REPORT ON THE PHARMACOPOEIA. 273 
of any chemical substance, included in the Pharmacopoeia, 
whether the result of our own processes or derived from the 
manufacturer, may be perfectly established ; and as the work 
falls into the hands of many who, not being adepts in chemi- 
cal science, are consequently unable to suggest the tests pro- 
per to be employed ; to such, its value is inestimable, as at 
once relieving them from any doubt, and removing any apolo- 
gy, which might otherwise be offered, for dispensing im- 
pure or adulterated medicines. It will be observed that the 
Committee have above specified what they determined to 
leave undone, as well as that which they thought proper to 
do. This course is deemed necessary, in order that where no 
action appears, such deficit may be shown to be the result of 
deliberation, not of oversight. 
Some idea of the amount of amendment which the Materia 
Medica received, may be formed from the annexed statement 
showing the number of removals, additions, and alterations, 
of which that list has been the subject. 
The number removed was, 55 
" " and placed among preparations, 2 
" amended, 82 
" of new substances introduced, 65 
Total, 204 
Of the number removed, fifty-four were taken from the 
secondary list, and but one from the primary. Of the fifty- 
four, the greater number found a place in the list of indigenous 
and naturalized plants. While those unchanged, amounted to 
one hundred and fifty-two ; showing that more than one-half 
of the list was entirely remodelled. Beside this statement, 
confined to the officinal list, there was a new list formed, 
comprising ninety-eight native or naturalized plants, not 
thought worthy of the officinal rank, and constituting a dis- 
tinct list. To collate, correct, modify, and complete the 
above list, required an amount of labor, which can alone be 
estimated by those who have participated in the duty. 
VOL. VII. — NO. IV. 35 
