{62}EDITORIAL.“ANACTRELATINGTOTHESALEOFDRUGSANDMEDICINES.”—We would call the attention of our readers to the following strange bill, which has been introduced into the Legislature of this State:“The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:SECTION1st. It shall not be lawful for any Physician, Druggist, Apothecary, or any person or persons dealing in Drugs or Medicines, or engaged in preparing any compound to be given or administered as a medicine, to offer the same for sale without first affixing or attaching thereto, in a conspicuous manner, a written or printed recipe in the English language, stating the drug or drugs, medicine or medicines, or ingredients of which it is composed, together with the proportions of each.SECTION2. Any person or persons violating the preceding section of this Act, shall be considered guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be fined for each offence in a sum not less than ten dollars, nor exceeding one hundred dollars, or be imprisoned for a term not exceeding six months.SECTION3. This Act shall not take effect until the first day of July, 1852.Albany, February 6th, 1852.”On reading this bill, carelessly, we thought that it was intended to be levelled at nostroms and quack medicines. If it were so, however laudable the motives of its originators, its policy is much to be doubted. The public are not prepared for it; it would, at once, raise a clamour about selfish motives and private interests; it would never be enforced: and would tend to bring more moderate and judicious legislation into contempt. But a careful perusal of the bill shows that it applies to Apothecaries and venders of medicines in the ordinary prosecution of their business. Should it become a law, no Apothecary could sell six cents worth of paregoric, or an ounce of spiced syrup of rhubarb, unless he accompanies the article sold with a detailed enumeration of the substances composing it, with the proportions of each “written or printed in the English language,” without rendering himself liable to fine and imprisonment! It is not necessary to characterize such a law to Druggists. It is worthy of notice, however, as an instance of that spirit of pseudo reform which is at present so rampant. As a general rule, we believe, Physicians have no objection to their patients knowing the remedies they prescribe, particularly when the patients themselves are people of sense and information, but in many instances, of what use would it be to the sick man and his conclave of friends to be able to spell{63}out the ingredients of a prescription? Would it help them to a knowledge of its effects? Are they the best judges of its propriety? And if so, had not the law better proscribe educated Physicians altogether?And then “written or printed in the English language”! The framers of such a law could not be expected to recognize a National or any other Pharmacopœia; which of the twenty trivial names, that in different times and different places have been bestowed upon the same article, should we choose? Should we follow strictly the modern chemical nomenclature, or should we take that of a few years back or should we go to the fountain head and return to the names of the old Alchemists? The whole matter is unworthy serious comment.COFFINISM.—England for a long time supplied the United States to a great extent with quacks and quack medicines. We now begin to produce these articles not only in quantity sufficient to supply the home market, but are enabled to spare some of our surplus for the mother country. Thomsonianism has been transplanted to Great Britain, where it flourishes under the auspices of a man named Coffin, and is thence termed Coffinism. Coffin has already numerous disciples among the illiterate classes of the community. He gives instruction in his physic made easy, and furnishes his followers with certificates of their acquaintance with the mysteries of steam, hot drops and lobelia. Each of his graduates, too, pays a certain sum into a fund created to defend those of the associates, who may fall within the grasp of the law. Already several of them have been tried for manslaughter, but the “Anglo Saxon race,” among its other peculiarities, is determined to be quacked when it chooses, and the Coffinites hitherto have got off scot free.CAMPHORASASTIMULANT.—A lady who for a long time had suffered from occasional attacks of hemoptysis, and other signs of consumption, and who likewise from reduced circumstances, was subject to great moral depression, applied for advice concerning an epileptic seizure from which she had suffered for the first time on the preceding night. On inquiry it came out that she had for a long time been in the habit of taking large quantities of Camphor. She had begun the practice a number of years previously, by taking the camphor mixture which had been ordered for her invalid husband. Gradually she acquired a fondness for it, and constantly increasing the dose, she, at the time of her seizure, took daily from two drachms to half an ounce. She was in the habit of taking it crude, gradually nibbling her allowance in the course of the day. She described its effects as exceedingly agreeable, renovating her strength, inspiring her with hope and confidence, and enabling her to get through with the fatigues of the day.