BUSINESS HINTS.

"The Old Oaken Bucket."

The BULLETIN is in pleased receipt of the following letter from Loren D. Larkin, who is in the employ of George A. Ross, pharmacist at Hoosick Falls, N. Y.:

"I send you a photograph of one of my window displays which was a trade-winner. I am following the example of the Georgia subscriber in whose letter and description, published in the November BULLETIN, I was very much inter

ested. I am anxious to do what I can to help along the good cause. The BULLETIN has done a great deal for me; in fact, it is the best drug journal I ever read, and if in any way I can help it along and make it more interesting and helpful I am more than willing to do so.

"The display was made at the beginning of school in the fall, and we caught the children when they needed the goods. The well in which hung the "old oaken bucket" was made of five-cent school

The BULLETIN trusts that others may follow Mr. Larkin's example and send in descriptions, and, if possible, photographs also, of window displays which have proved successful. Such an exchange of ideas among the readers of the BULLETIN cannot be other than very helpful to every one alike.

Working up a Trade in Spices.

"Some time back a Philadelphia druggist of the legitimate school, appreciating the benefits that might accrue from spice selling in earnest style, hired a man to distribute specimens of fine spices to dwellers in the immediate territory circumjacent to his store. Attention was solicited to one variety, then another," says Joseph Hostelley in the Pharmaceutical Era. "A well-worded circular accompanied the neatly planned packages. One that was handed to whoever responded to the usual visitor's summons (they were not to be left before the unopened door nor cast into the vestibule), and which enveloped a packet of black pepper, read in part as follows: 'The enclosed sample of pure Black Pepper is handed you with the earnest request that you examine and test it carefully. This distribution will be followed by others of pure spices, the intention being to educate the people to demand that purity in condiments which they have a right to expect in all things. We have in stock a complete assortment of pure spices, both ground and whole, the quality of which is guaranteed. You save money and get good results.' Then followed an apt word pertinent to prescriptions.

tablets as seen in the illustration. Excelsior, colored green to represent grass, was spread thickly around the entire window space outside the well. The frame was made of boards and covered with blue cheese cloth, the drum consisting of large, round pasteboard cartons. A long brass chain, borrowed from a dealer, was wound around the drum and attached to the bucket, which consisted of an empty white-lead keg covered with moss gathered for the purpose. The bucket was nearly filled with excelsior, and an assortment of penny pencils stuck into this to fill the bucket. The bottom of the well was covered with pencils, which could just be seen from the outside. The roof was covered with tablets, real vines were twined around the framework and, together with moss, covered the top of the well. A large card, removed when the picture was taken, was worded: 'Any tablet around the well, 5c. Any pencil in the bucket IC.'"

"The next spice to be put to the fore by this pharmacist was Saigon cinnamon. That portion of the attending circular which spoke of spices was worded so: 'Extraordinary results have attended our efforts at awakening the people to the fact they can obtain absolutely pure spices of us. This followed closely after the recent free distribution of black pepper. To still further impress our neighbors with the importance of the sub

ject, we to-day hand you this specimen of Saigon cinnamon. Please examine it carefully and you will readily observe the advantages offered by the use of spices of such quality. We are likewise encouraged to feel that our patrons regard our efforts in the broader sense that was really contemplated in the undertaking, an earnest of the purity of all our wares, drugs, products, or medicines.' The latter paragraphs of the circular told of prescription expertness and the prices of certain few popular articles.

"Another druggist issues a circular upon spices through which he tells just how to prepare several dishes, spice flavored: Bordeaux sauce, pig's feet, tripe, and spiced fruits, for example. This is a capital scheme."

A Lesson in Interest.—

Too often it is the case that business men do not realize at the time how quickly the interest eats up principal. The following anecdote of Peter Cooper, the great philanthropist, very forcefully illustrates the point:

Once while Peter Cooper was talking about a project with an acquaintance, the latter said he would have to borrow money for six months, paying at the rate of three per cent a month.

