But it

called physiological salt solutions commonly used in hospitals, at times produce bad effects by spreading infection. must be apparent to the surgical sense that the mechanical cleansing of mucous membranes, coated with mucous or pus, can by itself be only of benefit. The claim is made that in the preparation of a proper surgical irrigation fluid, the salts of magnesium, calcium, and strontium, for example, are far more powerful than the corresponding salts of sodium, while still heavier metals like iron, zinc, and mercury are most powerful of all. For this reason the use of a calcium salt with sodium chloride in any irrigation fluid yields better results than the use of sodium chloride pure. After much experimentation the authors prepared a mixture consisting of sodium chloride, 10-5; calcium chloride, 0.84; potassium chloride, 0:42; water, sufficient to make 1000. This solution contains the three salts which Ringer originally found so favourable for the maintenance of a physiological activity in surviving tissues, and is thus a so-called physiologically balanced mixture. The solution is also "hypotonic in that the concentration of the sodium chloride has been raised to the point at which it will prevent not only the swelling of uninjured human cells but also somewhat above this. It is best to irrigate with the mixture at body temperature or a few degrees higher, and the solution may be readily sterilised.

American Pharmacy.

J. G. Beard has compiled figures which show that American pharmacy gives employment to about 126,750 pharmacists and assistant pharmacists. But this figure does not include all of the people employed in the retail drug stores of the United States. Counting in unlicensed clerks, errand boys, soda dispensers, and cashiers, it seems safe to say that the drug stores of America give employment to more than 250,000 persons. The army thus calculated distributes every year at retail about one and a-quarter billion dollars' worth of merchandise. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, there are approximately 2500 concerns in this country whose business is making "druggists' preparations," patent medicines and compounds, perfumery, cosmetics, and the like. These manufacturers produced nearly 320,000,000 dollars' worth of merchandise in 1925 and gave employment to about 55,000 persons. Comprised in this total amount of money value are: Druggists' preparations, 78,813,209 dollars; tinctures, fluid extracts, and other liquid medicinals, 29,625,323 dollars; pills, tablets, powders, etc., 32,329,039 dollars; patent and proprietary medicines, 132,023,325 dollars; patent and proprietary compounds other than medicines, 68,598,654 dollars; synthetic preparations, 129,482 dollars. The American Druggist points out that in compiling statistics of this kind no mention is made of the enormous amount of drugs and medicines consumed in the 7000 hospitals in the United States. "We hear that retail druggists are of the opinion that the physician is not writing as many prescriptions as he used to do, and have often wondered if the great number of out-patient departments of hospitals and dispensaries are responsible for the fewer prescriptions in our city drug stores." The Druggists' Circular estimates that, all told, counting in all persons having anything to do with the drug industry in America, there are 353,000 persons actually engaged in U.S. pharmacy; one in every 226 men, women, and children in the country is vitally interested in business conditions as they affect the retail druggist. His prosperity is their prosperity; his loss, their loss. Still, for all that, the public patronises the cut-rate store.

Plague of Mice in California.

Mention of the above item brings to mind that United States experts of the Department of Agriculture have been very busy fighting a plague of mice in Kern County, California. It is reported that literally millions of mice suddenly swarmed out of the bed of Buena Vista lake, overrunning the oilfields, invading homes, and making the highways slick with their mangled bodies. The dry lake-bed has an estimated area of 30,000 acres, and has afforded an ideal breeding-place for the rodents. It is stated that millions of the creatures swarmed over the oil district, and the problem of killing them became too

in.

much for the State authorities, so Federal help was called Some fifty miles of trenches were dug between the lake-bed and the city of Taft. Into these trenches tons of poisoned grain were scattered, and as the invading rodents reached the trenches and feasted millions of them died. The problem of removing the dead mice being eventually solved with, first, tubs, then barrels, and finally trucks were used to move the nauseous mass away. The district where this unprecedented plague of mice occurred is sparsely occupied. Ranchers found the mice in their clothes and bedding, and even shook them out of their shoes before dressing. What few women resided in the district fled as from a pestilence. The infested area is, roughly, nine miles wide by twelve miles long, and does not include ranches or stock farms. It is thought that the mice increased in such numbers in this breeding ground that food ran short; hence the migration to the surrounding country. Chlorine gas may be used in ridding the place of these pests. One interesting sidelight on the situation was that concerning cats, it being reported that after the first few days of the mice invasion the cats of the neighbourhood refused to touch any more, literally turning their noses up at them.