—When not under its influence she was languid, feeble and depressed. Taking into account the condition of her lungs, her general health did not seem to have been affected by the habit.{64}CAVENDISHSOCIETY.—We give place willingly to the following circular of Mr. Procter, convinced that in so doing we are subserving the best interests of our readers. The names of the officers and council of the society, give ample assurance of the value of the works selected for publication.CAVENDISH SOCIETY, LONDON.—PRESIDENT—Prof. Thomas Graham.VICEPRESIDENTS—Dr. Faraday, Prof. Brande, Sir Robert Kane, Arthur Aiken, and others.COUNCIL—Jabob Bell, Dr. Pereira, Dr. Golding Bird, Robert Warrington, Alfred S. Taylor, and others.TREASURER—Dr. Henry Beaumont Leeson.SECRETARY—Theophilus Redwood.The Cavendish Society was instituted for the promotion of Chemistry, and its allied sciences, by the diffusion of the literature of these subjects. The society effects its object by the translation of recent works and papers of merit; by the publication of valuable original works which would not otherwise be printed, from the slender chance of their meeting with a remunerative sale, and by the occasional republication or translation of such ancient or earlier modern works, as may be considered interesting or useful to the members of the Society.Heretofore persons in this country were admitted to membership on application to Mr. Redwood the general Secretary of the Society, at London. To facilitate communication between the Society and its American members, the undersigned has been appointedLocal Secretary, at Philadelphia, and to whom application should be made. The payment of five dollars U. S. Currency or its equivalent, annually, entitles each member to a copy of every work published by the Society for the period during which their membership continues. No member shall be entitled to the Society’s publications unless his annual subscription shall have been duly paid, and it is to be understood that the charges for duty and freight on the books arising from their shipment to this country are to be paid to the Secretary on delivery.The number of Works published will necessarily depend on the number of annual subscribers; hence it is of great importance to the individual interest of the members that their aggregate number should be large. The Society now issue two or three volumes yearly. The books are handsomely printed on a uniform plan, for members only, their publication being conducted by the Council who are elected annually by Ballot from among the members; every member having a vote.Members by subscribing for all or any of the past years, may get the works issued during those years except the first volume, published by the Society in 1848, entitled “Chemical reports and Memoirs by Thomas Graham, F. R. S.” which is now out of print. The other volume of that year which is the 1st volume of Gmelin’s Handbook of Chemistry, can be obtained by paying half the subscription.The subscribers for 1849 are entitled to the 2d and 3d volumes of Gmelin’s Chemistry—and the Life of Cavendish by Dr. George Wilson of Edinburgh. The subscribers for 1850 receive the 4th and 5th volumes of Gmelin’s work, and those of the Current year will receive the 1st volume of Lehmann’s Physiological Chemistry translated by Dr. Day, and the 6th volume of Gmelin.As the sole object of the Cavendish Society is the encouragement of an important branch of scientific literature, all who feel interested in Chemistry should assist in that object by subscribing, or using their influence with others to extend the list of members, which now amounts to more than 850. All those who may desire to become members, to examine the works already issued, or to gain further information regarding the Society, are requested to apply to the undersigned.WILLIAM PROCTER,JR.166 South 9th Street, Philadelphia.October, 1851.
{62}
“ANACTRELATINGTOTHESALEOFDRUGSANDMEDICINES.”—We would call the attention of our readers to the following strange bill, which has been introduced into the Legislature of this State:
“The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:SECTION1st. It shall not be lawful for any Physician, Druggist, Apothecary, or any person or persons dealing in Drugs or Medicines, or engaged in preparing any compound to be given or administered as a medicine, to offer the same for sale without first affixing or attaching thereto, in a conspicuous manner, a written or printed recipe in the English language, stating the drug or drugs, medicine or medicines, or ingredients of which it is composed, together with the proportions of each.SECTION2. Any person or persons violating the preceding section of this Act, shall be considered guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be fined for each offence in a sum not less than ten dollars, nor exceeding one hundred dollars, or be imprisoned for a term not exceeding six months.SECTION3. This Act shall not take effect until the first day of July, 1852.Albany, February 6th, 1852.”
