The Canadian Druggist E-Book

Various

• Herausgeber: Science & Technology Publishing
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 105

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

The Canadian Druggist Vol. 1, No. 2; August, 1889 is a fascinating historical periodical that offers a unique glimpse into the world of pharmacy and druggists in late 19th-century Canada. Published in August 1889, this issue serves as both a professional journal and a trade magazine, catering to the needs and interests of Canadian pharmacists, chemists, and those involved in the pharmaceutical industry. The volume is rich with articles, editorials, and practical advice, covering a wide range of topics relevant to the profession at the time. Readers will find detailed discussions on pharmaceutical practices, new drug discoveries, and the latest advancements in medical science. The issue includes reports on regulatory changes, updates from pharmaceutical associations, and news from across Canada and abroad. There are also sections dedicated to the business side of pharmacy, such as advice on store management, marketing, and customer relations, reflecting the dual role of the druggist as both a healthcare provider and a businessperson. In addition to professional content, The Canadian Druggist features advertisements for pharmaceutical products, equipment, and supplies, providing insight into the commercial landscape of the era. Letters to the editor and opinion pieces reveal the concerns, debates, and aspirations of the pharmacy community, while practical recipes and formulas offer hands-on guidance for compounding medicines. This volume is not only a valuable resource for historians and researchers interested in the history of medicine and pharmacy, but also a captivating read for anyone curious about the daily life, challenges, and innovations of Canadian druggists in the late 1800s. With its blend of scientific knowledge, professional advice, and period charm, The Canadian Druggist Vol. 1, No. 2; August, 1889 stands as a testament to the evolving field of pharmacy and the dedicated individuals who shaped its development.

Leseprobe

Vol. I.TORONTO and STRATHROY, AUGUST, 1889.No. 2.

THE CANADIAN DRUGGIST, 5 Jordan Street, Toronto, Ont. And Strathroy, Ont. WILLIAM J. DYAS, Editor and Publisher.Subscription, $1 per Year, in Advance. Advertising Rates on Application.

The Canadian Druggist is issued on the 15th of each month, and all matter for insertion should reach us by the 5th of the month.

All cheques or drafts, and matter intended for the editor, to be addressed to Box 438, Strathroy, Ont.

New advertisements or changes to be addressed

CANADIAN DRUGGIST, 5 JORDAN STREET, TORONTO.

FIRST RESULTS.

In our first issue we spoke confidently of the future prospects of this journal, as to its filling a want in Pharmaceutical journalism in Canada, of a certain recognition by druggists as THE organ of the profession and of encouraging words from Pharmaceutical friends. We are glad to say that we have not been mistaken in our expectations. From the Provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba and British Columbia we have already received congratulatory letters as well as subscriptions, one and all virtually agreeing in the verdict, “Just what we needed.” Appended are extracts from a few of the letters received:

“Allow me to congratulate you on its make up, which I consider good.”

“Congratulate you on your first number and do not doubt your success.”

“Very complete and well calculated to find favour with every Canadian chemist.”

“Congratulate you on the make up and contents of the Canadian Druggist, and wish you success in your enterprise.”

“Was pleased with the first issue of your journal and found a number of items that would be of interest and use to the druggists of this Province; trust that you may have the success that your enterprise most assuredly entitles you to.”

“Find the Canadian Druggist the most interesting paper for druggists in the Dominion. I wish you success.”

One of our advertisers says that within two weeks after the publication of the first number, he had business enquiries from two druggists in Prince Edward Island and one in British Columbia, the extreme easterly and westerly Provinces of our Dominion, mentioning the advertisement which appeared in the Canadian Druggist leading to the transaction of business with them.

INSURANCE OF DRUG STOCKS.

By mutual consent of all fire insurance companies (and when will they not agree to increase their own profits by raising rates), the rate on ordinary drug stock is higher than ordinary merchandise rates, claiming the greater risk on the former class. That this is not the case is shown time and again from statistics which clearly prove that although drug stock may and does include goods which are of a particularly inflammable nature, yet the precautions taken, the description of containers in which these goods are kept and the usually small proportion of them in a retail store has reduced the number of fires originating in such premises to a very small percentage of the total fire losses.

In Philadelphia a “Druggists’ Mutual Fire Insurance Company” has been formed, and has issued a large number of policies. Would it not be well for the druggists of Canada to consider the question either of concerted action on their part to compel the insurance companies to give us more reasonable rates, or failing in this to establish a company on somewhat the same lines as the Philadelphia company? We append some extracts from the Druggists’ Circular, showing the feeling which exists in the United States in this matter:

At the annual meeting of the Ohio Pharmaceutical Association, held in 1888, a committee was appointed to investigate the subject of mutual fire insurance. This committee has recently made public the results of its work from which it appears that the druggists of that State pay pretty dearly for their insurance. It is estimated by the committee, from all that they can learn, that druggists by protecting themselves on the mutual plan can save from one-half to three-quarters of the money now expended for premiums.

There has long been an exceedingly strong suspicion in the minds of druggists everywhere that the rates usually charged them for insurance against fire were extravagant. When protesting against these charges they have been confronted with pictures of the terribly dangerous character of their stocks—how their stores were magazines of highly inflammable substances, which by the breaking of a bottle, might in a moment be involved in destruction.

To show that a pharmacy is in fact a rather safe place, so far as fire is concerned, we may quote from the report above referred to that in Cleveland the loss to retail druggists from that cause during a period of eighteen years amounted to only $5,500; and in Cincinnati the loss in eight years was but $3,000.

PHARMACISTS’ AIDS.

