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hicle. The only thing we had on hand that would answer was castor oil, and I made the suggestion that it be used. The combination as eventually dispensed was, from a pharmaceutical standpoint, far from being a nice preparation, but it performed wonders. We have since received an ample supply of medicines, and I have arranged all of them in a sort of drug-store style on some shelving I found in the town.

Sea-Shell Prescription Weights.-I also have a pair of delicate, single-beam, knife-edge scales that were found here, and have made weights of sea-shells, coins, etc., ranging from gr. v to 3ii. My prescription counter, though not elaborate, is very convenient.

I had occasion to prepare solution acetate of ammonium, as well as numerous powders, lotions, etc., this morning after sick call. Each morning at eight o'clock sick call is sounded by the bugler, and all ailing soldiers report to their first sergeant and are sent by him, in charge of a non-commissioned officer, to the hospital for treatment. Dr. Galbraith questions them as to their ailments and prescribes such medicine as he desires, and after all are thus attended to I attend to the proper distribution of the medicine prescribed. We have no hospital steward at this post; if such were the case many of the duties named above would be performed by him.

We have had two Chinamen (Chicos) who were badly boloed" by the insurgents, to operate on, and both have recovered.

There is one native in the ward, as I write, who was shot last Sunday by a scouting party. He has a very slim chance for recovery, as the bullet in its course through his body penetrated the bladder and stomach and caused a compound comminutive fracture of the thigh.

When we are out scouting, the advance party is obliged to be on the alert for pitfalls, spring-traps, etc., which have been set for the Americans. The pitfalls are lined with sharp-pointed bamboo sticks which would catch a man and doubtless kill him. One or two members of the hospital corps always accompany these expeditions.

We have lost one man-musician Morrison, of Company A-who was shot through the head with a Remington bullet while on a scouting expedition.

On the Night of January 9 the Insurgents Made the Most Persistent Attack since we came here, and we have since learned that thirty-two of the enemy were killed. wor about an hour bullets as well as arrows were flying uncomfortably close, but fortunately none of our men were struck. During the attack I expected the hospital corps would have some work on its hands, and, as there are only three of us here, two or three Founded men would be as many as we could handle at one time.

A Few Weeks Ago We Were Treated to an Eruption of the Volcano Mt. Mayou, which is about 8,000 feet high, circumference at base about twenty-six miles, and is about thirty miles from the town. This sight alone was worth a trip from the "States."

Health in the Philippines, from what I have seen, is much better than I expected. There have been, on an average, in this command, only three men per day excused from duty on account of sickness and injuries, and none of these were seriously ill.

The Main Trouble We Have is With the Tropical Ulcers, which resist almost every ordinary mode of treatment. A thorough cauterization of the sores, followed by the use of a dusting powder composed of salicylic acid and subnitrate of bismuth, seems to produce the best effect when accompanied by the proper cleanliness of the person. The origin of these ulcers is supposed to be a vegetable parasite, and the disease is termed by the laity "Doby Itch."

The men are all quartered in previously vacant buildings which are raised from six to eight feet from the ground, thus allowing plenty of ventilation below. It is, I suppose, not necessary to explain further the character of these houses, as we have all read of their peculiarities.

We drink only boiled filtered water, and this fact, I believe, coupled with the location of the town and the character of the soil (as well as the fact that none of the men sleep on the ground), accounts for the good health of the command.

We Have Had Considerable Rain here, especially during the month of February; but as the soil is sandy there is very little inconvenience on this account, except when on "hikes" into the country.

The sun is very hot but there is usually a good breeze blowing from the sea.

The houses are well supplied with windows; in fact, all sides of most of them form one continuous window.

The nights are cool, and under a mosquito-bar one can enjoy a good night's rest.

The Habit of Daily Siestas, as in other tropical countries, is adhered to here; and we cannot blame the people for so doing, as one is loth to exert oneself during the heat of the day.

