APPLICATION OF THE SLAG OF BLAST-FURNACES TO THE PREPARATION OF ALUM, CHLORIDE OF CALCIUM, &c. &c. (Cunningham's Patent, enrolled September 8.) THE patentee proposes to treat the slag of blast-furnaces with sulphuric acid, so as to act on the lime, silica, and magnesia present, and to convert the alumina into sulphate of alumina fit for the manufacture of alum. The residuary hydrate of silica and gypsum is applicable as manure. By operating on the slag with muriatic acid, the patentee obtains chloride of calcium, silica, and alumina. He also recommends the employment of the slag in the purification of pyroligneous acid, and in the decomposition of the salts of soda and potash. To facilitate the action of the acids on the slag, the latter should be run direct from the blast-furnace into water, and then finely ground. MR. DAWSON'S HAND-BILL. We have received from Mr. Dawson a letter and a printed report of a case (which we reported in our last number, page 199, and commented upon, page 151), in which documents he accuses us of " an attack," and of "misrepresenting" his "medical treatment." Immediately on receipt of the same, we informed Mr. Dawson by letter that we should insert some explanatory remarks in this number, and we have wasted an hour and a half in reading all the articles and reports over and over again, with a view of discovering some statement, expression, or word on our part capable of construction into an attack or misrepresentation, or even a reflection upon his medical treatment. We can find nothing of the kind, and cannot conceive what on earth can be his object in circulating his hand-bill, containing as it does nasty details of symptoms which common decency should have induced him to keep to himself, and an exposure of private family affairs which any man having a due regard for professional delicacy and honour would have held sacred and inviolate. We have received also a letter signed "Medicus" on the same subject, to which the above explanatory remarks will serve as an answer. BOOKS RECEIVED. PHILOSOPHY OF THE MECHANICS OF NATURE, and the Source and Modes of Action of Natural Motive-Power. By Z. ALLEN. Illustrated with numerous woodcuts. New York: D. Appleton and Co. 1852. Large 8vo, pp. 797. THE WHIRLWIND THEORY OF STORMS. By Dr. ROBERT HARE. A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK OF MEDICAL CHEMISTRY. BY JOHN E. BOWMAN, F.C.S., &c. Second edition. London: John Churchill, Princes Street, Soho. 1852. 8vo, pp. 261. A TOXICOLOGICAL CHART, exhibiting at one view the Symptoms, Treatment, and Modes of detecting the various Poisons, Mineral, Vegetable, and Animal; to which are added Concise Directions for the Treatment of Suspended Animation. By WILLIAM STOWE, M.R.C.S.E. Eleventh edition. London: S. Highley and Son, Fleet Street. A LETTER TO DR. LYON PLAYFAIR, C.B., F.R.S. Being a Medical Commentary on the Results of the recent Analysis of the Buxton Tepid Water; to which are prefixed a Statement of the Improvements now in progress at Buxton; and Dr. Playfair's Analytical Report. By WILLIAM HENRY ROBERTSON, M.D., Senior Physician to the Buxton Bath Charity. London: Bradbury and Evans, Bouverie Street. 1852. MORSE'S PATENT. Full Exposure of Dr. C. T. Jackson's Pretensions to the Invention of the American Electro-Magnetic Telegraph. By Hon. AMOS KENDALL, late Postmaster-General, U. S. Washington: Printed by J. T. Towers. ON SPERMATTORHEA. By R. DAWSON, M.R.C.S. 1852. TO CORRESPONDENTS. Mr. Henry Scholefield has sent the following Recipe for CUSTARD POWDER, in reply to a former correspondent, C. H., Leamington: R Gum Tragac. pulv. 2 oz. Pulv. Farinæ (potato starch) 1lb. Ol. Ess. Amygdal. 3ss. Ess. Limonis 3i. m. Put up in one ounce packets. From one pint of new milk, take two table-spoonfuls to rub up with the powder: boil the remaining milk with two ounces of lump sugar, and pour, while boiling, into the basin, stirring quickly meanwhile until thoroughly mixed. Bake as a custard. A Subscriber (Dereham).-CAMPHOR BALL. Melt 3 dr. of spermaceti and 4 dr. of white wax with 1 oz. of almond oil, and stir in 3 dr. of powdered camphor. J. A. (M.P.S.)-CAMPHOR ICE may be made by melting 1 dr. of spermaceti with 1 oz. of almond oil, and adding 1 dr. of powdered camphor. An old Member (Mile End).-We cannot recommend the addition of any colouringmatter to palm-oil that has lost its colour. An Enemy to a Kibe (Sittingbourne) wishes for a formula for chilblain liniment. "White liniment," see vol. ix., p. 47, is a good application, or the following: R Soap Liniment 1 oz., Cajeput-oil oz., Tincture Cantharides oz. Mix.-Beasley. M. P. S. (Reading) would be glad to know of any simple mode of preserving clarified honey from crystallizing, when boiled for a short time to render it thicker. S. F. G. (Settle), S. C. S.-The chemical change which coffee undergoes in the process of roasting is now under investigation by a Commission on the part of the Government. Jeune Chimiste.-We are always glad to answer reasonable questions, but cannot undertake analyses at the request of anonymous correspondents. We have never seen tasteless black draught. Amator Scientiæ (Salford).—(1.) Bowman's Practical Chemistry, or Fownes's Manual.-(2.) The study of Botany is requisite.-(3.) Lindley's Elements of Botany, 128., published by Taylor, Walton, and Co., or Balfour's Manual, 12s. 6d. G. S. K. (Doncaster).—The Veterinarian, published monthly by Longman and Co. Inexpertus (Yarmouth).-Lindley's Elements of Botany, 12s., or Balfour's Manual, 12s. 6d. J. S. (Devonport).—Dana's Mineralogy. Amicus (Leeds) will find some articles of the length and description he desires in this and our last numbers. We think the pages of a monthly journal may be more usefully filled by other matter than by courses of elementary lectures. A Correspondent (London, Oct. 15), who desires to become an Associate of the Pharmaceutical Society, would obtain the information he desires by personal application to the Secretary. BRISTOL SCHOOL OF CHEMISTRY.