THE ADVERTISING EXHIBITION.

an

The primary aim of the Advertising Exhibition which was opened at Olympia on July 18 is to demonstrate the progress and potentialities of British advertising as essential part of the machinery of our trade. In the words of Mr. Amery, Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs and the Colonies, who performed the opening ceremony, no better aid to the realisation of the importance of what might be termed a great art could be found than an exhibition which thus fed every sense and was instructive in every one of its innumerable sections. This, he believed, was the greatest advertising exhibition ever held, and what made it unique was not so much the number of the exhibitors or of their stands, but the fact that this was the first advertising exhibition, if not even the first exhibition of any sort, which had been conceived as a unity and not as a jumble. diversity of its stands and their various decorations and appeals were all subordinate to a common artistic plan and a common conception bringing out what advertising meant. It had been, as it were, both town planned and artistically constructed, and very great credit for its boldness and originality was due to Mr. Joseph Emberton and Sir Lawrence Weaver, who co-operated with him.

The

All the available space in the great hall was taken, and though the majority of the stands were occupied by organisations directly concerned with the business of advertisinggreat national newspapers, printers, block-makers, studios, agents, and experts-there were several stands given over to manufacturers, some well known in the drug trade, such as Newton Chambers and Co., Ltd. (Izal), Horlick's Malted Milk Company, Kolynos Incorporated, and J. C. Eno, Ltd. In the gallery there was a shop-window display-officially described as "The Parade of Wonderful Windows "-and this was probably the most interesting part of the exhibition from the retailer's point of view, for here could be gained inspiration and practical ideas for increasing the attractiveness of his shop windows, and for employing them to their full capacity as one of the most powerful sales-creating agents he has at his disposal. The displays were magnificent, notably those of Milton Proprietary, Ltd., Coty (England), Ltd., J. C. Eno, Ltd., Price's Patent Candle Co., Ltd., and the Erasmic Co., Ltd. In the Palace of Beauty some of the figures which have attracted the buyers of certain nationally advertised goods have come to life-Phosferine, Palmolive, Ovaltine, and Amami amongst them. Of special interest to readers of this journal are the exhibits of the Scottish Chemists' Retail Price List and St. Clement's Press, Ltd.

Of particular value was the splendid exhibit arranged by the Empire Marketing Board, where raw materials, foodstuffs, spices, and drugs from all parts of the Empire were displayed.

The exhibition remains open until 10 p.m. on July 23.

PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY.

Poisonous Principles from Chinese Rhododendron, Nao-Yang-Hua, Rhododendron Hunnewellianum, There were isolated from the Chinese drug Nao-yang-hua, Rhododendron Hunnewellianum, a poisonous principle which when crystallised pure had a melting-point of 273° C. and a rotation of -52.2° in alcohol. Analysis showed the composition of this substance to be C,,H,,O: Its general properties are described. The poisonous principle from Naovang-hua is probably identical with the " Andromedotoxin," isolated by Hardikar from other species of this genus, and with the Asebotoxin " prepared by Eykman from Andromeda japonica. A second principle was isolated with melting-point 255°C.-Tsan-Quo-Chou (Chinese Jour. Physiol., 1927, Vol. I., No. 2, 157).

a

19

Purification and Properties of Pepsin.

The enzyme was quantitatively precipitated from aqueous solution of commercial pepsin by adding safranin. The precipitate was dissolved in alcohol 20 per cent. containing a little H,C,O,, and the dye removed by extraction with butyl alcohol. In this way enzyme preparations were obtained having twenty times the proteolytic activity of the original material. The purified pepsin contained :-C, 45-24; H, 6 19; N, 11.50; S, 1.79 per cent. The isoelectric point was pH 2.5. The preparation had no immediate effect when added to dilute HCl, but on prolonged incubation a decrease in its conductivity and H ion concentration was noted. Extraction of the dried preparation with ether did not affect the enzyme activity. Addition of alcohol and of ether to aqueous solutions caused inactivation when the acid concentration was high, but had little or no effect when it was low.-J. C. Forbes (J. Biolog. Chem., 1927, 71, 559; through Brit. Chem. Abstr., A., 1927, 378).

