EXAMINATION QUESTIONS.

Outline of Massachusetts Examination Requirements.-Applicants for registered pharmacist certificates should have at least four years of practical experience in a retail drug store, under the supervision of a registered pharmacist.

One-half of actual time of attendance at any reputable college of pharmacy or employment in a dispensary or pharmaceutical manufacturing laboratory, will be accredited on the above required experience.

The applicant must be at least twenty-one years of age, and have a general knowledge equal to the knowledge required for the first year in a high school. This is necessary in order to answer questions intelligently.

Applicants for assistant pharmacist certificates should have at least three years of practical experience in a retail drug store, and be at least nineteen years of age.

The board has granted assistant certificates to applicants for registration in pharmacy who have failed to attain the required seventy-five per cent general average, but who have acquired a general average of fifty per cent, and not less than sixty per cent in dispensing.

The board, being instituted to safeguard the people of this commonwealth against incompetent and unsafe pharmacists, has tried to conduct the examinations in such a manner that they may test the candidate's knowledge rather than his memory. Unsafe persons are not only the ignorant, but also those who have acquired a superficial knowledge by quiz compends or attendance at incompetent schools, without receiving instruction in practical application.

The examination consists in answering written questions pertaining to pharmacy, pharmaceutical chemistry and materia medica.

Pharmacy covers the subjects of: pharmaceutical arithmetic; pharmaceutical Latin; manufacturing pharmacy; dispensing pharmacy; theory and practice of pharmacy; pharmaceutical jurisprudence.

Typical Questions-Subject of Pharmacy.

1. Glycerite of the phosphates of iron, quinine and strychnine contains 0.8 gm. of strychnine in 1,000 c. c. How much strychnine is there in a teaspoonful of this preparation?

2. Having bought five gallons of witch hazel, which upon examination shows to contain 13 per cent alcohol by volume, how much alcohol 95 per cent would you add to bring it up to U. S. P. standard of 15 per cent?

3. Write out in full the Latin and give the meaning in English of the following abbreviations used in prescriptions: (a) Ejusd; (b) Ft. cataplasm; (c) Non rep.; (d) Pulv. subt.; (e) Agit.

4.

What three causes may make liquor plumbi subacetatis below strength?

5. In making aromatic spirit of ammonia, why is it necessary to use translucent crystals of carbonate of ammonia?

6. What should be the rate of flow of the percolate indicated in drops per minute when the U. S. P. directs "allow the percolation to proceed slowly"?

7. Why is it necessary to dispense nitrate of silver and permanganate of potassium in distilled water?

8. Define or describe what you understand by the following pharmaceutical terms: (a) Granulation; (b) Torrefaction; (c) Calcination; (d) Maceration; (e) Dialysis.

9. What chemicals increase the solubility of phosphate of soda in water?

10. What is the law regarding the labelling of non-official preparations sold in drug stores not on a physician's prescription? Pharmaceutical chemistry covers the subjects of: elementary physics; general and elementary chemistry; inorganic and organic pharmaceutical chemistry; quantitative and qualitative analysis; pharmaceutical assaying.

Typical Questions-Subject of Chemistry.

1. Give an outline description of the different appliances used in pharmacy to produce and modify heat.

2. Explain the theory of freezing mixtures, and give an example.

3. Name the metals of the alkaline earths, and give some of their common characteristics.

4. What is the chemical difference as to the valence of iron in the ferrous and ferric salts?

5. Explain the reaction, and show either by equation or detailed description how the solution of zinc chloride is prepared from granulated zinc.

6. What is acetone chemically, and what are its uses in pharmacy?

7. What are volumetric solutions described in the U. S. P., and how are they made?

8. How would you distinguish gallic acid from tannic acid by a chemical test?

9. Name six drugs which the U. S. P. directs to be assayed to determine their alkaloidal strength.

10. What is Mayer's reagent? Is it necessary to remove all alcohol, ether and chloroform before applying this test? If so, explain the reason for it.

Materia medica covers the subjects of: physiology; botany; pharmacognosy; pharmaco and therapy dynamics; toxicology and posology.

Typical Questions-Subject of Materia Medica,

1. What is physiology, and why should a pharmacist have some knowledge of the same?

2. Describe the structure of a flower.

3. Name three different kinds of roots, and give example and description of each.

4. Describe eucalyptus. Give botanical name, habitat, parts used and active constituents.

5. Name four adulterants commonly found in gum asafoetida. 6. What other drugs have practically the same physiological effect as stramonium, and what are the symptoms in case of poisoning by them?