"Why do you borrow for so short a time?" Mr. Cooper asked.

"Because the brokers will not negotiate bills for longer."

Well, if you wish," said Mr. Cooper, "I will discount your note at that rate for three years.

"Are you in earnest?" asked the would-be borrower. "Certainly I am. I will discount your note for $10,000 for three years at that rate. Will you do it?"

"Of course I will," said the merchant. "Very well," said Mr. Cooper. "Just sign a note for $10,000 payable in three years, and give me your check for $800, and the transaction will be complete."

"But where is the money for me?" asked the astonished merchant.

"You don't get any money," was the reply. "Your interest for thirty-six months at three per cent a month amounts to 108 per cent, or $10,800. Therefore, your check for $800 just makes us even."

The force of this practical illustration of the folly of paying such an exorbitant price for the use of money was such that the merchant determined never to borrow at such ruinous rates, and he frequently used to say that nothing could have so fully convinced him as this rather humorous proposal of Mr. Cooper.

Another Druggist's Journal.

In two recent issues of the BULLETIN we have described and criticized a little four-page journal gotten out by Druggist Frank H. Thomas, of Wyoming, Iowa.

same.

This has evidently inspired W. J. Robinson & Co., of Manitou, Manitoba, Canada, to publish a similar paper of their own. The same title-"Glad Tidings"— has been chosen, and the character of the text is much the We are glad to see that certain features of Mr. Thomas's first edition which were criticized by us, and afterwards corrected by him, have been avoided by Robinson & Co. To repeat what we have said before, we believe that a paper which the druggist gets out should first of all be interesting, so that people can be induced to read it. If they cannot be so induced, the thing falls flat. Consequently a good deal of general matter, such as jokes, interesting bits of information, and, if possible, a comic picture or two borrowed from Puck or Judge, should be used. Then the little advertising items, and references to the druggist's stock and specialties, can be surreptitiously inserted here and there so that the reader can scarcely help stumbling on to them. Let your first aim be, then, to make such a journal as people will read, and publish it at regular intervals so that they will look forward to its appearance. If possible make it a regular monthly; otherwise, a bi-monthly, say. Mr. Thomas brings his journal out as a quarterly. Robinson & Co. ask us to criticize their paper, and in response we can only say that, in our opinion, the typographical appearance could be improved. Smaller type would make it look more like a journal and less like a mere advertising circular. Moreover, the quality of the paper used could be improved with profit. It would cost a little more, but it would pay. Remember that you want a journal to look like a journal. Finally, we think the thing could be improved by the use of heads over the articles—at least over the longer ones.

The Man with a Percolator.

We knew of a drug store a few years ago whose proprietor had the reputation of being the best informed druggist in his town. As a matter of fact he may have been fairly entitled to that distinction, but that is neither here nor there. The reason he made people think so was because he was shrewd enough to keep his percolator stand in plain view, and every time he had to use it, which of course was just about every day, he would get it right out in front of the counter near the prescription case, and make syrup of wild cherry bark and a few of those easy things. Nearly every one that came in would take a look at that wonderful percolating apparatus and go away convinced that the man who knew how to manage such a looking thing as that so as to make medicine with it must be one of the world's master minds. We have also known an ordinary water-still in operation in the store to keep a small crowd standing around nearly all the time. Of course, there was nothing more remarkable about it than about a teakettle boiling, but they never thought of that. And we druggists need not laugh at them for it, for we are all just as bad. We

PRACTICAL PHARMACY.