Fatty Acids of Cod Liver Oil.

30

20

A sample of cod-liver oil prepared from Gadus macrocephalus had the following characteristics: Sp. gr. at 15° C., 0·9261; no. 14781; acid value, 0'55; saponification value, 1861; iodine value (Wijs), 155 9; unsaponifiable matter, 1.28 per cent. Mixed fatty acids: Sp. gr. at 30° C., 0.8945; n, 1 4652; saponification value, 194 0; iodine value, 163 2; and ether-insoluble bromides, 41 16 per cent. It is concluded that the fatty acids are composed of saturated acids (10 to 15 per cent.), palmitic preponderating, with myristic and stearic present, and no acids with less than 14 or more than 18 carbon atoms being present. Of the oleic acid series, zoomaric, oleic, an acid C2,H,,O2 (possibly gadoleic acid of Bull), and cetoleic acid are present. Tetradecenic acid was not detected. The more unsaturated acids consist chiefly of C2, (mostly C20H,20,) and C22 (mostly CH,402) acids, and possibly C, acids. Acids with the formule C, H.0, and CH 0 were apparently present. -Y. Toyama (Chem. News, 1927, 134, 29; through Analyst, 1927, 52, 245).

CHEMISTRY.

Constitutional Formula of Emetine.

ЗА

PHARMACY.

Oil-Soluble Emulsifying Agents.

The efficiency of Tret-o-lite, a patented product containing Na oleate 83, Na resinate 5.5, Na silicate 5, phenol 4, paraffin 1-5, and water 1, seems to be due to the oleate and phenol. Better resolution is had by using other phenolic substances of higher acidic character. The view is advanced that oleic acid, released by formation of Na phenolate, attacks the emulsifying film. The interfacial tension curves of kerosene and Nujol containing oleic and stearic acids, against water, indicate an adsorption. The unsaturated oleic acid lowers the surface tension more powerfully. Amylene shows a similar but smaller effect. Heating oil to get heavy metal soaps to dissolve in it produced erratic changes in the oil/ water surface tension. Experiments were made with Mg, Al, and Na oleates, and Zr, Al, and Mg stearates. Zr and Al stearates gave a curve of adsorption form. Other heavymetal soaps were either insoluble in the oil or so increased the viscosity as to render the determinations impracticable. Na oleate solutions age" markedly, and may then give a water-in-oil emulsion instead of the usual oil-in-water emulsion. The ageing appears to be due not to hydrolysis but to reaction with some atmospheric constituent.-B. Mead and J. T. McCoy (Fourth Colloid Symposium Monograph. 1926, 44-57; through Chem. Abstr., 1927, 21, 1393).

Making and Breaking of Emulsions.

Water-in-oil emulsions may be made by using (1) an emulsifying agent whose molecules at ordinary temperatures cannot disentangle themselves; (2) an emulsifier having weak adsorptive power for water (e.g., oleic acid); (3) an emulsifier (e.g., soap with a multivalent metal) where the area covered by the C, groups considerably exceeds that covered by the carboxyl groups bound by the multivalent metal; (4) so low a water-oil ratio that coalescence of oil is forced (this is always found at some stage in the commercial manufacture of oil-inwater emulsions). Besides mechanical agitation, spontaneous emulsification may be effected by dispersing the emulsifier in the oily phase. Steps suggested are:-(1) Dissolve soap in oil at about 250°; (2) add boiling water slowly, mixing the while; (3) dilute to non-gelling point. Breaking emulsions may be accomplished by (1) mechanical action, e.g., churning cream to butter, which splits the emulsifying film; (2) concentration, which mats the oil droplets to a substantially water-free mass; (3) electro deposition; (4) "hot dip "-plunging a piece of metal or porcelain heated to 250° into an oilin-water emulsion.-W. P. Davey (Fourth Colloid Symposium, 1926, 38-43; through Chem. Abstr., 1927, 21, 1392).

