Columbia University College of Pharmacy - Apothekan Yearbook (New York, NY)

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you allow at least a tull blank page in your notes for the material you missed during this interval. But then again, those lectures really weren ' t so bad; for even if Dr. DiSom- ma did proceed rather hurriedly, he com- pensated for this with the clarity and lucidity of his delivery. Several quite impor- tant organic laboratory procedures were developed by the precocious Class o ' 50. For example, it was proven conclusively that if 5 grams of material was the quantity specified by Feiser to produce a satisfactory yield, and the student quite accidentally weighed out 50 grams, a yield would be obtained which, if mixed with equal quanti- ties of the pure product being prepared, would be sufficient to give a 75 per cent yield. (The technical data explaining this theory may be obtained by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to H. Rosenblum Laboratories on Second Avenue and Second Street, New York City.) As a result of sterling performances in organic chemistry, seven students went to do work on the Uptown Campus during the ensueing spring and summer months. Mister Phaimacy The accuracy, precision, and meticu- lousness which were indicative of your laboratory work was first developed in the inorganic analytical chemistry courses. Here it was that you rapturously calibrated your first set of weights — a genuine, standard- ized, registered $5.00 set of weights, which was sold to the Class ol ' 50 at the special price of $13.00 per box — this amazing feat perpetrated by Little Nick ' s boss. Can you ever forget how helpful Professor Samuel Liberman was touring the lab, ever alert to aid a faltering analyst with the refrain: you ' re wasting your time. In the rat-race which was officially designated Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory, it became apparent that all this talk about preconceived results and calculated answers was erroneous. For in that lab it was shown beyond a shadow of a doubt, that careful work, astuteness, and general application were the determining factors in passing the unknowns. As final evidence of this, Donald Kornreich received A on his phosphate as Seymour Blaug, and all he stood for, bit the dust with an F. A refreshing introduction to college chemistry was offered the neophyte Class of ' 50 by Doctor Bailey. In all memory- searching, it is difficult to find something caustic to say about her. So why comment beyond the point of expressing sound grate- fulness. Quief Students!

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A Dash oi Spirits . . . just as abruptly you shuddered, took hold of the arms of the chair and appeared stunned. The faces you remembered weren ' t human ones, but rather a conglomeration of horrible, immobile features. The faces were accompanied by similarly fantastic garb, some appearing to be clothed entirely in navy blue, with others completely in khaki. Their skulls were invariably covered with a device resembling a Mexican tortilla and in general they presented a terrifying appearance. The fright that had momen- tarily seized you passed with the realiza- tion that those terrors were merely a group of faculty members gone berserk at the antics of the irresponsible lower classmen. The irrepressable Class of ' 50 remained the bulwark of the College. It comforted the ill faculty members and exercised a firm, restraining hand on the raucous elements in the school. Now your recollections shift to more academic subjects. You used to work so meticulously in the Pharmaceutical Chemis- try lab. You would carefully plan each day ' s work in advance. Your apparatus was a shining example of chemical cleanliness. You conducted control experiments at all times and went to extraordinary lengths to insure the accuracy of your measurements — both volumentric and gravimetric. It was no wonder, then, that you were constantly amazed and crestfallen when you received grades of 2 , 3 , or even 0.5 in your experiments. Could it be possible that the passing student didn ' t spill enough of your sample? But what added most to your be- wilderment was the fact that William Griset and Fhi ' ip Keusch, those paragons of chemi- cal virtuss, would consistantlv receive the highest marks for their work. You were cer- tain that they didn ' t adhere strictly to the Jenkins and DuMez code. Another puzzling factor was introduced when you learned that Griset had taken special instructions under that noted chemist, Dr. George Gal- lup. You remember somewhat with pleas- ure the lectures of Professor Taub and his crystal-clear explanation of Beer ' s Law which was all suds to you now. Another delightful memory was thoughts of dear old Herbert Lieberman. He was Assistant in Pharma-chem. Since Kerb was affiliated with the indomitable Class of ' 50, every one assumed that he would extend to that august group every courtesy, and would generally be lenient. Actually, although it is not commonly known, he was just that. It seems Lieberman had planned on assign- ing 22 homework sheets that year, but upon learning that it was his class, he magnan- imously reduced that number to eleven inconsequential exercises. Ah, the memories are coming rapidly now (as did the elevator when you were attempting to use it clandestinely) and a particularly bright one finds you leisurely taking notes during Doctor Di Somma ' s lecture. Your pencil snaps and you reach for another in your breastpocket. Naturally, Wh vr Triaie you AcciAe on pk --macy school, ijounq may ' .

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Sam ' s Boy. All these fond memories of chemistry study fall pleasantly on the receptive cen- ters of your brain. But shortly, other thoughts begin recrystallizing to replace them. What then would be more natural to think of after chemistry than another exact and rigorous science encountered in Columbia ' s hallowed confines — pharmacy, of course. Whatever may be said in criticism of Pharmacy, the integrity, preciseness, and technical achievement of the students in the dis- pensing laboratory can never be questioned. Guided lovingly by the gentle hand of Professor Heimerzheim, the charitable Class ol ' 50 was introduced to pharmacy in the raw. Standing there in front of the class, the pedagogue presented an inspiring picture of a man, Grecian in stature, noble of mind and true in heart. Never was it he to ques- tion a fellow human ' s honesty. However, he felt it only his duty to examine all para- phernalia brought by the students into an examination, just to remove temptation from their path. Such suspect items as Kleenex and kilabendals were thoroughly inspected by him. The students, of course, appreciated this interest and their one goal was the attain- ment of the teacher ' s ideal. Especially in laboratory were these ambitions manifested. Each man attacked his work with sincerity and apptitude, never stooping to the low practice of double-quantity manufacturing, rumored to be extant at that time. In all his labors, Professor Heimerzheim had at his side Joseph Kanig, B.S. in Pharmacy and The Spirit ol Modern Pharmacy. a renown label collector in his own right. An astute judge of criminal psychology, it was said in reverent tones, that this same Joseph Kanig once single-handedly cap- tured and brought to justice that most in- famous of public enemies, the desperado that q.s ' d in the bottle. You recalled that it was in this laboratory also that Maurice Solomon perfected the now widely used tecn- nique of decanting the supernatant liquid. This method has been found particularly useful in compounding the prescriptions tested that same morning by Dr. Brown. From here it is only a jump to thoughts of pleasant moments in Mr. Hoffman ' s Jun- ior Pharmacy lectures. For a reason unfath- omable to you, several students persisted in calling this gentleman Mr. Katz. Fortunately he took no notice of these confused individ- uals. Following the exchange of pleasantries with Mr. Hoflman, the Class of ' 50 encount- ered Joseph Kanig again in Junior Dispens- ing. Now an M.S. in Pharmacy and a distinguished purveyor of fine enteric coat- ings; we find that all the virtues of the man we had known as sophomores had not been affected a whit during his phenominal rise in the faculty. As particularly fas- cinating during this semester, remember your introduction to the authentic, prac- tical dispensing exams. These were note- worthy, not only because of the sensible choice of common prescriptions compound- ed every day in drug store practice, but