REVIEWS. 
43 
used by students, we cannot avoid remarking here that great carelessness is evinced in this 
part of the work, so that no reliance can be placed on the numbers representing the chemical 
equivalents of compound bodies. In the Pharmacopoeia a table of the equivalent weights 
cf elementary bodies is given at the end, constituting Appendix C, and it was a very sim¬ 
ple and easy thing to calculate and give the equivalents of compounds where their com¬ 
position is represented, as it is in the Pharmacopoeia, by symbolical formulae. On looking 
over these however, we find t hem in a great number of instances to be wrong. Thus re¬ 
ferring to Acidum Arseniosum ,” the English name of this is changed from “ arsenious 
acid ” as given in the Pharmacopoeia to “ white arsenic sublimed .” To this is added 
“ Teroxide of arsenic, As0 3 ,eq. 75.” Now 75 is the equivalent of arsenic, that is the 
metal arsenicum , and it is so given in the table already referred to, it does not, there¬ 
fore, represent arsenious acid , the equivalent of which is 99. The equivalent of benzoic 
acid (H0,C 14 H 6 0 3 ) is given as 112, it should have been 122 ; that of tartaric acid 
(2 HO, C s H 4 O 10 ) is given as 75, whereas, according to the formula, it should have been 
150. The equivalent of phosphate oj ammonia (3NH 4 0,P0 5 , -f- 5HO) is given as 143, 
it should have been 194; that of arseniate of iron (3FeO, As0 5 ) is given as 274, it 
should have been 223 ; that of carbonate of lead (2(Pb0,C0 2 ) + HO,PbO) is given as 
134, whereas the number representing the formula would be 387'5; what the number 
134 is intended to represent we cannot conceive. The equivalent of citrate of potash 
(SEOjCj.jHjOjj) is given as 100, it should have been, according to the formula, 300 ; 
that of carbonate of potash (K0,CO. 2 -|- 2HO) is given as 83 5, it should have been, 
according to the formula, 87. These are a few and only a few out of numerous cases of 
a similar description, which are much to be regretted, and the occurrence of wdiich it is 
difficult to account for. With reference to medicines ordered in other Pharmacopoeias 
as w r ell as the British Pharmacopoeia, their relative strengths, as ordered in the several 
works referred to, are indicated, although not always correctly, as, for instance, in the 
case of infusion of senna. The doses of medicines are also given, and, above all, their 
medicinal properties are described. This latter part of the matter comprises what is 
referred to in the title-page as “ practical hints on prescribing.” We have no doubt 
this will prove to many a very acceptable part of the information contained in the book, 
as some dissatisfaction has been expressed at the absence of such matter from the Phar- 
macopceia. The author states, w'ith reference to this part of his work, that he has u col¬ 
lated it from the best authorities,” and this statement was perhaps necessary to justify 
the introduction of strictly medical matter by a pharmaceutist. It must not be supposed 
that these practical hints on prescribing are intended for the use of Pharmaceutical 
Chemists, or that the full description given of the therapeutic action of medicines affords 
an indication of the amount of knowledge of this sort required by the chemist and drug¬ 
gist. This part of the matter is no doubt intended for medical men ; and the author 
says, in the preface, “ knowing something of the wants of both pharmaceutists and pre- 
scribers, I have endeavoured to make the book as practical as possible, and I trust that 
the labour bestowed upon it will not be without some result.” 
The Prescriber’s Analysis of the British Pharmacopoeia. By J. Birkbeck Nevins, 
M.D. Bond., Lecturer on Materia Medica in the Liverpool Royal Infirmary School 
of Medicine. Second Edition. London: John Churchiil and Sons. 1864. 
The first edition of this useful little work was noticed by us in our issue for April 
last, page 523. The present edition may almost be regarded as a new work, for it ap¬ 
pears to have been carefully revised, and has been so much enlarged that it contains 
about three times the amount of matter as formerly. We can recommend it to our 
readers as a useful and reliable guide to the British Pharmacopoeia. 
PHARMACEUTICAL CONFERENCE. 
Intending visitors to Bath at the meeting in September who require accommodation 
are requested to communicate their wishes to the Local Secretary, in order that such 
accommodation may as far as possible be secured for them. 
John C. Pooley, Local Secretary. 
8, Georye Street, Bath. 
