2SS 
christison's dispensatory. 
ART. LVIII.— A DISPENSATORY OR COMMENTARY ON THE 
PHARMACOPCEIAS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND THE UNITED 
STATES, COMPRISING THE NATURAL HISTORY. DESCRIP- 
TION, CHEMISTRY, PHARMACY, ACTIONS, USES, AND 
DOSES OF THE ARTICLES OF THE MATERIA MEDICA. 
By Robert Christison, M. D., V. P. R. S. E., &c. Second edition, 
revised and improved : with a Supplement containing the most im- 
portant new Remedies, with copious additions, and two hundred 
and thirteen illustrations. By R. Eglesfeld Griffith, M. D., &c. 
1 vol. 8vo. pp. 1008. Philadelphia : Lea & Blanchard, 1848. 
This American reprint of the extensive work of ihe emi- 
nent Scotch pharmacologist, like its two congeners, treats 
copiously of the remedial agents embraced by the Materia 
Medica,and with the London and United States, constitutes 
the trio in the English language, designated as Dispensa- 
tories — now in full career of popularity. All three are pro- 
fessedly exponents of the several Pharmacopoeias appertain- 
ing to the kingdom of Great Britain. The United States 
Dispensatory, however, has given prominence to our ov/n 
authority, and made the others secondary, while in the 
original publications of London and Edinburgh, our 
standard is either altogether neglected, or but transiently 
referred to. The present edition of the work under con- 
sideration has the deficiency supplied by the labours of the 
editor. 
We have always considered it extraordinary that, while 
three Pharmacopoeias existed in Great Britain, and two of 
them possessed a peculiar advocate and exponent in the 
form of a Dispensatory, the remaining one, the Dublin, had 
not a corresponding accompaniment. Irish medical talent 
is certainly equal to the undertaking. In government, we 
are aware that English, Scotch and Irish policy, and 
