rank, might take it, but by the general acceptation which the great body of mankind, passing the defendant's door-plate, would ascribe to the words used there. I think, on the whole, that these words would convey to them that a surgeon, duly qualified and registered as such, practised at the house in question as a chiropodist. Taken to be such a surgeon, he would command more confidence with those who sought his aid as a chiropodist; and not only that, but he might naturally be consulted by them in surgical matters beyond the mere treatment of corns. We must allow something for the craving after small titles which is so widely spread at present. The corn-cutter is restless until he writes "chiropodist," and next, from fear of so much Greek not being understood, dubs himself surgeon at all hazards. On the whole, if the defendant will remove from his door-plate and cards the word "surgeon," I might consider as to mitigating the penalty, which is £20, and in that hope would adjourn my decision till this day week. But if the defendant requests me to grant a case for the opinion of a superior court, I will do so. In that case it will be needless to adjourn the case, and I fine him £20.

Mr. Lewis, jun., said since the last hearing Mr. Bearnard had been to the Medical Council, and the secretary had informed him that they were not initiating the complaint.

Mr. Tyrwhitt said he had nothing to do with the Medical Council.

Mr. Lewis, jun., said, if Mr. Bearnard took a case to a superior court, he had a right to know whether Mr. Tilley was a responsible person. Mr. Bearnard had been called upon by several medical men, who had expressed their distaste at the proceedings.

After some consultation between Mr. Lewis and Mr. Bearnard, Mr. Lewis said, with all deference to the judgment just delivered, his client would take a case, and Mr. Bearnard would at once enter into the requisite sureties. Subsequently the magistrate said he felt that there was so much doubt about the matter that he should not enforce the penalty, and he would not advise Mr. Bearnard to alter his plate.

A summons was also taken out against Mr. M. C. Rogers, dentist, of New Burlington Street, "for falsely pretending to be a surgeon;" but it was proved that Mr. Rogers had passed the hospitals in Paris as a qualified surgeon, but he practised only as a dentist. It appeared that the Medical Council had ignored these proceedings against Mr. Rogers, stating that they were not taken by their advice nor at their expense.

OBITUARY.-THOMAS HERRING.

We have to record the death of one of the oldest members of the drug trade, an original promoter, and one of the most active and zealous supporters of the Pharmaceutical Society. Mr. Thomas Herring was born in Norwich on the 1st of January, 1785. He was apprenticed to Mr. George Sothern, of that city, in 1801, and at the end of his apprenticeship in 1806 he came to London and obtained an engagement with Messrs. Kirk, Hearon, and Co., in Bishopsgate Street, with whom he remained until the beginning of 1808. In this year he married Anne Rogers, the only child of Nathaniel Rogers, a wealthy dyer. About the middle of 1808 he commenced his career in business on his own account, having purchased the freehold of premises No. 8, Barbican, and invited his brother, Thrower Buckle Herring (at that time living with a bombazine manufacturer at Norwich), to join him. The new firm soon met with considerable success, and in 1815 they moved to more extensive premises at 40, Aldersgate Street, where the business has been carried on ever since. All the arrangements were provided here for a firstclass wholesale drug business. There was ample room at that period for improvement in the preparation of medicines, and especially of those sold by wholesale druggists. The whole class of powders were usually prepared in an imperfect manner, and were often adulterated to an enormous extent. Medicinal extracts were also very imperfectly made, and in fact pharmacy was altogether in a low state. There were, no doubt honourable exceptions to the then existing general condition of the drug trade, but these were mostly in the retail department. Dispensing chemists who were anxious to perform their duty conscientiously made their own preparations, even to the powdering of many drugs, which of course was done with the pestle and mortar. Herring's house was soon brought prominently into notice by the introduction of a new class of powders, for the production of which they had fitted up very powerful and efficient drug-grinding