Ephedrine, PhCH(OH)CHM NHMe, m.p. 38-40°, is soluble in water, ether, and chloroform Et.O. The aqueous solution of the hydrochloride can be sterilised, and keeps indefinitely. It is equally effective when ingested or when injected. It raises the blood pressure, increases peristaltic movements, and contracts the uterus It has a low toxicity. A dose of 40 Mgm. gives a maximal rise (30-50 mm. Hg) in blood pressure in man. The action period is four hours. It seems to be as effective as adrenalin in bronchial asthma.-Jansen (Klin. Wochschr., 1926, 5, 2402; through Chem. Abstr., 1927, 21, 1307).

Pharmacology of Acetaldehyde.

Acetaldehyde kills Paramecium caudatum in a solution 1: 800. Acetaldehyde causes a depression of the central nervous system of vertebrates. Small doses stimulate the respiratory centre and lower blood pressure, larger ones. paralyse the respiration. Larger doses stop the secretion of the urine. It relaxes the smooth muscles of the intestines, vessels, bladder, and uterus. Large doses depress the irritability and contractibility of the skeletal muscles of the frog. Acetaldehyde in a concentration below 1: 1000 is non toxic for the isolated organs of the warm blooded animals.J. Supniewski (J. Pharmacol. Exper. Therap., 1927, 30, 429).

ANALYTICAL,.

Determination of Acetone in Isopropyl Alcohol.

The hydroxylamine method of A. H. Bennett (Y.B., 1909, 47; 1922, 51) is found to give accurate results when applied as follows:-Ten C.c. of the isopropyl alcohol is mixed with 13 C.c. of N/2 solution of hydroxylamine hydrochloride in 30 per cent. alcohol and 8 C.c. of N/2 alcoholic potassium hydroxide added, the mixture being allowed to stand in a stoppered bottle for two hours, and then titrated first to phenolphthalein with the N/2 potassium hydroxide solution, and then to methyl orange with N/2 hydrochloric acid. A plank test is carried out at the same time, and the difference between the two titrations to methyl orange × 0.029 gives the weight of acetone in grammes in the 10 C.c. of isopropyl alcohol, whence the percentage by weight may be calculated.-W. H. Simmons (Perfum. Record, 1927, 18,

168).

Rapid Determination of Opium in Stomach Contents.

To

To confirm the diagnosis in the case of suicides in the Far East, the contents of the stomach are washed out and the stomach washings tested. The filtered contents are usually dark brownish, frequently smell of opium, and give strong reactions for alkaloids and meconic acid. determine rapidly the quantity of opium present, a standard solution is prepared by taking 1 Gm. of opium used for smoking and making up to 250 C.c. This solution should contain 4 Mgms. of opium per C.c. Take 10-10 C.c. of the filtrate from the stomach washings in a 50-C.c. Nessler tube and add 25 C.c. of water, 2 drops of 3N/hydrochloric acid, 5 C.c. of saturated mercuric chloride solution, and 5 drops ferric chloride solution. Fill up to the mark, and compare the colour with standards similarly prepared.-E. R. Dovey (Analyst, 52, 26, 1927).

Schlagdenhaufen's Reaction for Magnesium.

Schlagdenhaufen's reaction for the detection of magnesium depends on the formation of a red-brown precipitate when a solution of sodium hypoiodite is added to a magnesium solution. If 50 C.c. (or less if necessary) of the sample solution are mixed with 6 to 7 C.c. of N iodine solution in 20 per cent. potassium iodide and 5 C.c. of N potassium nydroxide solution, and the whole vigorously shaken for one minute, the liberated magnesium will have the maximum absorbing power, and the precipitate may be filtered off on a small area and can be decolourised by alcohol; under these conditions as little as 1 Gm. of magnesium hydroxide in a litre may be detected. Calcium salts do not interfere with the reaction.-A. Hamy (Ann. Falsif., 1927, 20, 19-20).

HORTICULTURE.

