ERRONEOUS PRESCRIPTIONS. BY LOUIS SCHULZE. "To err is human," is a trite but nevertheless truthful adage, and when referred to the writing of prescriptions by physicians, they being human, the only thing remarkable about it is, not the many but the few errors made by that profession under the perplexing circumstances in which they are so frequently placed whilst writing them. Our object, however, is not to discuss how to prevent errors being made by the medical fraternity, but how they can best be rectified by the pharmacist when made and brought to him for compounding, hence we state our method of procedure in a few cases brought to our attention : I. R. Tinct. Belladon. Rad. Sig. 2 drops as directed. 3 iv. There being no official tincture of belladonna root, the question that arose was whether the prescriber was in error as to what part of the plant was used in preparing this tincture, or, as was suggested by our clerk, whether perhaps tincture of aconite root might not be intended, hence in this case we thought best to consult the prescriber and discovered that official tincture of belladonna was wanted. II. R. Morphin. Sulph..... .... Misce et sig. Tablespoonful every hour tatil relieved. 3 li 3 vi. This prescription was readily corrected by us, as being familiar with the physician's style of prescribing, we knew at once that two fluidrachms of Magendie's Solution was wanted instead of two drams of morphine sulphate. III. R. Gran. Strychnin. Sulph. ana...... Sig. One 3 times a day. .gr. 13 Being unable to communicate with the prescriber, grain granules were dispensed, which a few days later we learned to have been the author's intention. This is merely a matter of transposition, as can readily be seen; the intention of the physician was to have written for three fluidrachms of tincture of chloride of iron and sodium chlorate forty grains. Feeling a doubt as to whether the physician really wanted plain Spirit of Ammonia, he was consulted, when it developed that he intended to prescribe Aromatic Spt. of Ammonia. The ambiguity of this prescription could only be removed by consulting its author, who explained that half an ounce of ointment was wanted, and advised the entire omission of the petrolatum. VII. R. Strychnin. Sulph. Elix. Ferri, Quin. et Strychnin. Phos... Sig. Teaspoonful every 3 hours. 3 iv. In this case it was discovered that Elixir. of Iron, Quinine and Strychnine Phosphate was intended, and no doubt the first line was inadvertently written. In conclusion, we would say that these were culled from 3500 prescriptions, making only a small percentage. Unless the intention of the prescriber is very evident, it has always been our custom to interview him; and in only one instance within our recollection of twenty years' experience, was there any but the most courteous treatment received. ANSWER TO QUERY 9: UNDER WHAT RESTRICTIONS SHOULD PHARMACISTS BE PERMITTED TO SELL LIQUORS? BY G. G. C. SIMMS, WASHINGTON, D. C. The following brief reply would seem to answer the question sufficiently, although the conditions may not be applicable in all the States. Pharmacists should be permitted to sell liquors under the same restrictions governing the sale of ordinary poisons. Liquors should be sold by the pharmacist for medicinal purposes only, and to a limited extent, say in not larger quantity than one pint. They should be sold to only sober and respectable persons. The sale should not be repeated to the same person on the same day, unless the quantity sold is less than one pint. The sales should be recorded in a book kept for that purpose. The pharmacist should be held responsible for the abuse of the privilege of selling liquors. They should not be sold to minors. THE CHAIRMAN: The next order of business is the installation of officers, but I hardly see how that can be done in this case, as the present officers-Chairman and Secretarysucceed themselves. I had hoped that these duties would devolve upon new persons, but since you have conferred this honor upon us again we shall try to do our best. We will have a longer time before the next meeting, and I hope we shall be able to make it profitable. I shall certainly do everything in my power to make the work of value to the American Pharmaceutical Association. [Applause.] THE SECRETARY: Last year at Put-in-Bay there was quite a discussion when a young man was named for my place, but I hope that I have conducted my duties as Secretary of your Section in a proper and satisfactory manner, and I think this is evidenced in the honor you have done me in a re-election. I desire to thank you, and to say that I hope the experience I have had with the various State Boards will enable me to still better perform my duties for the next year. [Applause.] THE CHAIRMAN: Is there any new business? If not, the reading of the minutes is in order. Mr. Alpers moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes, and it was so ordered. On motion of Mr. Stewart, the Section then adjourned. After adjournment the Chairman notified the General Secretary that Messrs. Beal, Weidemann and Hay had been selected by himself and the Secretary as associate members of the Committee on Pharmaceutical Education and Legislation. ENTERTAINMENTS AT THE FORTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING. For the second time in the history of the Association