CODEX, OR FRENCH PHARMACOPOEIA. 
287 
caution against their deterioration or decay; fourthly, perspi- 
cuity and precision in its terms; and lastly, every means 
which can render the preparation and dispensation of medi- 
cines safe, uniform, and excellent. 
As it is the nature of a Pharmacopoeia to grow old by the rapid 
advance which is made in the discovery of the chemical na- 
ture of bodies hitherto not ascertained, we should, of course, 
expect in a standard work of this nature, the introduction of 
all the new remedies, resulting from the improved condition 
of pharmacy, which experience has demonstrated to be effi- 
cient and worthy of confidence. 
As regards classification of the materials, this may be re- 
garded as arbitrary, since no natural arrangement exists, which 
can be decided as invariably entitled to preference. Many 
writers have adopted the association of bodies according to 
their therapeutic analogies; others have classed together 
those whose physical properties are similar; while more re- 
cently, a preference seems to have been manifested for an 
alphabetical arrangement. The authors of this work have 
adopted neither of them, but have devised another, which 
will be hereafter particularly described, and which we think 
is as good, if not better, than any heretofore employed. 
Let us examine, now, the Codex under each of these heads, 
and then decide how its authors have acquitted themselves of 
the duty which their country had imposed upon them. It 
may appear rash and presumptuous in us to undertake a criti- 
cism of the labors of Orfila, Andral ? Dumeril, Richard, 
Bussy, Caventou, Robiquet, Pelletier, Soubeiran, and 
Royer-Collard, and we should tremble at our temerity, if our 
view were merely to find fault with their work; such is far 
from our design, which is to commend what there is to be 
approved, and to suggest what may appear to require amend- 
ment. We wish to hold up for imitation what is excellent, 
and if the work correspond with the requisitions which are 
deemed essential to an authorized national Pharmacopoeia, we 
desire to recommend its arrangement and directions as a model 
for our own national codex. The recent period, at which 
