report showing somewhat over $1100 on hand and in bank. This represented a larger sum than that of any previous year at the opening session, and all bills paid to that date.

A letter of report and of gratefulness was read from J. R. Man, the ward or the Association, who is taking at the State University's pharmacy department at Galveston the course with the James L. Hazlett scholarship, established in memory of a uruggist who lost his life in the Galveston storm.

From Herman A. Nester of Austin a report was made of the analytical work on drugs, especially those of volatile character, during the year. He warned the druggists to make careful analysis at frequent intervals, not trusting to the guarantees received at the time of purchase to hold good indefinitely.

Greetings from the National Association of Retail Druggists, signed by Secretary T. H. Potts of Chicago, were read. These were acompanied by many suggestions for the consideration of the Association, including the appeal to the National Government for making a difference in the taxes and regulations of saloons and drug stores.

Report was made by Herbert Ward of El Paso on the work of prosecution of those concerned in the indiscriminate sale of narcotics.

One hundred and twelve new members were admitted.

Unable to attend the convention, the historian, Miss Lum Shipe, wrote her letter of regret accompanying her report.

Fraternal greetings were received by telegraph from the State Associations in Colorado, Pennsylvania and Vermont.

W. H. Cousins of Wichita Falls delivered a humorous and well contrived address on "Profitable and Unprofitable Advertising." He told of the thousands of things that are offered as advertising and of the few that are worth while. Newspapers he classed as prime.

Dr. M. M. Smith, speaking for the medical profession, appealed for a closer relationship between the medical and the pharmaceutical men. He declared their interests to be common, their cause mutual and the best work of both to depend upon pure drugs, used only when needed.

E. G. Eberle, in speaking for the pharmacists, declared of medicines that "they are useful for the sick but to be avoided as dangerous by the well."

The banquet at the Oriental concluded the program of the day. The management certainly exhibited their interest in the druggists behalf and the service throughout is worthy of compliment. It is a difficult matter to give every one due recognition for the entertainments and success of the meeting, but the writer has been permitted to mention Local Secretary Schrodt, Secretary Duncan and Mrs. T. P. Eastland. That they were ably supported goes without saying and the liberal contributions from all sources made the success possible.

There was good attendance. a considerable number of the members arriving during the second day of the session. More than thirty new members were admitted during the day, making the total new members for the two days 130.

Following the address of Col. Exall, in which he had called attention to Texas resources in mineral and vegetable and animal kingdoms that are in need of conservation, and especially of the need for care of the water fall, there was adopted a resolution of thanks to Col. Exall and for the spread of his words on the minutes.

J. P. Hayter, H. B. Wilson and G. D. Atkinson made report of their attendance upon the State Medical meeting as fraternal delegates. ing was at Amarillo on May 9 to 11.

Few Infractions of Law

The meet

The committee on enforcement of the narcotic

sales law reported that there have been few infractions of the law in any part of the State and a tendency on the part of the druggists to abide closely by the requirements of the State enactment.

An extended report of the National Formulary committee on the designation of drugs and the methods of laboring was read and referred.

R. R. D. Cline of Galveston read a paper on "The Study of Ipecac and a Review of Its Literature." It was an exhaustive study of the various uses of this. drug and varying alkaloidal content in different varieties.

Steve F. Kelton as representative of the National Association of Pharmacologists read a paper from that organization of drug clerks on "The Drug Clerk and the National Association of Pharmacologists." It was an appeal against overcrowding of the drug business by the establishment of needlessly competitive stores and the encouraging of young men, instead, to work toward partnership with present employers rather than to establish competing stores.

From the necrological committee there were reported the deaths of D. C. Weaver of Fort Worth, C. C.. Samuell of San Antonio, S. K. Morley of Austin, C. S. N. Hallberg of the University of Illinois, an honorary member. The report was submitted by Jack Coulson of Fort Worth, Coakey Evans and P. G. Huston.

A collection for the Hallberg Memorial Fund was taken and amounted to $40.85.

Report of State Board.

R. H. Needham of Fort Worth, speaking of "The Pharmacy College and Higher Educational Requirements for Pharmacists," appealed to the Association for support of the State board in making the higher requirements necessary, for the diminution of the number of schools and the raising of their standard and for the watchful care against overcrowding the profession with incompetent men.

Secretary R. H. Walker of the State Board of Pharmacy read the annual report of the board. This was exhaustive, and dealt with the minutia of the work of the year, giving places of examinations and names of applicants and certificate takers. It reported reciprocal relations with thirty States, and urged the backing up of the board in the plans to have an average of at least 75 per cent on examinations and a minimum of 50 per cent in any one study. The congratulations of the Governor of the State to the board were read.

