94 
EDITORIAL. 
We have not had time to examine closely the typographical correctness 
of the very numerous and complex formulae, in the organic department of 
the work — but as far as we have done it they appear correct. Apart from 
the points noticed, the book is very creditable to the editor and publisher, 
to both of whom we would express our thanks for so valuable an accession 
to our chemical literature. 
The Elements of Materia Meclica and Therapeutics. By Jonathan Pereira, 
M. D., F. B. S., and L. S. Third American Edition, enlarged and improv- 
ed by the author. Including notices of most of the medicinal substances in 
use in tlie civilized world, and forming an encyclopaedia of Materia Medica. 
Vol. I. Edited by Joseph Carson - , M. D., Professor of Materia Medica 
and Pharmacy in the University of Pennsylvania, &c. Philadelphia, 
Blanchard & Lea, 1852. 
The first volume of the third edition of Dr. Pereira's Elements of Materia 
Medica, was published in London in 1849. Since that period the second 
volume has been slowly evolving from the press, and will not be completed 
until towards the middle of the year 1852. In view of this delay, Messrs. 
Blanchard & Lea determined to publish the first volume separately, which 
has been accomplished in the book before us. The publishers, in order to 
render the work in the highest degree worthy of the confidence of the Ameri- 
can reader, secured the services of Dr. Pereira to revise, enlarge, and prepare 
it for the American press; an arrangement specially useful, as, since the 
English edition was issued, two of the British pharmacopoeias have been 
revised, rendering many changes in the details of the work necessary. 
This, like the former American editions, has been brought out under the 
supervision of Professor Carson, who, besides introducing the formula of 
the new United States Pharmacopoeia, has added "notices of articles and 
information on topics which more especially interest American Phy- 
sicians." The second volume which is now in press, we are informed, will 
be ready about J uly or August 1852. 
In looking over the volume in hand, we were first struck with its improved 
typography, and more numerous illustrations, and afterwards by the 
great increase of matter, which amounts to 12-1 pages more than the first 
edition. The additions and improvements are very numerous and thorough, 
and extend into every subject on which, in the progress of observation, new 
light has been thrown. To attempt a review, embracing even a tythe of 
the additions, would occupy more space than we could offer, nor shall we 
attempt it; but to give an idea of the close scrutiny to which the materia 
medica has been subjected by our indefatigable author, we will give a short 
quotation, with illustrations: 
" Common Calcined Magnesia. (Magnesia Calcinata.) — This is a much 
lighter preparation than the so called, heavy calcined magnesia. All the 
samples which I have met with are contaminated with the carbonate, and 
