from the writer's own experience in professional life. The arrangement of the matter will be found to be in some respects unique. After full consideration of the many arrangements of the Materia Medica in vogue, a modified alphabetical plan was adopted, by which the advantages of the alphabetical order might be retained, while permitting the grouping together of agents which are closely related, physiologically and therapeutically, under the title of the principal member of the class-the chief, as it were, of that particular clan. Thus, under the title AMYL NITRIS (Nitrite of Amyl), will be found mention also of the Nitrites of Ethyl, Sodium and Potassium, and their congener Nitro-Glycerin, all of which are closely allied to the first-named and to each other, in respect of their actions and uses. A very elaborate section on Drug Classification is placed before the Materia Medica, in order to supplement such deficiencies in grouping as are inevitable in an alphabetical arrangement. In detailing the characteristics of an important drug, its physical properties and chemical constituents are first briefly enumerated, then its preparations are described in the official language of the pharmacopoeia, usually somewhat abbreviated; any important unofficial preparations being also noted, and all the compounds into which it enters enumerated. Next the physiological action is taken up, its characteristic features being first described; then the actions resulting from an ordinary medicinal dose, next those produced by small doses continued, and finally those from a toxic dose. These are followed by a brief account of its antagonists, antidotes and incompatibles, if any; and a concise summary of its therapeutical applications closes the article ;-the whole presenting, it is hoped, a clearly defined word-picture of the drug under consideration. Every article and preparation comprised in the last edition of the U. S. Pharmacopoeia is fully noticed, while all the prominent unofficial agents receive such mention as their respective importance seems to demand. The second part of the book is devoted to Pharmacy, and has been written from the standpoint of a conviction that many young practitioners would gladly dispense their own medicines, if provided with a few practical directions on the subject; thereby saving many a dollar from the drug store, preventing in their own practices at least the "renewals" which constitute so bad a feature of modern pharmaceutics, and gaining for themselves a practical acquaintance with their professional weapons which cannot but make them better physicians and more accurate prescribers. In this section of the book Prescription Writing receives full consideration, and many standard formulæ are given as samples of prescriptions of each kind in extemporaneous use. In the third part the subject of Special Therapeutics is treated of elabo rately, and in the form of an alphabetically arranged Index to the treatment of diseases, as laid down by the most recent authorities. Every indication for the use of a drug is referred to its author by his initial, and to the most prominent articles are appended a few selected formulæ, to serve as guides to the neophyte in prescribing. The Appendix contains numerous tables, comprising diagnostic hints, Latin terms and phrases, formulæ for hypodermic use, metric equivalents, specific gravities and volumes, and obstetric memoranda; as also Notes. on temperature in disease, the use of the clinical thermometer, the treatment of poisoning, and the examination of urine; also formulæ representing the most noted patent medicines. The Index has received especial attention, from a conviction that, if well made, it is the best part of a good book. Every title, synonym and other reference of importance is included therein, double and treble entries being made in every instance which seemed to require such repetition. Nearly all the regular text-books have been laid under contribution in the preparation of the book, but especial use has been made of the works of Bartholow, Ringer, Wood, Phillips, Piffard, Waring and Brunton, in their latest editions; as well as of the writer's verbatim notes of two courses of didactic and clinical lectures delivered by Professors Bartholow and Da Costa in the Jefferson Medical College and Hospital and in the auditorium of the Pennsylvania Hospital. On pages 479 and 480 will be found a full list of the authorities referred to by initials in the section on Special Therapeutics. The term "officinal," as applied to drugs recognized by the pharmacopoeia has been discarded, the word "official" being used instead; for the simple reason that the idea to be conveyed is expressed more correctly by the latter term than by the former one. When none but official drugs and preparations were kept in the officina or drug store, it was eminently proper to call them "officinal," but inasmuch as this class does not nowadays constitute much over one-fourth part of the officinal stock, it is a wilful debasement of our professional weapons, as well as an inexcusable misnomer, to apply the shop-title to them any longer. SAN FRANCISCO, In this, the second edition, all known errors have been corrected, many articles have been entirely re-written, much new matter has been incorporated, and the original text has received a thorough revision. 330 SUTTER STREET, SAN FRANCISCo, December, 1889. SAM'L O. L. POTTER. ERRATA. Page 123, line 22-" Avena Sativa" should be in capitals. Page 157, line 15 from bottom-for "alkaloid" read "glucoside." Page 331, line 2 from bottom-for " Quebrashine" read "Quebrachine." |