which govern the preparations he, as a pharmacist, may be called upon to dispense. The applicant must be able to read and translate physicians' prescriptions, to point out incompatibilities, to correct errors in doses and describe methods in compounding, to know the sources of drugs, their Latin and English names, habitat, classification, medicinal preparations, antidotes and emergency treatment in cases of poisoning. The applicants for assistant pharmacist certificates do not need to take the written examination unless they so desire. The practical and oral examinations demonstrate the candidates' ability to apply their knowledge, and is conducted in the following manner: Five prescriptions, taken from the files of drug stores in the State, which require different methods of preparing, are submitted to the candidate. Constant watch is kept on the candidates as to weighing, measuring, methods of procedure in compounding, neatness, etc. The oral examination is conducted as follows:- A number of prescriptions are submitted to candidates for criticism, corrections of doses, detection of incompatibilities with description of the method of dispensing and labelling same. In conducting the oral examination on the United States Pharmacopoeia and National Formulary, the Board allows the candidates free access to these books. The questions are intended to bring out the candidate's knowledge of the meaning of the words used in the description of drugs; as, for example, the words "dextrogyrate" and "ketone" under camphor, "strobiles " under hops, "mericarp " under fennel, etc.; also, to call attention to the U. S. P. processes, the candidate being asked to explain reasons why certain precautions are given. TYPICAL QUESTIONS. Solution of Chloride of Iron. What is formed when hydrochloric acid is poured upon the iron wire? Why is an extra quantity of hydrochloric acid added, and also nitric acid? What is the cause of the black color mentioned? What objection would there be to allowing this to remain when you used the solution to make the tincture? Yellow Mercurous Iodide. The U. S. P. states, "Pour the solution of potassium iodide into the solution of mercurous nitrate." What would happen if you reversed this procedure? Chlorate of Potassium. Why does the U. S. P. state, "Great caution should be observed in handling it," etc.? Another portion of the oral examination covers the subject of materia medica. One or more drugs are taken up for description, habitat, part of plant used, active constituents, medicinal preparations, action, uses and doses. The candidates are requested to give an outline of the emergency treatment in cases of poisoning, including a detailed description of what antidotes to use and how they should be administered. Rhubarb. TYPICAL QUESTIONS. How does it appear in commerce? What part of the plant is used? What are the active constituents? Name the U. S. P. preparations. What are its medicinal properties? Give the doses of the drug and its preparations. Opium. What would you do if you were called upon to give an antidote in a case of poisoning by this drug? Why is coffee useful as an antidote? How much potassium permanganate would you give as an antidote in case of poisoning by morphine? How often would you give it? |