710 
THE PREPAEATIONS OF CONIUM 
property is one so interesting and instructive that we leave the further development of 
the pleasing subject to the aspirations of the pharmaceutical student. The pursuance of 
this study requires the student to become an adept in botany, and both these studies are 
indispensable to complete the pharmaceutical qualifications. Many seem to view with 
aversion, or exaggerated notions of its severity, the study of botany, forgetting how 
many delights it affords ; but an intelligent pharmaceutist cannot pass by with a 
careless or superficial glance a subject so important as that of vegetable organization, 
when so large a proportion, and that of the utmost medical value, of the Materia Medica 
is derived from the vegetable kingdoin. Some, no doubt, who are preparing themselves 
to embark in our profession, are content to circumscribe the region of their knowledge 
by a simple acquaintance with the names of drugs, and the most ordinary uses to which 
they are applied. Some are devoid of ambition to rise above the pestle and mortar, and 
any appeal to such would fall dead and irresponsive upon their dull intellects ; but they 
must be reminded that the age is a progressive one in thought and energy, and if not 
now regarded will be found to be so by them when too late, and to their bitter cost. 
By a present obedience to the voice of sensuous indolence, the golden opportunity will 
have been lost, and they ^stranded on the beach,— a wreck broken and scattered. Unable 
to cope with the accomplishments of their more energetic competitors, and incapable, 
through the calls and anxieties of active business, to correct the errors of youth, 
they will succumb unknowing and unknown. Botanical studies lay a foundation for, 
and greatly facilitate, the acquirement of knowledge, and pre-eminently permeate the 
every-day duties of the pharmaceutist; they practically influence his experience, and fit 
him the more readily to earn and merit the respect, confidence, and support of the 
public and the medical profession. But, apart from the simple commercial view of the 
subject, the knowledge acquired by the study is always putting itself forward in a use¬ 
ful and available form, rendering the possessor socially a more serviceable and important 
member of society, and fostering an ambition for the acquirements of general know¬ 
ledge. It fits the possessor to associate in thought with those sturdy spirits that have 
gone forth the pioneers of untrodden deserts, opening to the world untold wealth 
and richness of resource. Thus, the moral as well as the social man is elevated; en¬ 
larged sympathies with mankind are awakened, and the resources for individual happi¬ 
ness, pleasure, profit, and enjoyments are greatly expanded. 
The President proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Evans, and expressed his admiration 
of the research and labour displayed in the lecture. He exhorted young men to follow 
the excellent advice given. The vote was carried unanimously, and most warmly. 
Mr. Evans, in returning thanks, acknowledged the kindness of Mr. Guyton, who had 
prepared many of the photographs which had been exhibited. 
OmaiNAL AND EXTRACTED ARTICLES. 
THE PREPARATIONS OP CONIUM OE THE BRITISH 
PHARMACOPCEIA, 1864 and 1867. 
BY JOHN HARLEY, M.D. LOND., F.L.S., 
ASSISTANT PHYSICIAN TO KING’s COLLEGE HOSPITAL, AND TO THE LONDON FEVER 
HOSPITAL, ETC. 
{Continued from‘p. 605.) 
Extractum Conii .—Having completed my examination of the tinctures and 
succus, I come now to the consideration of the extract. Very few medicines 
have attained so great a reputation and have been so extensively employed as 
the extract of hemlock. 
Introduced by Storck, in the year 1761, as a remedy of marvellous power in 
the removal of almost every inveterate disease to which the human frame is sub¬ 
ject, it soon obtained admission into the Pharmacopoeias ; and, regarded as it is 
by practitioners of the present day as a powerful and useful remedy, it is still 