Secretary Walker called attention to the honor done to H. C. Jackson in his designation on the National Syllabus Committee, the duty of which is to prepare a book providing for a generally satisfactory curriculum to be demanded by the State board as a basis for examinations. There are twenty-one members of the committee, seven from the American Pharmaceutical Association, seven from the National Board of Pharmacy and seven from the American Conference of Pharmaceutical Faculties. Mr. Jackson is vice president of the State Examining Board. The Association, after an address by J. F. Brashear of Fort Worth, went on record as apposed to the parcels post.

Against Itinerant Vendor.

John C. Graves of Kaufman made the closing address of the day in opposition to the itinerant vendor of medicines. The paper was applauded and ordered printed in the minutes.

About 4 o'clock the convention adjourned to Lake Cliff Park for enjoyment of the lake, the skating rink, the amusements and an al fresco dinner. The evening was spent at the Casino.

Thursday morning session opened with Vice-President Jackson in the chair on account of the illness of Mr. Covey's child.

The committee on president's address commended especially that part recommending the legislative

action against sale of medicines by itinerants or irresponsible persons. It commended also that recommendation that after Jan. 1, 1912, all candidates for examination for pharmacy before the State board shall have a grammar school education sufficient to admit them to the high school; that after Jan. 1, 1913, there shall be required at least one year of high school work or eight units; and that after Jan. 1, 1915, the examination and reciprocal fees shall be $10 and the renewal fees $2. There was recommendation that after Jan. 1, 1912, there shall be added to the ten subjects of examination now required bacteriology and physiology. All these recommendations were approved by the convention. The report was from Jacob Schrodt, R. H. Walker, R. H. Needham, C. C. Martin and E. E. Glover.

Legislation Desired.

Approval was given to the report from the committee on legislation that there shall be continued effort for legislative action against traveling medicine sellers or irresponsible venders.

H. L. Carleton, home secretary, presented a report showing work at the capitol. He stated that he is to remove from Austin and as the charter requires that the home secretary reside in Austin, he recommended the selection of another. A vote of thanks for efficient work was extended to Mr. Carleton with best wishes in his new venture.

The following papers were presented:

"Assay Process for Dobell's Solution," S. J. Buckner, Waco.

"Tests Acetanilid, Antipyrine and Phenacetin," Buckner.

"Syrupus Scillae Composita," Duncan. Dallas.

"Sympus Scillae Composita," Duncan. "Why Lady Pharmacists are Desirable in a Drug Store," Miss B. A. Michel, Marble Falls.

"A Drug Store Laboratory," E. B. Voelcker, New Braunfels.

The legislative board was instructed by vote, after the rescinding of previous instructions, to act with the State Board of Pharmacy without specific directions from the convention, for the securing of desirable legislation.

The New Officers.

President-Jacob Schrodt, Dallas.

First Vice President-H. C. Jackson, Austin. Second Vice President-John A. Weeks, Ballinger. Third Vice President-Hermann Dreiss, San Antonio.

Secretary-Treasurer-E. G. Eberle, Dallas.
Historian-Miss Lum Shipe, Austin.
Trustee-J. E. Butler, Corsicana.

The new president's first appointment was that of local secretary at Austin, State headquarters, and J. W. Graham was the man chosen.

W. B. Morrison of Waco sent regrets, which were read to the meeting, saying that "Dallas never does anything except the right way."

A communication was read from the recently formed State Retail Book Dealers' Association, of which R. L. Thornton of Dallas is secretary, asking for the co-operation of the druggists in obtaining a suitable discount upon books and declaring that hand.ers of the school books generally lose money. It suggested that 75 per cent of the school books are sold by druggists and that the druggists ought to be interested.

By resolution presented by committee and adopted by the convention the matter of the time and place for the annual meetings was left to the executive committee.

The convention decided that no matter where the assembly may meet, there shall be expended for entertainment a sum not to exceed $200, which the State Association will pay. If the local committees

wish to pay more, it will not be in the power of the Association to prevent it.

Thanks were voted to the Dallas County Druggists' Association, with R. G. Chapman of Dallas, president; to the Drug Travelers' Association for entertainment features of the meeting; to The Dallas News for accurate and sufficient reports and to the press of the city for their good notices, and to all who have assisted in making the meeting of the Association pleasant and profitable. Especially warm were the thanks for the entertainment tendered to the ladies of the visiting parties. Milton Hickox, Hermann Dreiss and J. E. Butler were the members of the committee.

