nated as such,—in this differing entirely from the so-called mineral acids, and upon this difference depends most of its uses in medicine. For example, acetate of potassium is commonly used to render the secretions and excretions alkaline when such condition is desirable. This it could not do if it was a fixed salt, and sulphate of potassium does not do this. But the acetate is split and its base becomes available as an alkali, and is eliminated in the excretions in new combinations, while the acetic acid is lost as such. The sulphate, on the other hand, is in large proportion, at least, eliminated as such, the base not being available for alkaline action and for new combinations. Hence it may be fair to say that this acid is digestible, and is digested as an aliment, or as an adjunct to aliments. This is also true of citric, tartaric, malic, and to some extent oxalic acids.

Therapeutically, it is a refreshing stimulant, refrigerant, diuretic and diaphoretic, and its elements are useful if not beneficial in the economy. The older usage of acidulous drinks in fevers has in modern practice been replaced by ice and ice water, but it is doubtful whether the two might not be combined with advantage, and if so, this would probably be the best acid to use, having some chemical and physical advantages over citric acid for such purposes, though the two are very nearly alike in their agreeable taste and in acceptability to the stomach, while both are digested.

Nearly or quite absolute Acetic Acid,

At or below 15° C. (59° F.) a crystalline solid; at higher temperatures a colorless liquid. When liquefied and as near as possible to 15° C. (59° F.) it has the sp. gr. 1.056-1.058. Its properties are similar to those of Acetic Acid, and it is similarly affected by reagents.

To neutralize 3 Gm. Glacial Acetic Acid should require not less than 49.5 C.c. of the volumetric solution of soda (corresponding to at least 99 p. c. of absolute Acetic Acid).

This is a new substance to the Pharmacopoeia, and one that was needed, for although not used as such in the materia medica, its uses in pharmacy will be developed by its presence here. The definition and tests are good and sufficient, and when these come to be applied almost all the acids of the market sold under this name will be rejected. The s. g. given is from 0001 to 0002 too high.

It is never found absolute, and perhaps rarely above 99 p. c., because when made absolute it attracts moisture from the air so rapidly that in the necessary handling and putting up it is liable to fall off two or three-tenths of a per cent. Therefore it is very properly limited to be not less than 99 p. c., and this strength is obtained with comparative ease, and can always be found in the market at a very moderate price proportioned to strength and purity. Formerly the best acid was imported from Germany, standing about 97 to 98 p. c., and costing $1.00 to $1.25 per pound. This answered the principal test of the German Pharmacopoeia, namely, that it would dissolve Oil of Lemon. But some of the acid made here now considerably exceeds the requirements of the German test, and is sold at about 60 to 65 cents. This acid stands the permanganate test better than the weaker acids, because in concentrating it by any good process it becomes nearly chemically pure. It should therefore stand all the tests of the Pharmacopoeia given under the head of the 36 p. c. acid, when most rigorously applied, and should stand the modification of the permanganate test for more than an hour. If a very fastidiously fine and pure 36 p. c. acid be required for any purpose, 1 lb. of this acid diluted with 14 lbs. of distilled water, will give 24 lbs. of the 36 p. c. acid for about 24 cents per pound, and the resulting acid will be both better and cheaper than the English Beaufoy's Acetic Acid, which is still occasionally imported.

The ordinary so-called "Glacial Acetic Acid" of the markets is not glacial at all, nor anywhere near it, and is always disappointing when applied to any uses where real Glacial Acid is required. But it has been so long on the lists as glacial, and so much of it has been sold under this false name, that it has made for itself uses to which it may be applicable. As frequently examined by the writer during some years past, it is found to vary between 75 and 80 p. c., but is very rarely found above 76 or 77 p. c., and is generally of poor quality, and quoted at a disproportionately high price. It should not be called Glacial Acid of course, and should not be bought under this fiction. It is really "Concentrated Acetic Acid," and should be so called, but now it is a fraudulent deception, quite inexcusable in respectable dealers. An acid of good quality and with a uniform strength of 80 p. c. is easily to be had in the market under the proper name of "Concentrated Acetic Acid," for about 30 cents per pound, but of course there is but little sale for it in the presence of the so-called Glacial Acid at a higher price, although this latter acid is inferior in both quality and strength.

THE DISCUSSION ON MEDICAL ETHICS.

This discussion, so important to the general interests of the medical profession at large, has become so warm in this State that it may be useful to try to temper it a little by giving emphasis by repetition to some of the more dispassionate views of those who look upon us from without, and see us perhaps more nearly as we should see ourselves.

The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal of February 15th has an able leading editorial article, which, though widely known through the large circulation of that journal, will certainly do the more good the oftener it is repeated within reasonable limits. The Massachusetts State Medical Society had two able delegates present at the late meeting of the N. Y. State Society, and if they performed the duty of carrying home what they saw and heard, this editorial may possibly have been one of the results, as before that time the journal had been silent on the subject. The editorial is as follows:

THE MEETING OF THE NEW YORK STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY AND ITS

CODE OF ETHICS.

