THE  AMERICAN 
JOURNAL  OF  PHARMACY. 
JUNE,  1877. 
PROPOSED  CHANGES  IN  THE  U.  S.  PHARMAGOPCEIA. 
By  Alfred  B.  Taylor. 
In  considering  the  expediency  of  making  some  alterations  in  the 
ipian  of  the  Pharmacopoeia,  the  criticisms  and  suggestions  offered  by 
Dr.  Squibb  in  his  published  pamphlet  demand  the  first  attention. 
I.  Commencing  with  the  process  of  its  revision,  it  is  admitted  that 
the  organic  body  charged  with  its  control  can  best  discharge  its  func- 
tion through  the  agency  of  a  subordinate  executive  commission  ;  and 
the  proposed  "council  of  five"  (pp.  13,  25  and  40  of  pamphlet)  does 
not   differ  essentially  from   the   existing   "  committee   of  revision," 
excepting  in  size.    That  so  important  a  standard  should,  in  its  perfected 
form,  represent  the  combined  knowledge  and  wisdom  of  a  larger  number 
than  five  will,  it  is  thought,  be  generally  admitted,  and  in  this  respect 
the  suggested  change  cannot  be  regarded  as  an  improvement.     It  is 
acknowledged  by  Dr.  Squibb  that  tc  no  council  of   five  men  could 
embrace  all  the  knowledge  necessary  to  the  formation  of  the  Pharma- 
copoeia      (p.  29.)  but  it  is  urged  that  M  it  might  embrace  all  the 
knowledge  necessary  to  obtain  the  services  of  men  who  could  do  the 
work,  and  to  direct,  check  and  guard  the  results."     How  much  better 
it  must  be,  however,  for  the  commission  itself  to  be  able  to  do  this 
work.    "  How  many  are  necessary  to  give  that  diversity  of  character, 
of  knowledge  and  of  experience  and  taste,  whose  average  makes  up 
sound  judgment.     No  such  result  can  be  expected  from  a  very  small 
body,  because  it  cannot  contain  the  elements  necessary  ;  while  in  large 
bodies  the  difficulties  of  harmonious  agreement  and  action,  increased 
by  the  difficulties  of  securing  prompt  attendance  at  meetings,  over- 
balance the  advantages  of  greater  aggregate  ability."     (p.  47.)  If 
18 