We have only two or three families of natives and about the same number of Spaniards in the town, as nearly all of the natives "vamoosed" when we landed, and they seem determined not to make friends though they have but few rifles and little ammunition. [CHAS. K. BRADBURY, Donsol, Island of Luzon, P. I., April 12, 1900.

Function of Hydrocyanic Acid in Plants.-Plants containing hydrocyanic acid-the bitter almond and Pangium edule-have been investigated by Dr. M. Soave, with the view of determining the part played by this substance in the vital economy of the plant. He concludes that cyanogen compounds are transitional substances from which plants obtain their nitrogenous food materials. At the time when the seeds begin to swell, as long as the embryo is dormant the bitter almond contains no trace of hydrocyanic acid; it makes its appearance only in the stem, not in the root nor in the cotyledons. The sweet almond contains no trace of amygdalin. -[Nuov. G'orn. Bot. Ital., 1899, 219.

QUIZ DEPARTMENT.

Read This Before You Ask a Question.

Many questions are thrown in the waste basket each month on account of the correspondents failing to give name and address. The editor has a large basket for such questions. Write questions on separate sheets and on but one side of the paper. No questions will be answered by mail. Spell out in full every word; never abbreviate the names of medicines.

Coulter's Botany (117) of Dodd, Tex., is the volume most useful in studying the flora of that section. Perhaps you can obtain a copy from the secretary of agriculture, Washington, D. C.

Liquor Calcis (118) is the correct name for solution of lime. Aqua calsis is incorrect. The pharmacopoeia places under the heading of "solutions" nonvolatile substances dissolved in water.

Tilbury Fox's Calamine Lotion (119).—Mr. W. H. Shemtol, of Bombay, sends the following formula in answer to inquiry of a reader published in the April issue of this journal:

Calamine powder..
Zinc oxide.......
Glycerin..

Rose water..

1⁄2 oz.
2 drs.

2 drs.

6 ozs.

Is Pop Injurious? (120)-"Is there anything injurious to the stomach? Is pop made from pure distilled water, or is there any other injurious effects from

same?"

If your question is to be answered by a single word, we would say no. It must be remembered, however, that pure water may be injurious if taken in large quantities when the person is heated. The various pops, if well made and taken in moderation, cannot be considered injurious.

The Oklahoma and Kansas Board of Pharmacy Questions (121).—So far as we know, you will be unable to procure a book giving these questions with their answers. Such information at best would be of little service to you. We suggest that you read some of the articles published in Meyer Brothers DrugGIST on "How to Prepare for the Board of Pharmacy Examinations." See list on page 30 of the May issue. These will put you on the right track, but not through a short road to registration.

New Stains for Gonococcus (122).—Pick's stain for gonococcus consists of Ziehl's carbol-fuchsine, 15 drops; concentrated alcoholic solution of methyl blue, 8 drops; distilled water, 20 Cc. Stain cold for ten seconds, wash, dry and mount. The gonococcus is stained deep blue, other bacteria light blue, cell nuclei lighter blue, protoplasm pink. Lanz's stain consists of saturated solution of fuchsine in 2 per cent aqueous phenol, 10 Cc.; saturated solution of thionin in 2 per cent aqueous phenol, 30 Cc. Mix, stain for fifteen to thirty seconds, and wash with water. Gonococci are stained by thionin, and nuclei take both colors.

The Best Way to Remove Wedged Glass Stoppers (123) from acid bottles which will not stand to be heated:

As paraffin is universally employed in fastening glass stoppers in acid bottles, the application of heat in some manner or other is necessary. Where the bottle is not larger than that of a quart, there is no risk in using a heat that is stationary; when the capacity of the container is greater, then the application of heat by the use of a Bunsen burner (which is adjustable in playing the flame in any direction) is the more suitable way. However, heat can be applied by means of a towel or cloth which has been wet with hot water and wrapped around the neck of the bottle, or by the friction produced in see-sawing a stout cord around the neck of the container.