apparatus. It was a new thing at that time for a wholesale druggist to have a drugmill on the premises capable of producing all the vegetable and other powders on a large scale. Such work had been invariably done by a class of men called "druggrinders," who were not particularly noted for the production of good and genuine powders. Herring's vegetable powders, such as rhubarb, jalap, bark, ipecacuanha, etc., while they were guaranteed to be genuine, were very different in appearance from any powders previously supplied for use in medicine. They were fine, soft, impalpable, brightlooking powders, such as could not be produced with the pestle and mortar. This class of powders has subsequently replaced entirely the comparatively coarse and dull-looking powders previously used. To Thomas Herring was certainly due the introduction of a great and important reform in this department of pharmacy. Nor was this the only class of preparations for the improvement of which active measures were adopted at 40, Aldersgate Street. The reform which had commenced there, and was first made apparent in the vegetable powders, soon extended to other houses and other preparations, and the improvements thus progressively developed continued for many years. When, at a later date, pharmaceutical reformers united their efforts for the establishment of the Pharmaceutical Society, a great change had already been effected in the state of the drug trade, but this was accomplished by the exertions of isolated individuals; it remained for more extensive and important reforms to be brought about through the combination of the leading houses, both wholesale and retail, which took place in 1841. Among the active and zealous promoters of this Association was Thomas Herring. He was elected a member of the first Council of the Pharmaceutical Society, and continued to serve the Society in that capacity up to the time of his death.

He was a regular attendant at the meetings, and took a warm interest in the proceedings. In 1851 he was elected President of the Society; about this time he gave evidence before a Committee of the House of Commons in favour of Mr. Bell's Pharmacy Bill, showing the great abuses which had existed in the drug trade and the benefits which had resulted from the operations of the Pharmaceutical Society. The zeal he manifested in the cause to which he had devoted himself never flagged to the last, and the influence he exercised in the wholesale department of the trade was often felt to be of much value.

As a man of business, Mr. Thomas Herring was exceedingly active and possessed considerable energy. For twenty-one years after the commencement of his career he continued to make his weekly business visits among the chemists and druggists of London, making what he called his town or London round on foot, and this, which was performed in the course of every week, involved the walking of upwards of 112 miles. For forty-one years he never omitted his annual Dublin and Belfast journey. On the 23rd of last August, being the day after his return from his forty-first visit to Ireland, he was attacked with diarrhoea, which ended in his dissolution on the 27th of September, when he had nearly completed his eightieth year. He was buried in the family vault at Weybridge church.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA, CONTAINING THE CHEMISTRY AND NATURAL HISTORY OF DRUGS, THEIR EFFECTS, DOSES, AND ADULTERATIONS; WITH OBSERVATIONS ON ALL THE NEW REMEDIES RECENTLY INTRODUCED INTO PRACTICE, AND ON THE PREPARATIONS OF THE BRITISH PHARMACOPEIA. By Dr. WILLAM FRAZER, Lecturer on Materia Medica to the Carmichael School of Medicine, etc., etc. Second Edition. London: John Churchill and Sons, New Burlington Street. Dublin: Fannin and Co. 1864.

ELEMENTS OF CHEMISTRY, THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL. By WILLIAM ALLEN MILLER, M.D., LL.D., etc. Part II. Inorganic Chemistry. Third edition, with additions. London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green. 8vo, pp. 947. (From the Publishers.)

SKIN DISEASES: THEIR DESCRIPTION, PATHOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT. With a copious Formulary. By TILBURY FOX, M.D. Lond., etc. London: Robert Hardwicke, 192, Piccadilly. 8vo, pp. 315. 1864.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Persons having seceded from the Society may be restored to their former status on payment of arrears of subscription and the registration fee for the current year.

Those who were Associates before the 1st of July, 1842, are privileged (as Founders of the Society) to become Members without examination.

Wanted. Copies of the Pharmaceutical Journal' for May, June, July, and August, 1852: full publishing price given. Address Mr. Bremridge, 17, Bloomsbury Square, W.C.

