Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
Jan.,  1886. 
Reviews,  etc. 
53 
will  be  regretted.  This  is  altogether  due  to  the  verbatim  leproduction  of  the 
pharmaco  poeial  processes  for  galenical  and  chemical  preparations,  in  many- 
cases  even  taken  from  the  former  Pharmacopoeia.  The  scope  of  the  work  can 
be  scarcely  intended  for  its  use  as  a  manual  in  the  laboratory,  and  the  utility  of 
the  verbatim  quotations  may  therefore  be  fairly  questioned;  but  if  thus  in- 
tended, why  should  not  all  officinal  and  the  important  unofficinal  preparations 
be  treated  alike?  To  illustrate:  for  preparing  Ferri  sulphas  the  formula  of 
the  British  Phirmacopceia  is  given  in  full,  while  for  Ferri  Valeriana?  only  the 
outlines  of  the  process  are  given,  which  is  ample  for  the  intelligent  pharmacist, 
particularly  if  precautions  to  be  observed  are  pointed  out.  The  former  salt 
being  largely  used  in  the  arts,  may  be  procured  in  commerce  much  cheaper 
than  it  can  be  made  by  the  pharmacist,  unless  obtained  as  a  secondary 
product;  the  second  salt,  however,  may  be  advantageously  prepared  by  the 
phirmicist.  When  requiring  corrosive  sublimate,  calomel,  etc.,  the  phar- 
macist will  purchase  sum  salts,  ani  confine  himself  to  testing  their  purity ;  a 
working  formula,  therefore,  does  not  appear  to  be  any  more  necessary  for 
these  salts  than  for  instance,  for  copper  sulphate,  where  the  bare  ou  lines 
have  been  deemed  sufficient  An  oversight  occurs  in  connection  with  the 
latter  (p.  596)  which  is  said  to  be  made  by  acting  on  scrap  copper  with  diluted 
sulphuric  acid. 
While  we  think  that  the  work  could  be  improved  in  the  direction  indicated 
above,  it  will  be  observed  that  oar  preference  lies  in  the  direction  of  seeking 
in  a  work  like  the  one  before  us,  a  great  deal  less  than  is  given  in  the  formulas 
alluded  to. 
To  sum  up  our  review,  we  will  have  to  conclude  as  we  commenced,  that  the 
b)ok  is  a  very  valuable  one,  and  that  all  its  essential  features  will  meet  with 
deserved  commendation;  and  we  may  aid  that  it  deserves  to  be  in  the  hands 
of  ever/  pharmaceutical  student  and  of  every  one  who  takes  an  interest  in 
pharmacy.  That  the  mechanical  getting-up  of  the  work  is  excellent,  needs 
scarcely  being  mentioned. 
T,ie  Pharmacist,  publishel  by  the  Chicago  College  of  Pharmacy,  announces 
in  its  December  number,  which  cmrpletes  the  19th  volume,  that  its  career 
terminates  with  that  issue,  and  that  it  will  be  consolidated  with  the  Western 
Druggist.  The  latter  is  one  of  the  best  ani  most  enterprising  pharmaceutical 
trade  journals;  and  while  we  heartily  congratulate  it  on  this  "  absorption,"  we 
cannot  help  to  express  our  regret  that  this  sign  of  prosperity  puts  an  end  to  a 
kindred  journal  which  in  its  earlier  history  and  at  various  times  since,  has 
diligently  labored  for  progressive  pharmacy. 
An  EpJiemens  of  Materia  Mediea,  the  publication  of  which  was  com- 
menced in  January,  18S2,  has  come  to  a  close  with  the  twelfth,  number  of  Vol. 
II,  bearing  date  of  November,  1835.  Dr.  E.  R.  Squibb,  who  wrote  most  of  the 
articles  contained  in  the  two  volumes,  has  gone  abroad  on  a  tour  of  recreation 
and  inspection,  a  prominent  object  of  his  journey  being  to  ascertain  the  sources 
of  the  best  qualities  of  the  commsrcial  articles  of  the  materia  medica.  While 
regretting  the — we  may  hope  temporary — abandonment  of  the  publication  of 
serial  pamphlets  containing  so  much  information  of  value,  those  who  know  Dr. 
Squibb  will  agree  that  the  recreation  now  taken  has  been  well  earned  by  a  long 
period  of  labor  and  usefulness. 
