EDITORIAL. 
189 
Syrup  of  Tolu. — R.  Tincture  of  Tolu  f .  §  j ;  syrup  Oiss  ;  mix  and  boil 
down  in  a  water  bath  to  a  proper  consistence,  U.  S.,; 
Speaking  of  the  syrup  of  ginger,  it  is  remarked  at  page  396,  "  A  very 
good  preparation  of  this  kind  may  be  made  by  dissolving  a  suitable 
quantity  of  white  sugar  in  a  strong  tincture  of  ginger." 
Another  indication  of  the  want  of  care  in  compilation  is  the  entire  ignor- 
ing of  recent  discoveries  in  the  composition  of  important  substances  in  the 
materiamedica — for  instance,  no  mention  is  made  of  aloin,  or  its  investiga- 
tion by  Smith,  Robiquet  or  Groves.  The  origin  of  Balsam  Peru  is  referred 
to  South  America.  "  The  active  princple  of  seneka  is  said  not  to  be 
satisfactorily  indicated,  and  is  attributed  to  something  analogous  to  ex- 
tractive, since  we  find  that  water,  alcohol  and  ether  will  equally  well  ex- 
tract them."  Now  it  is  well  known  that  the  polygalic  acid  of  Quevenne  is 
the  active  principle  of  seneka,  that  it  is  insoluble  in  ether,  and  that  it  has 
been  used  in  medicine  as  a  perfect  substitute  for  seneka. 
*  On  the  other  hand,  there  are  many  things  in  the  volume  of  Dr.  Kost 
which  merit  the  attention  of  the  regular  physician,  especially  the  Thera- 
peutics of  Eclecticism.  Practice  and  experience  have  materially  modified 
the  standing  and  quality  of  the  body  called  Eclectics  ;  much  they  have 
gained  by  observation,  much  by  hearsay  from  inferior  sources,  of  the  use 
and  qualities  of  many  indigenous  plants,  unknown  or  but  slightly  under- 
stood by  regular  practitioners.  These  they  are  verifying  by  trial,  and 
undoubtedly  are  developing  many  valuable  facts.  The  contracted  thera- 
peutics of  Thompsonianism,and  its  limited  materiamedica,  are  disappearing 
in  the  voluminous  admixture  of  regular  medicine,  and  new  discoveries,  in 
the  literature  of  Eclecticism,  and  in  a  few  years  it  will  be  difficult  to  detect 
even  the  outline  of  the  stern  features  of  the  doctrines  of  its  founder.  We 
believe  the  activity  of  lobelia  has  been  over-rated  in  regular  treatises, 
owing  to  the  prejudice  which  clings  to  its  early  history  ;  and  whilst  its 
unchecked  use  has  undoubtedly  been  productive  of  much  evil,  its  valuable 
qualities  afford  good  ground  for  the  belief  that  the  medical  profession 
would  do  well  to  give  it  more  attention  than  they  have  hitherto  accorded. 
Among  the  contributions  of  the  Eclectics  which  also  merit  attention, 
are  their  applications  of  podophyllum,  leptandra,  sanguinaria,  caulophyl- 
lum,  cypripedium,  and  some  other  plants,  which  to  some  extent  have 
been  tried  by  physicians,  and  in  some  instances  highly  approved. 
In  conclusion,  we  would  remark,  that  if  the  volume  of  Dr.  Kost  should 
get  to  another  edition  he  will  do  well  to  submit  his  pages  to  the  revision 
of  a  practical  pharmaceutist,  who  will  correct  the  numerous  chemical  and 
pharmaceutical  defects  which  occur  in  the  pharmaceutical  portion,  and 
which,  though  we  have  not  pointed  them  out  for  want  of  space,  will  in 
many  instances  mislead  the  reader.  The  book  is  well  printed  and  bound, 
and  creditable  to  the  enterprising  publishers.  It  may  be  had  in  this  city, 
of  H.  Cowperthwait  &  Co. 
