112 
OUR  NEXT  PHARMACOPCEIA. 
We  never  profit  more  than  by  those  unexpected  results  of  ex- 
periments which  contradict  our  analogies  and  preconceived  theo- 
ries. Whenever  a  preparation  is  found  by  experience  to  be 
effectual^  should  the  practitioner  listen  with  extreme  attention  to 
any  chemical  advice  for  its  correction  or  improvement  ?  From  a 
mistaken  notion  of  this  kind  the  "  extractum  colocynthidis  com- 
positum  "  was  at  one  period  in  its  history,  with  a  view  of  rendering 
it  chemically  compatible  with  calomel,  deprived  of  its  soap,  which 
previously  had  entered  into  its  composition,  and  in  consequence 
of  which  its  solubility  in  the  stomach  was  so  materially  modified, 
its  activity  impaired,  and  its  mildness  diminished,  that  it  was 
found  necessary  to  reinstate  it.  Substances  may  be  medically 
inconsistent,  which  are  cJiemically  compatible.  The  stomach  has 
a  chemical  code  of  its  own,  by  which  the  usual  affinities  of  bodies 
are  frequently  modified,  often  suspended,  and  sometimes  entirely 
subverted.  It  has  been  found  that  copper  swallowed  in  its  me- 
tallic state  was  not  rendered  poisonous  by  meeting  with  oils,  or 
fatty  bodies,  nor  even  with  vinegar  in  the  digestive  organs.  Other 
bodies,  on  the  contrary,  seem  to  sustain  the  same  relations  to 
each  other  in  the  stomach  as  in  the  laboratory,  and  are  alike  in- 
fluenced in  both  situations  by  the  chemical  action  of  various 
bodies,  many  examples  of  which  are  to  be  found  under  the  con- 
sideration of  the  influence  which  solubility  exerts  upon  the  medi- 
cinal activity  of  substances. 
Acidity  in  the  stomach  is  neutralized  by  alkalies,  and  if  a  car- 
bonate be  employed,  we  have  a  copious  disengagement  of  carbonic 
acid  gas,  which  is  frequently  very  distressing  to  the  patient. 
Many  bodies  taken  into  the  stomach  undergo  changes  and  de- 
compositions in  transitu^  independent  of  any  play  of  chemical 
affinities,  from  the  hidden  powers  of  digestion. 
As  Pharmacists^  then,  should  we  not  protest  against  the  pre- 
vailing custom  among  those  who  are  devoting  most  of  their  time 
and  attention  to  chemistry  and  the  manufactures  dependent  upon 
that  science,  of  examining  and  deciding  upon  the  pretensions  of 
every  medicinal  compound  in  which  we  have  long  had  the  utmost 
confidence,  simply  by  a  mere  chemical  investigation  of  its  com- 
position ?  and  of  rejecting  as  fallacious  every  medical  testimony 
which  may  appear  contradictory  to  the  results  of  the  laboratory  ? 