Druggists remaining spent the evening at Cycle

Park.

The place of meeting chosen is Austin, the time June 18, 19 and 20. A. W. Griffith was selected Local Secretary.

THE DRUG TRAVELERS' ASSOCIATION OF
TEXAS.

As always is expected the Drug Travelers assisted in making the meeting of the State association successful. Although somewhat handicapped by all the officers being absent, except the secretary, several meetings were held. As the chief purpose is to make the annual contribution of $200, the secretary satisfied the membership that this amount was on hand and ready to be turned over to the local committee, which was done. No very strong competition for office was in evidence; the following were selected: Fred Burnett, president; Jos. E. Stanion, vice-president; J. S. McCauley, 2nd vice-president; W. H. Lattimer, 3d vice-president; E. G. Eberle, secretarytreasurer, and salary doubled again, a custom in vogue for several years. All members participated actively in the meeting, more particularly in looking after the enjoyment of others. All ex-presidents were in attendance.

At the recent meeting of the Georgia Board of Pharmacy the following received druggist licenses: Moses Amos, F. J. Annis, W. B. Arnold, E. S. Byrd, L. B. Coleman, H. M. Davison, W. R. Dixon, C. L. Edge, J. V. Frederick, J. H. Gontrin, R. F. Holland, I. D. Hontz, R. F. Kee, H. M. Mason, C. S. Meadows, G. S. Melton, H. H. Morrison, J. T. McCartrey, A. J. Pert, O. J. Neundafer, F. A. Roush, E. B. Rupard, W. C. Snuggs, C. E. Waits, W. W. Webb, J. W. White and H. L. Wilson.

J. H. Ford received an apothecary's license. The examination was conducted by the following members of the State Board of Pharmacy: W. S. Elkin, Jr., Atlanta, president; H. C. Shuptrine, Savannah; R. H. Land, Jr., Atlanta, and C. D. Jordan, Monticello, secretary.

Texas Board.

The Texas Board of Pharmacy, through its secretary, R. H. Walker, of Gonzales, submitted to the Governor the annual report of the board, showing the number of persons who stood the examinations and passed during the various meetings hela throughout the year, from June 1, 1910, to June 1, 1911.

The report shows, according to Secretary Walker, that rather a small percentage of those who applied for certificates were successful. Secretary Walker says that reciprocity as inaugurated by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy has contributed much to the establishment of more friendly relations between all State boards. That Texas now enjoys the privilege of having its certificates recognized by

twenty-seven States in the Union on condition that Texas certificates are had by examination with a general average of 75 per cent and not less than 60 per cent in any one branch.

The report shows that at the Fort Worth meeting seventy-six took the examination and out of that number forty-eight passed. The expenses of the board for that meeting were $385.75. At the Sept. 20, 1910, meeting, held at Galveston twenty-six applied for certificates and took the examination and out of that number only eleven passed. Expenses of the board for that meeting were $798.60. At the January 17, 1911, meeting, held at Dallas, seventy-seven took the examination and only thirty-seven passed; expenses of the board amounted to $938.10. At the San Antonio meeting, held May 16, 1911, seventy-two took the examination and only twenty-five passed; expenses of the board amounted to $997.10.

The report shows that the total expenses of the board for the year amounted to $3,447.07, the total receipts, including a balance of $1,698.15 on hand, amounted to $5,898.90, leaving a balance on hand June 1, 1911, of $2,051.83.

The meeting in Dallas June 20 was attended by sixty-eight candidates, the result has not been announced at this time.

X

BOOK NOTICES.

Merck's Manual of the Materia Medica.

(Fourth Edition.)

A ready reference pocket-book for the physician and surgeon. Containing a comprehensive list of chemicals and drugs-not confined to "Merck's"with their synonyms, solubilities, physiological effects, therapeutic uses, doses, incompatibles, antidotes, etc.; a table of therapeutic indications, with interspersed paragraphs on bedside diagnosis, and a collection of prescription formulas, beginning under the indication "abortion" and ending with "Yellow Fever;" a classification of medicaments; and miscellany, comprising poisoning and its treatment; and an extensive dose table; a chapter on urinalysis, and various tables, etc. (Merck & Co., 45 Park Place, New York, 1911, 493 pages. While compiled for the use of physicians, there is much in the book regarding the materia medica, doses, urinalysis, etc., to make it a serviceable reference work for pharmacists also. Sent on receipt of forwarding charges of 10 cents, in stamps, to pharmacists, or to students enrolled in any college of pharmacy, in the United States.)

