386 
EDITORIAL. 
number of cases. We have no objection to the suggestion of writing out the 
quantities in full, as, for instance, "three drachms, " or "fifteen drops;" 
but there is the same liability to error in the use of the digits as in the 
quantitative symbols usually adopted, as we see everyday in the directions 
in English accompanying prescriptions. As to using the English name, in 
addition to the officinal one, as suggested, it is entirely superfluous if in- 
tended for the apothecary, provided the physician does his duty in writing 
the officinal name distinctly in full ; but if the object is to enlighten the 
patient, let the physician give him a duplicate in English. "What is want- 
ing to render apothecaries inexcusable for errors is, that the physician 
should write his prescription distinctly — with ink, if possible — not to abbre- 
viate the terms too closely, and use the nomenclature of the National Phar- 
macopoeia, according to which our bottles and other recipients are labeled. 
Whilst on this subject, we may mention that the carelessness in writing 
and compounding prescriptions, which has recently been productive of such 
unhappy results, has attracted the attention of the Philadelphia County 
Medical Society, who at a late meeting passed the following preamble and 
resolutions, viz.: 
Whereas, The public mind has recently been much agitated in consequence 
of the carelessness of some of our apothecaries in compounding prescriptions, 
whereby life has, in several instances, been sacrificed; and whereas, it is 
natural that many of the prescriptions sent to our drug stores bear upon their 
face the impress of a high degree of carelessness by the manner and haste 
in which they are written ; and whereas, humanity and the welfare of the 
community demand that something should be done with the view of arrest- 
ing this growing evil. Therefore, 
Resolved, That we earnestly recommend to the Physicians of the City and 
County of Philadelphia to write their prescriptions legibly on good paper, 
and in conformity with the nomenclature of the U. S. Pharmacopoeia, which 
being strictly a National work, should alone be recognized as a guide in this 
country. 
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to request the appoint- 
ment of a similar committee on the part of the Philadelphia College of Phar- 
macy, for the purpose of consultation in reference to the subject referred to 
in the foregoing preamble and resolution. 
We' may as well state that the Trustees of the Philadelphia College of 
Pharmacy, at their August meeting, appointed a committee of three, in ac- 
cordance with the request of the Medical Society. 
New Lebanon ; its Physic Gardens and their Products. — The beautiful 
valley of New Lebanon, situated about 30 miles east of the Hudson river, 
in the State of New York, and noted for its attractive watering place, 
the resort of many pleasure-seeking travellers in the summer months, has 
long been celebrated for its gardens devoted to the culture of medicinal 
plants, with a view to the supply of apothecaries, druggists, and others in 
all parts of the United States. For a long time this business was solely in 
the hands of the people called " Shakers," who originated it as a regular 
pursuit, and who yet are largely concerned. During the past summer. 
