On the Nomenclalnre of the Nsw London Pharmacopccla. 39 



sounds determined by tbelr lengths (their lateral dimensions, 

 weights and tensions and the state of the air remaining the 

 same) and even to receive the most surd and incommen- 

 surate vibrations at the same instant (wliether in the same 

 or in different parts of the wood?) and which scarcely ever 

 coincide, as readily as those which are commensurate and 

 often coincide, as is exemplified in the striking of a single 

 note, a discordant or a tempered interval, or a perfect 

 concord, on a stringed instrument, as a piano-forte, harp, 

 &c. seems well worthy the consideration of those more 

 learned among your readers than myself; who am, 



Yours, &c. B. 



V. On the Nomenclature of the New London Pharmacopoeia. 



To Mr. TUloch. 

 Sir, J. ENTIRELY coincide with the observations of your 

 sensible correspondent, respcctino; the pedantic affectation of 

 the Nomenclature of the New Pharmacopoeia, as well as the 

 danger that must result fiom the use of appellations so 

 nearly resembling each other, both in writing and sound, 

 applied to substances so very different in their properties. 

 Within my own circumscribed ransje of observation, 1 am 

 acquainted with two instances where five grains oi corrosive 

 sublimate were actually taken instead of the same quantity 

 oi calomel, in consequence of the omission of, or inatten- 

 tion to, a. sub. The persons, being adults, recovered; but 

 to a child the consequences would probably have been fatal. 

 It is much to be wished that those to whom the care of the 

 public health is intrusted by charter, would be more careful 

 how they permit the frivolous pretension to iuology to in- 

 terfere with a cf)nscientious discharge of their impcrtant duty. 



The absurdity of a proposition may snmeliaits be il- 

 lustrated by transferring it to a science different from that in 

 which custom has in some measure estahhshed it. It will 

 not be denied that the theories of medicine, or the manner 

 of talking concernmg the causes of disease, are as frequently 

 changed as those of chemistry. Now, sir, suppose the 

 College of Physicians, by the authority vested in them, 

 were every ten years to change the names of the various 

 diseases to which our frail bodies are liable; that go?it, 

 for example, should be termed tenesmus, hi ca.use it prevents 

 its victinj from movine;, or any other equally absurd alter- 

 ation, every person nmsl be sensible what confusion would 

 be the result. 



I do not deny that the adoption of new appellations has 

 tended to the improvement of chemistry, because many per- 