—Mr. Griffin, the professor of this school, informs us that he delivers two elementary courses of lectures every year, viz., in the spring and autumn, each course consisting of twenty lectures. Instructions from Members and Associates, respecting the transmission of the Journal, to Mr. SMITH, Secretary, 17, Bloomsbury Square, before the 20th of the month. Advertisements (not later than the 23rd of the month) to Mr. CHURCHILL, Princes Street, Soho. Other communications to the Editor, 15, Langham Place. THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL. VOL. XII.--No. VI.-DECEMBER 1st, 1852. THE NEW BYE-LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY, RELATING TO THE ADMISSION OF MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATES. Ir having been decided that it was desirable to extend the basis of the Pharmaceutical Society by a liberal interpretation of the law, in the admission of Members and Associates, it became a question for serious consideration in what manner this could be effected, having regard, at the same time, to the character of the Society, and the circumstances and claims of the parties to be admitted. It has already been explained, that in consequence of the existing bye-laws, which are confirmed absolutely until next May, restricting the admission, without examination, to those who were either in business before the date of the Charter, or Associates before July 1, 1852; it is impossible, while these byelaws remain in force, to admit by certificate those who commenced business after the date of the Charter and before the passing of the Act. It is desirable, as early as possible, to discontinue the admission of Members, under any circumstances, without examination; and if no steps had been taken before next May, when the restrictive bye-laws will cease to be in force, much delay would have been occasioned, which the new bye-laws (see page 265) will obviate. By the next Annual Meeting in May, time will have been allowed to complete the list of those whom it may be desirable to admit ; their claims and qualifications will have been duly considered, and their names registered as Chemists and Druggists. The new bye-law provides for their admission at the earliest time at which this could be legally effected, and then shuts the door against that mode of admission. Those who desire to join the Society, and who from their standing in the trade may have a fair claim to admission by certificate of qualification, must lose no time in making application and substantiating their claim, as the opportunity will be lost unless they apply before the 1st of May. The above bye-laws do not apply to the admission of Associates who, according to the terms of the Charter, must pass the examination; and, as it was considered equally fair and desirable to extend a similar leniency for a limited period to the Assistants of the present day, this could only be effected by a temporary modification of the examinations. The regulations of the Board of Examiners (page 266 of this number) are framed for this purpose, and are calculated to attain the desired object without interfering with the gradual improvement in the examinations, or lowering the value of the certificate, now awarded by the Board to successful candidates. Hitherto this has been the "pass certificate;" it has represented the minimum standard of qualification with which a candidate could obtain admission into the Society. But the same certificate at the commencement of the Society represented a qualification considerably lower than that which it implies at the present time, as the examinations have been gradually becoming more stringent. According to the new regulations this certificate will continue in use, its value gradually rising as before; but for a limited period it will cease to be the "pass certificate," which latter will be awarded to candidates possessing a practical knowledge of their business although not coming up to the standard of qualification now represented by the certificate before mentioned. In other words, the value of the pass certificate of the present time will be equivalent to that of the original or ordinary certificate at the time the Society was established. This regulation will open the door to many young men who have had much practical experience in the business, but who are not prepared for the innovation which the Pharmacy Act is about to introduce; at the same time it will not retard the progress of the Society in raising the scientific qualifications of future Members. If the Pharmacy Act had been compulsory, a different line of policy might have been adopted, but this would have been attended with considerable injus tice. In that case all Assistants and Apprentices would have been obliged either to acquire the full qualification, or, failing the means, they must have relinquished a business in learning which they had hitherto done all that the law required, and wasted several years in an apprenticeship ending in disappointment. No such injustice is contemplated by the Pharmacy Act. It operates not by coercion but by attraction, and the amount of effect to be derived from it will depend on the inducement offered to young men to come within its influence. The leniency contemplated in the new regulations will attract many who would otherwise have despaired of success, and shrunk altogether from the ordeal. Some of these, having obtained the pass certificate, will not rest satisfied until they have gone a step further; and the "certificate of honour" will be an additional source of ambition to young men of superior attainments. The above regulations will continue in force during the time that similar leniency is extended to candidates for Membership under the new bye-law, namely, until the Annual Meeting in May, 1853; after which time the " pass certificate," in the sense in which the term is now employed, will be discontinued, and those only will be admitted to registration who