218 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [July 



possible for every druggist to determine whether or not 

 he is dispensinsj unadulterated remedies. To detect 

 adulterations should be regarded as a part of his duty. 



The plea has been advanced that only a few can become 

 sufficiently expert to do such work and that most men 

 lack the required time. Now no advanced treatise upon 

 pharmacognosy is necessary for the prosecution of this 

 study. A pharmacist of average ability can in a com- 

 paratively short time become sufficiently familiar with 

 vegetable histology and microscopical methods to do 

 such work thoroughly. The one who advances such a 

 plea as lack of time and of opportunity has surely no 

 moral right to dispense medicines. 



The more expert work must be left to investigators of 

 high scientific training, and to those who possess the 

 most desirable apparatus. But what is required for the 

 work here proposed is only ordinary intelligence and 

 average training, combined with application and a desire 

 to be a credit to the profession. After a few months of 

 self instruction, aided by the necessary apparatus and a 

 reliable guide to vegetable histology and micro-chemistry 

 any one can acquire a fair degree of proficiency. 



The following suggestions as to equipment, methods 

 and re-agents are especially intended for the benefit of 

 those pharmacists who know practically nothing about 

 micro-pharmacognosy. 



Keep constantly in mind not to purchase a single piece 

 of apparatus until it is actually needed. Only such appa- 

 ratus and accessories as are required by the beginner in 

 the study of powdered drugs, will be recommended 

 herein. In getting an instrument the novice had best 

 take the advice of some impartial and experienced micros- 

 copist. 



In this country, the Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., of 

 Rochester, N. Y., and Zeutmeyer, of Philadelphia, Pa., 

 are the leading manufacturers of microscopes and micro- 