The New York State Medical Society, at its recent meeting, confirmed its action of last year with regard to the rejection of the Code of Ethics of the American Medical Association, and by a decisive vote refused to change the Provisional Code which it then adopted; a code which, under the name of the New York Code, has been generally discussed by the medical press, and almost without exception adversely. It will be remembered that it copies very closely the former Code, except that it encourages freedom in consultations, and makes up for it by being very stringent with

regard to advertising, which seems like excusing sins we are inclined to by condemning those we have no mind to. This Code is called a provisional code, because its chief advocates, those who exerted themselves so actively in having it adopted by the Society, have now openly abandoned it, and have introduced an amendment, to be acted upon at the next meeting of the Society, abolishing this Code and substituting simply the formula that the only offences for which a member can be disciplined shall be comprised under the heading of "conduct unbecoming a physician and a gentleman." Inasmuch as the law does not require a physician to be a gentleman, and since the abolition of the National Code of Ethics was chiefly urged because it established a standard above that of the law, and was therefore illegal, we do not see how the authors of this simplified Code can consistently support even this; it would seem that there can be no safe ground for them to occupy short of the abolition of all codes, in cases of disagreement invoking the protection of the courts. To this at last must all medical societies come, which, abandoning their own legitimate field, the cultivation of medical science, and the promoting of mutual acquaintance and good-fellowship in the profession,-assume to legislate for the government of physicians, and to adopt political methods in their management.

It is apparently an unfortunate circumstance for the New York Society that its annual meetings have been held in Albany at the time when the Legislature is in session; the air being full of politics, the miasm has apparently infected the Society, and its recent sessions show it to be deteriorating from a medical society proper into a medico-political society, imbued with an ambition of becoming the medical Legislature for the Empire State. It is not without significance in this connection that a committee was appointed to secure a room in the new Capitol for the future meetings of the Society.

The fact that the majority of the medical profession in the State of New York and more than two-thirds of the county societies have expressed their disapproval of its action upon the Code of 1882, without influencing the action of the State Society this year, appears to demonstrate that this Society has ceased to be a representative body, and now asserts its right to act as a legal board of control by authority vested in it by its charter from the State. Those most active in the movement which has crippled the usefulness and threatens the existence of the Association are almost entirely from the eastern part of the State, and the county society most distinguished in its advocacy of the measures adopted was the Society of the city of New York, although it is true that a petition signed by some of the oldest and most prominent members of the Society was presented in opposition to its action. It is greatly to be regretted, for the sake of harmony and good feeling and the best interests of the Society, that the temperate and conciliatory course advocated in this

petition was not followed. It recommended rescinding the obnoxious amendment which deprived the Society of its representation in the American Medical Association, and urged the sending of delegates to the next meeting of the Association instructed to ask for such modifications of the Code of 1847 as would meet the views of the medical profession generally. But this suggestion was treated with open disrespect by the new Code advocates.

There is one fallacy that should be pointed out which underlies the entire discussion: it is that the law makes the physician, and that the physician is an officer of the law. If this is granted, then the closer our State societies can nestle under the wings of our State Legislatures the better, for only in this way is to be obtained the necessary power to govern such a large body of sanitary police as we find in the American medical profession. But this cannot be

granted, because it is not true. A physician in this country is a private citizen; he is recognized by the law, and responsible to it like other citizens, but he is not made a physician by legal enactment, nor is he a State officer, and if he is wise he does not wish special legislation, for experience has shown that whenever the profession has tinkered with the law it has been made to suffer for it in the end. The lesson also is so obvious that he who runs may read, that the more our societies confine themselves to their proper field, -the joint cultivation of medical science and good fellowship, and the less they meddle with medical politics, the better it will be for their own future and the common good of the profession. Although the question will be again brought up next year in the action upon the several amendments that have been referred, it is hoped that a better sentiment will prevail, and that some course may be determined upon that will harmonize the views of the members, and that will commend itself to the judgment of all. If there is any delegate who persistently interrupts the scientific labors of the Society by engendering disputes and ill feeling and efforts to divide the Society into factions he should be summarily dealt with; if necessary, expelled for being guilty of "conduct unbecoming a physician and a gentleman."

The late meeting of the New York Society shows the effects of these disputes, it being confessedly unusually devoid of medical or scientific interest. The papers themselves represented almost exclusively the specialists of New York, who seem to have had control of the meeting in all its aspects; they were not attentively listened to, and discussion was conspicuous by its absence. The net result is to impress the mind with a sense of the predominance of the commercial over the professional or scientific elements of the practice and pursuit of medicine.

A fairer or more temperate view of the case, or better indications for its consideration and management could hardly be found, but unfortunately in the heat and enthusiasm of controversy there is