AmFeb.!'i8P89arm'}    Reviews  and  Bibliographical  Notices.  109 
raacopoeias  now  in  existence,  and  to  give  the  contents  of  each  in  such 
a  manner  that  every  subject  and  every  detail  contained  in  one  or  more  of 
them  can  be  readily  compared,  pointing  out  the  differences  in  statements 
and  requirements,  and  supplying  criticisms  based  upon  the  author's  exten- 
sive researches  and  practice.  The  work  is  therefore  by  far  more  than  a 
mere  comparison  of  different  pharmacopoeias  ;  and  while  on  the  one  hand 
it  supplies  the  strongest  arguments  in  favor  of  an  "  international  pharma- 
copoeia," with  the  view  of  securing  unification  in  the  strength  of  at  least 
the  important  medicines,  it  likewise  furnishes  much  valuable  and  useful 
material  for  the  revision  of  the  individual  pharmacopceias. 
The  arrangement  is  strictly  alphabetical  the  leading  titles  being  those 
adopted  by  the  German  Pharmacopoeia,  or  of  an  analogous  nomenclature, 
in  case  the  article  be  not  recognized  there;  the  titles  adopted  by  other 
pharmacopoeias  are  given  as  official  synonyms.  The  text  does  not  consist 
of  mere  abstracts  placed  side  by  side,  but  for  each  article  has  been  moulded  by 
the  authorinto  a  continuate  and  homogeneous  narration  of  all  the  statements 
or  important  directions  given  by  the  various  authorities.  Clear  in  diction, 
concise  in  statements,  comprehensive  in  scope,  mild  but  precise  in  criti- 
cism :  the  author  presents  a  work  which  is  a  monument  to  his  knowledge 
and  zeal,  and  of  inestimable  value  to  the  pharmacists  of  all  civilized  coun- 
tries. 
About  two  years  ago  the  first  volume  was  completed  containing  accounts 
of  1850  pharmacopoeial  drugs,  chemicals  and  pharmaceuticals.  For  various 
reasons  the  printing  of  the  second  volume  was  delayed,  but  during  the  last 
five  or  six  months,  four  parts  of  the  second  volume  have  been  published, 
containing  upon  368  pages  nearly  900  different  articles,  the  last  one  being 
No.  2374  "  Pasta  caustica."  There  will  be  no  delay  in  the  publication  of  the 
remainder,  and  the  whole  of  the  second  and  last  volume  is  expected  to  be 
issued  during  the  approaching  spring. 
The  Art  of  Dispensing  :  A  treatise  on  the  methods  and  processes  involved 
in  compounding  medical  prescriptions.  Published  at  the  office  of  The 
Chemist  and  Druggist,  London  and  Melbourne,  1888.    12mo.   Pp.  280. 
A  very  useful  book  which  can  be  recommended  and  deserves  to  be  con- 
sulted by  dispensers.  It  begins  with  "  general  suggestions  "  to  dispensers, 
discusses, "  weights  and  measures,"  the  relation  of  "  prescribers  and  dispen- 
sers," "special  drugs,"  etc.,  and  then,  proceeds  to  the  consideration  of  the 
various  classes  of  medicines,  closing  with  chapters  on  incompatibles,  dis- 
pensing foreign  prescriptions,  new  remedies,  homoeopathic  dispensing  and 
illegible  prescriptions.  The  practical  aims  of  the  author  are  obvious  upon 
every  page  and  as  a  rule  the  information  and  advice  given  are  trust- 
worthy. In  some  cases,  however,  we  would  differ  from  the  author; 
thus  we  think  that — in  the  United  States,  at  least — aqua  mentha?  directed 
in  prescriptions  is  intended  for  spearmint  water,  but  not  for  peppermint 
water  (p.  19.)  To  a  mixture  containing  a  bismuth  salt  and  magnesia  in 
water  the  addition  of  gum  (p.  24)  cannot  be  recommended  ;  syrup  or  glycerin 
is  preferable  if  not  otherwise  inadmissible.    We  regard  the  extemporaneous 
