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PROPOSAL TO PUBLISH AN ANNUAL PHARMACOPŒIA BRITANNICA.
143
tronised, but the additions of the editor are letter, it would be more advisable to wait a extremely scanty, and the critical enquiry liitle, until the Government shall ordain the into the practice of surgery, announced in decimal proportions of weights and measures the title page, appears to have been entirely to be generally used, which we anticipate omitted ; at least, we do not find it in the so see done in a few years. This is our opinion respecting the pharcopy before us. macopoeia and the weights, which appear to
us
the
only feasible,
or
indeed rational
parts of the letter. PROPOSAL TO PUBLISH AN ANNUAL A Letter to the Royal Colleges of Physicians of PHARMACOPŒIA BRITANNICA. London, of Dublin, atid of Edinburgh, from Andrew Duncan, Sen. M. D. and Prof., first Physician to the King for Scotland, WE have
ter, which
doing into
so,
just
received the
we are
requested
however, is
following letto
insert;
not to be
of its contents.
our
construed If phar-
Father
of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, &c., respecting a proposal far the improvement of medicine, by publishing annuunder the authority of these three Royal Colleges, a Pharmacopœia Britannica.
ally,
approval non purpuram, non exstructasin altum macopoeias be of any use, a national phar- Non fasces non ingenium artibiis atque scientiis utdivitias, than but better three ; macopœia must be cunque ornatum et imbutum, sed animum communi utilitate inservientem dignitas sequitur. the plan of bringing out a new one annually NICHOLS, Oratio Harveiana. is more than the progress of pharmacology GENTLEMEN,—I need not tell you, that requires, and would impose a heavy annual the Colleges of Physicians of London, of the tax upon general practitioner. Dublin, and of Edinburgh, established at an A supplement might be annually printed, early period by Royal Charters, have always considered as the councils of health for containing all the improvements made in been the respective kingdoms to which they bethe year, which might be sold at a low price, long. In this capacity, they have published, and every ten years the additional matter in an improved form, when they thought it regulating the might be embodied in a new edition. In necessary, pharmacopoeias of medicines, each for the composition this way the National Pharmacopoeia would kingdom over which their jurisdiction extended. But England, Ireland and Scotwith the of the times, keep pace knowledge land are now so intimately connected, and be productive of some good, by preventthat no one can possibly be ignorant of ing the numerous mistakes which now hap- the many inconveniences which must arise from three different pharmacopoeias for repen in consequence of certain medicines gulating the practice of apothecaries in the being compounded after different formulae. composition of medicines in different parts But the fact is, that very little attention is of the British empire. The benefits that would retult from one Pharmacopoeia Briat present paid to pharmacopoeias, on actannica, regulating the practice of apothecount of the slovenly and unscientific man- caries over the whole, are too obvious to reOn that subject, it ner in which they have been got up, and quire being mentioned. I think, impossible there can be two is, of the long interval allowed to elapse beopinions. tween their appearance ; for, as Dr. DUNA Pharmacopoeia Britannica could only CAN has acknowledged, °’ several important indeed be obtained by a solemn act of the Legislature. But if the three Royal Colmedicines have not had a place in the pharleges were to unite in applying for such an macopoeia of any of the three colleges for act, there can be little doubt that it would be obtained. That act might be so framed, many years after they have been in common as to be productive of many other advanuse with almost every intelligent practitages to the rational and intelligent physician, in employing his endeavours in the tioner." cure of diseases. Among other particulars, it Instead of adopting an alteration of might be so framed as to produce a comweights for pharmacy, as proposed in this plete and entire separation between the an
144 honest and intelligent apothecary and the{ common use with almost every intelligent daring and impudent empiric. The sale of practitioner. pharmacopoeia medicines might be entirely These great inconveniences might be ef. confined and secured to the former; while fectually avoided by an annual standard the latter might still be allowed freely to Pharmacopœia, with an imprimatur from all employ all his art in extending the sale of the three Royal Colleges, being printed his infallible nostrums at any other shop he every year at the expense of Government. may incline, excepting the shops of those This new impression, conjoined with a regularly licensed by Government to sell licence to keep an apothecary’s shop, might pharmacopoeia, medicines. From this se- be distributed by the Stamp-office ; each paration by legal authority, there cannot be i individual who shall receive a licence for a doubt that much real benefit would be ob- the year, paying at the rate of two guineas tained. for a stamped licence and a copy But, besides this, such an Act of Par- of the Pharmacopoeia. From the sum them liament might introduce into the shop of the by the Distributor of Stamps, au allowance might be made to au regularly licensed apothecary, many important improvements. Among others, it intelligent physician, appointed by Govern. might lead to an useful reformation in weights ment, to prepare the annual Pharmacopœia. used in the shops of apothecaries, and to a money thus collected, the full exmore speedy introduction into these shops pence of printing and distributing this an. of every article which may