Filtering Syrups and the Like.—

Joseph Hostelley (Druggists Circular) hastens the flow of heavy syrups by increasing the diameter of the filter's apex by means of a perforated diaphragm of cork with serrated edges, the cork being cut to lay near the apex of the funnel, the edges of the former coinciding exactly with the angularity of the funnel's sides. When utilizing a one-gallon funnel, the filtering septum or "speeder" is usually about four inches in diameter. In Fig. 1 is shown the upper face of one of these septa; Fig. 2 indicates the position it takes in the funnel. The channels leading to the perforations are seldem if ever

seen in the usual device. The common diaphragms of this system are almost always of porcelain-and they cost money; while the one the author uses can be made from a block of wood if the cork drawer cannot supply a large, flat cork which is too imperfect to use as a bottle stopper. The grooves in the upper face of a speeder appreciably accelerate action. The serrations in the edges of the cork likewise lend aid to the object in view. When this device is to be used as an adjunct to a paper filter, the latter is folded to conform at the apex with the circularity of the speeder. By this is meant that the point or nose of the filter, which is always left free from creases, is in this instance made much more liberal than usual, so that the uncreased center of filter will be about the diameter of the cork septum.

A Rapid Method of Sugar-coating Pills.—

Professor Hallberg, of Chicago, contributes to a recent issue of Meyer Brothers' Druggist the following note on coating pills: "While gelatin-coated pills "While gelatin - coated pills leave little to be desired and may be so easily extemporized by the pharmacist through the use of gelatin capsules, yet there is no disguising the fact that there are many persons who cannot swallow a gelatin-coated pill or capsule without 'gagging.' Again, there is the seri

ous objection that, under certain conditions, with alkaline instead of acid reaction in the stomach, lack of water, etc., the gelatin coating may not dissolve, as amply illustrated in fever epidemics during the late Spanish-American war, and from the experience of nearly every physician when prescribing quinine sulphate in gelatin-pill form. Of course, a pill is intended for action in the intestines and not in the stomach, and here the alkalinity of the bile secretions will certainly not favor the solution of the gelatin, and some other coating is therefore desirable. I have, for a number of years past, used milk-sugar, since also recommended in Scovill's Art of Dispensing,' and have formulated the following method:

"The pills are thoroughly coated with acacia mucilage (U. S.) by quickly rolling the dust-free pills with the fingers on a piece of filter-paper saturated with mucilage laid on a pill-tile; the moment the pills are covered they are transferred to a small casserole (capsule with a handle), the bottom of which is covered with a layer of the above powder and quickly rotated, separated with the fingers if necessary, until completely covered with a firm coating. If a heavy coat be not secured, repeat the operation with the mucilage. Transfer the pills to a clean casserole, beaker, or box, and rotate or oscillate for several minutes, when the pills will be rounded by attrition, and a fairly firm, delicious appearing cream-white coating will be attained. The best results are obtained by using from ten to fifty pills for each operation.

The Best Menstruum for Fluid Extract of Squill.—

Prof. A. B. Stevens reports (American Druggist) that when fluid extract of squill is made in strict accordance with the requirements of the U. S. Pharmacopoeia it separates into two layers-one a thin fluid, strongly alcoholic and of a decided bitter taste, and another lower layer, which is thick, mucilaginous, of a less bitter taste, and contains but little alcohol. By request of Professor Stevens, Dr. George B. Wallace submitted each layer, separately, to a careful pharmacological examination. He reported as the result of his examination that the upper layer was four times as active as the lower one, and that when alcohol of 95-per-cent strength was added to the lower layer, a white substance, forming the bulk of the layer, is thrown out of solution, also that it is soluble in water and pharmacologically inactive. The Professor thinks the activity of the lower layer is doubtless due to the carrying down of a small quantity of the active principle by the mucilaginous substance during separation.

The Pharmacopoeia of 1880 directed to use alcohol as

a menstruum. The Pharmacopoeia of 1890 changed the menstruum to 750 cubic centimeters of alcohol to 250 cubic centimeters of water. With a view of ascertaining the best menstruum to be used, L. F. Barlow was directed to prepare fluid extracts of squill with 80, 85, and 90 per cent of official alcohol, but in each case there occurred a separation into two layers, the lower mucilaginous layer decreasing in volume with the increase of the strength of the alcohol. The best results were obtained with full-strength official alcohol. The Professor remarks that while there seems to be some doubt as to the exact composition of the constituents of squill, it is quite certain that all of the active principles are soluble in alcohol, and that the gum and sugar which form the mucilaginous part are soluble in water but insoluble in alcohol.

