EDITORIAL. 
189 
each  «  working  formula"  by  a  suitable  commentary,  throwing  light  on 
peculiarities  of  the  process,  if  any  exist,  or  giving  explanations  of  ma- 
nipulations that  to  the  student  or  beginner  may  appear  obscure  or  un- 
meaning, he  prefers  to  give  a  running  commentary  in  preliminary  re- 
marks often  of  a  general  or  abstract  character,  without,  in  the  least  de- 
gree, explaining  the  processes.  This  remark  applies  more  pointedly  to 
the  Pharmacopoeia  preparations,  as  many  of  the  unofficinal  recipes  have  a 
paragraph  in  addition. 
Chapter  xvi.  entitled  "  Extracta  resina"  and  "concentrated  reme- 
dies," savors  so  much  of  "  Eclecticism,"  as  to  call  forth  a  remark.  The 
text  of  the  chapter  consists  of  the  three  officinal  resins  of  Jalap,  Podo- 
phyllum, and  Scammony.  The  propriety  of  so  far  recognising  such  com- 
pounds as  "  Asclepidin,"  "  Barosmin,"  <k  Cerasein,"  is  much  to  be  doubted. 
It  is  time  enough  to  recognise  preparations  of  which  a  formula  has  been 
published  and  tried,  but  to  notice  such  as  the  above,  is  on  a  par  with  in- 
troducing a  list  of  the  panaceas,  alteratives,  and  other  quackery  of  the 
day.  The  book  of  "Dr.  Coe"  is  written  expressly  to  introduce  the  class 
of  nostrums  of  which  it  treats,  just  as  any  ordinary  quack  would  write  a 
pamphlet  to  expound  all  the  points  in  the  history  of  his  preparation,  ex- 
cept the  formula  and  composition. 
The  subject  of  distillation  receives  only  a  slight  notice  in  chapter  xvii. 
The  author  deems  it  out  of  place  to  devote  much  space  to  this  operation 
in  reference  to  the  complex  apparatus  of  the  manufacturing  laboratory,  as 
not  appropriate  to  works  of  the  scope  of  this.  The  importance  of  distil- 
lation, as  a  branch  of  pharmaceutical  manipulations,  is  greater  now  than 
ever  before  in  relation  to  the  recovery  of  alcohol,  yet  this  is  one  of  its  sim- 
plest objects.  There  are  so  many  cases  where  the  operation  is  needed, 
requiring  judgment  for  its  correct  adaptation,  and  a  little  more  detail 
would  have  been  useful.  As  a  preliminary  to  the  chapters  on  inorganic 
chemistry,  retort  distillation  is  noticed  with  various  refrigerating  arrange- 
ments. As  an  appendix  to  chapter  xvii.,  the  author  has  introduced  re- 
cipes for  a  variety  of  fancy  odors  and  toilet  articles,  mouth  washes,  sachet?, 
pastilles,  etc.,  which,  in  the  opinion  of  many,  will  add  to  the  value  of  the 
book  as  a  formulary. 
Part  third  is  entitled  Inorganic  Chemistry,  and  embraces  about  176 
pages  of  closely  printed  matter.  The  author  has  aimed  to  embrace  within 
this  space  notices  of  nearly  all  the  inorganic  chemicals  used  in  medicine, 
and  their  preparations,  arranged  in  groups  as  elements,  acids,  alkalies, 
earths,  and  metals.  This  will  be  found  a  useful  part  of  the  work,  bring- 
ing, as  it  does,  so  many  preparations  not  usually  found  in  close  groups  to- 
gether, when  they  can  be  consulted  quickly.  The  Pharmacopoeia  processes 
for  chemicals  are  introduced.  The  appendage  of  hints  of  the  therapeuti- 
cal objects, applications,  and  the  doses  of  these  preparations  will  be  found  by 
no  means  the  least  useful  part  of  this  division. 
Part  IV.  is  "  Pharmacy  in  its  lelations  to  Organic  Chemistry."  Nearly 
