Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-10
Secretary NageI Greets 500
Delegates to Convention. j
TO FIX DRUG STANDARDS
Unusual Interest in This Years Re.
vision of Pharmacopeia.
In the Absence Of President Wood,
Vice President Wall Calls
Gathering to Order.

to the United States Pharmacopeiai
convention which assembled at the New
willard Hotel for the revision and fur
Their Standardization Of the United States
Pharmacopeia. Secretary Nagel OF the
Department OF Commerce and Labor to-
day told them they were voluntarily
doing a work which would make govern
ment regulation OF their business un-
necessary and sharply condemned what
he termed the opposition Of the large
interests" to the efforts of the govern
ment to regulate commerce and estab-
fish standards Of honesty and istr deal
ing.
If the time and talent and money
which were spent in attempting to
block legislation which was inevitable
had been expended in cooperating to
that end" declared the secretary. how
much sooner would the results have
been accomplished and how much
greater would have been the dement's to
Iall."
Delegates from thirty -one states pre-
scented their credentials today. They
represent medical colleges, pharmacal
colleges. medical societies, pharmaceu-
teal societies and like associations all
over the country. The convention meets
every ten years and revises the phar
macopoeia, prescribes standards, deter
mines the OFFICIAL designations OF drugs
and maximum and minimum doses.
This is the first meeting of the conven-
ton since the passage of the pure food
and drugs act and. in consequence. v of
very great interest. The act states that
pure food and drugs must conform to
certain standards. The United States
pharmacopeial convention sets these
standards.
Some of the Recommendations.
1t is understood that there is to be con-
siderable contention over certain stand
ards, over the recommendations OF the
committee on revision and over proposed
changes in the constitution and bylaws
of the convention. The committee on re-
vision of the pharmacopeia heretofore has
consisted Of twenty-five members. One
proposition that will be advanced Is 10
increase the number Of members to nifty
and TO allow the entire committee to Sc
lect a working subcommittee Of fifteen,
whose duty il will be to get to work ana
get the revised pharmacopeia out as soon
as possible 1t is pointed out that the
last revised pharmaccpeia was not issued
until five years after the last convention:
1t is expected that this propositlon VIII
bring about a contest
The report Of the revision committee
recommends that fewer compound for
mulas be admitted to the Pharmacopoeda.
adds to the lists of standards some drugs
which hitherto have been unnoticed Of
ficialiy, and also recommends that only
drugs which are in general use ana the
superiority and medical value OF which
are definitely known shall be admitted to
the book. Patents or trademarks Will
not exclude preparations which are other
wise eligible, but great care will be exer-
cised in the admission of proprietary sub
stances.
Called to Order.
The meeting this morning was called
to order by DIR. Otto A. Wall OF ST.
Louis, the ranking vice president OF
the convention, in the absence OF the
president, Dr. Horatio c. Wood OF Phil
adelphia, who is too ill to attend the
convention. The presidents address,
which is DR.. Woods farewell to the
men with whom he has worked Tor
years, was read by DR.. Wall. DR..
Wood said in part:
"From a sick-bed the president Of the
United States Pharmacopoeial conven-
ton of 1890 and OF 1900 sends saluta-
ton to the men OF the convention OF
1910. with brief account OF his stew
ardship during the last decade.
1T is a striking example OF the pay
ment' which in this mad country OF
America eminence requires or the men
IL,
of trustees-seven in number. appointed
in the act of Incorporation the eleventh
day of July, 19O0-three are permanent
ly invaded and four are dead. None
retaries chosen for their youthful activ-
ity of the five officers elected by the
convention in 1900. the first vice presi-
dent and the treasurer are dead and the
president is as he is.
Care Is Urged.
sI have thought in looking over the
propositions for changes in the constitu-
ton and bylaws. recommended to you
by the board of trustees. that II the
original board elected by the convention
were still alive some of these recon-
mendations might not have been made;
and I beg OF you. when ii comes to the
final decision, that you think carefully
over the matter. and if any doubt arises
cleave to that which is old rather than
that which is new and experimental. The
experience of busy life has taught me
the wisdom of the old adage, 1t is better
to let well-enough alone.
Senior Calvo, minister to the United
States from Costa Rica. told the CONVEX
tion how tae United States Pharmaco-
poeia had been translated into Spanish
and had become the accepted book OF
standards in the Latin-American repub-
lies.
Reports Are Made.
Reports were made by DIR. Henry M.
Whilpley. secretary Of the convention: by
Dr. Joseph P. Remington. chairman OF
the committee on revision of the Pharma-
copoeia. The chairman OF the board OF
trustees also made a report.
The delegates selected the nominating
committee whose duty it will be to nomi-
nate officers OF the next convention and
the next committee on revision of the
Pharmacopoeia. This committee will meet
at the New Willard Hotel tonight.
The convention took q recess at 4
n until when eynocfed ha