be hereafter dis- nual Pharmacopoeia might be defrayed, and covered to be really useful in the cure of even some addition made to the general re. disease. venue, as well as from the licences for the The weights hitherto employed, grains, sale of tea, wine, or other articles. scruples, drachms, ounces, and pounds, are Of such an act of the legislature, it may attended with many inconveniences. On naturally be concluded, that very different this subject, without adopting the new opinions will be formed ;and I am fully French weights, I would yet imitate them, sensible that it is liable to many objections, by adopting decimals. I would continue But the evils that might be apprehended the present grain as the basis ; and I would from it are, in my opinion, of very little adopt as multiples of it decigrains, centi- weight when put in the scale against the grains, and millegrains. Of these mille- numerous advantages which would result grains, ten should form the libe*. The libe, from it. And to submit it more fully to the again, might be increased in a decimated serious consideration of the three Colleges, progression, as well as the grain, its multi- I here subjoin what I think might be the ple being a decilibe, a centilibe, and amille- heads of a Bill which might be proposedby libe. From this standard for weight, it can- the three Royal Colleges of Physicians for not, I think, be doubted, that many import- the sanction of the British Parliament. My ant advantages would arise, both to the conduct in suggesting such a Bill will,I doubt not, be blamed by many. But I can physician and to the apothecary. Another obvious benefit that might be at least answer for my intentions. They obtained by an Act of Parliament, is an an- are honest, rational, and even merit appronual improvement of the Pharmacopoeia bation. And, I am persuaded, I need not Britannica, corrected according to the pro- request that each of you will bestow iipod gressive discoveries made in the practice of them a serious consideration. medicine. It has hitherto been the uniform I have the honour to be, practice of all the three Royal.Colleges, to Your most obedient servant, improve their Pharmacopœias, not gradatim, 82. ANDREW DUNCAN, sen. æt.82. DUNCAN, sen. æt. but per saltum, as it may be termed. They havepublished new editions only at the end Edinburgh, Oct. 1, 1826." often, twelve, or sometimes even more than twenty years. By this means, the alterations have necessarily been very considerable, and have often led to an almost total Proposed Heads nf a Bill for regulating Ilu change of language, both in prescription and Practice of Pharmacy in the Briti6h Empire. 5n the shops of the apothecaries. Several Be it enacted, important medicines have not had a place in the Pharmacopoeia of any of the three ColThat, in place of three Pharmacopœias. leges for many years after they have been in which arc at present published by authority of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of Lotdon, of Dublin, and of Edinburgh, for regulst
annually, collected adequate
From the
*
A
ing the practice
of
Pharmacy
in
Eng1ano,
derived from the Latin word Ireland, and Scotland, there shall be but one libra, though much heavier than the present Pharmacopoeia, under the title ofTHFPHARMACOPŒIA BRITANNICA, for regulating the pound of apothecaries’ weight. term
145
practice
of
Pharmacy over the whole of the
British Empire. That of this Pharmacopoeia Britannica, a corrected and improved edition shall be published on or before the 1st of January every year, to be the standard for every apothecary during the course of that year. That this corrected edition shall be prepared by a Physician appointed by the King, under the title of Royal Pharmacopolist. That, prior to its publication, it shall receive an imprimatur from the Presidents of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of London, of Dublin, and of Edinburgh. That no shops shall be permitted to sell Pharmacopæia medicines, excepting those which are kept by apothecaries who have obtained a licence from Government for that special purpose.
That
apothecary licensed by GovernPharmacopoeia medicines, shall his shop, or sell any other articles
no
ment to vend
keep in whatever but those which are introduced into the Pharmacopoeia Britannica. That the grain weight at present in use in the shops of apothecaries, shall still continue to be the basis of the weights used by apothecaries in the composition and sale of medicines ; but that in place of the other denominations which are at present in use, the larger weights shall be increased in decimal progression, under the denominations of decigrains, centigrains, and millegrains ; of libes, decilibes, centilibes, andmillelibes; every superior denomination consisting of ten of the inferior. That, both in the composition and sale of medicines, weight only shall be employed, and that recourse shall never be had to measure in the shops of the apothecaries." It is very evident, from a slight glance at this document, that Dr. ANDREW DUNCAN, senior, is not acquainted with the present
condition of the
profession
in this
country;
he has fallen into error in common with many of his countrymen, in supposing that there still exists such a tribe of beings as
formerly denominated apothecaries;he intelligent apothecaries," but the race in England is extinct. As to his " Royal Pharmacopolist," and his " two guinea stamped licence," he ought were
talks of " honest and
to know that
benefit
to any under the being put protection of the Stamp Office. "The Father of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh," has yet to learn the principal of medical legislation, and unless he separates no
science from its
can accrue
the Pharmacopoeia Britannicafrom the absurd proposals with which he has coupled
it, he will find that his whole scheme will be rendered abortive.
