In the second twenty-four hours the same conditions are evident. In the following table are given the detailed results with a tincture of nux vomica of U. S. P. strength (0.3 gramme of total alkaloids in 100 Cc of tincture) from which the oil has been extracted. 13.332 grammes of the powdered drug, the amount used in making 100 Cc. of the U. S. P. tincture, contained .750 gramme of oil, or 5.62 per cent.

TINCTURE OF NUX VOMICA (FREE FROM FAT).

In the foregoing, it is seen that no growth of the radicle occurred in the solution containing 4 Cc. of the tincture, and that between 4 Cc. and Cc. there was a gradual increase in length according as the strength of tincture in the solution was decreased.

In the following experiments are given the results at the end of the second twenty-four hours:

TINCTURE OF NUX VOMICA (FREE FROM FAT).

The seedlings in the solutions containg 4 Cc., 1⁄2 Cc. and 1 Cc. of the tincture show a slight increase in growth during the second twenty-four hours, while those in solutions containing 2 Cc. and 21⁄2 Cc. show no further growth.

The following table gives the results with a tincture of nux vomica United States Pharmacopoeia strength (0.3 gramme of total alkaloids in 100 Cc. of tincture) from which the fat has not been extracted:

Comparing the above results with those of tincture of nux vomica free from fat, it will be seen that there is a slight increase in the growth.

The following table gives the results with tincture of nux vomica (fat) at the end of the second twenty-four hours:

In these experiments we still notice an increase in the growth of the radicle over that of the tincture of nux vomica free from fat.

CONCLUSION.

At the present time, when the assaying of drugs is of so much importance to the physician and also to the pharmacist, it is needless to say that any methods which will enable us to arrive at results which can be used directly or calculated so as indirectly to be of value to the profession are of considerable importance. The question arises, how can the figures obtained be translated so as to be of practical value. From the results obtained we may say generally that the rate of growth of the radicles in the solutions containing toxic principles is inversely proportional to the toxicity of the solution.

The results of the foregoing experiments tend to show that there is a definite solution of alcohol or nux vomica alkaloids that is toxic, and that in solutions containing different amounts of alcohol or nux vomica alkaloids, there is a definite measure of growth depending upon the quantity contained therein. Inasmuch as this is to be taken as a measure of the amount of alcohol or alkaloids affecting the plants experimented upon, it

is seen that we have here a direct means of measuring the quantity of alcohol or alkaloids in the respective solutions.

MR. WHELPLEY: Speaking more directly to the paper by Mr. Kraemer, I would like to say that the advances made in vegetable physiology and pathology during the closing years of the present century are likely to be noted in times to come as prominent in the strides of this period, and it is fortunate that pharmacy is likely to profit by these investigations. But, as has been pointed out, the investigations are in an experimental stage, and we must not, in our eagerness to find improvements, jump to conclusions. It should, however, cause us to appreciate more fully than we ever have before the sensitiveness of the protoplasm found in the vegetable world, and its ability to respond to stimuli which do not affect the animal protoplasm. This should make us feel more akin to the vegetable world than we are inclined to accept. After all, there is not so much difference between the human being and the cabbage-head. [Laughter.]

The subject of so called physiological assays of drugs was still further discussed by Messrs. Lyons, Hallberg, Houghton, Bartley and Kebler, the final result of which was rather unfavorable, inasmuch as it was pointed out that the requirements for uniform condition, food, environment, etc., in the case of animals to be experimented upon could scarcely be obtained in human beings, and hence the absence of positive data for guidance in the treatment of the sick. It was admitted that in some cases, as in aconite, physiological tests might prove equal, if not superior, to chemical tests, but that as a whole physiological testing of drugs must prove rather speculative in character.

On motion of Mr. Dohme, the Section then adjourned, to meet at 8 o'clock p. m.

SECOND SESSION-WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 9, 1900.

The Section was called to order at 8:15 p. m. by Chairman Ryan. On motion of Mr. Kebler, the reading of the minutes of the previous session was dispensed with.

THE CHAIRMAN: The order of business now is the election of officers of the Section for the ensuing year. Mr. Oldberg is in nomination for Chairman and Mr. Kebler for Secretary. Are there any other nominations? If not, the nominations will be closed.

No other nominations being proposed, on motion of Mr. Hallberg, it was ordered that the Secretary of the Section cast the vote of the Section for Mr. Oscar Oldberg for Chairman.

Mr. Mayo, Secretary, announced that he had performed that duty.

Mr. Bartley moved that the Secretary also cast the vote of the Section for Mr. Lyman F. Kebler for Secretary of the Section for the coming year, and it was so ordered. Mr. Mayo stated that he had done so.

THE CHAIRMAN: The next order of business is the Reports of Committees. The Report of the Research Committee is in order.

Mr. Lyons presented the report as follows:

REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF RESEARCH.

To the Section on Scientific Papers of the American Pharmaceutical Association :
In lieu of the usual report, the Chairman of the Committee on Research offers this
year only a few suggestions regarding the possibilities of usefulness in the future of this
Committee.

The object that was sought in the original appointment of the Committee was to secure concerted action on the part of those desiring to advance the interests of pharmacy by research work. The Committee, under the able leadership of Dr. Prescott, has already accomplished most valuable results in giving direction to effort, by keeping prominently in view a single important object, viz., the standardization of crude drugs and galenical preparations.

It has facilitated greatly the work of future investigators by its exhaustive collation of the bibliography of the more important drugs which admit of standardization, and it has made accessible to those who have applied in person the fund of information contained in the Lloyd Library.

The burden of planning and carrying on this work has necessarily fallen upon the members of the Committee in unequal degree, and it is easy to understand that for men already bearing heavy loads of individual labor and responsibility, imperative in their demands, it has seemed impossible to carry this added burden. Certainly, to do full justice to such work, and so to give to the Committee the efficiency which its importance demands, calls for more leisure than any active member of our Association can command.

The question has been raised whether under these conditions it would not be better that the Committee be discontinued. Such a course was discussed a year ago, but it seemed better to continue it pending further consideration of its possibilities, even under existing limitations, for usefulness. It was suggested, especially, that an effort be made to secure through this Committee somehow a co-operation of the professions of medicine and pharmacy. There has not been since our last meeting, however, any meeting of the American Medical Association, and so this matter is held in abeyance. That this new link between the two professions may be formed in the near future may be reasonably hoped, if such a step is considered by our Association a desirable one. Certainly we shall be more likely to receive such co-operative action if we can so formulate a plan for the work of this Committee that it shall appear at once to any association of medical men to be exactly what the medical profession wants.

To give a Committee like ours the standing that it ought to have, it should be able to point to the laboratory facilities for the carrying out of details of investigation. We ought to have our own laboratory, under the direction of a competent man, who should be able to give his whole time to it. I am not sure that this is not within the reach of attainment, but it is certainly as yet only a possibility.

We have not a laboratory of our own, but we have laboratories. It should appear that our Committee does, in fact, command the laboratory facilities of all the schools of pharmacy in the United States. That such is the fact will be shown from year to year by the report of the Committee, which will include an account of all the research work in its immediate line in each of these laboratories.

Now, the medical schools of our country have also laboratory facilities which ought surely to be even better equipped than those of the pharmacy schools. Let the work of these laboratories be also reported year by year by a committee of medical men appointed for that purpose, and the reports of each committee made accessible to pharmacologists in both professions, and a great step in advance will have been secured. The definite objects sought by our committee must be explicitly stated. It might be