J. J. (Wolverhampton).-The usual dose of phosphate of ammonia is from 5 to 10 grains. It is often combined with carbonate of lithia in cases of gout.

Chmicus (Aberdare).—(1.) Apply by letter to the Secretary of the College. (2.) Registered Apprentices of the Society are supplied with the 'Pharmaceutical Journal' free. (3.) The July number commences a volume.

J. M. (Crediton).-Gray's 'Supplement to the Pharmacopoeia,' by Redwood, last edition, price 22s. It may be obtained through any bookseller.

Y. N. "Kreuznacher bittern" is the salt obtained by evaporating the Kreuznacher water.

Photo (Leicester).-Negative Collodion: Purified Ether, sp. gr. 720, 5 drachms; Purified Alcohol, sp. gr. 820, 3 drachms; Soluble Pyroxyline, 3 to 6 grains; Soluble Iodide of Ammonium, 3 to 4 grains. (Hardwich.)

W. J. D. (Portsea).— (1) No alteration has taken place in the law relating to the sale of spirit of wine. It is still illegal to sell it, excepting for medical use; but this restriction is not rigidly enforced when the excise authorities see there is no attempt on the part of the chemist to evade the law by indiscriminate sale. See vol. iv. pp. 480, 493, and 577, and vol. vi. pp. 99, 101, and 145. (2) There can be no objection to the supply of spirit of wine, as in the case referred to, where it is mixed with other ingredients forming a solution for photographic purposes.

Juvenis (Wigan).-Hooper's 'Medical Dictionary (Longmans), price 30s. Intending Student (Havant). Selecta è Præscriptis,' Fownes's Manual of Chemistry,' Bentley's Manual of Botany.' Apply also for the Regulations, etc., of the Board of Examiners,' to the Secretary of the Pharmaceutical Society.

Tymn (Mexbro').-Fresenius's 'Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis.'

A. B. (Dover).-The article sold as "Glycerine Cream" is generally made by the addition of glycerine to "cold cream."

J. B. B.-Tinctura Ferri Perchloridi, when made according to the British Pharmacopoeia, becomes opaque after standing a short time.

A Student.-Dr. Garrod's 'Essentials of Materia Medica and Therapeutics' (second edition).

A Correspondent (Liverpool) suggests that in the proposed Bill the clause which would prevent the Registration of a Chemist's Assistant until he was twenty-one years of age, should be replaced by one requiring him to prove that he had been occupied in the trade for a certain number of years, say five, six, or seven.

J. M. B.-The sale of the article referred to does not require a Licence. The Liverpool Chemists' Association, The Leeds Chemists' Association, Mr. C. Jones, Mr, Miller, Mr. Mumbray, Mr. Willmott, Mr. Hadfield, Mr. Ekin are thanked for their communications. We regret that in consequence of the great press of matter we are obliged to defer the publication of several important papers until next month. ERRATUM.-Omission, page 143, line 9 from the bottom, after Orridge read Sandford.

Instructions from Members and Associates respecting the transmission of the Journal before the 25th of the month, to ELIAS BREMRIDGE, Secretary, 17, Bloomsbury Square, W.C.

Advertisements (not later than the 23rd) to Messrs. CHURCHILL, New Burlington Street. Other communications to the Editors, 17, Bloomsbury Square.

THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL.

SECOND SERIES.

VOL. VI.-No. VI.-DECEMBER 1st, 1864.

SEPARATE EXAMINATIONS FOR CHEMISTS ALREADY IN BUSINESS ON THEIR OWN ACCOUNT.

When, in August last, the resolution of the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society to hold separate examinations for chemists in business on their own account (who had been so for five years, or were not less than thirty years of age) came forth, we took occasion to consider fairly the question in all its bearings;-first, as to such chemists themselves; secondly, as to its effect on the character and standing of the Society; and lastly, as to our duty to the Legislature and the public, to which we were pledged by our acceptance of the Pharmacy Act of 1852. Fully alive to the temptation which might beset the Council when members were to be added to the Society, we yet ventured to believe that our tried men would not be found wanting; that they would feel the examinations were "the very foundation of the Society, and the maintenance of their integrity the tenure by which its privileges are held."