WE feel it but justice to explain so much of an article which appeared in the 156th Number of THE LANCET, as relates to the conduct of the late Censors of the College of Physicians, as Trustees ex officiis of the Hunterian Museum, which, prima facie, and in the absence of the 11 terms and conditions," alluded to in our last, appeared to furnish matter for indignant comment, inasmuch as the exclusion of the Licentiates of the College of Physicians from the Museum of Hunter, seemed to emanate from them. But in this we were mistaken; and we take this opportunity of setting ourselves right with the Censors and the public, more especially as the Editors of the Medico-chirurgical and Yellow Journals, affecting pri< vate information, and God knows what besides, havecopied our errors, and railed at the Trustees in good set terms of fustian and bombast, without, in truth, knowing aught of the matter. In our own vindication we have only to observe, that the ob-
noxious regulation was put forward, ostensibly, as the act of the Trustees-as their resolution, and
not as it should have been, enforcement of a primordinate law which they had no power to abrogate or alter. So much for ourselves. As to Dr. illacleod, he talks of the " officious interfe11 offirence of the censors," as if it were cious," to interfere, to do what Parliaas a mere
designed them, and what they had sworn by the Evangelists to perform ! It is more handsome, according to Dr. Macleod to wink at failings, than to blaz ment
them
abroad ;
better to bask in the sunshine
drudge ia the laboratory of truth ; more honest to pubof hole and lish
put
"
corner
favour, than
fair" and " successful
men
to
°
to
cases," than tc)
demoniacal torture,"
by expos..
146
ing their failures and want of dexterity,—and honores of argues
greater "
taste and
judgment,"
the northern fair one, could liave deadly wound on her repu.
to inflicted the
neglect the most important and sacred duties, tation :"It is very evident," says the sage, than scrupulously to perform them. I " that medical men in England, who have never was any where," says the man in sons bringing up with a view of practising the -play, "but all manner of folks loved as physicians, will, very generally, push them through that channel which leads to me most dearly ;" and the hospital gentry "
a Fellowsliip of the London College. If affection they do not, they will be guilty of (t crime for poor Dr. Macleod, that we will be much worse than thut af infanticide !" This is pretty well for a man who has sworn he has exhibited all the agreeable, which and tractable, ground, and graduated beyond the Tweed; trust-worthy qualities,
have shown such
gained
so
extraordinary
much ’favour for his
prototype. But he has something better. If men
can.
friends not get an Oxford or a Cambridge diploma, than the obsequious and obliging Johnson, he says, let them get " a good surgical who has " sentiments of respect and es- education, in order that they may earn their teem," or some such a compliment, for bread nespectabiy and independently as sur. every one that falls in his way. In his last geons; but let them beware of the disgraced Number, this worthy talks of the " march title of Licentiate !" Wlo would have of intellect," and of the " disgraced title 01 dreamed that a Scotch diploma and the Licentiate," which he, nevertheless, reckons license of the College, are incompatible the first of his " blushing honours," and so with respectability and independence; or that Dr. James Johnson, the holder of both, places it on the cover of his Review ! " We have reason, to believe," he says, ivoulcl be the first to make the discovery! We must allow him to know something of£ " that the Board of Curators of the ilunthe matter, as far as it relates to himself; terian Museum mean to pay no attention but we protest that it argues very bad taste to the liberal recommendation of the Trusto blazon it forth to the public. A man can tees, not to permit the visitations of English Licentiates, or Scottish graduates, with- only be disgraced by his own acts, and Dr. James Johnson best knows how far he is out a permit from the London Colleges;" but but must not be allowed to apply and have culpable, also
Indeed, he bids fair to make
have
more
believe, his sweeping epithets shown, that such " liberal recommendation"
as-we
reason
to
to the
great and re-
of the fraternity to which made, and that neither the Board spectable body much against his will, to he so happens, of Curators, nor the Trustees, have power to alter the laws which parliament gave e belong. was never
them, there is
an end of the matter. Drs. SIR AsTLEY COOPER, at the particular Johnson and Macleod have suffered much God for the knows, mortification, request of the KING, has lately visited the adopting error which we unfortunately promulgated ; Dcz:n of YORK, and on the first occasion and the latter has received a severe lashing his Majesty was pleased to meet the Hofrom ’’ A friend of the late Censors," in nourable Baronet at the Royal Duke’s resiour last LANCET, so that it were unneces- dence ; the interview lasted a considerable sary to add more to their ignominy, or their time. The DusE of YORK’S disease is generat unusarcrx, a form of dropsy the most difpain. ficult to remove. SIR ASTLEYprescribed a We set down the followingto the phases combination of squill root and blue piil, which of the moon, not supposing that any one in we understand has been taken with some his senses, who has received the summi benefit.