Bulletin of the Lloyd Library.-Giving the history of the vegetable drugs of the Pharmacopoeia of the United States; being Pharmacy Series No. 4, Bulletin No. 18, by John Uri Lloyd, Phar. M., Cincinnati, O., with bibliographical references. A most interesting book, full of useful historical data.

X

Digest of Comments on U. S. P. and N. F.-Bulletin No. 75, 568 pages, issued by the Hygienic Laboratory, Public Health and Marine Hospital Service, U. S. A. Being a digest of comments on the Pharmacopoeia of the United States and the National Formulary for the calendar year ending December 31, 1908, by M. G. Motter and M. I. Wilbert.

While other more economical processes for the manufacture of potassium cyanide are employed, it is still extensively manufactured by fusing together potassium ferrocyanide and potassium carbonate. The metallic iron settles, the fused mixture of cyanide and cyanate is removed, the cyanate by means of charcoal reduced to cyanide and then further purified.

Medicinally the value of this very poisonous salt depends upon its relative hydrocyanic acid value, which should be 39.4 per cent. The pharmacopoeial test does not distinguish the presence of corresponding sodium salt. The assay is based on the reaction with silver nitrate. Potassium cyanide forms with silver a double cyanide, which is soluble; in the reaction of the assay no precipitate will appear until one-half of the cyanide has been acted upon by the silver nitrate; silver iodide, which is insoluble in ammonia water, is precipitated. The first reaction is shown as follows:

2KCN+AgNO,=AgCN KCN+KNO,
2X64.70-168.69

3

Twice 64.70 equals 129.40 corresponding to 168.69 of silver nitrate. In the official assay .647 grams of potassium cyanide are taken and the Pharmacopoeia states that 47.5 Cc. of N/10 silver nitrate should be required before a permanent precipitate is produced. As each Cc. corresponds to .01294 of cyanide, 47.5 Cc. will equal .61465. In the assay .647 grams were taken, multiplying then .61465 by 100 and dividing by the amount taken for assay, we have 95 per cent. purity indicated. Others will prefer this calculation, each Cc. of N/10 silver nitrate corresponds to .01294, and this is 2 per cent. of the amount taken (.647) in the assay, then every Cc. of N/10 silver nitrate required corresponds to 2 per cent. and 47.5 Cc. to 95 per cent. The calculation can also be made in similar manner for the amount of hydrocyanic acid represented, using the figures 2X26.84, or 53.68 instead of that for potassium cyanide.

In the arts potassium cyanide finds extended application more particularly in the separation of silver from ores. It is chiefly manufactured in Europe. On account of its very poiOn account of its very poisonous character great care must be observed in handling it. The fused variety is most used because it is not as subject to deliquescence. The official has a strength of 95 per cent., large

quantities are sold labeled, "To be used for mining purposes," etc. These qualities vary in strength, sometimes as low as 25 per cent. The medicinal dose is one-fifth grain.

Potassium Dichromate.

Potassium dichromate has no direct medicinal use, but is of interest in analytical chemistry, extensively employed in the arts and manufacture. It is made by roasting native oxide of chromium and iron with potash, washing the fused mass with water, which will hold neutral chromate in solution and then adding sufficient sulphuric acid to produce dichromate.

Chromium trioxide (chromic acid) is obtained by acting on a cold saturated solution with sulphuric acid. Chromic acid separates out in purplish, red needle-shaped crystals. Like arsenous acid, chromic acid, as such, can only exist in solution, on evaporation of the water, it is converted into anhydride. Chromium trioxide parts with its oxygen with great facility, resulting under favorable conditions in explosions. It should never be brought in contact with alcohol or glycerin. In weighing, glass scale pans or watch glasses should be used; filtration of a solution must be through asbestos or glass wool. It is employed as a caustic.

Potassium dichromate is used in the manufacture of other chromium compounds, as an oxidizing agent in making coal tar dyes, as a mordant and bleaching agent. Neutral or yellow chromate produced in the initial step of the manufacturing process for dichromate is useful as a reagent. For this purpose it is prepared from dichromate by action of potassium carbonate.

Potassium and Sodium Tartrate.

Rochelle salt was first obtained by an apothecary named Seignette, of Rochelle, France, hence the name, also "Seignette's salts." It is prepared by neutralizing a solution of sodium carbonate with potassium bitartrate, the proportions being 12 of the former to 16 of the latter. The solution is evaporated and allowed to crystallize; as found on the market it is in powder form. In the assay the salt is converted into carbonate.

