SECTION OF MATERIA MEDICA 77 



cal importaDce attached to its beueficial results applicable to mankind, 

 it has lagged far behind its sister sciences, physiology and pathology. 

 However, within the last few years it has received a new inii)etus. 

 Some of our transatlantic colleagues are devoting themselves assidu- 

 ously to the study of drugs and their actions. The discovery of the 

 anaesthetic proi)erties of cocainum chloridum is a more recent example 

 of their success. In connection with this department it is of the highest 

 importance that such researches should be carried on. The medical 

 profession of this country would watch our operations with great ap- 

 proval and profound interest, and the raison d^etre of this section of the 

 United States National Museum would be proportionally increased. I 

 would therefore respectfully and earnestly urge the necessity of provid- 

 ing the means for investigating this valuable stock of material now 

 contained in the collection. 



