276 
REPORT ON THE PHARMACOPOEIA. 
specimens which they exhibit, the mass of documents which 
they present, and submit, whether such results could have 
grown out of idleness, ignorance, or inattention. Their great 
aim in the amendment of formulae, has been to simplify them, to 
effect their correspondence with enlightened usages, and to 
render them as perfect as possible. In the introduction of 
new formulas, they have been guided by the information de- 
rived from foreign authorities of standard value, as well as 
by the experience of the profession of our own country, as to 
the wants and usage of our own medical community. No 
amendment has been adopted without some good reason be- 
ing proposed ; no new formula has been introduced without 
some cogent necessity for its admission — change or novelty 
has never been a motive for innovation, nor has any prepara- 
tion-been hastily passed over, without deliberate examination 
and judgment. The report of each committee as it passed in 
review, was watched closely, and explanations demanded, or 
amendments proposed, before its sanction and the adoption of 
the Committee were awarded to it. Not one report, it is be- 
lieved, passed this ordeal without some modification from its 
original shape, and at every meeting some recommitment, or 
special instruction to a sub-committee took place. 
The number of sessions occupied with the consideration of 
preparations, was nine, during which the following results 
were produced. 
The number of formulae removed were 55 
" " amended " 159 
" " introduced " 113 
u " left unchanged 94 
By this statement it will be seen how'extensive have been 
the grounds over which the Committee have passed; how 
much to the advantage of the ! Pharmacopoeia, is neither for 
themselves nor for you to say ; to determine this is assigned 
to another tribunal, which, it is believed, will find in the 
reasons given for every step, sufficient motive to admit the 
novelties and approve the amendments. 
