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Emblem chosen by the Parisian apothecaries, the symbol of the Palm tree, the Snake and Rocks reminds that the pharmaceutical skills concern three reigns of the nature from which arise the constituents of medicines. The hypothesis according to which Nicolas Houel was at the origin of this emblem when he was at the head of the Parisian community in 1556 is advanced, whereas an extension of its symbolic reach is looked for. The analysis of the symbolic senses associated with the snake, with the palm tree and with the rocks directs to a religious interpretation of the symbol in a Christian prospect.

After a visit to the Senate, I was informed that, apparently, the backs of some of the chairs were decorated with a medical caduceus with a most political connotation! After a thorough inquiry with the guardian of this honourable establishment, it proved that this caduceus was the symbol of prudence and truth with the symbol of justice and peace. Yet my guide, a senator by profession was sincere. But this old Latin saying could certainly serve hime as an excuse: Errare humanum est.

Apothecaries of Voltaire's family can be divided into two groups. Marceton Family: Claude Marceton, Hierosme and Pierre Testefolle, from Thouars. Arouet family: Jehan Arouet, Pierre Rochard and Jean Gougeard. Five of those apothecaries beand arms.

Description and reproduction of an extremely rare faience Creil-et-Montereau invalid feeding cup, made between 1849 and 1867, with a yellow ground and decorated with subjects symbolic of freemasonry.

A token from the Municipal Series in Paris (Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale, Cabinet des Médailles) discovered by C. Aurensan bears on the obverse the arms of Paris and on the reverse the symbol of the three kingdoms in nature with its legend. This reverse is identical to those tokens made for Parisian apothecaries in 1628, 1629 and 1632. Unfortunately the date which it bears is poorly engraved and one cannot determine whether it reads 1619 or 1629. Several arguments militate in favor of 1619.