REMARKS ON THE REVISION OF THE PHARMACOPOEIA 5 
from the one ensuing have elapsed, it may be asked what 
has been done by those most concerned, in preparing for 
that event? What processes have been found imperfect? 
What formulae incorrect? What officinal substances use- 
less, or what new remedies worthy of introduction dis- 
covered ? The period which yet remains should be dis- 
tinguished with the gradual but complete evolution of the * 
answers to these queries, so that the duties of revision, 
onerous as they are, under the most favourable circum- 
stances, may be facilitated and lightened. 
It is much to be desired, that the next edition of the 
Pharmacopoeia may be national in detail as well as in name ; 
that its provisions may be sufficiently comprehensive to 
embrace the well grounded pharmaceutical preferences of 
different sections, when these are not incompatible with that 
unity of design and scientific propriety, which should be 
marked features of a work issuing from so dignified, and 
learned a body, as it is presumed the convention of 1850 
will be. In order to accomplish this, some means must be 
resorted to, to enable the revisors to appreciate the opinions 
of all sections of the Union. It is with a view to this gene- 
ral expression of sentiment, so far as pharmaceutists are 
concerned, that this essay has been written, hoping that 
some of its hints may be of service in pointing out a course. 
Dr. David Stewart (late pharmaceutist,) of Baltimore, 
than whom no one has more enlightened views of our pro- 
fession, or a keener desire for its advancement, has sug- 
gested the propriety of a Pharmaceutical Convention, to 
meet in Philadelphia prior to the next revisional epoch, 
which shall , represent as many sections of the country as 
possible ; in order that a comparison of the general 
views might be obtained. To render the plan feasi- 
ble, he suggested that the delegates from great distances 
should be constituted of those pharmaceutists who annually 
resort to Philadelphia, New York, &c, in the pursuit of 
their business, and who would come possessed of the sen- 
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