170 DISPENSATORY OF THE U. S. OP AMERICA. 
and much prostration of strength. An ointment, made both 
from the leaves and powdered root, has been used in the 
treatment of cutaneous diseases; and an extract, prepared 
by evaporating the expressed juice of the leaves, had a repu- 
tation at one time, as a remedy in the cure of cancer. 
REVIEWS. 
ART. XLI1I. — THE DISPENSATORY OF THE UNITED 
STATES OF AMERICA. By George B. Wood, M. D., Professor 
of Materia Medica in the University of Pennsylvania, &c, and 
Franklin Bache, M. D., Professor of Chemistry in Jefferson Me- 
dical College of Philadelphia, &c. Fifth edition, enlarged and 
carefully revised. 1 vol. 8vo., pp. 1368. Grigg & Elliot, 1843. 
During the ten years that have elapsed since the first 
edition of this work, the exceeding high estimation in which 
it is held by the medical and pharmaceutical public, has 
been evinced by the constant demand for it, and the rapid 
disposal it has met with. 
Previous to its appearance, the state of pharmacological 
knowledge in this country was so impoverished and barren, 
in consequence of the paucity and meagreness of systematic 
treatises, which were far behind the age, not only with re- 
spect to scientific details, but really important practical dis- 
coveries, that,at the timeof its publication, the United States 
Dispensatory might almost be regarded in the light of areve- 
lation, and, in conjunction with the valuable auxiliaries, 
periodical, and others which have since been associated 
with it, it has contributed to dispel the ignorance, apathy, 
and indifference that depressed one of the most extensive 
