CHAPTER V. 

 THE OFFICIAL MATERIA MEDICA. 



In this chapter only the drugs of the British Pharmacopoeia are con- 

 sidered. For the convenience of the student and for the purpose of ref- 

 erence, the drugs have been arranged in alphabetical order, save that the 

 preparations of any drug immediately follow it. As preparations of any 

 drug are considered such galenicals as bear the name of the drug as an im- 

 portant part of their title, (under this rule Pilula Saponis Composita is 

 classed as a preparation of Sapo.) or such galenicals as contain the drug 

 as their important constituent, (under this rule Pipula Saponis Composita 

 is classed also with Opium). That a galenical is considered as a prepara- 

 tion of a drug is indicated by its name being set further from the margin 

 (indented) than is the name of the drug under which it is classed as a pre- 

 paration. This rule is adhered to for galenicals but certain of the active 

 principles, such for example as Atropine, though classed with the prepara- 

 tions of Belladonna, are treated in all other respects as separate drugs. 

 There are also several galenicals especially among the Liquors, e.g. Liquor 

 Trinitrini, whose active principle is not official, and these will be found 

 classed according to their official name. The titles of galenicals are as a 

 rule placed immediately after the preparation from which they are pre- 

 pared and their title is again set further from the margin of the page. The 

 salts of any base appear under the general heading of the base as though 

 they were preparations of it. 



Further for the advantage of the student the drugs have been 

 divided into four classes, indicating their relative importance. The 

 names of drugs of the first class, those of pre-eminent importance, are 

 printed thus OPIUM: these drugs the student must master thoroughly. 

 The drugs of the second class have their names printed thus, Acetanili- 

 dum: these drugs should also be thoroughly studied. In the third 

 group are included many useful and frequently used drugs, and with 

 them the student should be familiar: their names are printed thus, ACACIA 

 GUMMI. The drugs of the fourth class are of minor importance in 

 use or in activity: their names are printed thus, Ammoniacum. Even 

 important drugs have, however, preparations that vary amongst themselves 

 in importance from the practical standpoint, and an attempt has been 

 made to indicate this by placing before their titles a superior numeral, 

 thus, x Tinctura Opii. The superior numeral one will indicate that the 

 preparation is of importance, the numeral three will indicate that the pre- 



*The author thoroughly realizes that any such classification of drugs and of prepara- 

 tions as has been adopted is open to criticism both in principle and in the details of the 

 classification itself. Any such classification must be largely a personal one. It has, 

 however, been resorted to it with the view of aiding the student. 



24 