In the German Pharmacopoeia the synonym "Sal Seignetti" is applied and in the British the name "Soda Tartarata" is given. It forms part of the powder in the blue paper of a seidlitz powder.

Potassium Iodide.

Potassium iodide is obtained in the manu

facture of sodium nitrate from the "mother liquors," but to a greater extent by manufacturing processes, either first producing ferrous iodide and decomposing or direct union. In In the latter method iodine is added to potassium hydroxide in solution, whereby iodide and iodate are formed. The solution is concentrated and charcoal added, then reduced to dryness and heated to a low red heat, whereby the iodate is reduced.

KIO2+3C-KI+3CO.

When obtained from an alkaline solution the crystals are of an opaque whiteness, when pure the cubic crystals are transparent and colorless. The test given in the Pharmacopoeia for cyanide is on account of the presence of eynogen in iodine. The purity or standard is calculated from the iodine, silver nitrate solution. being used, and potassium chromate as an indicator. The procedure will be understood from explanation under potassium bromide.

Potassium iodide ranks among the most extensively used chemicals, being chiefly employed as an alterative. The salt renders iodine soluble in water. At one time there was considerable adulteration practiced through addition of bromide and even chloride. The test for limit of bromides and chlorides in the Pharmacopœia makes it possible to detect such adulteration. Iodine is liberated from the salt by the addition of sulphuric acid. If a few drops of chloroform are added to an aqueous solution of the salt, then chlorine water and agitated, a violet color will be imparted to the chloroform.

Potassium Nitrate.

Potassium nitrate is found native to some extent, but this supply is not of great commercial importance. The source is chiefly Chili saltpeter, sodium nitrate, from which potassium nitrate is obtained by double decomposition. with potassium chloride. Potassium nitrate is used to some extent in medicine as a diuretic, more extensively in veterinary practice, but finds its chief use in the manufacture of gunpowder and other pyrotechnicals. It is also much used for curing meat. The commercial saltpeters are frequently nothing more than salt, this adulteration is readily detected by suitable tests for chlorides. When fused and

molded it is known as "Sal Prunelle."

Potassium Permanganate.

Potassium permanganate is prepared by fusing a mixture of manganese dioxide, potassium hydroxide and potassium chlorate. The green fused mass is treated with boiling water, when the fluid has assumed a purple color, it is decanted, neutralized with nitric acid, concentrated and allowed to crystallize. In the manufacture great care must be used to avoid contamination in the last steps of the process. This is due to the fact that potassium permanganate is readily decomposed by organic matter. The

10CO2+K2SO1+2MNSO,+18H2O

that is 625.5 grams of ovalic acid will require 313.96 of potassium permanganate for complete oxidation. The Pharmacopoeia uses .1 gram in the assay, which proportionately would require .199 grams of oxalic acid, but as the demand is for 99 per cent. purity .19724 is the amount required and this is contained in 31.5 Cc. of N/10 oxalic acid solution. The value of potassium permanganate depends upon the readiness with which it gives up its oxygen, becoming thereby one of the best disinfectants. Application should be direct, as its energy is partially expended when coming in contact with any organic substance, such as cloth, lint, etc. Its energy can strikingly be shown by pouring a little glycerin on powdered potassium permanganate. Stains on the hands or utensils may be removed by aid of oxalic acid.

Potassium Sulphate.

Potassium sulphate has no extended medicinal use; in a previous Pharmacopoeia it was an ingredient of compound powder of ipecac and opium and is still so employed by some manufacturers. It is well adapted for the purpose of intimately mixing the active constituents on The account of the hardness of the crystals. custom followed by some of using the powder does not produce the same results, as an imperfect mixture is obtained.

Sodium.

in combinations is widely distributed, the chloSodium as a metal is not found native, but ride being perhaps the largest source. It was distinguished from each other. not until 1736 that sodium and potassium were Davy discovered the metal sodium, in 1807. by electrolysis of the hydrate. A number of methods for obtaining the metal are employed, more extensively the electrolytic process of Castner: Deville's method, wherein sodium carbonate is treated with carbon, in a mixture of chalk and coal and subjected to distillation is still quite largely used. Sodium is a silver-white soft metal having a specific gravity of .973. Like potassium, sodium is readily oxidized and must, therefore, a'so be preserved in fluids having no oxygen. When thrown on water it combines with the oxygen, liberating hydrogen. The