it met in the historic city of Richmond, Va., to show its appreciation of the kind invitations extended by the Virginia Fharmaceutical Association during the past three years. Unfortunately, the early time set for the meeting, made necessary by the Pharmacopoeial Convention held at Washington, D. C., prevented as large an attendance of members as is customary. Those who did attend the meeting, however, greatly enjoyed the warm hospitality extended by the Virginia pharmacists and their ladies. A more delightful place than the Jefferson Hotel for holding the meetings could not have been selected, and did much toward securing prompt and liberal attendance at the various sessions. On Monday evening, May 7th, a reception was tendered the visitors in the spacious hotel parlors, which was attended by the Governor of the State, and a number of prominent citizens and their ladies. Refreshments were served, and the evening entertainment concluded with a dance much enjoyed by the younger people. The carriage drive on Tuesday gave all an opportunity of seeing some of the noteworthy buildings of Richmond, among which must be mentioned the old historic State Capitol, the new City Hall, the Confederate Museum, which during the Civil War was the official residence of Jefferson Davis, the residence of Gen. Lee's family, the Marshall dwelling, the Monumental Church, the old St. John's Church, in which Patrick Henry delivered his famous speech, and others. Among the monuments worthy of special mention are those erected to the memory of Washington, Lee and Jackson, the latter presented by an English admirer of the intrepid "Stonewall." The drive having been extended into Hollywood Cemetery, revealed the last resting-1 laces of Presidents Madison, Monroe and Tyler, Commodore Maury, Generals Stuart and Pegram, Jefferson Davis and others, besides the gigantic rustic monument erected to the memory of the Confederate dead by the ladies of Virginia. The arrangements of the drive were excellent, each carriage being permitted to take an independent route, as its occupants might desire. At night a performance was given in the concert hall of the hotel, under the direction of Mr. Polk Miller, at which many of the northern members had an opportunity of witnessing for the first tice a genuine southern darkey cake-walk performed by local semi-professionals. On Wednesday, about noon, a large party visited the extensive tobacco works of R. H. Patterson & Bro. to witness the manufacture of smoking and chewing tobacco on a large scale. This visit was most interesting, as it gave an opportnnity of seeing one of the leading industries of the city in all its details, from the stripping of the leaf to the packing of the manufactured products. Governor Tyler having generously extended an invitation to the visitors to attend a reception at the gubernatorial mansion in the evening, a large number of ladies and gentlemen responded and were most pleasantly entertained by the Governor and Mrs. Tyler, and Col. Carrington and others of the Governor's staff. Thursday having been set aside for a trip to Old Point Comfort, some of the early risers took a train for Williamsburg, where an opportunity was afforded of inspecting the numerous relics of Colonial Government to be found there, and later joined the special train carrying the remainder of the party, which had left Richmond shortly before 9 o'clock. Upon reaching Newport News a visit was paid to the mammoth shipyards, where a number of vessels were in course of construction, among which the battleships Kentucky and Illinois received special attention. Fortress Monroe was also visited by some of the party, and after a substantial dinner at the fine Hotel Chamberlain the return trip was made, the train being unfortunately delayed on the road for some time by a freight wreck. Mr. Polk Miller gave another very unique entertainment on Thursday evening, consisting of ante-war stories related by himself, and aided by numerous songs and dances given by a band of negro laborers from a tobacco factory. What Polk Miller does not know about the true Southern negro is not worth knowing, was the verdict of all who were present that evening. A trolley ride through the principal streets of Richmond on Friday afternoon gave an opportunity of visiting certain parts of the city not passed on the carriage drive of Tuesday. At night Prof. Wm. Simon, of Baltimore, entertained a large audience by an interesting lecture on "Wireless Telegraphy," in which he demonstrated by experiments the various. methods now followed for transmitting and receiving messages by simply flashing the electric waves through air. To many these experiments were a complete revelation, and every one seemed greatly pleased with what was said and done. During the whole week it was evident that the Association had visited a city where the motto is "warm-hearted hospitality to all strangers." The members returning to their homes have carried with them enlarged ideas of Southern generosity, and will ever gratefully remember the Local Secretary and his efficient and courteous Committee of Arrangements. Special thanks are due to Messrs. W. H. Scott, John B. Purcell, R. H. M. Harrison, T. Roberts Paker, Edgar D. Taylor, R. Lee Powers, Alex. G. Briggs, Polk Miller, and the ladies' committee, headed by Mrs. Jeffress. C. C., JF. |