147
last Number we inserted the ac- to ground the comments which we intend of the LONDON OPHTHALMIC 1-.B,rin- to offer respecting the financial and puffing MARY, as published in the Annual Reports, departments of this pretended Charity. In up to March 1808, and we shall now place February 1810, the Institution was deprived before our readers the various items of ex- of the services of Mr. SAUNDERS, its propenditure during two other years, viz. 1823 jector, that Gentleman having departed this
IN
our
counts
and 1824 :1823.
By Butcher, Baker, Merchant
and Coal
................
By Brewer,Chandler,and Cheesemonger .................. and
By Medicines,
Drugs,
life on the 9th of the above month; he was £ s. d. succeeded by Mr. TRAVERS. Up to this period, only two pupils had been permitted 182 14 6 to witness the practice of the 1)?fii-mary ;and Mr. SAUNDERS had boasted for 0 4 23 although some years previous to his death of hav-
Leeches.................. 120 4 By Surgical Instruments and Optical Glasses............ 13 3 9 15 Bedding and Furniture........
Glazier, and Smith........ penses
By Advertising, Printing, Stationary, Stamps, and Postage By Insurance against Fire and Gas
Lights
..............
6
0
91 18
6
22
34
6
12 2 13 7
£
Drugs
s.
25
4
......
To Carpenter, Mason, Plumber, and Glazier .... 2 To Advertising, Sta153 tionary, and Stamps To Insurance against Fire 15 To Taxesand New River Water 22 To past Anniversary Expenses, 1823 19
Printing,
........
....
....................
Disbursements To Wages and Gratuities ....
9 d.
To Collector for Commission and Extra Service ............
more
profes-
of this
anon.
TRAVERS,
following charges—five guiattendance ; eight months; and ten guineas,
months’
three
guineas,
six
About five years since, the of this Institution was removed
twelve months. BUSINESS
6 where 8
name
0 at 0
we
fear,
scribed
by
a
0 0
9 at
9 5
36 5 7
a
Square to Moorfields, building was erected, known by the of the London Ophthalmic Infirmary, cost of nearly ten thousand pourds, a
which,
4
57 8 214 16
826
at the
firmary
6
House-keeping
....................
country;
from Charter House
144 14
116 9 To Medicines and To Surgical Instruments and Optical Glasses .............. 19 7
To
to the medical
but
after the election of Mr.
Shortly
6 neas,
Baker, and Coal
..................
sion of his
second surgeon was appointed in the person 0 of Mr. LAWRENCE, and in 1814! students were 9 admitted to witness the practice of the In-
To Brewer,Chandler,and Cheesemonger
method of operating
a
861 14
................
very
6
..................
1824. To Butcher, Merchant
on
8
By Disbursements in House56 keeping By Wages and Gratuities.... 217 By Collector for Commission, and Extra Service..........
peculiar manner
a
83
Ex-
..................
in
ing operated
6 young infants who had congenital cata8 ract, yet, up to the time of his decease, he 8 had not communicated the particulars of his
By Carpenter, Mason, Plumber,
By part of last Anniversary
6
was
too
rather
credulous
unwittingly
sub-
public.