7. What are enzymes? From what is pepsin obtained?

8. Name four active cathartic drugs, and state to what they owe their cathartic properties.

9.

What alkaloids are found in nux vomica?

10. State how you would treat a case of poisoning by morphine (antidote; how much to administer, etc.).

The candidate must thoroughly have studied the United States Pharmcopoeia, National Formulary and such text-books as will enable him to understand the meaning of words and terms contained therein; also the theory, definitions, fundamental principles and chemical and physical laws which govern the preparations he, as a pharmacist, may be called upon to dispense.

The applicant must be able to read and translate physicians' prescriptions, to point out incompatibilities, to correct errors in doses and describe methods in compounding, to know the sources of drugs, their

Latin and English names, habitat, classification, medicinal preparations, antidotes and emergency treatment in cases of poisoning.

The applicants for assistant pharmacist certificates do not need to take the written examination unless they so desire.

The practical and oral examinations demonstrate the candidates' ability to apply their knowledge, and is conducted in the following manner:

Five prescriptions, taken from the files of drug stores in the state, which require different methods of preparing, are submitted to the candidate. Constant watch is kept on the candidates as to weighing, measuring, methods of procedure in compounding, neatness, etc.

Typical Prescriptions to be Compounded.

In conducting the oral examination on the United States Pharmacopoeia and National Formulary, the board allows the candidates free access to these books. The questions are intended to bring out the candidate's knowledge of the meaning of the words used in the description of drugs; as, for example, the words "dextrogyrate" and "ketone" under camphor, "strobiles" under hops, "mericarp" under fennel, etc.; also, to call attention to the U. S. P. processes, the candidate being asked to explain reasons why certain precautions are given.

Typical Questions.

Solution of Chloride of Iron.

What is formed when hydrochloric acid is poured upon the iron wire?

Why is an extra quantity of hydrochloric acid added, and also nitric acid?

Pasti Zinci Mollis.

1

Lime Water.....

3 ii

What is the cause of the black color mentioned? What objection would there be to allowing this to remain when you used the solution to make the tincture? Yellow Mercurous Iodide.

M make ointment.

Emulsum Petrolei.

R Petrolatum Album (U. S. P.)

5.

Expressed Oil of Almond.

25.

Acacia.........

Tragacanth

5.

2.5

Syrup (U. S. P.)...

10.

Tincture of Lemon Peel.

Water, a sufficient quantity....

.100.

Another portion of the oral examination covers the subject of materia medica. One or more drugs are taken up for description, habitat, part of plant used, active constituents, medicinal preparations, action, uses and doses. The candidates are requested to give an outline of the emergency' treatment in cases of poisoning, including a detailed description of what antidotes to use and how they should be administered. Typical Questions.

Rhubarb.

How does it appear in commerce?
Where does it grow?

What part of the plant is used?
What are the active constituents?
Name the U. S. P. preparations.
What are its medicinal properties?

Give the doses of the drug and its preparations.
Opium.

What would you do if you were called upon to give an antidote in a case of poisoning by this drug?

Why is coffee useful as an antidote?

How much potassium permanganate would you give as an antidote in case of poisoning by morphine? How often would you give it.

The Names of New Colors.

"Angelique," is a pale apple green.
"Beige," really a beige drab.
"Caster," a dark beige

M. Ft. supposit. No. vi pro recto. Sig.-Camphor suppositories.

R Hydrarg. Chlor. Cor..

Collodii

M Sig. Apply as directed with brush.

"Castile," a bright buff yellow. "Coquelicot," is a bright brick red.

"Floxine," a brilliant light crimson. "Geranium," a pale geranium red. "Mascot," a medium moss green. "Murier," an indefinite moss green. "Paradis," a bird of paradise yellow. "Bivoine," a deep metallic scarlet. "Vareche," a dark moss green.

Sig.-External use.

-[Canadian Druggist.

MISSOURI ITEMS.

Prescription Writing Physicians are plentiful at Sikeston and also at Charleston, Mo. Nine out of ten in each place make a practice of prescribing.

Cannot Enter the Drug Business for Two Years. -Such are the conditions in which a Columbus, Mo., druggist finds himself after violating the Local Option Law.

The Members of the Missouri Board are:

W. M. Mittelbach, Boonville, president; H. W. Servant, Sedalia, vice-president; Charles E. Zinn, Ninth and Central Streets, Kansas City, secretary; Charles Gietner, St. Louis, and W. L. Turner Springfield.