“The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
SECTION1st. It shall not be lawful for any Physician, Druggist, Apothecary, or any person or persons dealing in Drugs or Medicines, or engaged in preparing any compound to be given or administered as a medicine, to offer the same for sale without first affixing or attaching thereto, in a conspicuous manner, a written or printed recipe in the English language, stating the drug or drugs, medicine or medicines, or ingredients of which it is composed, together with the proportions of each.
SECTION2. Any person or persons violating the preceding section of this Act, shall be considered guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be fined for each offence in a sum not less than ten dollars, nor exceeding one hundred dollars, or be imprisoned for a term not exceeding six months.
SECTION3. This Act shall not take effect until the first day of July, 1852.
Albany, February 6th, 1852.”
On reading this bill, carelessly, we thought that it was intended to be levelled at nostroms and quack medicines. If it were so, however laudable the motives of its originators, its policy is much to be doubted. The public are not prepared for it; it would, at once, raise a clamour about selfish motives and private interests; it would never be enforced: and would tend to bring more moderate and judicious legislation into contempt. But a careful perusal of the bill shows that it applies to Apothecaries and venders of medicines in the ordinary prosecution of their business. Should it become a law, no Apothecary could sell six cents worth of paregoric, or an ounce of spiced syrup of rhubarb, unless he accompanies the article sold with a detailed enumeration of the substances composing it, with the proportions of each “written or printed in the English language,” without rendering himself liable to fine and imprisonment! It is not necessary to characterize such a law to Druggists. It is worthy of notice, however, as an instance of that spirit of pseudo reform which is at present so rampant. As a general rule, we believe, Physicians have no objection to their patients knowing the remedies they prescribe, particularly when the patients themselves are people of sense and information, but in many instances, of what use would it be to the sick man and his conclave of friends to be able to spell{63}out the ingredients of a prescription? Would it help them to a knowledge of its effects? Are they the best judges of its propriety? And if so, had not the law better proscribe educated Physicians altogether?
And then “written or printed in the English language”! The framers of such a law could not be expected to recognize a National or any other Pharmacopœia; which of the twenty trivial names, that in different times and different places have been bestowed upon the same article, should we choose? Should we follow strictly the modern chemical nomenclature, or should we take that of a few years back or should we go to the fountain head and return to the names of the old Alchemists? The whole matter is unworthy serious comment.
And then “written or printed in the English language”! The framers of such a law could not be expected to recognize a National or any other Pharmacopœia; which of the twenty trivial names, that in different times and different places have been bestowed upon the same article, should we choose? Should we follow strictly the modern chemical nomenclature, or should we take that of a few years back or should we go to the fountain head and return to the names of the old Alchemists? The whole matter is unworthy serious comment.
COFFINISM.—England for a long time supplied the United States to a great extent with quacks and quack medicines. We now begin to produce these articles not only in quantity sufficient to supply the home market, but are enabled to spare some of our surplus for the mother country. Thomsonianism has been transplanted to Great Britain, where it flourishes under the auspices of a man named Coffin, and is thence termed Coffinism. Coffin has already numerous disciples among the illiterate classes of the community. He gives instruction in his physic made easy, and furnishes his followers with certificates of their acquaintance with the mysteries of steam, hot drops and lobelia. Each of his graduates, too, pays a certain sum into a fund created to defend those of the associates, who may fall within the grasp of the law. Already several of them have been tried for manslaughter, but the “Anglo Saxon race,” among its other peculiarities, is determined to be quacked when it chooses, and the Coffinites hitherto have got off scot free.
