REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1914. 61 



products. In 1888, in view of the growth of the collection, the 

 variety in points of interest and importance of the individual speci- 

 mens, and the small amount of space available for exhibition, a 

 modification of this classification was introduced. Retaining its 

 general features, there was a subdivision into several series. The 

 first comprised the more important drugs in general use among 

 civilized people, known as " official " or " pharmacopoeal " drugs, 

 illustrated by colored plates, photographs, drawings, etc. The next 

 contained the indigenous drugs of the United States, not official, 

 and the third drugs from Mexico, Chile, India, Japan, Korea, China, 

 and other countries, arranged in separate geographical groups. 



The present classification was adopted in 1898, and resulted from 

 the closer association of the division with the ideas embodied in 

 the department of anthropology, in which the subject of medicine 

 had been incorporated under the reorganization then made. The 

 scope of the collection was greatly extended, so as to present as 

 far as possible by object lessons the history and progress of medi- 

 cine from the earliest times and among the various peoples of the 

 world, which meant the introduction of objects and of illustrations 

 of practices quite at variance with the views of modern civilization. 

 The classification is as follows : 



1. Magic medicine, including exorcism, invocations, incantations, 

 amulets, talismans, fetishes, charms, signatures, etc. 



2. Psychic medicine, including laying on of hands, royal touch, 

 music, metallotherapy, suggestion, hypnotism. Christian science, 

 faith cure, etc. 



3. Surgical medicine, including baths, massage, electricity, acu- 

 puncture, cautery, blood-letting, surgical operations and appliances. 



4. Pharmacological medicine, including American Indian medi- 

 cines, Egyptian medicines, Greek and Roman medicines, Chinese 

 medicines, Hindu medicines, medicinal medicines, and modern medi- 

 cines. 



The exhibition series of medicine occupies the north gallery of the 

 east wing, the area of which is, however, much too small even for 

 the amount of material now displayed, and there is a considerable 

 number of specimens and illustrations on hand which it is important 

 should be added. The cases are rather closely arranged in alcove 

 fashion, but notwithstanding their crowding the collection is well 

 installed, and every object is accompanied by a fully descriptive 

 label, besides which there are larger general labels for the cases and 

 sections. Most of the specimens are in sealed glass jars as a neces- 

 sary protection against deterioration, but some do not require this 

 expedient, and what might otherwise be regarded as a monotonous 

 exhibit is enlivened by special features and by illustrations which 

 are mostly colored. Pictures are, in fact, freely distributed through 



