408 
LECTURES ON THE BRITISH PHARMACOPEIA. 
viously recognized ; some old medicines designated by new names; and some 
new medicines called by old names. Moreover, there are new processes, the 
products of which are not very, or not at all, different from those produced by 
the processes previously adopted; and there are new or extended or altered 
descriptions of the medicines referred to in the book. 
For the better comprehension of these changes, I have tabulated the results of 
the comparison of the British Pharmacopoeia with the London Pharmacopoeia 
of 1851 ; and I confine myself to the London Pharmacopoeia, because I am ad¬ 
dressing those who have been accustomed to recognize it alone as their autho¬ 
rized guide. 
1. Chemical Preparations in the London Pharmacopoeia , 1851, hut not in the 
British Pharmacopoeia. 
Acetum destillatum. 
Ammonite citratis liquor. 
-sesquicarbonatis liquor. 
Arsenici chloridi liquor. 
Atropice sulphas. 
Calamina preeparata. 
Cornu ustum. 
Cupri ammonio-sulphas. 
-liquor. 
Ferri ammonio-chloridum. 
Hydrargyri bichloridi liquor. 
■-bisulphuretum. 
Morphite acetas. 
Oleum tethereum. 
Plumbi iodidum. 
Potassa cum calce. 
Potassse carbonatis liquor. 
Sodse sulphas. 
Sulphuris iodidum. 
There is very little to be found in this list that will cause any feeling of re¬ 
gret. Two or three old friends there may be, but we shall soon be reconciled 
to the loss of them. Thus, there might perhaps be a word said in favour of 
distilled vinegar, which for certain purposes, such as the preparation of Min- 
dererus’s spirit, may be preferred to the dilute acetic acid that now represents it. 
But Mindererus’s spirit itself is changed, and the new spirit is but the ghost of 
the old preparation. Like other ghosts, it lacks the essential qualities of the 
original; nay, it even lacks the spirit of the ghost, for none of the spirit is 
there, and it is as unlike the true Minclererus’s spirit as a glass of vapid distilled 
water is unlike the sparkling crystal water as it springs from a gushing fountain. 
Mindererus’s spirit, as it used to be, with its agreeable briskness, due to the use 
of carbonate of ammonia, and its faintly vinous ethereal flavour, due to the use 
of distilled vinegar, will, no doubt, still have its advocates. The new Liquor 
ammonise acetatis is made with the strongest caustic solution of ammonia and 
strong acetic acid, which is rarely entirely free from sulphurous acid, and never 
possesses the agreeable flavour of distilled vinegar. There may also be advocates 
for De Yallengen’s solution of chloride of arsenic ; but the loss of this prepara¬ 
tion may be considered to be pretty well compensated for by the retention of the 
older and better-known Fowler’s solution. 
With these exceptions, there is nothing in the list of omissions with reference 
to which there can be much difference of opinion. Who will regret the loss of 
the old form for the worthless imitation of Dr. James’s powder, or the costly 
and unproductive process for the practically unattainable, or if attainable, un- 
preservable compound called oil of wine ? These may be allowed to pass quietly 
into oblivion with Cornu ustum and Company. 
2. Chemical Preparations in the British Pharmacopoeia , hut not in the London 
Pharmacopoeia , 1851. 
Acidum aceticum glaciale. Antimonii oxidum. 
terchloridi liquor. 
nitro-hydrochl. dilut. 
sulphurosum. 
Aconitia. 
Ammonite benzoas. 
-pbosphas. 
Beberiso sulphas. 
Calcis carbonas prgecipitata. 
-hydras. 
•-phosphas prcecipitata. 