COFFINISM.—England for a long time supplied the United States to a great extent with quacks and quack medicines. We now begin to produce these articles not only in quantity sufficient to supply the home market, but are enabled to spare some of our surplus for the mother country. Thomsonianism has been transplanted to Great Britain, where it flourishes under the auspices of a man named Coffin, and is thence termed Coffinism. Coffin has already numerous disciples among the illiterate classes of the community. He gives instruction in his physic made easy, and furnishes his followers with certificates of their acquaintance with the mysteries of steam, hot drops and lobelia. Each of his graduates, too, pays a certain sum into a fund created to defend those of the associates, who may fall within the grasp of the law. Already several of them have been tried for manslaughter, but the “Anglo Saxon race,” among its other peculiarities, is determined to be quacked when it chooses, and the Coffinites hitherto have got off scot free.
CAMPHORASASTIMULANT.—A lady who for a long time had suffered from occasional attacks of hemoptysis, and other signs of consumption, and who likewise from reduced circumstances, was subject to great moral depression, applied for advice concerning an epileptic seizure from which she had suffered for the first time on the preceding night. On inquiry it came out that she had for a long time been in the habit of taking large quantities of Camphor. She had begun the practice a number of years previously, by taking the camphor mixture which had been ordered for her invalid husband. Gradually she acquired a fondness for it, and constantly increasing the dose, she, at the time of her seizure, took daily from two drachms to half an ounce. She was in the habit of taking it crude, gradually nibbling her allowance in the course of the day. She described its effects as exceedingly agreeable, renovating her strength, inspiring her with hope and confidence, and enabling her to get through with the fatigues of the day.—When not under its influence she was languid, feeble and depressed. Taking into account the condition of her lungs, her general health did not seem to have been affected by the habit.
CAMPHORASASTIMULANT.—A lady who for a long time had suffered from occasional attacks of hemoptysis, and other signs of consumption, and who likewise from reduced circumstances, was subject to great moral depression, applied for advice concerning an epileptic seizure from which she had suffered for the first time on the preceding night. On inquiry it came out that she had for a long time been in the habit of taking large quantities of Camphor. She had begun the practice a number of years previously, by taking the camphor mixture which had been ordered for her invalid husband. Gradually she acquired a fondness for it, and constantly increasing the dose, she, at the time of her seizure, took daily from two drachms to half an ounce. She was in the habit of taking it crude, gradually nibbling her allowance in the course of the day. She described its effects as exceedingly agreeable, renovating her strength, inspiring her with hope and confidence, and enabling her to get through with the fatigues of the day.—When not under its influence she was languid, feeble and depressed. Taking into account the condition of her lungs, her general health did not seem to have been affected by the habit.
{64}CAVENDISHSOCIETY.—We give place willingly to the following circular of Mr. Procter, convinced that in so doing we are subserving the best interests of our readers. The names of the officers and council of the society, give ample assurance of the value of the works selected for publication.CAVENDISH SOCIETY, LONDON.—PRESIDENT—Prof. Thomas Graham.VICEPRESIDENTS—Dr. Faraday, Prof. Brande, Sir Robert Kane, Arthur Aiken, and others.COUNCIL—Jabob Bell, Dr. Pereira, Dr. Golding Bird, Robert Warrington, Alfred S. Taylor, and others.TREASURER—Dr. Henry Beaumont Leeson.SECRETARY—Theophilus Redwood.The Cavendish Society was instituted for the promotion of Chemistry, and its allied sciences, by the diffusion of the literature of these subjects. The society effects its object by the translation of recent works and papers of merit; by the publication of valuable original works which would not otherwise be printed, from the slender chance of their meeting with a remunerative sale, and by the occasional republication or translation of such ancient or earlier modern works, as may be considered interesting or useful to the members of the Society.Heretofore persons in this country were admitted to membership on application to Mr. Redwood the general Secretary of the Society, at London. To facilitate communication between the Society and its American members, the undersigned has been appointedLocal Secretary, at Philadelphia, and to whom application should be made. The payment of five dollars U. S. Currency or its equivalent, annually, entitles each member to a copy of every work published by the Society for the period during which their membership continues. No member shall be entitled to the Society’s publications unless his annual subscription shall have been duly paid, and it is to be understood that the charges for duty and freight on the books arising from their shipment to this country are to be paid to the Secretary on delivery.The number of Works published will necessarily depend