Assaying Phosphate Rocks (124).—“I would like a formula for testing phosphate rock. In this section of country and east of us the phosphate business has grown into great things, and I have been called on a number of times to 'test for phosphate.' Would you kindly give me a working formula for ascertaining whether a rock contains phosphate, and if so, how much."

Even the simplest chemical work requires some training and skill. The quantitative determination of phosphorous in phosphate rock is a complicated process which cannot be carried out by a novice. At present the so-called "citrate method" is generally employed. This allows the direct detection of the phosphoric acid in the presence of calcium and iron. The identification of phosphate rock as such is a more simple operation. Dissolve the rock in diluted nitric acid, filter and add to the filtrate the U. S. P. test solution of ammonium molybdate. On the application of gentle heat the general precipitate indicates the presence of phosphates.

Prepared Horse-Radish (125).-The Department of Agriculture has answered your question as follows: Horse-radish is a familar condiment when grated and mixed with vinegar, for which use the fresher it is the better. If exposed to heat and air it will lose its peculiar pungency within an hour and will soon become insipid and inert. When grated for mixing with vinegar the combination should be made at once and the mixture hermetically sealed in pickle bottles or fruit jars. When used without vinegar it should be grated immediately before being served, or should, if prepared earlier, be closely covered and set in a cool place. The grater usually seen in the markets is a wooden cylinder studded with steel pegs half an inch long. This forms a drum which is driven by a treadle.

Besides this common method of preparing the root, horse-radish is prepared in several other ways, two of the best of which are here given:

Horse-radish Sauce.-Cover one pound of sliced root with spirits of wine, 95 per cent alcohol, and keep tightly corked. This is added, drop by drop, to any of the white sauces used for meats or fish until When mixed with a the desired flavor is obtained. Both solutions should be freshly prepared. [Inter. Med. Mag., 9, 53.

little fresh mustard and a little red pepper this tinct

ure makes an excellent sauce for boiled beef or deviled chicken. On account of its volatile nature it should never be left uncorked, and should be added to the final sauce just before being served.

Horse-radish Vinegar.-Soak a cupful of freshly grated root, together with an ounce of minced shallots or onions, one clove of garlic, and a pinch of red pepper in a quart of cider vinegar. After being kept tightly corked for a week, strain the liquid through a cloth and bottle it for use. It makes a pleasant addition to many salads.

Sealing Wax for Bottles (126).-"Please give method of procedure for sealing bottles with red sealing wax-i. e., how is wax applied so as to look smooth and neat?"

The Era says this belongs to the most ordinary sorts of sealing wax, and of course can only be colored with the cheapest kinds of coloring matter. Many manufacturers prepare sealing wax with a mixture of common pine resin, turpentine, chalk and the proper coloring matter only. The composition is applied by dipping the necks of the bottles into the melted mass, which, upon cooling, covers the cork with a layer of wax. To avoid brittleness or "stickiness," shellac is generally added in about the proportion of 10 to 15 per cent of the mass. some formulas:

I.

Black.

Here are

Take 6 parts of resin, 3 parts paraffin, melt together, add 28% parts of lampblack. Another color can be produced by taking about 5 to 7 parts (to 100 parts of the mass) of chrome yellow, ultramarine, etc.

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N. A. R. D.

Is the N. A. R. D. a Protection? It most decidedly is. Manufacturers should not fail to take advantage of the protection offered to them by the national association; for, in place of thousands of accounts with retailers whose financial stability is frequently placed under great strain, the proprietary man can now, by taking advantage of the N. A. R. D., have his goods placed on the market and responsibility assumed by the jobber. This is a point that is alone worth thousands of dollars to every firm doing a large manufacturing business, and, on this one point alone, no proprietary man should hesitate to give the N. A. R. D. plan his unqualified indorsement and assistance.

