280 
THE NEW EDITION OF THE PHARMACOPOEIA. 
as near the same strength as the tincture of the leaves, instead of double it, as 
Dr. Garrod states it is, so that the affix Fructus might have been dropped • 
and it could have been used in place of the tincture of the leaves without 
danger? Is there any need of having two tinctures of this plant? That of 
the fruit, I have no doubt, is much more uniform in strength. 
The Galenical preparations of iodine are in a muddle at present, what with 
the wide difference in strength and the nomenclature applied to the tinctures in 
the four Pharmacopoeias. En passant, let us call a spade, a spade, and let com¬ 
pound tinctures be called such. Why should Tincturalodi be so called, and the 
ointment, Unguentum Lodi compositum. A glycemate of iodine, I think, would 
be a better preparation than the liniment, seeing the change this undergoes, 
feuch a preparation is sometimes prescribed by German physicians. As glyce¬ 
rine seems to be a favourite of Dr. Redwood’s, I think it would be a valuable 
addition to many pill-masses. The Skin Hospital Pharmacopoeia contains it in 
nearly every formula for these. It keeps them plastic and moist 5 in fact, this 
latter is a fault it has, as it oozes out of the pills when moulded if added in 
excess, but when in excess only. 
A farmer once asked, at an agricultural show dinner, what had become of the 
“short-horns,” which are the pride of an English farmer, there having been 
such a poor show of them. Might I not ask what has become of the pill-masses? 
Where is Pilula Ferri composita and Pilulci Galbani composita ? They are fre¬ 
quently prescribed. It may be said that they are represented by Pilula Ferri 
Carbonatis and Pilula Assafoetida composita, but this is like Tinctura Quinice 
composita representing Decoctum Cinchona jflava. Fo preparation should be 
discarded from the Pharmacopoeia which is in daily use. 
What need was there of increasing the strength of mucilage ? Surely the 
P.L. was thick enough to measure conveniently. The P.B. gets bad before it 
is made, in hot weather. 
A formula is much needed for Mistura Senna composita. This is daily pre¬ 
scribed, and the vile compounds (though not a pleasant one under any circum¬ 
stance) that represent it are disgraceful. The formula for it of one master with 
whom I lived contained no less than thirteen articles. What virtue "was ob- 
tained from the scammony and jalap iu it I could never make out. 
|fc?The change in Liquor Ammonia Acetatis, I think, was needed. The P.B. 
preparation is much more stable than the P.L. I doubt the hypothetical action 
which Dr. Redwood ascribes to it when made with distilled vinegar or dilute 
acetic acid, so as to contain some carbonic acid. According to P.L., it is gene¬ 
rally made in the concentrated form, and thus contains but little. 
I am sorry to learn Dr. Redwood is much opposed to the metrical system of 
weights and measures. I have been told by two English dispensers who have 
had considerable experience in Paris, that for dispensing it answers admirably. 
I should like to have seen Mr. Squire’s suggestion carried out, to have the for- 
mulse represented by both systems, the quantities by each in separate columns, 
now that the metrical system is permitted by law. 
Although I cannot “come it” quite so classic or poetical as Mr. Haselden, 
still I should like to see the Pharmacopoeia in Latin, as it could then be read the 
world over by those for whom it is designed. 
I have already encroached too much on your space. I hope to see, in the 
new edition, some of the difficulties removed that beset the path of 
_ 7 _ A Dispenser. 
London, September 23, 1865. 
