4 
chkistison's dispensatory. 289 
schemes of national advantage are widely different. This 
may be comprehended by reference to circumstances of a 
local character, and hereditary prejudices, and we are not 
disposed to discuss whether or no a moral difference exists, 
sufficient to give rise to modifications of law and equity : 
but that the disparity in physical traits is so decided as to 
call for a diflerence in the preparation of purgatives, 
diuretics, &c., appears to us an indubitable fallacy. One 
method of dosing might suffice for all, and the experiment 
ought at least to be tried, by framing a national British 
Pharmacopoeia. 
Christison's Dispensatory was first issued in 1842, and 
may be regarded as the successor to the New Edinburgh 
Dispensatory of Dr. Duncan — a work which began its 
career in the first year of the present century, and ter- 
minated with the eleventh edition, in 1826. This latter 
work also formed the basis of the American Dispensatory 
by Dr. Coxe, which commenced in 1806, and ended with 
the eighth edition, in 1840. The second edition of Dr. 
Christison's work, which is the one now published, has 
been enriched by such information as discovery in science 
has afforded within the past six years. It has been posted 
up to the present time, and thus again offered to the pro- 
fession : in this country, with the additions of the American 
editor. 
The first portion, termed the Introduction, is devoted to 
the processes of pharmacy. The principles of pharmacy 
are here succinctly laid down, and each form of exhibiting 
medicines clearly made known and discussed. Where 
chemical apparatus is required for the formation of particu- 
lar preparations, a drawing of the utensil employed is fre- 
quently given. In this chapter, weights and measures are 
duly set forth and explained, and to it have been added by 
the editor. Dr. Griffith, a chapter on specific gravity, with 
ample tables of the density of various fluids and prepara- 