In Union There is Strength.-Some business principles apply equally well to all branches. No State can thrive under disorganized conditions, and if druggists would only realize the strength possible by combining, the plans of the N. A. R. D. would immediately be successful.

One great trouble with us to-day is, that we are too prone to let the national association pursue its efforts without further assistance from us than the insignificant contribution of 50 cents per capita. No result can be accomplished anywhere without effort. If the N. A. R. D. recommends the enforcement of the card system, are we not in duty bound to see that the system is enforced, not only in name but in fact? If the N. A. R. D. requires that goods should go through the hands of the recognized jobbing drug trade only, is it not our duty to assist them, even at a sacrifice on our part?

One trouble with us to-day lies in the fact that, while supporting the N. A. R. D. financially, many of us fail to do it in spirit. We lack enthusiasm-we lack consecutive effort. We are supporting the national association in spasmodic jerks. One week John Smith possesses enthusiasm; the next week his enthusiasm has cooled down, only to be taken up in turn by Harry Jones or John Doe. This is due, in a great measure, to the isolated conditions of the various local associations, for, while recognizing this as being part of one great body, still they are not in intimate touch either with each other or with the association itself. The only remedy for this evil is union, and as our beloved country is made up of independent States, each an integral member of the United States, so let us combine our smaller local memberships into States or district organizations.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and, in the Northern Ohio Druggists' Association, we are pleased to note that this plan has been carried out successfully; and last week the entire Mahoning Valley Association, including the counties of Mahoning and Trumbull, affiliated themselves with the larger body, thereby gaining not only strength for themselves but giving strength to the others.-[RETAILER.

Bind MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST as a work for reference.

BOARDS OF PHARMACY.

Louisiana State Board of Pharmacy.-There was an examination held May 5. The following were successful:

Registered Pharmacists.-Miss C. C. C. Jauquet, W. A. Halston, Miss M. E. Holden, E. Levy, M. C. Trichel, R. M. Walmsley, Jr., S. M. Gutmann, K. Lynch, A. F. Bernius, J. L. Toon, L. Prudhomme, F. L. Bernadas. Total, twelve.

Assistant Pharmacists.-W. E. Harter, R. F. Carmanche, A. A Bush. Total, three; failures, ten.

Next examination August 4, 1900.-[F. C. GODBOLD, Secretary, New Orleans, La.

The Nebraska State Board of Pharmacy met in regular session at the Paddock Hotel, Beatrice, June 5, 1900, with the following members present:

HENRY R. GERING.

bers, D. A. Taylor, of Stevens Point, A. E. Menges, of Madison, H. G. Thompson, of Marinette, and Secre

tary E. B. Heimstreet, of Janesville, being present. The report of Secretary Heimstreet shows that many general dealers, particularly in the middle and northern parts of the State, are selling goods for which they are liable. The secretary has just returned from that section, where he has been visiting and notifying the general dealers. One case was tried in Marquette County, in April, in which general dealers were fined $50 and costs for selling drugs. Three cases are now in the courts, two in Clark County and one in Iowa

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E. B. HEIMSTREET.

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Henry R. Gering, president;
Niels P. Hansen, vice-president; | County.
Chas. L. Stillman, second vice-
president; J. H. Schmidt, treas-
urer; Henry H. Barth, secretary.

There presented them-
selves for examination
twenty candidates, of which
number the following
passed a satisfactory exam-
ination:

Adams, Arthur L., Talmage, 74%; Bechtelheimer, W. E., Juniata, 78 1-5%; Hoff, C. H., Wisner, 70%: McKeen, Harold R., Beatrice, 80%; Wheeler, E. R., Beatrice, 78 2-5%.

The Next Meeting of the board will be held August 8, 1900, at the Thurston Hotel, Columbus, Nebraska.

