Sessional_Paper_1904 — Page 580

471

—

CHINESE DRUGS.

12. With a view to ascertaining the usefulness of some native plague remedies, 30 Chinese drugs were sent to the laboratory for identification, and for accounts of their medicinal value.

EXAMINATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC.

13. A considerable number of articles of various kinds have been examined for the public. The list comprises ores, coal, liquor, milk, lime, cement, petroleum, oils, air, paint, earth, rocks, tin. opium, medicines, and water. For these examin- ations the public have paid $3,474.50 in fees.

SPECIAL REPORTS.

14. >pecial reports have been supplied on:-

Naphtha.

Medicated wines.

Spirit of wine.

Ginseng.

Petroleum.

Chinese plague remedies.

West River water.

Prepared Opium Ordinance.

Tin melting.

Silverfish Insect.

15. Value of the work done.-The value of the analyses performed as determined from the tariff of charges published in Government Notification No. 664, is $8,167.00.

16. Library. The following works have been ordered :---

Microscopical Examination of Food and Drugs-Greenish. Physiological Chemistry--Halliburton.

Painters' Colours, Oils, and Varnishes-Hurst.

Practical Sanitation - Reid.

In Pharm. Journ., July 11th, 1903, a paper has been published giving methods for the preservation of books in hot climates. Briefly, it may be stated that books require to be preserved from damp and insects.

To guard against damp, after a prolonged spell of moist weather, the covers should be wiped, and the books should be placed in the sun or before a fire for a few hours. The following varnish has been found to prevent effectually the ravages of insects :-

Dammar resin, Mastic,

Canada balsam,

Creosote,

Spirit of wine,

.2 oz.

2 02.

.1 oz.

. oz.

.20 fluid ounces.

Macerate with occasional shaking for a few days if wanted at once, but for a longer time when possible as a better varnish will result after a inaceration of several months.

Attention was also directed to the 'Silverfish' insect which is supposed to be destructive to books. It was found that a diet of either paper, wood, or cloth, was sufficient to keep these insects in good condition. Paper seemed to be the favourite food. The 'silverfish' seemed to prefer a vegetable diet and to have no liking for other insects that feed upon

books.

I have, &c.,

FRANK BROWNE, Ph. Ch., F.C.S.,

(Formerly a Demonstrator in the Laboratories of the Pharmaceutical Society),

Government Analyst.

The Hon. PRINCIPAL CIVIL MEDICAL OFFICER.