It
is, we conceive, unnecessary to enter greater length into the minute history of
0 this Institution 8 direct our
shall now, therefore, attention to certain transactions 6 connected with its government, which, when explained, cannot fail to convey to the 3 minds of the Governors, a perfect know8 ledge of the deceptions which have been 4
8
practised,
busy
;
we
objects of certain have, unfortunately for and the public, taken a
and cf the true
persons who
the Establishment
These statements, taken promiscuously too active part in its government. Let from the various annual Reports’’ now us, therefore, begin with the beginning, lying before us, are sufficient data whereon and proceed to inquire how far the state"
148 ments
contained in the
verified unsparingly
tus have been
giums
so
prospec- such materials, that there can be no diffi. ; how far the eulo- culty in producing the instruments of their bestowed upon Mr. damnation from their own hands. ’The
projector’s
SAUNDERS in the annual reports were merited by that individual, and whether the anticipations of the benevolent Governors, who subscribed towards the establishment of this Infirmary, have been fully or even in part realized. An attentive perusal of the
London
Ophthalmic Infimary WAS NOT INTIN-
SCHOOL, its doors having been closed against those who were desirous to become pupils there until DED FOR A SCIENTIFIC SURGICAL
the fourteenth of
June, one thousand eight hundred and fourteen ;and from its esta. prospectus at once conveys the idea, that blishment in March, 1805, until February, one of its chief objects was to institute a 1810, at which period the projector died, Sur- there was practised within its walls an SCHOOL for the study of
Ophthalmic
gery. rants
The following paragraph this conclusion.
The structure of the eye and the ear is delicate and complex, and their irritability under injury so extreme, that they cannot easily be treated but by those who make them the objects of peculiar study and attention. The acknowledged difficulty in the treatment of the diseases to which
liable, has induced
pretended was one of
favour,
few to separate themselves from the practice of professional duties, and to devote themselves to the exercise of this branch alone ; a fact which sufficiently establishes the expediency of making them the objects of a specific institution." a
Thus the governors were evidently betrayed into a belief, that it was the intention of the projector to establish a school the investigation and study of those dis-
as
such,
sedulously
kept from the knowledge of the surgical pro. fession. It is true, that during this time, two persons, Sir William Adams, and Mr. Stevenson, the private friends of -Air. Saun. ders, were permitted, as a matter of might)’
so
are
was
I a peculiar character, and,
"
they
which it
surely war- operation
become
to
acquainted
with the
tricks of the secret operator; and these constituted the entire number o scholars during a period not only of five, but of NINE YEARS, as the doors of the Institn.
legerdemain
tion
were
not thrown open for the admission
(and then at a charge of Sve or guineas each,) until the year one thou-
of pupils,
for
ten
sand eight hundred and fourteen, being nine years after it was founded ?yet in the eases which are peculiar to the eye and the annual reports, penned, we are informed, ear ; but was it the intention that it should by Dr. FARRE, it appears that the surgeon
become an arena accessible to the pub- was thanked by the Governors for comlic for those purposes’! Of motives it is pletely hum bugging them ;that he was held at all times difficult to speak with any up to the public as a " benefactor to the degree of certainty ; of actions, however human race," and " one of the brightest tortuous their course, we can comment ornaments of the medical profession:" inwithout fear of misrepresentation; here we deed, so extraordinary were his merits, that have data which we can clearly observe, and Messrs. Farre, Battley, and Co., expeuded the movements of individuals are as mani- upwards of sixty pounds in advertising them, fest to others as to ourselves. It is the of which we may say, that a piece of more Same with respect to the tendency of ac- gross or palpable quackery was never tions ; but in the attempt to investigate, to practised in this quacking metropolis. It analyse motives, our labours often become be- is with regret, deep regret, that we write wildered in the intricacies of hypocrisy and one syllable which can reflect discredit on intrigue. In the present case, our exertions thecharacter of the dead, but we hold are
of
a
lighter kind, because
the
living to be paramount to us with every other consideration for should sudt
projectorour duty
and hig supporters have furnished
to
the
149
nefarious practices be tolerated, which have our
own,
as we
should be sorry to lessen
by the conductors of this the effect which it ought to produce the medical profession would mind of the professional reader :-
been sanctioned
institution,
on
the
soon sink into irretrievable disrepute, and London, 2d Jan. 1809. the names of surgeons and physicians would My DEAR SIR, ***** YOU DISTRESS ME MUCH BY ASKform as many blots on the pages of its history. ING FOR MY MODE OF OPERATING ON CHILof the which The abettors obquackery DRE_’; BORN BLIND WITH CATARACT, and I tained at this Infirmary, are, in every re- hope, zvheit 1 decline it, you will consider me as culpable as was the quack him- as acting contrary to my natural temper and
spect, disposition. You must be acquainted with self; he was upheld by them, supported by my situation here, with two opponents enthem, and even now they are exercising grossing the public attention. From the the full
measure
The tale which
of their nefarious traffic. free communication between medical men, if I had made many acquainted with it, MY
we now
unfold, will,
we
OPPONENTS WOULD HAVE KNOWN IT BEFORE
convince the Governors that they NOW, AND BEEN ACTING UPON IT, so that I should have lost the credit which’1: have have been most shamefully deluded; that now gained over them, by doing what they their alms have been most infamously be- decline ; only two people, of whom Mr. 0. stowed, and their benevolent intentions is one, are acquainted with my notions, and these are most intimate friends, who have e for the greater part, entirely frustrated. been in the closest contact with me, and Let them inquire of Dr. FARRE, and his from whom I conceal nothing. Mr. COOPER,
hope,
colleague not
the
admitted
Druggist, why pupils into the Infirmary
were
WHO HAS KNOw IT.
