American Journal of Pharmacy (Volume 25)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1858 Excerpt: ... Being the principal Druggist in this part of Vermont, and feeling a lively interest in all matters pertaining to the profession of pharmacy, I take this opportunity to present a few remarks in connection with the subjects under inquiry. 1st. You ask whether any State or municipal laws exist regulating the sale of poisons V I answer that no law exists in the State of Vermont, either regulating or restricting the sale of poisons. Indeeed, the terms sale of poisons, selling poisons, &c, do not exist in the compiled statutes of Vermont. 2d. M If not, does any voluntary conservative action have place among druggists and apothecaries, and if so, how far V The legitimate drug establishments of the State are few; the proprietors of those few establishments, however, sell no poisons without properly marking them as such. Indeed, I am credibly informed, no article leaves their shops without its appropriate mark or label. Of my own mode of dispensing poisons, &c, I will speak hereafter. 3d. To what extent do grocers and general shopkeepers retail arsenic and other poisons used for destroying animal life V In most of the larger towns of this State general shopkeepers are found who dabble in drugs and medicines, and in the small towns you find little stores, in which drugs, &c, are mixed up with all sorts of merchandize. At all of these shops you can buy arsenic, opium, and at many of them strychnia can be obtained. Poisons are not marked at all by these general dealers, and it is really surprising that so few accidents occur from such gross carelessness. Having thus briefly answered your questions, permit me to present my own method of dispensing poisons and medicines generally. 1st. In dispensing poisons, I have made it an invariable regulation, to enclose the arti...