REPORT ON NATIONAL MUSEUM. 229 



ingested with a given quantity of water, and furnishing a quantitative 

 table, without the use of figures, for comparison. Bottles of the required 

 dimensions are in process of manufacture, and the necessary materials 

 are at hand, so that very soon some of the best-known waters may be 

 exhibited in this way. 



"Among the desirable acquisitions in the future, though perhaps 

 the most difficult to obtain, are the so-called 'active principles' upon 

 which the therai)eutical properties of vegetable drugs chiefly dt^pend. 

 Mauy of these are known only by name, except to the few chemists who 

 have isolated them, often at the expense of much labor and material. 

 Doubtless they may be added from time to time, when the Museum 

 shall become known as a suitable repository for such treasure. 



'' The history of medicine ought also to receive attention in this sec- 

 tion, and specimens should be sought of the remedies peculiar to the 

 practice of former times ; these to be presented with an account of their 

 supposed virtues and modes of use. 



" The medical practice of semi-civilized and savage races of men may 

 likewise be illustrated by a collection of the things used by them, in 

 whatever manner, in the treatment of disease. The fine display of Chi- 

 nese medicines, already referred to, is an important contribution in this 

 direction. Medical superstitions form another branch of the subject, of 

 great interest, and illustrative objects may be found, not only among 

 the unlearned and uncivilized, but also in the most highly civilized com- 

 munities, and in use by the most intelligent individuals. To bring to- 

 gether objects of the several classes just mentioned, and to collect the 

 information necessary to make them of value, will require much time, 

 and can only be accomplished by awakening the attention and interest 

 of many people, in widely separated districts, who may pick up articles 

 here and there and note isolated facts. In the classification adopted by 

 the Museum, medicine, surgery, pharmacology, and hygiene are classed 

 together. Into the section under consideration, therefore, will naturally 

 fall everything that relates to the treatment and prevention of disease. 

 The instruments used in medical examinations, such as the stetho- 

 scope, sphygmograph, and clinical thermometer; surgical instruments, 

 including dental instruments of all kinds, ancient and modern; the 

 appliances used in the treatment of fractures, dislocations, and deformi- 

 ties — all should be presented in this section, and a collection of such 

 instruments and appliances must prove extremely useful as a record of 

 the progress that has been made in the art of medicine and surgery, 

 and suggestive of improvements that may be hoped for in the future. 

 To obtain these objects will involve considerable expense on the part of 

 the Museum, or corresponding generosity on the part of manufacturers 

 and dealers, but they must certainly be classed under the head of de- 

 siderata. 



"The formation of a Museum of Hygiene, to be established in this city, 

 having been undertaken by the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery of the 



