56  The  Metrical  System  in  Prescriptions.  { Am-/°£ 
Tintura  de  Iodo  (Tinctura  Iodii). 
Iodo  (Iodine),      ....    diez  gram,  10 
Alcohol  de  900  (90  per  cent,  alcohol),  .    ciente-veinte  gram.  120 
Disuelvase  y  filtrese  (Dissolve  and  filter). 
Agua  de  Subacetato  de  Plomo  de  Goulard  (Aqua  cum  Subacetate  Plumbico  ex 
Goulard). 
Subacetato  de  plomo  liquido  (solution  of  subacetate  of  lead),  quince  gram.  15 
Agua  comun  (common  water),  .  .  .    quinientos  gram.  500 
Alcoholato  de  Colonia  (Cologne  water),  .  .    treinte  gram.  30 
Reemplazando  el  agua  de  Colonia  con  la  misma  cantidad  de  alcohol  alcanforado, 
se  tiene  el  Agua  <vegeto-alcanforada  (By  replacing  the  Cologne  water  with  .the  same 
-quantity  of  camphorated  alcohol,  the  'vegeto- camphorated  water  is  obtained). 
It  will  be  evident  from  the  above  that  the  extent  of  the  countries 
in  which  the  metric  weights  are  employed  in  medicine  and  pharmacy 
far  exceeds  that  in  which  the  troyounce  and  measures  are  used.  To 
do  away  with  these  differences,  it  appears  to  me,  is  the  aim  at  the  intro- 
duction of  the  metric  system  that  weights  alone  are  the  proper 
medium  for  dispensing  medicines  is  no  fault  or  advantage  of  the  sys- 
tem ;  nor  dp  I  conceive  the  unit  to  be  of  anv  special  advantage,  except 
in  so  far  that  it  bears  a  simple  and  easily  comprehended  relation  to  the 
units  of  length  and  capacity.  Whether  the  length  of  the  meter  has 
been  correctlv  ascertained  or  not,  is  not  a  question  to  be  considered  in 
this  respect,  nor  how  far  the  unit  is  divisible  by  two  ;  no  system  can 
be  devised  which  can  be  indefinitely  divided  without  fractions.  To 
simplify  the  commercial  not  only,  but  also  the  intellectual  intercourse 
between  the  intelligent  nations  of  the  earth,  is  among  the  primary 
objects  of  the  movement,  in  the  successful  accomplishment  of  which 
every  physician  and  pharmacist  may  and  let  us  hope  will  take  an  active 
part.  And  as  to  the  special  advantages  of  the  metric  system,  I  may 
be  permitted  to  quote  from  the  concluding  paragraph  of  Dr.  Blodgett's 
paper :  "  It  dispenses  with  the  signs  of  the  quantities ;  it  employs 
Arabic  figures  instead  of  Roman  numerals  ;  it  assures  the  physician  of 
more  competent  service  from  the  pharmacist,  and  of  a  better  quality 
of  medicines  ;  and,  last  but  not  least,  it  reduces  considerably  the  dan- 
ger of  mistakes  on  the  part  of  physician  and  of  druggist." 
This  paper  has  grown  far  beyond  the  limits  originally  designed  for 
it  ;  in  its  preparation  so  many  points  appeared  to  present  themselves, 
requiring  at  least  a  passing  notice,  that  the  writer  has  to  ask  the  indul- 
gence of  the  peruser,  in  the  hope  that  some  medical  and  pharmaceuti- 
cal matters,  which  appear  as  yet  to  be  less  understood  than  they  deserve 
to  be,  may  hereafter  attract  more  attention  ;  and  if  he  has  succeeded 
to  awaken  the  interest  of  others,  he  will  consider  himself  amply  repaid 
for  the  labor. 