The Preparation of Horticultural Spraying Emulsions. A lighting (paraffin) oil bought casually, such as is often used in paraffin emulsions for spraying, is unsuitable as a spraying oil, since only 11:43 per cent. boiled at over 250°. Experiments were conducted with mixtures of fractions of this oil boiling between 145° and 300°, and with benzene (b. p. 80-35-80-5°), pyridine, aniline, filtered anthracene oil, coal-tar creosote, phenol, cresylic acid (mixture of o-, m-, and p-cresols), cyclohexanol or hexalin obtained by hydrogenation of phenol, and methylhexalin. The approximate solubilities at room temperature of various "oils in solvents such as soap solutions, with and without the addition of phenols, hydrogenated phenols, and pyridine, were determined. Spray fluids containing paraffin oil, CH, and CH,NH, in solution are economically possible; but coal-tar fractions, such as anthracene and creosote oils, because of their lack of solubility, must be applied to plants as emulsions. Cresylic acid is the best aid to solution of paraffin oil, but is probably more injurious to foliage than the more costly hydrogenated phenol, hexalin. In experiments on the influence of temperature when soap (Na oleate) and gelatin are used as emulsifiers, a rise in temperature facilitated the formation of emulsions in soap solutions, but had a much more complex effect with gelatin.-R. M. Woodman (J. Agr. Sci., 1927, 17, 44; through Chem. Abstr., 1927, 21, 1325).

MEDICINE.

pro

Treatment of Skin Reactions from Ultra-Violet Rays. The authors describe a number of reactions caused to the skin by ultra-violet rays applied for therapeutic purposes. The most common reaction is acute inflammation, which develops in patients with a special sensitiveness, and sometimes appears at a part of the skin which was not exposed to the rays. The effect of ultra-violet rays is less nounced in dark skins. The irritation from the rays can be prevented or lessened by the application of quinine ointment or of tannin in liquid paraffin or alcohol (1 in 10), or by using a soap containing sodium naphthosulphate. In the treatment of the reactions resorcin ointment is indicated.-E. and H. Biancani (Paris Méd., January 15, 1927, 72; through Practitioner, July, 1927, 63).

Senecio vulgaris and S. Jacobea have been used for a considerable period in medicine; the active principles are alkaloids, and the bases of different species appear to have an analogous pharmacodynamic action. They are toxic in large doses, causing excitation of the longitudinal intestinal fibres; paralysing the anal and vesical sphincters, causing intestinal and pulmonary dilatation; lessening the excitability and reflex of the motor nerves; lessening the amplitude of uterine contraction and causing mydriasis. In therapeutic doses preparations of Senecio may prove useful in the treatment of menstrual disorders; the authors have met a case in which Senecio has been effective after ergot had failed. In a note on the toxic species of the genus Senecio, the following are mentioned: S. canicida, Moc., used in Mexico to poison dogs; S. tolutanus, DC., also Mexican, similarly employed; S. gavanus Hemsley, and S. cervariafolius, Hemsley, are both very toxic; S. latifolius, DC., the cause of the cattle sickness known in South Africa as "Molteno disease."-Raymond Hamet and H. Vignes (Presse Med., 1926; through L'Union pharm., 1927, 68, 98). Y.B., 1926, 54.)

ESSENTIAL OILS.

(See also

Camphor Leaf Oil from Burma.

A sample of camphor leaf oil, distilled on a camphor estate in the Southern Shan States of Burma, has been examined. On cooling to 0° C. it yielded 5.6 per cent. of camphor. On submitting the filtered oil to fractional distillation a further 27 per cent. of camphor was obtained, bringing up the total yield to 32 6 per cent. The original oil yielded on fractionation about 30 per cent. of light oil boiling up to 195° C., and about 38 per cent. up to 225° C. Safrol was either absent or present in insignificant amount in the higher boiling fractions.-(Bull. Imp. Inst., 1927, 25, 9.)