Prosecutions under the new pharmacy law which went into effect, August 16, 1909, are being instituted by the new board of pharmacy and we will be able to report results of the first suits in an early issue of the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST.

Two Dogs Have Been Officially Appointed game wardens in Missouri. They are serviceable in locating game birds which are being shipped under misleading labels. It is claimed that 7,000 quails have been discovered during the past year by means of bird dogs.

Have All Missouri Pharmacists Registered?-The date for registration has expired and those who do not re-register must now take an examination or register on a diploma, if they have one, from a recognized college. The board is proceeding with the prosecution of violators of the law. According to records, Missouri has about 5,000 pharmacists who should register.

The Traveling Men Will be at Maryville in full force. Local Secretary Ed. G. Orear, who is in charge of local arrangements for the meeting of the Mo. Ph. A. in his city, June 14-17, is the father of the Missouri Pharmaceutical Travelers' Association and he will see to it that the travelers attend the meeting in full force. The salesmen have become a very important factor in the meetings of various state associations and nowhere are they more appreciated than in Missouri.

Too Late for Missouri Pharmacists to Re-Register for One Dollar.-Pharmacists having charge of stores in Missouri who have failed to register by March 1, 1910, are liable to prosecution at any time. The board of pharmacy has secured one conviction and has several other cases in hand. The law gives the delinquents the privilege of paying $5.00 and reregistering; about a dozen have taken advantage of this loophole. The secretary is Charles E. Zinn, 300 West Ninth Street, Kansas City, Mo. It is best to communicate with him before he communicates with

you.

A Free Circulating Medical Library.—The University of Missouri Medical Library has been made a free circulating library, open to the physicians of the

state.

Any reputable physician of the state may borrow a book from the library for a period of two weeks with an extension of two weeks, the only expense to the borrower being the postage or express charges. A brief catalogue of the number of works in the medical library is soon to be published and will be mailed on application. For information regarding the library, address Mr. H. O. Severance, librarian, or Dr. Clarence M. Jackson, dean of the University of Missouri, Columbia.

Printed Examination Questions of the board of pharmacy were, for the first time in the history of the Missouri Board, used at the January 10 meeting at Jefferson City. The questions, which we publish in this issue of the MEYER BROTHERS DRUGGIST, were made out by President Wm. Mittelbach, of the board, and are the result of his first work in that direction. Mr. Mittelbach is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, a retail pharmacist with a generation of drug store experience and is exceptionally competent for board work. The candidates for examination found the printed questions much more convenient than the type-written ones formerly used by the board.

Has Missouri Less Than 4,000 Pharmacists?-Up to March 1, 1910, 3,957 pharmacists re-registered. This, they were privileged to do at $1.00 apiece. Since that date, a few have re-registered, paying the penalty of an additional $4.00 for re-registration. The old register contains over 16,000 names and dates back to the time when the law went into force in 1880. The board believes that Missouri has more than 4,000 persons practicing pharmacy who should be registered and the secretary is busy looking up cases of violation of the law and reports the successful prosecution of the first case brought into court. The board will not

depend upon prosecuting attorneys who are usually friends of the pharmacists to be prosecuted. The board announces that the law will be enforced without fear or favor.

Missouri Will Recognize other board of pharmacy certificates, but it will require time to work out the plan on which certificates will be interchanged between Missouri and a number of other states. Secretary Zinn, of the Missouri Board, is hard at work on this problem. In addition to those who have actual use for a Missouri certificate of registration, are a number of persons registered in neighboring states and a few in far distant states who are anxious to add a Missouri certificate to their collections of documents of this kind. It will in no way inconvenience them to wait until the board rules are ready. Registered pharmacists of other states who desire to locate in Missouri must, meantime, register on diplomas or by examination in accordance with the provision of the Missouri law.

The Man who is always afraid of doing more than he is paid to do seldom does as much as he is paid to do.

PURELY PERSONAL.

Azor Thurston, of Grand Rapids, O., remembered a number of his pharmaceutical friends with pictures which he took on the trip to the Pacific Coast. He is an enthusiastic photographer and a valued member of the A. Ph. A.

Dr. J. F. C. Maloney, of Shawnee Mission, Kan., was born in Maryland in 1830. He moved to Kansas in 1865. He was one of the first customers of what is now the Faxon & Gallagher Drug Co., placing his first order in July, 1878. He remains a staunch friend and constant customer of that firm. The doctor practices medicine as well as pharmacy.