until
nine years after its establishment. Dr. FAnnE, the coadjutor and biographer of Mr. SAUNDERS, speaks of that gentleman in the most glowing terms of eulogy ; and in
REPEATEDLY
ASKED
ME, DOES
After this I trust you will
NOT
excuse
me, for I should give just
cause of o.ffence to him and many other friends who have asked me in vain, but have been satisfied with my reasons, considering the predicament in which I stand:’’’*
Yours, faithfully, JJ.SAUNDERS. SAUNDERS.
individuals who had spoken reply We shall return to this subject again and rather reprehensively of the Hole and Corner" manner in which the surgical busi- again. ness of the Infirmary had been conducted, the Doctor thus valliantly writes : " Finally, if his enemies would search into his very ON THE ART OF BAKING BREAD. to some
bosom,
his
private correspondence
is
now
THE popular turn of late years given to hapthe of Mr. study of chemistry has led to many vapossess portion luable discoveries in the arts, and has mainly and as it Saunders’s private correspondence, contributed to support that pre-eminence furnishes indisputable testimony of the real motives of the writer for concealing his which the manufacturers of this country operation from the profession, we will, as hold over those of all others. Much has the Doctor seems to be so ignorant on this been done by the chemists of Paris, and by point, enlighten his understanding, and the Polytechnic School of Vienna, to excite gratify him with a sight of it ; indeed, it is a general taste among the people of these so argumentative, so conclusive, and gives countries for this interesting and useful such a peculiar impress to the memory of ! science; but thus far the population of this Mr. SAUNDERS, to the scientific and libe- kingdom has outstripped t!:at of any other open to their pens that
examination."
we
Now it
a
ral characters of his colleagues in humbug, puffing and secrecy, that we will here
insert it, without
adding another word
of
of the globe ia a with this branch of
portion
ance
possible
to
practical acquaint-
physics.
It is im-
select any class cf£ society to
tronised, but the additions of the editor are letter, it would be more advisable to wait a extremely scanty, and the critical enquiry liitle, until the Government shall ordain the into the practice of surgery, announced in decimal proportions of weights and measures the title page, appears to have been entirely to be generally used, which we anticipate omitted ; at least, we do not find it in the so see done in a few years. This is our opinion respecting the pharcopy before us. macopoeia and the weights, which appear to
us
the
only feasible,
or
indeed rational
parts of the letter. PROPOSAL TO PUBLISH AN ANNUAL A Letter to the Royal Colleges of Physicians of PHARMACOPŒIA BRITANNICA. London, of Dublin, atid of Edinburgh, from Andrew Duncan, Sen. M. D. and Prof., first Physician to the King for Scotland, WE have
ter, which
doing into
so,
just
received the
we are
requested
however, is
following letto
insert;
not to be
of its contents.
our
construed If phar-
Father
of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, &c., respecting a proposal far the improvement of medicine, by publishing annuunder the authority of these three Royal Colleges, a Pharmacopœia Britannica.
