director of the department wishes to thank the JOURNAL OP CHEMICAL EDUCATION and those who have contributed to it for the many interesting articles appearing on various types of instruction in chemistry. American College, MAURICE H. BIGELOW Salonica. Greece
PATENT MEDICINES DEARDR. GORDON: I n the August issue of the JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION, which just came to my desk today, is an article on "Patent Medicines," signed by Walter 0. Walker, William Jewel College, Liberty, Missouri. I am pleased to note that Dr. Walker has brought t o the attention of your readers again the abuses of the "patent medicine" business, and to note his recommendation that teachers of chemistry should inform themselves of facts in each particular case. I felt somewhat complimented that the general organization of the article, and the material presented and its sequence, bore a similarity to an illustrated talk which I have given occasionally on the subject of "Home Remedies-Claims vs. Composition." At the end of Dr. Walker's article, there is an acknowledgment to me for the initial material incorporated in this paper. In order that no misunderstanding may arise, I would like the readers of the JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION to be informed that I knew nothing of this article previous to its publication. As the article contains a number of quotation marks, it might appear that certain of the statements were based on information furnished by me. Some of these statements are more sweeping than I would make, and others contain inaccuracies. The purpose of this communication, therefore, is to disclaim responsibility. I dislike very much to have to be forced to send such a communication. Is there not a lesson to be learned, however? Would i t not have been better if either the Editor of the JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION or Dr. Walker had referred the paper to me before making acknowledgment in print? By so doing the necessity of a communication of this kind would have been obviated, and possible errors could have been pointed out. Yours sincerely, PAULNICHOLAS LEECH,Director, A. M. A. Chemical Laboratory
