EDITORIAL. 
189 
(see  page  129.)  The  report  on  the  Progress  of  Pharmacy,  which  was  not 
produced  at  the  meeting,  and  which  we  here  see  for  the  first  time,  is 
arranged  much  in  the  usual  manner : — a  chapter  on  new  publications, 
Pharmacy,  processes  and  apparatus,  powders,  distilled  waters,  extracts, 
tinctures,  syrups,  pills,  cerates  and  miscellaneous  preparations.  Materia 
Medica,  arranged  under  the  natural  orders.  Chemistry — inorganic,  organic 
and  analytical.  In  many  instances  Mr.  Sander  has  extended  his  notices 
so  as  to  add  much  to  the  interest  of  the  report,  which  usually  has  been 
confined  to  an  enumeration  of  papers  and  subjects.  Many  recipes  are 
given  and,  whilst  the  report  is  not  as  extended  as  some  that  have  preceded 
it,  the  very  sufficient  reasons  of  Mr.  Sander,  viz.,  the  prevalence  of  epidemic 
cholera  and  personal  indisposition,  render  it  a  wonder  that  so  much  was 
accomplished  so  far  from  the  literary  sources  of  the  materials  which  sup- 
ply the  facts. 
Reflecting  upon  the  liability  to  a  recurrence  of  this  difficulty  and  conse- 
quent disappointment  of  the  Association  in  future,  Mr.  Sander  suggests 
the  appointment  of  a,  permanent  Reporter  on  the  Progress  of  Pharmacy,  and 
remarks  : — 
"  It  appears  that  very  few  members  are  so  entirely  independent  that 
they  would  be  able  to  disregard  their  own  business  relations  when  they 
come  into  collision  with  their  duties  towards  the  Association  ;  but  a  per- 
manent reporter,  who  constantly  receives  the  new  publications  immediately 
after  their  issue,  will  be  enabled  to  completely  organize  his  labor  and  adopt 
such  a  system  that  accidents  will  not  much  disturb  him,  and  a  failure  be 
rendered  almost  an  impossibility.  If  selected  from  the  number  of  our  mem- 
bers who  devote  themselves  much  to  study  and  to  the  development  of  the 
pharmaceutical  sciences,  the  reporter  would  even  not  feel  the  increase  of 
his  labors,  he  would  incorporate  them  into  regular  studies  and  thus  be 
enabled  to  improve  and  turn  to  advantage  the  experience  gained  during 
his  studies.  Besides,  the  regular  issue  of  such  a  report  by  one  and  the 
same  member,  would  not  fail  to  attract  the  attention  of  booksellers  and 
publishers,  who  would  eagerly  embrace  the  opportunity  of  having  their 
publications  brought  to  the  notice  of  the  profession  through  a  medium 
which  is  sure  to  reach  every  person  in  this  country,  who  has  any  interest 
in  the  advancement  of  scientific  pursuits." 
The  importance  of  this  suggestion  merits  the  earnest  consideration  of 
the  Association,  The  reporter  should  have  access  to  a  greater  variety  of 
periodical  literature  than  is  likely  to  reach  the  Association  in  exchange, 
and  besides  the  report  should  be  as  close  to  the  time  of  meeting  as  is  pos- 
sible. 
The  book  as  a  whole  is  a  decided  improvement  on  that  of  9865  in  its 
contents  and  mechanical  execution.  The  Permanent  Secretary  has  done 
his  work  well  and  the  volume  is  a  credit  to  the  Association.  The  price 
fixed  upon  by  the  Executive  Committee  is  $1.20  in  paper  and  $1.50  in 
cloth  binding.    The  Committee  also  call  attention  to  the  back  volumes. 
