The other circulating fluids, namely, the lymph and chyle, are next studied in reference to their chemical constitution.

The second volume includes the secretions, excretions, component parts of the animal body, together with morbid concretions, effusions, and deposits. Among these, the most prominent subject is that of urine, to which no less than 240 pages are devoted. These are replete with numerous analyses of that fluid in various diseased conditions. At page 286, it is stated, that Marchand analysed the urine of a child with osteomalacia, and found the earthy phosphates five or six times as abundant as in health. Now, had the editor taken notice of a note at page 337 of the work he has quoted, he would have seen that the child laboured under rickets rather than osteomalacia.

Three copper-plate engravings are appended to illustrate the microscopic appearances of blood, urea, pus, chyle, uric acid, phosphates, cystin, cholesterine, &c. These are well executed.

Dr. Simon's work, although very elaborate, is, we think, in some respects inferior to a treatise on the same subject by Professor Marchand, entitled "A Manual of Physiological Chemistry," which is a book about half the size, and containing nearly as much useful information. It was published in 1844, the year after the decease of Dr. Simon.

PENALTIES UNDER THE STAMP ACT.

We have heard of proceedings being recently instituted against several Chemists for selling preparations of Sarsaparilla without a stamp. This annoyance is easily avoided by attention to the terms of the Act. The medicinal properties and uses of sarsaparilla are so generally known, that it is not necessary to enumerate them on every bottle of fluid extract; and the decoction of sarsaparilla being ordered in the Pharmacopoeia, and not a secret preparation, is not liable to a stamp when sold on its own merits, either concentrated or otherwise; but if, by way of puff, an eloquent panegyric be appended, with a recommendation of a particular preparation, purporting to be different from that of the Pharmacopoeia, and sold with printed directions for use, then the law requires à stamp to be affixed. The object of the law is to impose a tax on quackery. When medicines are sold in a regular way, without disguise or mystery, no stamp is required; but those who derive an extra profit by tickling the credulity of the public with a secret charm, can afford to pay the tax and are liable.

Messrs. Evans and Lescher, the patentees of the membrane capsules, have been threatened with prosecutions for not affixing a stamp; but it appears that this was a mistake, and on a proper representation being made, the proceedings have been abandoned. In this case no secret or mystery is affected. The patent consists in the application of a common substance (animal membrane) to the formation of capsules, in which are enclosed ordinary remedies in daily use. Consequently, the law requires no stamp.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Adulteration of Scammony.-G. W. T. (A. P. S.) mentions a peculiar adulteration which he has met with in a sample of scammony, sold as the best at 30s. per lb., but which he suspected to be impure from its light colour when powdered. On testing for starch and chalk, neither of these substances was found to be present to any appreciable extent: but a decoction of the scammony became very turbid on the addition of alcohol. By digesting a portion of it with sulphuric ether a quantity of resin was obtained, equal to 32 per cent. The residuum (67 grains) when cold water was added to it, swelled and formed a gelatinous mass; 26 grains were dissolved, and the remaining 41 grains resembled gum tragacanth in its Chemical characters. Our Correspondent suspects, with some appearance of reason, that tragacanth, which is a produce of the same locality, has been used as a substitute for chalk and starch, which latter substances are now so easily detected as to be hazardous adulterations.

MR. BELLING (of Bournemouth) alludes to the contamination of curriepowder when packed in lead. He observed in some packages, that the powder was covered with a white incrustration which, on examination, he discovered to consist of carbonate of lead. From the quantity which he obtained, he calculates that a 4 lb. case of currie-powder contained about 200 grains of carbonate of lead. It had been packed for a considerable time, but the powder was in good preservation, although caked, apparently from having been damp, in which state it was likely to act on the lead.

CARRARA WATER.-J. P. considers that the question at issue between Messrs. Schweppe and the patentee of the Carrara Water is a Chemical and not a legal one; in proof of which he gives us an analysis of each kind of water, showing entire dissimilarity in the composition. As our Correspondent has not authenticated his statement with his name, we have not published his letter, an analysis being of no value except on some authority. J. P. is quite mistaken in supposing that we intended to disparage the Carrara Water.

MR. MASON inquires why the stramonium cigars are sold at the rate of about 40s. per lb., while the herb itself is 10d.? [The herb, as generally sold, is a mixture of the leaf and stalks, chiefly the latter. In making the cigars only a small portion of the leaf is available, the stalks being inapplicable. We have been informed since last month, that Mr. Savory introduced the stramonium cigars two or three years ago.]

"FRANCISCO."-Unguentum hydrargyri nitratis, when diluted, always changes colour, and we believe there is no means of preventing it.

V. W. B.-On adding nitric acid to oil of amber, the acid is decomposed, nitrous gas being evolved and the oil being oxidized, forming what is called "artificial musk."

A. F. PORTER.-(1.) No.-(2.) When wood is burned under a glass, carbonic acid is formed; the vapour observed consists of this, together with moisture, acetic acid and other volatile matters emanating from the wood.(3.) Dr. Gregory's powder is sometimes called " pulvis rhei comp."

B. P. (Grantham).—We are not able to state when the work will be published.

T. N. (Lincoln).-The Druggist was not justifiable in advising the addition of croton oil to the electuary. Such powerful medicines should never be given at random, and ought only to be prescribed by medical practitioners.

MALDON. When cardamom seeds are ordered, the seeds should be used without the "pods."

W. W.-Ammonio-citrate and ammonio-tartrate of iron, are dried by placing a thin layer of the solution on a warm plate or tile.