obtain that which is described in the regulations as the "ordinary certificate." THE LECTURES AT THE SCHOOL OF PHARMACY. FOR the convenience, and at the particular desire of many Members and Associates of the Society, it was decided that a portion of the lectures during the present session should be delivered in the evening. The lectures so delivered comprise some of the most important and interesting subjects in each course, such as may be attended with advantage as single lectures by those whose business engagements do not admit of a regular attendance. All the lectures are free to Members and Associates, consequently the only consideration demanded for these instalments of knowledge is the trouble of going to and from the lecture room at the time appointed, and the appropriation of an hour or two twice a month. Judging from the number who avail themselves of the evening lectures, and recollecting the anxiety which was expressed prior to the commencement of the session in favour of the arrangement, we are inclined to suspect that many of the Members and Associates have either failed to observe the notice on the official page of the cover of this Journal, or have forgotten the days on which the lectures are delivered. We therefore, remind our readers that THE PHARMACEUTICAL MEETINGS are held on the SECOND WEDNESDAY in each month, at NINE in the evening; and the LECTURES referred to are delivered on the THIRD and FOURTH WEDNESDAYS, at the same hour. In another part of this number we publish a paper by Mr. H. Scholefield, entitled "Pharmaceutical Education, Means to the End," which contains a proposal" to make the lectures portable, so as to be heard in every district in the country." It is proposed that a reporter should be employed to reduce the original lectures to writing, and to "describe in marginal notes the experiments performed, with a sketch of the apparatus used, and specimens exhibited" (He must be a clever reporter, fully conversant with the subject, and a rapid draughtsman.-ED.) The lectures so reported to be re-delivered in the provinces; apparatus, specimens, charts, and materials of illustration being provided in the several localities. Our correspondent appears not to be aware that the diagrams belonging to the Society and required for the lectures amount to several hundreds, and that their average cost is not less than five shillings. The apparatus, including that which is the property of the professors, cannot be estimated at less than £1000. The Museum, which supplies the specimens, is the result of about eleven years' labour and great expense, although a large number of the specimens were presented to the Society. The effectual illustration of the lectures in the country would, therefore, be impossible, even if they could be reported; but we maintain that lectures of that description cannot be reduced to writing. The words may be written, but the delivery, the manipulation, the illustrations which constitute the superiority of a lecture over instruction conveyed in books, are peculiar to the professor and the institution in which the requisites are provided. In a lecture the two senses-sight and hearing—assist each other, and the skill of the lecturer consists in the manner in which he adapts his words and delivery to the illustrations before him, so as to make a clear and lasting impression on his audience. A most impressive lecture, reported verbatim, in the absence of these accessories, would be nothing more than an imperfect treatise in the rough state, wanting the final revision of the author to adapt it for publication. As a lecture it might be unrivalled, but as a treatise less suitable for reading than a chapter in Fownes's Chemistry or Pereira's Materia Medica, either of which, being complete in itself without illustrations, might be read and discussed by Members and Associates in the country with manifest advantage. We have published and animadverted upon Mr. Scholefield's proposition because it is the echo of sentiments continually expressed by correspondents reduced to a tangible form. It denotes the great desire which prevails for the advantage of lectures where this does not exist, while experience shows that where lectures are provided the great difficulty consists in inducing young men to attend. It might almost be laid down as an axiom in chemical science, that "the desire to attend lectures is INVERSELY in proportion to the facilities enjoyed by students;" that is to say, those who reside in remote localities where attendance is impossible, are loud and deep in their murmurs at the privations they suffer, while those who have instruction brought almost to their doors, and who are coaxed and entreated to attend, are with difficulty persuaded to walk half a mile for that purpose. The remedy for any indifference which may exist with regard to the means of instruction offered to students will eventually be found in the extensive rejection of candidates by the Board of Examiners; and this they must be prepared to expect after the month of May next year, when the examinations will begin to assume the complete and stringent character which is contemplated under the Pharmacy Act. It must be understood that these observations are not intended to apply universally. There are many students whose diligence and industry are worthy of imitation. To these we say, go on and prosper. But there are others, and we fear the majority, who are not yet sensible of the importance of keeping pace with the times, and who will discover their mistake when their qualifications are put to the test. COMPETITION FOR PRIZES. Ir is a common error to mistake the means for the end. When a prize is offered for competition, the announcement is received very differently by the several students in the class. Some treat it with indifference: they ask themselves the old question cui bono? of what use would a prize be to me? It would cost me much labour and anxiety-the sacrifice of recreation-the dread |