ally,
approval non purpuram, non exstructasin altum macopoeias be of any use, a national phar- Non fasces non ingenium artibiis atque scientiis utdivitias, than but better three ; macopœia must be cunque ornatum et imbutum, sed animum communi utilitate inservientem dignitas sequitur. the plan of bringing out a new one annually NICHOLS, Oratio Harveiana. is more than the progress of pharmacology GENTLEMEN,—I need not tell you, that requires, and would impose a heavy annual the Colleges of Physicians of London, of the tax upon general practitioner. Dublin, and of Edinburgh, established at an A supplement might be annually printed, early period by Royal Charters, have always considered as the councils of health for containing all the improvements made in been the respective kingdoms to which they bethe year, which might be sold at a low price, long. In this capacity, they have published, and every ten years the additional matter in an improved form, when they thought it regulating the might be embodied in a new edition. In necessary, pharmacopoeias of medicines, each for the composition this way the National Pharmacopoeia would kingdom over which their jurisdiction extended. But England, Ireland and Scotwith the of the times, keep pace knowledge land are now so intimately connected, and be productive of some good, by preventthat no one can possibly be ignorant of ing the numerous mistakes which now hap- the many inconveniences which must arise from three different pharmacopoeias for repen in consequence of certain medicines gulating the practice of apothecaries in the being compounded after different formulae. composition of medicines in different parts But the fact is, that very little attention is of the British empire. The benefits that would retult from one Pharmacopoeia Briat present paid to pharmacopoeias, on actannica, regulating the practice of apothecount of the slovenly and unscientific man- caries over the whole, are too obvious to reOn that subject, it ner in which they have been got up, and quire being mentioned. I think, impossible there can be two is, of the long interval allowed to elapse beopinions. tween their appearance ; for, as Dr. DUNA Pharmacopoeia Britannica could only CAN has acknowledged, °’ several important indeed be obtained by a solemn act of the Legislature. But if the three Royal Colmedicines have not had a place in the pharleges were to unite in applying for such an macopoeia of any of the three colleges for act, there can be little doubt that it would be obtained. That act might be so framed, many years after they have been in common as to be productive of many other advanuse with almost every intelligent practitages to the rational and intelligent physician, in employing his endeavours in the tioner." cure of diseases. Among other particulars, it Instead of adopting an alteration of might be so framed as to produce a comweights for pharmacy, as proposed in this plete and entire separation between the an
144 honest and intelligent apothecary and the{ common use with almost every intelligent daring and impudent empiric. The sale of practitioner. pharmacopoeia medicines might be entirely These great inconveniences might be ef. confined and secured to the former; while fectually avoided by an annual standard the latter might still be allowed freely to Pharmacopœia, with an imprimatur from all employ all his art in extending the sale of the three Royal Colleges, being printed his infallible nostrums at any other shop he every year at the expense of Government. may incline, excepting the shops of those This new impression, conjoined with a regularly licensed by Government to sell licence to keep an apothecary’s shop, might pharmacopoeia, medicines. From this se- be distributed by the Stamp-office ; each paration by legal authority, there cannot be i individual who shall receive a licence for a doubt that much real benefit would be ob- the year, paying at the rate of two guineas tained. for a stamped licence and a copy But, besides this, such an Act of Par- of the Pharmacopoeia. From the sum them liament might introduce into the shop of the by the Distributor of Stamps, au allowance might be made to au regularly licensed apothecary, many important improvements. Among others, it intelligent physician, appointed by Govern. might lead to an useful reformation in weights ment, to prepare the annual Pharmacopœia. used in the shops of apothecaries, and to a money thus collected, the full exmore speedy introduction into these shops pence of printing and distributing this an. of every article which may be hereafter dis- nual Pharmacopoeia might be defrayed, and covered to be really useful in the cure of even some addition made to the general re. disease. venue, as well as from the licences for the The weights hitherto employed, grains, sale of tea, wine, or other articles. scruples, drachms, ounces, and pounds, are Of such an act of the legislature, it may attended with many inconveniences. On naturally be concluded, that very different this subject, without adopting the new opinions will be formed ;and I am fully French weights, I would yet imitate them, sensible that it is liable to many objections, by adopting decimals. I would continue But the evils that might be apprehended the present grain as the basis ; and I would from it are, in my opinion, of very little adopt as multiples of it decigrains, centi- weight when put in the scale against the grains, and millegrains. Of these mille- numerous advantages which would result grains, ten should form the libe*. The libe, from it. And to submit it more fully to the again, might be increased in a decimated serious consideration of the three Colleges, progression, as well as the grain, its multi- I here subjoin what I think might be the ple being a decilibe, a centilibe, and amille- heads of a Bill which might be proposedby libe. From this standard for weight, it can- the three Royal Colleges of Physicians for not, I think, be doubted, that many import- the sanction of the British Parliament. My ant