94  Bevieivs  and  Bibliographical  Notices.     {  AM/e0M,i87sR!H~ 
ticularly  in  making  the  preparations ;  in  the  latter  case  observations  should  be 
carefully  made,  and  where  the  results  may  differ  from  those  of  the  Committee,, 
the  experience,  after  careful  verification,  should  be  communicated  for  publica- 
tion, so  that  the  sixth  revision  of  the  Pharmacopoeia  may  become  even  more 
perfect.    In  its  general  appearance  the  work  leaves  nothing  to  desire. 
Pharmacopoea  Germanica.    Berolini  apud  Rudolphum  de  Decker.  MDCCC- 
LXXIL    8vo,  pp.  442. 
The  Gerrnau  Pharmacopoeia,  in  accordance  with  a  decree  of  the  Chancellor 
of  the  Empire,  has  taken  the  place  of  the  various  pharmacopoeias  formerly  ir» 
use  in  Germany,  since  November  1st,  1872.  In  1871  a  committee,  consisting- 
of  twelve  prominent  pharmacists,  physicians,  and  professors  in  universities,, 
selected  from  all  sections  of  Germany,  was  charged  with  compiling  and  editing- 
the  pharmacopoeia  which  is  now  before  us.  With  the  exception  of  the  Chan- 
cellor's decree,  above  referred  to,  and  the  popular  names  of  drugs  and  medi  - 
cines, it  is  printed  throughout  in  the  Latin  lauguage. 
The  crude  articles  and  preparations  are  arranged  in  alphabetical  order. 
Alter  the  officinal  name,  the  popular  name  and  the  Latin  synonyms  are  given,, 
and  in  the  case  of  vegetable  and  animal  drugs,  their  origin,  which  is  followed1 
by  rather  lengthy  descriptions  of  the  drugs  and  notices  of  the  probable  impu- 
rities. 
In  all  the  formulas  quantities  are  expressed  solely  in  parts  (by  weight). 
Percolation  is  not  practiced  ;  tinctures,  extracts,  &c,  are  made  by  rnaeeratiora 
or  digestion,  with  subsequent  expression,  even  if  the  menstruum  used  be  ether, 
Chemicals,  like  the  crude  drugs,  are  described  according  to  their  physical  pro- 
perties, solubilities,  &c,  and  tests  for  ascertaining  their  medicinal  purity  are- 
given.  Only  in  such  cases  where  different  processes  yield  different  results  the^ 
Pharmacopoeia  has  adopted  a  formula. 
A  list  of  reagents  is  added,  followed  by  several  important  tables.  Table  A 
contains  the  maximum  doses  of  potent  medicines,  beyond  which  the  physiciao 
is  not  allowed  to  prescribe,  nor  the  pharmacist  to  dispense,  unless  the  pre- 
scriber  adds  the  sign  !,  indicating  that  the  unusual  dose  ordered  is  not  a  mis- 
take on  his  part.  Table  B  enumerates  the  poisons  which  are  to  be  kept  sepa- 
rate from  the  other  mediciues,  and  under  lock  and  key  Table  C  gives  the 
more  or  less  dangerous  medicaments  which  have  to  be  kept  in  a  separate 
place,  but  need  not  be  locked  up.  A  list  of  specific  gravities  at  15°  C.  follows, 
which  have  to  be  ascertained  on  the  inspection  of  the  pharmacies,  and  then  », 
table  giving  the  percentage  by  weight  and  measure  of  anhydrous  alcohol  coa- 
tained  in  spirit  of  a  given  specific  gravity. 
The  nomenclature  is  similar  to  that  of  the  last  Prussian  Pharmacopoeia. 
To  adapt  the  work  to  the  wants  of  the  different  sections  of  Germany,  a  larger 
number  of  preparations  have  been  admitted  than  were  found  in  most  pharma- 
copoeias of  the  different  German  States.  It  contains  a  number  of  articles 
which  are  little  or  not  known  in  this  country.  In  a  future  number  we  intend  to* 
quote  some  of  them,  want  of  space  not  permitting  it  in  the  present  issue. 