The Centrifugal Analysis of Urine.—

Purdy describes (Journal of the American Medical Association) a rapid method of urinary analysis, which should be useful where a number of samples have to be regularly examined. The essentials are a centrifuge the standard radius of arm, an efficient motor capable of running at a uniform standard speed, with a gauge for regulating, and accurately graduated percentage tubes. The author employs a centrifuge with a radius of 634 inches, the tubes hold 15 cubic centimeters, and the motor is run at 1200 revolutions a minute for exactly three minutes. The following is the method for the determination of chlorides, phosphates, and sulphates: The urine is first filtered, if not clear; three of the percentage tubes are filled with the urine to the ten cubic centimeter mark; to the first tube is added 1 cubic centimeter of strong nitric acid and 4 cubic centimeters of standard nitrate of silver solution. To the second tube is added 2 cubic centimeters of 50-per-cent acetic acid and 3 cubic centimeters of uranium nitrate solution. To the third tube is added 5 cubic centimeters of the standard barium chloride solution. The tubes are inverted three or four times to insure mixing, allowed to stand aside for three minutes and then centrifugalized, a fourth tube filled with water being inserted to balance the arrangement. By means of tables given in the paper the chlorides, phosphates, and sulphates can be estimated. The author claims that these three determinations can be carried out in ten minutes and with an accuracy comparable to the best gravimetric methods.

Report on Adulterations.

nitrite. Of four samples of alcohol one contained but 83 per cent of absolute alcohol by weight, having a specific gravity of 0.84. The Pharmacopoeia directs that 100 cubic centimeters of tincture of opium should yield by assay from 1.3 to 1.5 grammes of crystallized morphine; six samples of the tincture were found to contain, respectively, o.79, 0.91, 0.78, 1.29, 1.32, and 1.83 grammes. Three samples of gum opium assayed, respectively, 11, 10.5, and 9.01 per cent of crystallized morphine. One sample of balsam of copaiba was not amorphous, transparent, and friable after the volatile oil had been completely driven off; it contained very little volatile oil, as the attempts to drive it off left the balsam in much the condition in which it was originally. It is likely that the volatile oil had been driven off and the remaining residue mixed with some fixed oil, as fixed oil was found to be present.

As to Oxide of Zinc Ointment.—

At the last meeting of the Pennsylvania Pharmaceutical Association Mr. Chas. T. George declared that there ought never to be any difficulty in making zinc ointment according to the pharmacopoeial process. "The important thing," he remarked, "is elbow grease-plenty of work. The thing to do is to take the mortar and slightly heat it, by pouring heated water into it. Whenever there are powders used in the manufacture of the ointment, moderately oil the surface within the mortar, and add a little oxide of zinc, and then lard, to it. It easily becomes smooth, and softens until it becomes smooth as oil. Then gradually add the remainder of the lard, and the ointment is rapidly and perfectly finished. You can make a perfect ointment, according to the United States Pharmacopoeia, by following that simple method. And, indeed, this applies to all ointments-to the ointment of the yellow oxide of mercury, or the red oxide, or nutgalls. Simple and perfect trituration, with warm water, with the powders, and with the proper proportion of dehydrated lard-this is all that is necessary."

Fixing Labels Permanently.—

It is often required to paste labels on glass so that they will not wash off when the bottle is soaked in water. The following method will serve (The Spatula): Make first a solution of gelatin by heating 100 parts of gelatin with 300 parts of acetic acid until dissolved. To this solution add 10 parts of glycerin. The mixture will set when cold, but liquefies on warming, and if kept for a few weeks it liquefies in the cold. The second solution consists of 20 parts of potassium bichromate, dissolved in 200 parts of water. When used, two parts by weight of the gelatin solution is mixed with one of bichromate solution, and the paste applied in the usual manner. When once dried neither hot nor cold water