290  Proposed  Changes  in  the  Pharmacopoeia.  {Am)l^]'^!m' 
The  above  estimates  of  grains  in  the  third  column  assume  the 
specific  gravities  given  in  the  second  column.  Having  got  the  formula 
into  this  form,  what  shall  we  do  with  it  ?  Evidently  we  must  sim- 
plify the  numbers  as  in  the  fourth  column  ;  but  as  we  have  fractions 
here,  a  further  step  is  necessary  to  give  us  the  nearest  whole  num- 
bers as  in  the  fifth  and  last  column.  It  is  true  that  this  last  result 
is  only  an  approximation  to  the  original  formula  ;  but  the  difference 
in  this  case  is  not  particularly  important. 
Supposing,  then,  the  last  column  (or  any  other  approximation  that 
may  be  preferred)  to  represent  the  improved  formula  "  in  parts  by 
weight."  The  merit  of  these  "  parts  "  is  that  they  may  equally  well 
represent  any  units  of  weight.  Let  us  call  them  grammes,  then  the 
whole  quantity  will  be  1000  grammes,  or  1  kilo-gramme  ;  equal  to 
32 J  troyounces,  or  fbii  5 vii i  Troy,  (2lbs.  30Z.  av.)  nearly  the  quan- 
tity of  the  original  formula.  But  the  apothecary  would  doubtless  pre- 
fer to  just  fill  his  quart  bottle,  as  he  has  been  accustomed  to  do  by  the 
old  formula.  Now,  it  is  quite  evident  that  to  convert  this  product  of 
the  new  formula,  1  kilo  gramme,  into  1  quart  will  really  involve  a 
troublesome  calculation  ;  and  it  will  again  require  an  approximation. 
If  the  new  "parts  by  weight"  be  counted  as  grains,  the  problem  will 
not  be  much  simplified.  Wearied  by  the  constant  labor  of  calculation 
or  reduction  from  abstract  u  parts,"  on  every  occasion  of  employing 
this  improved  and  "  universal  formula,"  the  druggist  will  doubtless  note 
down  in  the  margin  of  his  Pharmacopoeia  (u  once  for  all")  the  actual 
weights  or  quantities  which  he  has  found  it  convenient  to  adopt. 
Would  it  not  be  better,  simpler  and  less  hazardous  of  error  if,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  notation  of  "parts  by  weight,"  the  actual  specific  weight  of 
each  ingredient  were  to  be  officinally  stated  ?  It  is  quite  evident  that 
this  whole  question  concerns  the  pharmacist  much  more  vitally  than 
it  can  the  physician — an  added  reason  why  the  Pharmacopoeia  should 
not  (and  cannot  properly)  be  placed  under  the  exclusive  control  and 
"fully-recognized  leadership  of  the  American  Medical  Association." 
We  trust  that  this  single  illustration  (a  comparatively  simple  one) 
of  the  practical  labor  and  difficulty  investing  the  new  departure,  will 
in  the  minds  of  the  thoughtful,  (not  too  pre-occupied  with  a  theoretic 
enthusiasm)  serve  partially  to  extenuate  the  delinquency  of  the  execu- 
tive Committee  in  having,  in  the  condemnatory  language  of  the  prosecu- 
tion, "  refused r  [!]  to  carry  out  the  instructions  of  the  Convention."  (p. 
