The Equinox (Volume I, Number VI)

THE EQUINOX CHRONICLES OF PHARMACY. ByA. 0011011/?ס`גMacmillan & Co. 2 vols. ZU". The title of this work justifies itself as the reader reaches the end of the second volume, To the pharmacist it is an extremely useful book, and in a great many instances furnishes information of an interesting character, which the busy man would have difficulty in finding in pharmaceutical history. To the student of the occult it ought to appeal strongly, as the author gives a long list of drugs used in religious ceremonies in difierent ages, and although the present century is so much in advance, we find that the incenses and sweet odours used in ceremonial magic to-day are the same as those used in Egypt, in the worship of Isis, and in the services held in the Temple of Solomon. Mention is also made ofthe preparations made by the ancient alchemists which were thought to have magic power. Short biographical sketches ofsome of the old masters of pharmacy appear, but after Liebig we have no special mention of the pharmacists of the last century. A interesting chapter on Poisons in History, introducing the stories of poisoners and the drugs employed, furnishes material for the budding novelist, to whom in fact the whole of this excellent work may be recommended. To the occult reader the concluding chapter on names and symbols would be of con— siderable service, and might be useful for reference, The book, which is published in two volumes, is profusely illustrated, and well printed and bound. Had the author not been known as the popular editor of a pharmaceutical newspaper and an authority on all matters connecting with pharmacy, “The Chronicles” would have proved an excellent monument to his memory; unfortunately Mr Wootton died before his book left the publisher’s hands. Ε, WHINERAY, Μ.Ρ.5᾿ 17o