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THE  PHARMACOPOEIA  OF  1870. 
because  the  result  is  the  same ;  but  in  what  are  called  the  galeni- 
cal preparations,  as  extracts,  fluid  extracts,  tinctures,  syrups, 
etc.,  this  deviation  often  so  alters  the  appearance  and  composition 
of  the  results  as  to  cause  doubt  and  distrust  on  the  part  of  well 
informed  physicians. 
The  first  step  toward  a  reform  in  this  matter  is  to  make  the 
Pharmacopoeia  of  1870  as  nearly  perfect  as  it  is  possible.  Let 
its  formulae — especially  those  most  certain  to  be  used  by  the 
dispensing  pharmaceutist — be  marked  for  the  simplicity  and  di- 
rectness of  their  manipulation,  and  for  the  excellence  and  attrac- 
tive appearance  of  their  results,  when  these  qualities  are  not  in- 
compatible, always  giving  the  preference  to  intrinsic  rather  than 
apparent  value. 
The  second  step  must  be  taken  by  physicians  in  their  society 
capacity  chiefly.  The  American  Medical  Association  is  the 
medical  body  best  able  to  exert  a  universal  influence  within  our 
national  boundaries  in  promoting  the  practical  recognition  of 
the  United  States  Pharmacopoeia.  That  Association  meets 
the  same  week  in  the  same  city  with  the  pharmacopoeial  conven- 
tion, and  now  united,  north  and  south,  will  be  in  the  best  condi- 
tion to  exert  a  lasting  influence  on  the  future  standing  of  the 
pharmacopoeia,  by  lending  its  entire  influence  in  favor  of  ofiici- 
nal  preparations  made  by  ofiicinal  formula.  This  may  be 
done,  firsts  by  declaring  its  convictions  in  a  few  well  drawn 
resolutions  directed  to  its  members,  and  secondly,  by  urging 
forcibly  on  the  attention  of  each  of  the  subordinate  state 
and  county  medical  societies  to  examine  the  new  edition  when 
published,  through  a  competent  committee,  recommending 
their  members  to  become  acquainted  with  its  ofl&cinal  names  and 
new  preparations,  and  to  refuse  to  prescribe  A.  B.  &  C.'s  prep- 
arations, which  profess  to  be  better,  until  the  ofiicinal  have  been 
found  wanting. 
It  is  often  said  that  medical  men  are  easily  persuaded  into 
using  medical  novelties — that  advertising  is  the  true  secret  of 
getting  up  the  reputation  of  medicines  among  the  physicians. 
This  idea  is  so  well  known  to  manufacturers  that  instances  occur 
of  their  publishing  journals  at  nominal  prices  in  order  to  adver- 
tise their  products.    It  therefore  appears  to  be  true,  however 
