnished the committee of the particular section to which it refers previous to the first session. Papers intended to be printed in advance of the meeting must be in the hands of the chairman not later than August 12, 1902. For the Committee, E. G. EBERLE, Chairman, Dallas, Tex. PHARMACEUTICAL MYSTERIES. BY IVAN I. DEA. You will get an opportunity to discourse later in the evening. There is much oil in seeds of gossypium. Major Anderson called on us when he was in the city. Sophia must ardently comply with the request. Hail a vender of vegetables. See! The golden arc is suspended in mid air. Amita ran toward Tom and raked the cut grass from the lawn. If I had that mat I could turn it into gold. Let him try his shuttle at her wooden loom. The first hunter from us killed the largest moose. He is able to succor you that are tempted. Can we not call those sails a bad, ill-appointed set of canvases? When did the Apache land in England? Mag, no liabilities exist in this case. Would Emma cease her correspondence after this? Have you read of the camp horror? If it occur, a renal disease supervenes. You will not find Merrimac on Italy's map. This, Anton, I can vouch for. Then we sum achievements and make heroes. Although seriously hurt I came to my senses. This sale presents to us the bargains of a lifetime. At home or in church, Ira talks too much. In this car Anna lost her purse. Among the gravel plants were growing wild. Atropine is said to make the eye bright. Is chalk an ethical drug? Is that the balloon which Dora let rise? The various kinds of Rhubarb are a vulgar island drug. We can buy myrrh at any drug store. What would you think if I risk my health in that locality? A person so conversant always yields at times. It was Robert's pig Elias brought. Such a grasp urgently forces matters to a close. Let it be thro' other channels. If this be not Rhubarb, err you then? Every evening we endeavor to help Simon with his large latin essays. Olga Lang always prays before retiring. If he is found guilty of mayhem, lock him up. He is a man. who would wipe cacti for a living, if necessary. Were the order of the halo established on earth, how many saints we'd have! There is a crack in our "little brown jug." Call it anything else; minerals are still inorganic. Do you really think that you could find that ring in Gerald's house? When it comes to cotton gins, England is not in it. Can you see anything except the boys and a raccoon? Our papa very plainly forbade us to drink. It left our hub arbitrarily fixed on the axle. Such torment ill appeases anger. I should bid it hush. We would call a tartar ax a cumbersome tool. I could see the gar lick the bait from the hook. If ever few should ask a favor, would it be granted? The robbers held Ernst for ransom. When a man buys a vineyard he desires to grow grapes. Isabella, don Natalie's hat! Though its taste is bitter, sweet are its effects. There are many arabs in the desert. The bourse negatively denounced it. I wonder, can Ella recite. If ever a trumpet was heard, it was here. Should they fail to dig it, Al is lost. They saw her go to town. Were I his agent, I another course would take. Hold this cube, barter not. Let me see your card a moment. He ordered the vicar away from Rome. Pontiac Inn a monster clock contained. A Pink Envelope means subscription due. never making a customer ashamed of the question asked. Many people are very sensitive on little points, and the seeming lack of attention causes a loss of their patronage, and often without their even intimating that something has caused displeasure. The Trademark Law, says Dr. F. E. Steward, requires that all goods upon which a trademark is to be applied shall be provided with a description of the class of goods and the particular article in the class to which the trademark is to be applied. Manifestly, each article must have a title by which it may be recognizable by the public, and such title cannot be a trademark; otherwise, by registering the title of an article as a trademark a monopoly can be created and maintained over the article itself indefinite in duration, and without the publication of full knowled The Manufacture of Hand-Pressed Oil of Bergamot, Lemon, Orange, Etc. not be subject to loss through contraction of volume by cold, which is a large item in cold weather. "A Soft Answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger."-What better motto can be adopted for the business welfare of a retail drug store? It should be kept in mind alike by proprietor and clerks. Every inquiry made by a party entering the store should be answered promptly, courteously and in detail. In conversing with those in the store, no matter whether present or prospective customers, the opportunity should be embraced to make friends for the store. A pleased customer is the best investment for every one concerned, including the employer, clerks and apprentices. The most trivial question should receive prompt and polite attention of the invention whereby it may be duplicated by those skilled in the art. In this way the trademark law may be used to defeat the object of the patent law, and a species of patent obtained never contemplated by our law-makers. It is absolutely essential to distinguish between titles and trademarks, for upon this point hinges the entire legal protection of the nostrum traffic, enabling the manufacturers to obtain unfair advantage in the sale of mixtures of medicine under fanciful designations claimed as trademarks, thereby decreasing the demand for the same drugs. under their proper names and creating and maintaining a great commercial business under protection of the law, which is in unfair competition with physicians, pharmacists and chemists in the legitimate conduct of their business. POISONS IN FRANCE. The British and Colonial Druggist says that with the combined attention of the pharmaceutical world focused on the Whitehall poison committee—which, by the way, has just terminated the hearing of evidence-it is interesting to consider how they do their poison selling in la belle France. It would seem, judging from the regulations promulgated as an appendix to the official Pharmacopoeia, the Codex, that the French legislature has apparently aimed at dividing poisonous substances into those currently used in medicines and those whose principal or only application is industrial rather than medical. Of course, the law having seen its jubilee, there are omissions, but the intention seems evident, and the principle underlying the enactments is a recognition of the pharmacist as the exclusive seller of medicines, and not as a retailer of poisons save in the form of medicines. Here we see the distinction between English and French law. In France, all persons selling, and chemists' manufacturers using, the substances scheduled have to declare their names and addresses to the Mayor, and of course any change of address. The scheduled articles may be sold by any person so registered, but are only to be delivered against a written order signed by the buyer. Every purchase and sale has to be duly chronicled in a special register which should be periodically signed by the Mayor or Commissary of Police, and the record made immediately after such purchasethe kind and quantity of the substance and the name and address of the seller and buyer being the particu. lars entered. The duty of seeing that these rules are observed is that of the Mayor or the Commissary, who also has to observe that the poisonous substances are kept in a safe place under lock and key, and in his inspection he may be accompanied by a doctor, or two professors of a pharmacy school, or a member of the Medical Jury, or a pharmacist attached to the latter body. The penalty for contravention may vary from £4 to £120, the term of imprisonment from six days to two months; but how far the law is actually applied is another question, and the absence of reports of prosecutions in the French papers seems to indicate that the policy of laisser aller is general. The Poison Schedule, dating from 1850, includes the following substances: As regards the sale of arsenic, this is the subject of a special regulation which provides that arsenic and its compounds are only to be sold for medicinal purposes except when combined with other substances. The formulæ of the compounds allowed are edited by the School of Alfort, so far as veterinary uses are concerned, but those for preparations applied in the destruction of vermin and the preservation of natural history specimens are decreed by the Paris School of Pharmacy, and it is interesting to note, in passing, that the sale and use of arsenic and its compounds is forbidden for the treatment of cereals and grain, the embalming of corpses, and the destruction of insects. The authorized arsenical preparations in the present Codex number 10. The Doctor When He's Sick.-Dr. George Thomas Palmer, of the Chicago Clinic, is responsible for the following: In my many years of labor I have tried 'most every stunt; When I didn't know their names. I have patched the voice of singers, For his pain or for his ache. Heard him tell you hot to grumble- Then you ought to see the doctor When he's laid up for repair, |