There can be no doubt of the fact, that two of the most rapidly increasing demands upon the ability of the pharmacist of to-day, are analytical chemistry and microscopy. The former includes that class of demands that so frequently apply to the druggist for analysis of some special compound or even more often for an analysis of urine. These are not limited to the “ignorant (?) laity,” but are decidedly common requests from physicians themselves. It has only been a few years since these subjects became so important in the diagnosis of disease, and therefore only the decidedly studious or recent graduate appreciates or investigates the utility of their possibilities. Referring especially to the matter of urine analysis, for every druggist should be posted on analytical chemistry, we know that very few of our best pharmacists have made any special study of this specialty and the following is an ordinary result. The doctor, often for lack of time, quite as often for lack of information, applies to the pharmacist for an analysis of urine—presuming, the pharmacist cannot do it, naturally enough the doctor goes elsewhere, but does he ever return for any more such work? Does he ever refer anyone else to that store for it? No—all references in this line are to that pharmacist who is capable thereof. How many prescriptions, how much trade is thereby lost, transferred? Just because the first pharmacist could not do a little chemical analysis that would not have required more than twenty minutes of his time, for which, also, he would be paid. On the other hand, presuming, he says, “Yes, I will analyse it for you,” the doctor not only has reason to go there again for such work, not only refers other doctors, as also his patients, there, but trade, prescriptions, etc., are necessarily increased.

We know a pharmacist who, as a result of this one department of analytical chemistry, took in two hundred dollars for the work itself in one year, to say nothing of the increase of trade thus induced. In other words, we believe that a pharmacist should not only be a druggist, but a chemist. He need not delve in the minute depths of the subject, but there are many of its minor branches like the one referred to—that require but little study or time, that not only add to his business, but give a scientific touch to his reputation that the public decidedly admire. As regards the microscope in pharmacy, the many and increasing articles in our different journals commending its value and use are but growing proofs of the fact that the pharmacist of the future will and must be a microscopist.

Here we have another of the many minor studies, that are not only easily learned but quite as easily applied.

The value of a microscope is illustrated readily by the fact that while every crystal, root, rhizome, leaf, powder, starch, etc., have distinctive and individual peculiarities, yet very few of these are distinguishable by the naked eye, while all are easily resolved and can be identified by aid of a microscope and a little experience. When we think of the fact that England, France, Germany and other foreign countries make a business of manufacturing especial “adulterants for the American trade” we can comprehend the necessity of individual analysis. Of course the microscope can only apply to a part of these things, and many pharmacists have but few occasions to use its powers. Nevertheless if one possesses the knowledge to detect anise in conium, or vice versa, starch, sugar, etc., in quinine and antipyrine or powdered ipeac, to say nothing of coffee, pepper and many more drugs that are so commonly adulterated, he could save the price of his instrument in a comparatively short time, and while enjoying the pleasure of this delightful and instructive work would also know that he is conscientious in supplying pure articles to his customers.

It is encouraging to know that microscopy has been gaining in importance in many of our pharmacy schools. Usually starting with small proportions and inefficient supplies—it, as a study, gradually works its way and proves its utility until to-day a number of the leading colleges require the work as one of the necessities for graduation. In many medical schools of the United States and Europe not only is microscopy applied temporarily but much stress is being laid on photomicrography, by which means its valuable investigations are easily preserved. It is evident that microscopy is one of the pharmaceutical advancements of the day. It has rapidly pressed its needs upon the scientific part of the profession. It is growing in demand. It is a comparatively new field and presents grand opportunities for observation, investigation and original work.

As the time must surely come when a part of the pharmacist’s armament will be a microscope and microscopy, we wish to direct attention to the subject in the belief that those who would be progressive may be led to investigate its value.—[N. E. Druggist.

CUTTING PRICES.

In connection with this subject of cutting, the following interview of an Era reporter with Mr. Alexander Hudnut, the proprietor of the great cut rate store of Hegeman & Co., New York, will be read with interest. Mr. Hudnut said:—

The rebate plan, or any other system of artificial bolstering, is as futile as it would be to try and dam Niagara. Legislation on the subject is unnecessary and superfluous. The matter carries its own death warrant with it.

Some six years ago the drug trade got together and formed a most beautiful plan for maintaining prices. Where is that beautiful plan now? The rebate system is probably its legitimate offspring. Come to me some years hence and I expect to be able to point to a string of lineal descendants of the rebate plan, each of them as helpless to perform what is expected as the other. The world ought to be wise enough by this time to recognize the fixity of the laws which govern commerce.

I regard the principle of cutting as a settled policy in the drug business, and I shall pursue that steadily. Hegemann & Co. have done a business of about $325,000 annually. I expect to increase it to half a million dollars. In London the immense stores of the Army & Navy, and of the Civil Service have worked a revolution in the drug trade, by buying at first hands in immense quantities, and selling on close margin. They have even cut the rates on prescription business. The result has been that the chemists, as they call them there, have been compelled to come down in their prices, and a process of elimination has steadily gone on—the weak have had to go to the wall. The result is the “survival of the fittest.” These conditions apply to New York, and I venture to say that there are not over ten drug stores in the city of New York that are making their owners more than a living. With the rest it is simply a process of more or less rapid rusting out.

An absence of cut prices, and general prosperity marks the retail drug trade of Cleveland. The Cleveland Pharmaceutical Association is clannish and its dues are so moderate that almost the entire trade is within the Association. This gives rise to a brotherly feeling which makes doing business a pleasure; and prevents cuts and insures prosperity. The drug trade in many cities suffers from wholesale slashing of prices from the lack of such an Association as exists in Cleveland. The Association is thoroughly organized, and the two wholesale houses in Cleveland do everything in their power to help the retail trade along, and decline to sell at retail in

OPIUM.