In the third edition of his treatise on materia medica the author has retained the pharmaco-chemical classification adopted in previous editions, and divided the subject matter into drugs containing as their chief constituents sugars, polysaccharides, fats, acids, aromatic substances, resins, tannins, glucosides, alcohols, and proteids. For some reason, however, which is not quite clear, organo-therapeutic products and therapeutic sera, though much used now in the cure or alleviation of disease, are not included. All the drugs that are official in the Codex Française of 1908 are discussed, as well as some others which, though not official, are of sufficient importance to merit, the attention of pharmacists. Each section is divided into families; so, for instance, the drugs containing sugars are subdivided into (1) those containing dextrose (honey), (2) glycyrrhizin (liquorice root), (3) mannite, (4) saccharoses. The individual treatment of each organised drug includes a discussion of the botanical and geographical sources, the external characters, histological structure, characters of the powdered drug, chemical constituents, therapeutic use, adulterants, and allied drugs. In the case of drugs devoid of organised structure a discussion of the general characters of the group precedes the discussion of the individual members. Thus, before dealing with the resins in detail the general composition of resins is summarised, the various modes of formation and tissues in which they are produced described. The difference between pathological and physiological resins is explained and a classification based on the researches of Tschirch and his pupils adopted. The work is couched in a very simple and lucid style, which makes the reading of it, even to foreigners, distinctly easy and attractive. Numerous illustrations, chiefly of structure and powders, accompany the text. The information given is sufficient, and is in general accurate, though here and there a little emendation would seem to be necessary. Thus at the present time it is scarcely correct to say that Alexandrian senna is very rare, or that it always has argel leaves mixed with it. The London market, at least, is sufficiently supplied with Alexandrian senna, but the occurrence in it of argel leaves, or indeed of any other foreign leaf, with the exception perhaps of obovate seuna, is extremely unusual. Under the chemical constituents it might have been advisable to make some allusion to the fact that the purgative action of the constituent isolated is not in quantitative agreement with the purgative action of the drug, the conclusion being that the chief purgative constituent remains still unknown. These are, however, minor defects and do not seriously detract from the value of the work, which will certainly retain its place as one of the leading text-books of materia medica, and one that can be recommended without hesitation to those who are interested in the study of drugs

6

Wiesner's Rohstoffe des Pflanzenreiches' is well known throughout the scientific world as the most comprehensive and reliable treatise on the raw materials of the vegetable kingdom, During the last quarter of a century the development of almost all industries has progressed at a marvellous rate, with the result that new sources of raw material have had to be discovered, and the older sources better known and better exploited, and so it comes that at the present day an enormous number of plants have been found capable of contributing products to meet the growing industrial needs. One of the results of this development has been that Prof. Wiesner's work has increased so much in size that the classification of the subject matter upon a morphological basis has been found to be no longer practicable. It was

found also that the task of editing the new edition was more than one expert could deal with, and after Prof. Wiesner's death two editors were selected, and it would have been difficult to have found two scientists of greater capacity for such work than P. Krais and W. von Brehmer. After mature consideration the two new editors decided to adopt a classification upon a chemical basis into such groups as alkaloids, ethereal oils, bitter principles, proteids, enzymes, etc. The result has fully justified their decision, and the new edition is in many respects far in advance of the last one in the arrangement of the material. One of the most interesting sections is the introduction (27 pages) by the editors themselves; it is very informative, and is attractively written, and is worth careful perusal by everyone interested in industrial raw materials. It indicates the nature and extent of the work involved, gives a survey of the most important plants yielding such materials, and a general review of the whole subject, the value of which is increased by references to the chief workers who have contributed to its development. The first section, that on alkaloids, is prefaced by an introduction dealing with the definition of the terms, and by a review of the fifty-two families from which alkaloids have been extracted. In the detailed accounts of the various individual alkaloids one misses ergotamine, but it is quite possible that the first part of the work was already in type before that alkaloid was discovered, and that it will be noted in an appendix to the second volume. Ethereal oils and bitter principles are similarly treated. The value of the information given is materially enhanced by the extensive bibliography, the references under the bitter principles amounting to no fewer than 874; every worker knows how extremely useful such references are, and what an economy in time they can effect. To colouring matters, which are of greater industrial importance than alkaloids and bitter principles, 183 pages are devoted. The fibres are very thoroughly dealt with in 312 pages, and the number of references amounts to no fewer than 849. Jute may be taken as an example of the method adopted in dealing with each fibre. First the derivation of the name is discussed; then the history of the fibre is considered, attention being directed to its antiquity, history and cultivation. The plants from which it is obtained are specified, and the separation of the fibre described. Then follow details as to the yield, commerce, commercial varieties, microscopical characters, means of identification and uses. Numerous excellent illustrations accompany the text. Fats and oils, tannins and galls, gums, resins and balsams, and yeast follow and complete the first volume. Though not replacing other more specialised works Wiesner's Rohstoffe remains invaluable as a reliable work of reference for information on any one of the multitude of substances used as industrial raw materials. The new arrangement of the subject matter is a great improvement, and greatly facilitates the use of the book, which is well printed and abundantly illustrated.