Three months ago this could be but a matter of faith, and we now return to the subject because we have proof before us that our confidence was well founded. The assurance given was, that the subjects of examination should be the same as in the ordinary Major and Minor, but treated practically rather than theoretically. To make this distinction might be easy enough to an examiner with his candidate before him, but it did not seem so easy to reduce the difference to a written synopsis; that was a task requiring great care and time for consideration, and the examiners wisely declined to issue any hastily arranged instructions to those who wished to avail themselves of the new privilege. Such a synopsis is, however, now in existence, has been handed to every candidate, and put into the hands of the Local Secretaries for general diffusion throughout the country.

This, then, is the general outline of the proceedings :

1. Recognition of Drugs.

MATERIA MEDICA.

2. Names of Plants or Animals yielding them.

3. Habitats and whence imported.

4. Preparations into which they enter.

5. Indications of the Commercial Characters and Qualities of Drugs.

VOL. VI.

Ꮓ

PHARMACY.

1. Recognition of Preparations.

2. Description of their Composition and proportions of Active Ingredients. 3. Description of Pharmacopoeia Processes.

CHEMISTRY.

1. Recognition of Chemical Substances used in Medicine.

2. Processes for their Preparation.

3. Chemical Composition and Decomposition.

4. Detection of such Impurities as are ordinarily met with.

5. Antidotes for Poisons.

6. Nature and Method of taking Specific Gravities.

BOTANY.

1. Recognition of Important Indigenous Medicinal Plants from Fresh or Dried Specimens.

2. Distinctive Characters of Roots, Stems, Leaves, Flowers, Fruits, Seeds, and their Parts.

3. Functions of Roots, Stems, and Leaves.

Now here lies the answer to our enemies who chuckled over the notion that we were, in extremis, offering a farce examination to all comers; the assurance to our friends, who trembled under the idea that we were sacrificing principle to expedience to gain popularity in times of commotion (an honest fear which we must respect in them); and a proof to the public that men holding our diploma are worthy to be trusted. And for the chemists who would take advantage of this means of obtaining Parliamentary recognition and registration.—what for them? Why, an assurance that the Society demands no greater qualification than every one of them ought to possess, and can give evidence of possessing, after two or three months' reading, in conjunction with the opportunities afforded by the daily exercise of their own business; and a much more self-ennobling appreciation of their diploma than they would have if it were granted to them on mere certificate of fitness, as was necessarily the case in the first formation of the Society.

An earnest of success may be found in the number who presented themselves for examination in October. Seventeen went up, and fourteen were successful in passing the ordeal. More than seventeen made application,—indeed, more than could well be examined in one day.

It is not intended to have examinations of this kind monthly, but the number seemed to demand the appointment of a second day, and in justice an early one was fixed. There will be no further repetition until the 25th January, and this we conceive will be an advantage to those who wish to present themselves; with the synopsis in hand they will know exactly what will be required of them, and knowing too that it will be honestly carried out, they will, we trust, be so prepared that not even three out of seventeen will be unsuccessful.

THE PROPOSED NEW PHARMACY BILL.

On Tuesday, the 22nd of November, as the newspapers have already announced, a deputation of the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society, consisting of Mr. Sandford (President), Mr. Hills (Vice-President), Mr. Daniel Bell Hanbury (Treasurer), Mr. Squire, Mr. Morson, Mr. Waugh, Mr. Orridge, Dr. Edwards, Mr. Flux (Solicitor), and Mr. Bremridge (Secretary), had an interview with the Right Hon. Sir George Grey, at the Home Office, on the subject of a proposed Bill for regulating the qualification of Chemists and