on the number of annual subscribers; hence it is of great importance to the individual interest of the members that their aggregate number should be large. The Society now issue two or three volumes yearly. The books are handsomely printed on a uniform plan, for members only, their publication being conducted by the Council who are elected annually by Ballot from among the members; every member having a vote.Members by subscribing for all or any of the past years, may get the works issued during those years except the first volume, published by the Society in 1848, entitled “Chemical reports and Memoirs by Thomas Graham, F. R. S.” which is now out of print. The other volume of that year which is the 1st volume of Gmelin’s Handbook of Chemistry, can be obtained by paying half the subscription.The subscribers for 1849 are entitled to the 2d and 3d volumes of Gmelin’s Chemistry—and the Life of Cavendish by Dr. George Wilson of Edinburgh. The subscribers for 1850 receive the 4th and 5th volumes of Gmelin’s work, and those of the Current year will receive the 1st volume of Lehmann’s Physiological Chemistry translated by Dr. Day, and the 6th volume of Gmelin.As the sole object of the Cavendish Society is the encouragement of an important branch of scientific literature, all who feel interested in Chemistry should assist in that object by subscribing, or using their influence with others to extend the list of members, which now amounts to more than 850. All those who may desire to become members, to examine the works already issued, or to gain further information regarding the Society, are requested to apply to the undersigned.WILLIAM PROCTER,JR.166 South 9th Street, Philadelphia.October, 1851.
{64}
CAVENDISHSOCIETY.—We give place willingly to the following circular of Mr. Procter, convinced that in so doing we are subserving the best interests of our readers. The names of the officers and council of the society, give ample assurance of the value of the works selected for publication.
CAVENDISH SOCIETY, LONDON.—PRESIDENT—Prof. Thomas Graham.VICEPRESIDENTS—Dr. Faraday, Prof. Brande, Sir Robert Kane, Arthur Aiken, and others.COUNCIL—Jabob Bell, Dr. Pereira, Dr. Golding Bird, Robert Warrington, Alfred S. Taylor, and others.TREASURER—Dr. Henry Beaumont Leeson.SECRETARY—Theophilus Redwood.The Cavendish Society was instituted for the promotion of Chemistry, and its allied sciences, by the diffusion of the literature of these subjects. The society effects its object by the translation of recent works and papers of merit; by the publication of valuable original works which would not otherwise be printed, from the slender chance of their meeting with a remunerative sale, and by the occasional republication or translation of such ancient or earlier modern works, as may be considered interesting or useful to the members of the Society.Heretofore persons in this country were admitted to membership on application to Mr. Redwood the general Secretary of the Society, at London. To facilitate communication between the Society and its American members, the undersigned has been appointedLocal Secretary, at Philadelphia, and to whom application should be made. The payment of five dollars U. S. Currency or its equivalent, annually, entitles each member to a copy of every work published by the Society for the period during which their membership continues. No member shall be entitled to the Society’s publications unless his annual subscription shall have been duly paid, and it is to be understood that the charges for duty and freight on the books arising from their shipment to this country are to be paid to the Secretary on delivery.The number of Works published will necessarily depend on the number of annual subscribers; hence it is of great importance to the individual interest of the members that their aggregate number should be large. The Society now issue two or three volumes yearly. The books are handsomely printed on a uniform plan, for members only, their publication being conducted by the Council who are elected annually by Ballot from among the members; every member having a vote.Members by subscribing for all or any of the past years, may get the works issued during those years except the first volume, published by the Society in 1848, entitled “Chemical reports and Memoirs by Thomas Graham, F. R. S.” which is now out of print. The other volume of that year which is the 1st volume of Gmelin’s Handbook of Chemistry, can be obtained by paying half the subscription.The subscribers for 1849 are entitled to the 2d and 3d volumes of Gmelin’s Chemistry—and the Life of Cavendish by Dr. George Wilson of Edinburgh. The subscribers for 1850 receive the 4th and 5th volumes of Gmelin’s work, and those of the Current year will receive the 1st volume of Lehmann’s Physiological Chemistry translated by Dr. Day, and the 6th volume of Gmelin.As the sole object of the Cavendish Society is the encouragement of an important branch of scientific literature, all who feel interested in Chemistry should assist in that object by subscribing, or using their influence with others to extend the list of members, which now amounts to more than 850. All those who may desire to become members, to examine the works already issued, or to gain further information regarding the Society, are requested to apply to the undersigned.WILLIAM PROCTER,JR.166 South 9th Street, Philadelphia.October, 1851.