ASSOCIATION NEWS.

BIRMINGHAM.-A party of members of the Birmingham Pharmaceutical Association and their friends, numbering sixty in all, visited the works of Messrs. Cuxson, Gerrard, and Co., Ltd., at Oldbury, on July 13. It was a regrettable coincidence with the visit that the machinery was at a standstill, the electric current usually employed having been rendered unavailable by the cloudburst which passed over the district on the previous Monday. The conStruction of the various machines was, however, explained by the conductors (Messrs. Smith and Gerrard), and the packing operations were observed with much interest. Following the tour of the works, the visitors were entertained to tea. The PRESIDENT (Capt. E. C. Bennison) expressed the thanks of the Association to Messrs. Cuxson, Gerrard and Co. for their kindness and courtesy, Mr. Councillor Hume, Mr. Maurice Smith, and Mr. A. D. Gerrard (directors) being individually mentioned and a special tribute being paid to the late Mr. A. W. Gerrard, one of the founders of the firm. -The vote was seconded by Mr. T. H. FODEN (Vice-President), and duly acknowledged by Mr. SMITH and Mr. GERRARD.-A collection on behalf of the Society's Benevolent Fund was made, amounting to £2 7s. 6d.

PROPRIETARY ARTICLES TRADE

ASSOCIATION.

MEETING OF COUNCIL.

The quarterly meeting of the Council of the Proprietary Articles Trade Association was held at the Hotel Russell on July 14, and was preceded by meetings of the Manufacturers, Retail, and Wholesale Sections, and the Executive Committee, at the Association's offices, 43, Gordon Square. The President of the Association, Mr. Frederick J. Smith, presided. -The PRESIDENT, having referred to Mr. Rowsell's return from his visit to the United States, a cable from Sir William Glyn-Jones, conveying greetings to the Council, and stating that Sir William would be visiting England in September, was read.

Executive Committee's Report.

The Council then considered in detail the Executive Com. mittee's report. The report dealt with the following, among cther, matters :

P.Á.T.A. PROPAGANDA WORK.-The Committee are of opinion that fuller information regarding the price-maintenance work and activities of the Association should be placed before the Retail Section of the Trade. It is proposed, therefore, that active propaganda among the Retail Section be undertaken during the Autumn and Winter Session, and that with this object arrangements be made for the attendance of P.A.T.A. speakers at local Association and Branch meetings. SUPPLIES TO "CUTTERS."-The Committee has recently considered certain facts regarding the methods adopted by notorious "cutters" to obtain supplies of P.A.T.A. goods, and has deemed it necessary to warn retailers in London and elsewhere that certain dealers are endeavouring to obtain stocks of such goods from all available sources, including retail chemists, for supply to these cutters." The Com mittee trust that all retailers of P.A.T.A. articles will cooperate with the Association in its efforts to restrict pricecutting by giving information to the Secretary regarding any offers or approaches of this nature that may be made to them.

CANADIAN P.A.T.A.-The progress made since the inception of the price-maintenance movement in Canada, as evidenced by the first annual report of the Canadian P.A.T.A. and the report of the first annual meeting, has been noted with interest and pleasure by the Executive.

OTHER MATTERS.-The report also referred to negotiations for obtaining a more adequate rate of profit from certain manufacturers; to the obligations devolving on members of the Association; to matters affecting the Protected List; and to application for membership of the Wholesale Section. The report as submitted was unanimously adopted.