Kansas Board of Pharmacy.-At the meeting for the second quarter, held at Hutchinson, May 25, the following were elected officers for the ensuing year: President, W. C. Johnston, Manhattan; secretary, W. E. Sherriff, Ellsworth; treasurer, W. W. Naylor, Holton. Thirty-two applicants were present and took the examination. The following were successful:

Registered Pharmacists.-John M. Brunt, Abilene; Henry M. Beickley, Emporia; H. E. Haskins, Kingman; C. J. Halm, Uniontown; C. B. Kinne, Moran; W. P., Mosher, Axtell; J. P. Miller, Ottawa; H. H. Reed, Ottawa; L. A. Summers, Lyons; Robt. G. Spradling, Frankfort; Geo. C. Schellack, Galena; Miss Dora K. Strauss, Leavenworth; J. P. Wormeringer, Lucas.

Registered Assistants.-W. C. Daugherty, La Cross; V. D. Zeleis, Emporia.

There were registered without examination, by virtue of being graduates of recognized colleges of pharmacy:

John H. Chandler, Stockton; J. E. Elliott, Wichita; C. M. Bertholf, Cherokee; C. M. Palmer, Lawrence; L. G. Reeves, Cherokee; Wm. M. Swentzell, Wichita; John C. Boyd, Hutchinson.

The next meeting of the board will be held at Pittsburg, September 5, 1900, and those who desire to take the examination should notify the secretary at least five days prior to the date of the meeting.-[W. E. SHERRIFF, Secretary, Ellsworth, Kan.

The Wisconsin Board of Pharmacy concluded a four days' session at Marinette, June 19, four mem

Certificate 2233 was granted to C. H. Frees, of Hudson, from Minnesota; certificate 2234 was granted to J. A. Meller, of Madison, from Illinois; certificate 2235 was granted to A. N. Gunz, of West Superior, from Minnesota.

Twenty-two candidates applied for examination, which occupied an entire day, resulting in three receiving licentiate, or first grade certificates. The fortunate ones are: E. S. Thacher, of Milwaukee, W. W. Beebe, of New Richmond, and E. T. Lowe, of Milwaukee; Guy Leonard, of Racine, received an assistant or second grade certificate.

The next meeting of the board for examination will be held at Waupaca, Sept. 7, at the same time as the annual meeting of the druggists' association.

The Largest Crystal.-At Acworth and Grafton, N. H., very large crystals of beryl have been found. One from Grafton weighed 2,900 pounds, and another from the same locality was 45x24 inches and weighed by calculation about 21⁄2 tons. In Utah crystals of gypsum, sulfate of lime, over 4 feet long have been found. What is probably, however, the largest crystal yet recorded, says The Engineering and Mining Journal, was mentioned in a paper by E. O. Hovey on the Harney Peak District, South Dakota, read before the New York Academy of Science. This was a crystal of spodumene, lithium-aluminum silicate, which, by actual measurement, was 30 feet in length.

A Simple Beetle Trap.-Desiré Maes, in La Nature, gives the following simple method of making a beetle trap: Into a china wash basin, half filled with water pour a glass of beer; cover the basin with a newspaper, in the center of which a small round hole is cut. Place it so that the edges of the paper lie on the floor and the hole is over the center of the basin. At night the beetles, attracted by the smell of the beer, climb the paper and fall through the hole into the liquid. In this way hundreds may be caught in a night.-[L'Union Pharm., 160.

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H.

N. Hamamelis, Witch-Hazel Leaves. - o. The leaves of Hamamelis Virginica; Hamamelacea. North America. D. Obliquely ovate or oval, 10 or more cm. long, short-petiolate, apex obtuse, margin irregularly sinuate or wavy-toothed, base uneven, slightly cordate, feather-veined, nearly smooth, much crumpled and broken, green; no odor, taste bitter, astringent. c. Tanuin, bitter principle, etc. Tonic, astringent; vulnerary. Dose: About 5 grams in infusion or fluid extract.

U.

fusion or fluid extract.

The illustration shows the leaf one-half natural size.

[To be Continued.]

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