On the Preservation of Medicines. 269 
exhibition, and further preparation for internal administration, 
or outward application, have but slightly touched upon this 
point. That their observations are so limited on this head, is 
to be regretted, but as rules to determine the best manner of 
preserving drugs and medicines, can come only from a know- 
ledge gained by long experience in the practice of this art, it 
is hoped that the collaborators of the American Journal of 
Pharmacy, some of whom are peculiarly fitted for it, from 
their long standing in business, will benefit science by the 
publication of the results of their experience. 
It is to the interest of the Apothecary to keep always on 
hand, fresh and efficient remedies, for in addition to the confi- 
dence of Physicians reposed in him by this act, and conse- 
quent increase of reputation, his pecuniary interest is mani- 
foldly implicated in it. But as is justly observed by M. Virey, 
and the author of a paper, I shall shortly allude to, " the 
good preparation oj a medicine, is but half of its value, if the 
art of preserving it, be not known." Unfortunately great ig- 
norance prevails upon this subject among some of our coad- 
jutors in other than the principal cities of the Union ; and it 
is still more to be lamented that among them, are to be found, 
some whose speculative propensities, or mercenary spirit, lead 
them to practices which degrade the profession. It is that of 
looking more to the price than to the quality of drugs ; — 
many of them in writing for supplies, which they generally 
procure, without personal attendance, from the wholesale 
druggist, limit the price, and leave the selection entirely to 
him ; when received, whether good, bad, or indifferent, they 
are kept for use in a negligent manner, until all consumed, 
perhaps for a series of years, before they obtain another sup- 
ply. This is the cause of many of our indigenous medicinal 
plants having been brought into disrepute : the Physician 
prescribes one of them, an Apothecary of the above descrip- 
tion furnishes the article, probably inert from age and care- 
less exposure, and the Physician finding it to fail in producing 
any effect upon his patient, at once pronounces the plant 
worthless, without searching into the cause. 
