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NOTES ON THE BRITISH PIIARMACOPCEIA. 
The burners employed have been of two kinds,—one, a helical coil of iron tube 
with holes drilled in the upper surface, which answers perfectly for heating 
water or making decoctions from half a pint to half a gallon. The other is 
constructed to carry a number of atmopyres, which gives great heating power, 
without smoke, and tvilh which a two gallon plaster pan can be worked, and 
some other operations readily performed. It is with this burner the hood would 
be employed. As considerable heat is radiated downwards, as well as in other 
directions, when the atmopyres are used, it is desirable to place a large tile or 
other incombustible bad conductor of heat under the stove when in use. 
Other forms of burners may be employed, to suit the judgment, skill, or expe¬ 
rience of operators ; but to determine with certainty the most efficient and, at the 
same time, the most economical form of burner for the greatest number of 
operations remains to be worked out by a series of careful experiments, which I 
have not liad the opportunity of trying. 
Fig. 1. The stove, supported on a tile, i; a a, the screw legs; hhbh, the holes for 
supporting pegs ; c, the upper moveable support resting on the top of the stoneware 
cylinder ; n, notch for handle of saucepan. 
2. The lower moveable support. 
3. The hood. 
4. The burner, with simple jets. 
o. The burner to be used with atmopyres, two of which, a a, are represented in their 
places. 
NOTES ON THE NEW EDITION OF THE BEITISH 
PHAEMACOPCEIA. 
The new Pharmacopoeia has been so very favourably reviewed by all the 
medical journals that any criticism on the part of the Pharmaceutist would 
seem to betray a feeling of spite, and determination to find fault; but, after all, 
the chemist is really the one to discover any little flaw, and most assuredly the 
one to appreciate any improvement,—his everyday work compelling him neces¬ 
sarily to become acquainted with all the wmrking details of his Pharmacopoeia, 
Even at first sight, the book recommends itself by its handiness, its arrange¬ 
ment, and the simplicity and plainness of its instruction. The most benighted 
individual amongst us could hardly fail to succeed in the production of any pre¬ 
paration contained therein, provided he simply followed its guidings. 
A more careful scrutiny of the contents reveals the reappearance of some old 
friends, and the introduction of many new names. Of our old friends, we can say 
nothing but give them a hearty welcome, and of the new ones, it is at present 
too soon to give any very decided opinion. 
The inhalations and glycerines may be very useful, but as most physicians 
have their own formula) for these, it is just possible they may not come into very 
general use ; still, a definite formula to fall back upon in an emergency is a very 
desirable thing. 
The introduction of liq. bismuthi is an acquisition, but why omitchlorodyne ? 
The latter is prescribed quite as much as the former. Is there any intelligible 
reason why Mr. Schacht’s really clever and happy idea should receive so much 
attention, and the “ not quite so clever ” but decidedly quackish chlorodyne be 
ignored ? 
Chlorodyne has now, by reason of its universal use, become a necessity, and 
the omission of any formula, bearing even the remotest resemblance to it, is very 
much to be regretted. Secret remedies should be discouraged as much as 
possible. 
Lin. sinapis comp, seems to be a very efficient stimulant, but rather a curious 