The Association's Work.

cases

The SECRETARY then submitted to the Council a report on the Association's day-to-day price-maintenance work during the past quarter. Particulars of the "cutting handled, the investigation of the sources of supply, and other relevant matters were dealt with. The Council expressed their appreciation of the work in this direction carried out by the officers and staff of the P.A.T.A., and the President's statement that the facts disclosed in the report furnished overwhelming evidence of the Association's alertness and activity in dealing with “ price-cutting" was unanimously endorsed by the Council.

SCHOOL AND COLLEGE NEWS.

Bath. The following awards have been made as a result of the end-of-season competitive examination:-Silver Medals (for highest aggregate in their respective classes), Henry Wigley and C. S. Mitchell; bronze medals, R. E. B. Carter and K. M. Moseley; certificates, H. Wigley (chemistry), R. E. B. Carter, E. A. Beer, T. Palmer, H. L. Gedge, and C. S. Mitchell (dispensing). Presentations were made by the students to the Principal (Mr. D. J. Williams) and the other members of the staff, Mr. Williams receiving an easy chair. Mr. W. Cooper a canteen of cutlery, and Messrs. A. H. Millard and G. H. Moore, books.

THE ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH CHEMICAL MANUFACTURERS.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The eleventh annual general meeting of the Association of British Chemical Manufacturers was held at the Chemical Society's Rooms, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W.1, on Thursday, July 14, 1927, for the purpose of receiving and considering the report of the Council, electing auditors, and receiving the report of the scrutineers. Mr. C. A. HILL presided.

The CHAIRMAN, in moving that the report of the Council of the Association be adopted, said that if he had to select one feature more prominent than any other in the report, he would choose those paragraphs relating to international rela tions, not only because they introduced a new development but because of their importance. There could be no doubt that looked at in one way the world is growing small; communications between Nationals were physically much easier of accomplishment; there was a general desire among peoples of different nations to meet in conference; and international arrangements were being regarded as essential to the revival of a World Trade. Hence the report recorded the important development which had taken place in the formation of Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd. This great amalgamation now represented about one-third of the capital of the firms who were members of the Association. From the international aspect, there were undoubted advantages to the British Chemical Industry of this country in having a firm of the size and importance of Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd.

With reference to the positive work of the Council, the action taken by it during the passage of the Rating and Valuation Bill through the House had the effect of materially improving the measure.

While opinions in the chemical trade were somewhat divided on the question of the effect of the Merchandise Marks Act, 1927, on home trade, there was certainly no question as to the reception that was being given to the efforts of the Board of Trade in explaining and ameliorating some of the many difficulties which had arisen in connection with the Act. With reference to the Safeguarding of Industries Act, there was little to add to what was already in the report. Quiet had prevailed since the provisions of Part I. of the Act were extended by the Finance Act of last year for a further period of ten years. The Preservatives in Food Regulations had provided them with one of those examples, with which they had become painfully familiar, of legislation by reference. On the other hand, the Council had found a refreshing open-mindedness in the negotiations which had taken place between some of their members and a Joint Committee representing the Medical Research Council and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research on the questions of Chemotherapeutic and Biochemical Research It was impossible even to touch on everything in the annual report, but there was one subject which was so closely related to this that mention must be made of it, namely, the regulations which had recently been issued under the Therapeutic Substances Act. They had had prolonged consultations on these regulations. They were here dealing with a new type of problem, and no doubt time would show that in practice some of the regulations would require modification. This had already been anticipated, and they had the assurance of the Minister of Health that when such time arrived he would not hesitate to consider their revision. Manufacturers of bonâ-fide therapeutic substances welcomed the Act, which, if administered in the spirit in which the regulations appear to have been drafted, would be helpful to manufacturers as well as beneficial to the community. As to a certain InterDepartmental Committee set up to consider the question of alcohols in industry, this Committee met some time ago. With every courtesy and in a most painstaking manner, it examined carefully the evidence presented on behalf of this Association. There was every reason to believe that such a Committee would present a very valuable report - valuable not only to the Government but to industry as well. Yet all efforts to obtain a copy of this report had failed. It was presumed that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had authority to