CAVENDISH SOCIETY, LONDON.—PRESIDENT—Prof. Thomas Graham.
VICEPRESIDENTS—Dr. Faraday, Prof. Brande, Sir Robert Kane, Arthur Aiken, and others.
COUNCIL—Jabob Bell, Dr. Pereira, Dr. Golding Bird, Robert Warrington, Alfred S. Taylor, and others.
TREASURER—Dr. Henry Beaumont Leeson.
SECRETARY—Theophilus Redwood.
The Cavendish Society was instituted for the promotion of Chemistry, and its allied sciences, by the diffusion of the literature of these subjects. The society effects its object by the translation of recent works and papers of merit; by the publication of valuable original works which would not otherwise be printed, from the slender chance of their meeting with a remunerative sale, and by the occasional republication or translation of such ancient or earlier modern works, as may be considered interesting or useful to the members of the Society.
Heretofore persons in this country were admitted to membership on application to Mr. Redwood the general Secretary of the Society, at London. To facilitate communication between the Society and its American members, the undersigned has been appointedLocal Secretary, at Philadelphia, and to whom application should be made. The payment of five dollars U. S. Currency or its equivalent, annually, entitles each member to a copy of every work published by the Society for the period during which their membership continues. No member shall be entitled to the Society’s publications unless his annual subscription shall have been duly paid, and it is to be understood that the charges for duty and freight on the books arising from their shipment to this country are to be paid to the Secretary on delivery.
The number of Works published will necessarily depend on the number of annual subscribers; hence it is of great importance to the individual interest of the members that their aggregate number should be large. The Society now issue two or three volumes yearly. The books are handsomely printed on a uniform plan, for members only, their publication being conducted by the Council who are elected annually by Ballot from among the members; every member having a vote.
Members by subscribing for all or any of the past years, may get the works issued during those years except the first volume, published by the Society in 1848, entitled “Chemical reports and Memoirs by Thomas Graham, F. R. S.” which is now out of print. The other volume of that year which is the 1st volume of Gmelin’s Handbook of Chemistry, can be obtained by paying half the subscription.
The subscribers for 1849 are entitled to the 2d and 3d volumes of Gmelin’s Chemistry—and the Life of Cavendish by Dr. George Wilson of Edinburgh. The subscribers for 1850 receive the 4th and 5th volumes of Gmelin’s work, and those of the Current year will receive the 1st volume of Lehmann’s Physiological Chemistry translated by Dr. Day, and the 6th volume of Gmelin.
As the sole object of the Cavendish Society is the encouragement of an important branch of scientific literature, all who feel interested in Chemistry should assist in that object by subscribing, or using their influence with others to extend the list of members, which now amounts to more than 850. All those who may desire to become members, to examine the works already issued, or to gain further information regarding the Society, are requested to apply to the undersigned.WILLIAM PROCTER,JR.166 South 9th Street, Philadelphia.October, 1851.
As the sole object of the Cavendish Society is the encouragement of an important branch of scientific literature, all who feel interested in Chemistry should assist in that object by subscribing, or using their influence with others to extend the list of members, which now amounts to more than 850. All those who may desire to become members, to examine the works already issued, or to gain further information regarding the Society, are requested to apply to the undersigned.
WILLIAM PROCTER,JR.
166 South 9th Street, Philadelphia.October, 1851.