EDTORIAL 
£71 
to  execute,  who,  having  different  views,  necessarily  caused  great  irregularity 
in  this  branch  of  the  medical  service.  The  idea  of  a  government  laboratory, 
as  a  remedy  for  this  difficulty,  is  by  no  means  new,  but  the  first  practical 
measures  towards  calling  it  into  existence,  were  under  the  superintendence 
of  Dr.  Ruschenberger,  with  whom  it  Avas  a  favorite  idea,  and  who  obtained 
a  small  appropriation  ($1200),  and  extended  the  duties  of  the  apothecary 
of  the  Hospital,  so  as  to  include  the  preparation  of  a  number  of  galenical 
medicines,  (tinctures,  etc.,)  and  some  few  chemicals,  for  the  use  of  the  U.  S. 
shipping,  fitted  out  at  New  York. 
The  laboratory,  on  its  present  footing,  was  established  about  three  years 
since,  by  the  Navy  Department,  under  the  supervision  of  the  Bureau  of 
Medicine  and  Surgery,  at  Washington,  "  as  the  best  means  of  securing  the 
good  quality  of  the  medical  stores  used  in  the  navy,  and  of  having  them  put 
up  in  a  uniform  manner,  adapted  to  the  objects  in  view,  and  the  circum- 
stances of  variable  climate,  to  which  they  must  be  subjected;"  and  had  for  its 
support  all  the  arguments  of  a  conservative  character  that  could  be  brought 
in  favor  of  government  ship-yards,  rope  walks,  and  blacksmith  shops.  Since 
its  establishment  the  objects  and  views  contemplated  in  its  origin  have  been 
fully  carried  out  under  the  able  direction  of  Dr.  Bache.  The  resources  of 
this  important  branch  of  the  public  service  have  been  localized  and  in- 
dividualized, and  the  department  rendered,  in  great  measure,  independent 
of  the  competition  of  individual  interests  in  the  quality,  quantity,  and  times 
of  required  supplies.  Nor  have  its  advantages  been  limited  to  its  strictly 
defined  boundaries  ;  it  is  becoming  increasingly  useful  in  the  detection  of 
adulterations  that  have  so  long  and  so  largely  been  practised  in  the  pro- 
visions and  clothing,  soap  and  tobacco,  supplied  to  the  navy,  not  to  speak 
of  lighthouse  oils  and  sheathing  copper.  It  is  an  old  idea  that  "  it's  no  harm 
to  cheat  uncle  Sam,"  a  phrase  perhaps  originating  with  smugglers,  which  has 
been  acted  on  in  too  many  instances  by  other  parties  in  contracts  with  the 
Government.  However  bad  such  rascality  is  in  reference  to  clothing  and 
provisions  it  is  much  worse  as  regards  the  medical  supplies  of  the  navy. 
Picture  a  noble  ship  passing  out  the  Narrows  on  a  voyage  to  the  African 
station,  freighted  with  the  lives  of  600  men  in  the  Government  service,  and 
the  furgeon  upon  whom  they  depend  in  that  sickly  climate,  provided  with 
a  chest  of  ill  assorted  and  adulterated  medicines,  furnished  by  contract. 
Imagine  this  ship's  company  attacked  by  an  epidemic,  and  the  surgeon 
finds  himself  almost  powerless  for  want  of  efficient  medicines  in  proper 
variety.  Where  will  the  blame  rest?  Where  it  has  always  been  put,  on 
Providence,  instead  of  on  the  authorities  who  attend  to  the  furnishing  of 
supplies.  With  the  present  arrangements  at  the  laboratory,  ever.y  variety 
of  drugs,  medicines  and  chemical  substances,  adapted  to  the  several  great 
naval  stations  can  be,  and  are,  constantly  being  put  up  in  forms  and  quanti- 
ties calculated  to  meet  all  the  changes  of  circumstances  that  a  voyage  pre- 
sents. The  establishment  is  not  a  mere  chemical  laboratory,  nor  an  apothe- 
cary shop,  nor  a  drug  store  ;  it  is  a  union  of  these  in  so  far  as  the  wants  of 
the  navy  require;  all  the  materials  being  subjected  to  scrutiny  before  they 
