INTRODUCTION.

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lately come into fashion, and with many of the old onesstill retained on the Continent. In selecting the latter,I have chiefly adhered to the Paris Codex, but have occa-sionally taken articles from other Continental Pharma-copoeias. I have been as particular with respect to doses,as the nature of the work and the information which Icould procure would admit. In mentioning the diseasesfor which particular medicines are prescribed, I have in anumber of cases trusted to my own knowledge, but haveoftener relied on the standard authorities of the profes-sion. In the case of the older and obsolescent remedies,my authorities have been less genuine, but I did notthink it judicious to omit the articles, as some of them,like the Croton Oil, and Colchicum, may, perhaps, in thisage of experiment, again come into re])ute.

THE STUDENT,

Either of Pharmacy, Chemistry, or Medical Practice,will meet with information in this work which he mightnot readily find elsewhere, with respect to the composi-tions and decompositions of medicinal substances, theirchemical qualities, solubility, incompatibility, externalapplication, internal exhibition, doses, effects, and (whenpoisonous) the tests by which they may be detected.Particular attention has also been given to the genuinequalities and appearances of drugs, and the more usualadulterations have been pointed out, with the best methodsof detecting them. The old names are also explained,and the different names given to the same article arecarefully enumerated. The work is intended, in a word,for daily consultation, and for the Shop-Counter, as aguide to those, who compound, dispense, or prescribemedicines.