Mar'ch^Y92": }    Suggestiofis  foY  National  Formulary.  .i 65 
SUGGESTIONS  FOR  THE  REVISION  OF  THE  NATIONAL 
FORMULARY,  FOURTH  EDITION. 
By  Gkorge  E.  E^we, 
PHILADELPHIA,  PA. 
We  are  approaching  the  regular  period  for  a  revision  of  the 
National  Formulary,  and  therefore  suggestions  for  revision  are 
pertinent  at  this  time. 
The  present  edition  has  rendered  almost  perfectly  satisfactory 
service  as  a  standard  for  the  quality  of  the  materials  used  in  the 
compounding  of  medicinal  preparations,  which  enjoy  common  usage, 
and  as  a  standard  for  the  methods  of  compounding  and  standardizing 
these  preparations.  So  satisfactory  has  been  that  service,  that  it  is 
with  hesitation  that  I  take  up  the  task  of  presenting  a  few  criticisms 
of  the  present  edition,  and  also  some  suggestions  for  improvements 
for  consideration  in  connection  with  the  coming  revision. 
Absolutely  no  important  defect  in  the  present  edition  has  pre- 
sented itself  to  the  writer.  The  suggestions  made  in  this  paper  relate 
chiefly  to  minor  improvements  which  may  be  of  assistance  in  per- 
mitting the  next  edition  to  render  even  more  satisfactory  service  than 
the  present  one. 
ADMISSIONS. 
Upon  the  matter  of  admissions,  very  much  can  be  said.  Sug- 
gestions from  individuals  for  admission  of  specific  preparations  and 
substances,  in  the  absence  of  a  general  concurrent  opinion,  neces- 
sarily carry  but  little  weight.  A  broad  scientific  method  of  ac- 
curately ascertaining  the  need  of  admitting  items  is  urgently  re- 
quired. 
The  following  plan  is  herewith  submitted  with  the  belief  that  if 
put  into  operation  more  accurate  information  regarding  appropriate 
admissions  into  the  N.  P\  will  be  ascertained  than  is  possible  through 
suggestions  by  individuals  or  organizations  of  limited  scope: 
In  the  Case  of  Chemicals:  Data  for  basing  decision  for  admission. — 
Lists  of  purchases  of  chemicals  by  the  large  and  more  representative 
drug  trade  jobbers  and  pharmaceutical  manufacturers  should  be 
obtained.  The  output  of  chemical  manufacturers  should  not  be 
included  unless  the  manufacturer  supplies  only  medicinal  chemicals 
or  unless  the  manufacturer  presents  a  list  showing  only  his  output 
of  medicinal  chemicals. 