R. L. Hope has just completed his twenty-fifth year in the retail drug business at Centralia, Mo. He began when he was twenty-one years of age. He is ex-president of the Mo. Ph. A. and one of the best pharmacists in the state.

Dr. J. A. Koch, dean of the Pittsburg College of Pharmacy, visited Columbus, O., during the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the U. S. P. C., January 28 and 29. He was present at the banquet which was tendered the board and during his stay in the city conferred with A. Ph. A. members and American Conference of Faculty workers about matters of mutual interest.

R. L. HOPE.

Adolph J. Fischer, Santa Fe, N. Mex., is one of those who has helped make pharmaceutical history in the Southwest. A fair sample of his clear cut method of attending to matters demanding his attention, is shown by the following response which he made to our request for a sketch of himself:

ADOLPH J. FISCHER.

Adolph J. Fischer, born January 22, 1867, in St. Louis, Mo.; roamed about the United States until 1974, when my sister and self were sent to Fort Wayne Ind., to our grandfather's. From there back to St. Louis in 1879, where we attended the Divoll Public School. Two years later, went to Salem, Mo., to attend Prof. Lynch's preparatory school. In 1883 came to Santa Fe, N. Mex., where I served my three years apprenticeship under my father, and later under C. M. Creamer, who bought out my father. In 1887 matriculated in the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, graduating with class of '88; came back to Santa Fe and clerked for C. M. Creamer for six months, then for A. C. Ireland for six years, when I resigned to take the assistant postmastership of this city. In 1896 bought out the remnant of the C. M. Creamer store. Incorporated in December, 1900, from which time dates the steady growth of the business until today

it is the largest drug business in Santa Fe., N. Mex. January 18, 1910, I bought out the other stockholder and now have the business to myself. Was first appointed a member of the Board of Pharmacy in 1896, and was re-appointed at the expiration of my term by each succeeding governor. Was made secretary-treasurer of the board in 1903 and have held the position continuously since. Will continue the corporation under the same firm name, with A. J. Fischer as president-treasurer; Willi Gable Fischer, secretary, and Thomas P. Gable as the third director. (This is what you might call a close corporation.)

As Miss Mary A. Fein, the Secretary-Treasurer Arkansas Association of Pharmacists, is publishing a series of write-ups of the president's of that association from the time it was first organized, which story has been running for several months in the Southern Pharmaceutical Journal, it has occurred to the writer that inas-much as she in her official capacity has contributed more to the success of that association than any of those of whom she writes, and that her modesty prohibits her from giving an account of herself, I beg the privilege of placing her statue in the Hall of Fame where it properly belongs.

MARY A. FEIN.

There is a peculiar coincidence about Miss Mary and the Arkansas Association which is known by but very few, the coincidence between her birth and the birth of this association, which only confirms my belief that they were made for each other and ought to continue to live with each other. Somehow Miss Mary came into the life of the association in such an easy, natural, matter-of-course sort of way, like two bodies between which there is a mutual attraction, that before either party was aware of it, a union had been formed as inviolable as the marriage relation. It was a clear case of love at first sight, a love that has grown in intensity as the years have gone by, and one I ween that only death can divorce.

It is my recollection that it began with a proposition from her in her early girlhood days (when still wearing knee dresses), to take short-hand notes of the proceedings of the association, without remuneration, to perfect herself in the art, which was gratefully accepted. This relation existed for some years until she was doing most of the work of the secretary, without the remuneration or the honor, at the same time spending her spare moments reading and studying the profession of pharmacy. Appreciating this, the association in 1905 promptly elected her to membership, and to the office of secretary. Up to this time, the only reward she received was the love of the members and some mere token of appreciation voluntarily contributed each year. In 1907 she was elected "secretary-treasurer." She has filled these offices so acceptably, that she has justly earned the reputation of being one of the best, if not the best secretary in all the country, and has given her association a higher standing in the pharmaceutical world than it ever occupied before.

Her bright smile, affable manners and zeal for the success of her pet, has won for her an influence with the members that contributes largely to her usefulness as an officer both at home and abroad.

The success of such an institution depends more upon its secretary than upon any other officer, and hence it is customary, when a competent one has been secured to retain such a person in office as long as they will consent to serve, and it certainly behooves the Arkansas Association to keep Miss Fein in that position until that time, "and so mote it be."-[W. W. KERR, Fullerton, Cal.