Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
Nov.,  1887. 
Reviews  and  Bibliographical  Notices.  591 
purposes  is  very  considerable;  but,  after  much  inquiry,  few,  if  any,  not  pre- 
viously noticed  in  the  Manual,  appear  to  enjoy  a  sufficiently  extended  use 
for  admission,  though  several  of  the  older  remedies  described  may  perhaps 
be  of  no  greater  general  importance.  New  remedies  of  vegetable  origin  are 
frequently  of  an  ephemeral  character,  failing  to  acquire  an  extensive  appli- 
cation in  medicine,  or  importance  as  articles  of  commerce.  Owing  to  such 
considerations  only  a  small  number  of  drugs,  like  kava  root,  mallow  flowers, 
ajowan  fruit,  the  seeds  of  chaulmugra,  cola  and  komb6,  and  lanolin,  have 
been  deemed  of  sufficient  consequence  for  description  in  a  manner  similar 
to  that  adopted  for  pharmacopceial  drugs;  but  an  additional  number  has 
been  noticed  in  connection  with  other  drugs,  for  which  they  may  be  mis- 
taken, like  waras  with  kamala,  mangosteen  with  bael,  etc.  " 
■The  Principles  of  Theoretical  Chemistry,  with  special  reference  to  the  Constitution 
of  Chemical  Compounds.  By  Ira  Remsen,  Professor  of  Chemistry  in  the 
Johns  Hopkins  University.  Third  edition  ;  enlarged  and  thoroughly  re- 
vised.   Philadelphia :  Lea  Brothers  &  Co.,  1887,  12mo.  pp.  318. 
On  the  appearance  of  the  first  and  second  editions  of  this  work  in  1877 
and  1883,  we  have  commented  on  its  excellence  as  a  guide  into  the  study  of 
theoretical  chemistry,  and  the  same  verdict  must  be  given  now  that  the 
third  edition  is  before  us,  modified  in  various  ways  and  considerably  en- 
larged. Besides  the  new  additions  and  modifications  which  are  noticeable 
throughout  the  book,  we  observe  a  new  introductory  chapter,  several  chap- 
ters on  matters  pertaining  to  the  subject  of  chemical  affinity,  and  the  chap- 
ter on  valence,  which  has  been  rewritten  and  enlarged. 
The  value  of  theoretical  chemistry  is  not  a  doubtful  question;  many  of 
the  most  important  discoveries  have  resulted  from  investigations  into  the 
constitution  of  chemicarcompounds,  or  as  it  is  also  expressed,  into  their 
structure.  But  numerous  relations  are  still  involved  in  uncertainty,  and 
many  patient  investigations  will  be  required  before  more  light  is  thrown 
on  such  questions,  when  discoveries  may  be  expected  equal  in  importance 
to  those  that  have  resulted  from  the  elaboration  of  theories,  now  pretty 
generally  recognized.  ,That  the  study  of  theoretical  chemistry  in  the  United 
States  is  being  regarded  with  more  favor  than  formerly,  is  a  gratifying  evi- 
dence of  scientific  progress,  and  in  this  sphere  Professor  Remsen's  valuable 
work,  we  believe,  has  exerted  a  very  salutary  influence. 
The  Physician's  Visiting  List  for  1888.  Philadelphia:  P.  Blakiston,  Son  & 
Co.  Price,  for  twenty-five  patients  per  day  or  week,  $1 ;  or  interleaved, 
$1.25. 
This  is  the  thirty-seventh  year  of  its  publication.  As  usual,  the  prelimi- 
nary matter  is  well  selected  and  conveniently  arranged  for  reference. 
Larger  sizes  of  this  visiting  list  arranged  for  50,  75  and  100  patients  are 
likewise  published.  • 