Mr. Shepherd, in answer to a Correspondent, M. A. C., gives the following formula for tincture of camphor with castor and opium:-R P. opii; castorei; camphora, āā 3ij.; potas. supertart, 3ss.; cocci cacti, ss.; Sp. vini gallici, oj. Macera per dies septem. Dose-A teaspoonful in a glass of water. [We should be glad to know on what authority this formula is given.]

B. D. F. In addition to the works named, we should recommend Dr. Christison On Poisons, Selecta è Prescriptis, and especially Phillips's Translation of the Pharmacopoeia.

A LONDON ASSOCIATE.-There is no authorized formula for Compound tincture of quinine. It is sometimes prepared as follows:- - R Quinæ disulph. gr. viij.; Acid sulph. dil. gutt. viij.; Tinct. aurantii 3j. M. "JUVENIS."-To make liq. ammon. acet. concent., saturate the strong acetic acid instead of the diluted with carbonate of ammonia.

"PHILO."-We think The Manual of Chemistry, by Mr. Fownes, likely to answer the purpose.

T. M. P. S.-Bandoline; see vol. iii., page 94.

"DALETH," M.P.S.-(1.) Turner's Chemistry, new edition by Liebig.(2.) Lindley's Vegetable Kingdom, see page 518.

C. G.-There are two methods extensively adopted by the soap manufacturers for bleaching palm oil: the first consists in heating the oil in contact with chromic acid; the second in merely exposing it in very shallow cisterns to the action of the atmospheric air, and heated by steam-pipes passed through it.

"FERRUM.”—For the method of constructing a galvanic battery with iron plates, see vol. i., page 501.

SCIENTLE DISCIPULUS, having consulted the writings of Baron Fournier, Baron Humboldt, and other eminent authors, with reference to the cause of earthquakes, wishes us to decide between the conflicting theories which have been proposed to explain these phenomena. We should be guilty of much presumption in undertaking such a duty. We believe the opinions of phi losophers are as much divided as ever they were on this subject; nor is it probable that any certain knowledge will ever be acquired with reference to it.

I. T. L.-The phenomenon alluded to has been frequently observed to occur under a variety of circumstances, but no satisfactory explanation of it has been given.

D. F.-Dragon-root is said to be the root or rhizome of a species of Arum, growing abundantly in North America. We do not know what is used for colouring it.

Advertisements to Mr. CHURCHILL, Princes Street, Soho.

Instructions from Members and Associates, respecting the transmission of the Journal, to Mr. SMITH, 17, Bloomsbury Square, before the 20th of the month.

Other Communications to THE EDITOR, 338, Oxford Street, before the 20th of the month.

THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL.

VOL. V.-No. XII.-JUNE 1st, 1846.

THE EXAMINATION OF CHEMISTS & DRUGGISTS. THE main feature of the proposed Pharmaceutical Bill is the establishment of a compulsory examination for future Chemists and Druggists. The machinery of the Bill consists merely of an arrangement for constituting a competent Board of Examiners, and the penalty clauses are introduced for the purpose of making the examination compulsory. All the other parts of the Bill are matters of detail subservient to the one grand object; namely, the establishment of an efficient and compulsory examination.

When we observe the universal consent with which all parties acknowledge the importance and necessity of this measure, there can be no reason to doubt that either the proposed Bill or an enactment similar in tendency and effect, will shortly become the law of the land.

Our readers will observe that the draft of the Bill was favourably received at the General Meeting of the Members of the PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY; which, we may remark, was the most satisfactory Anniversary which has occurred since the establishment of the Society. The prevailing sentiment among all present appeared to be a desire to co-operate for the general good, and to advocate zealously that course which, after mature deliberation, might seem most likely to conduce to this result. On the main feature of the proposed Bill the meeting was unanimous; the objections urged against some of the details were such as admitted either of an easy remedy or explanation; and the arguments on these points were carried on in the best possible temper, and at the same time with sufficient spirit to show that the Members took a real interest in the subject.

The only positive objection urged against the proposed plan, was the fear that the creation of a new body with legislative

powers for conducting the examinations, might possibly prove detrimental to the welfare of the PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY, transferring the influence to the proposed College, and thus apparently superseding the necessity of keeping up the voluntary Institution. On this subject we intend to take an early opportunity of offering a few remarks, feeling persuaded that the PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY would not permanently suffer from the proposed arrangement, and that if a few of the Members should secede from it under an erroneous impression, they would soon be anxious for readmission, on the real position of the Society, as a Scientific Institution, becoming manifest. It is satisfactory, however, to observe that so general a desire prevails to uphold an Institution which has within the last five years commended itself to the good wishes of the Members.

While, however, this esprit de corps was sufficiently prevalent at the Annual Meeting, it was not forgotten or overlooked that the Society was established for the trade at large, and that the object in view from the commencement was to introduce into this country proper and efficient legislation for all Pharmaceutical Chemists. The liberal nature of the proposed plan was therefore in accordance with the sentiments of the Members generally, who appeared fully sensible that the undertaking before us is not a matter relating merely to a few individuals, but a public measure, in which the interests of the whole medical profession are concerned.

The friendly co-operation of the College of Physicians is what we have always had reason to anticipate, not only from the disposition expressed by that body on several occasions to promote an improved education among Chemists and Druggists, but also on account of the fact that the Physicians are as much interested in the result as the Chemists themselves. Whatever regulations might be introduced for raising the qualification of dispensers of medicine, would at the same time tend to increase the public confidence in those who prescribe the remedies.

We beg to refer our readers to the report of the late interview of a Deputation of the PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY with the Presi