advantages would arise, both to the conduct in suggesting such a Bill will,I doubt not, be blamed by many. But I can physician and to the apothecary. Another obvious benefit that might be at least answer for my intentions. They obtained by an Act of Parliament, is an an- are honest, rational, and even merit appronual improvement of the Pharmacopoeia bation. And, I am persuaded, I need not Britannica, corrected according to the pro- request that each of you will bestow iipod gressive discoveries made in the practice of them a serious consideration. medicine. It has hitherto been the uniform I have the honour to be, practice of all the three Royal.Colleges, to Your most obedient servant, improve their Pharmacopœias, not gradatim, 82. ANDREW DUNCAN, sen. æt.82. DUNCAN, sen. æt. but per saltum, as it may be termed. They havepublished new editions only at the end Edinburgh, Oct. 1, 1826." often, twelve, or sometimes even more than twenty years. By this means, the alterations have necessarily been very considerable, and have often led to an almost total Proposed Heads nf a Bill for regulating Ilu change of language, both in prescription and Practice of Pharmacy in the Briti6h Empire. 5n the shops of the apothecaries. Several Be it enacted, important medicines have not had a place in the Pharmacopoeia of any of the three ColThat, in place of three Pharmacopœias. leges for many years after they have been in which arc at present published by authority of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of Lotdon, of Dublin, and of Edinburgh, for regulst
annually, collected adequate
From the
*
A
ing the practice
of
Pharmacy
in
Eng1ano,
derived from the Latin word Ireland, and Scotland, there shall be but one libra, though much heavier than the present Pharmacopoeia, under the title ofTHFPHARMACOPŒIA BRITANNICA, for regulating the pound of apothecaries’ weight. term
145
practice
of
Pharmacy over the whole of the
British Empire. That of this Pharmacopoeia Britannica, a corrected and improved edition shall be published on or before the 1st of January every year, to be the standard for every apothecary during the course of that year. That this corrected edition shall be prepared by a Physician appointed by the King, under the title of Royal Pharmacopolist. That, prior to its publication, it shall receive an imprimatur from the Presidents of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of London, of Dublin, and of Edinburgh. That no shops shall be permitted to sell Pharmacopæia medicines, excepting those which are kept by apothecaries who have obtained a licence from Government for that special purpose.
That
apothecary licensed by GovernPharmacopoeia medicines, shall his shop, or sell any other articles
no
ment to vend
keep in whatever but those which are introduced into the Pharmacopoeia Britannica. That the grain weight at present in use in the shops of apothecaries, shall still continue to be the basis of the weights used by apothecaries in the composition and sale of medicines ; but that in place of the other denominations which are at present in use, the larger weights shall be increased in decimal progression, under the denominations of decigrains, centigrains, and millegrains ; of libes, decilibes, centilibes, andmillelibes; every superior denomination consisting of ten of the inferior. That, both in the composition and sale of medicines, weight only shall be employed, and that recourse shall never be had to measure in the shops of the apothecaries." It is very evident, from a slight glance at this document, that Dr. ANDREW DUNCAN, senior, is not acquainted with the present
condition of the
profession
in this
country;
he has fallen into error in common with many of his countrymen, in supposing that there still exists such a tribe of beings as
formerly denominated apothecaries;he intelligent apothecaries," but the race in England is extinct. As to his " Royal Pharmacopolist," and his " two guinea stamped licence," he ought were
talks of " honest and
to know that
benefit
to any under the being put protection of the Stamp Office. "The Father of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh," has yet to learn the principal of medical legislation, and unless he separates no
science from its
can accrue
the Pharmacopoeia Britannicafrom the absurd proposals with which he has coupled
it, he will find that his whole scheme will be rendered abortive.
WE feel it but justice to explain so much of an article which appeared in the 156th Number of THE LANCET, as relates to the conduct of the late Censors of the College of Physicians, as Trustees ex officiis of the Hunterian Museum, which, prima facie, and in the absence of the 11 terms and conditions," alluded to in our last, appeared to furnish matter for indignant comment, inasmuch as the exclusion of the Licentiates of the College of Physicians from the Museum of Hunter, seemed to emanate from them. But in this we were mistaken; and we take this opportunity of setting ourselves right with the Censors and the public, more especially as the Editors of the Medico-chirurgical and Yellow Journals, affecting pri< vate information, and God knows what besides, havecopied our errors, and railed at the Trustees in good set terms of fustian and bombast, without, in truth, knowing aught of the matter. In our own vindication we have only to observe, that the ob-
noxious regulation was put forward, ostensibly, as the act of the Trustees-as their resolution, and
not as it should have been, enforcement of a primordinate law which they had no power to abrogate or alter. So much for ourselves. As to Dr. illacleod, he talks of the " officious interfe11 offirence of the censors," as if it were cious," to interfere, to do what Parliaas a mere
designed them, and what they had sworn by the Evangelists to perform ! It is more handsome, according to Dr. Macleod to wink at failings, than to blaz ment
them
abroad ;
better to bask in the sunshine
drudge ia the laboratory of truth ; more honest to pubof hole and lish
put
"
corner
favour, than
fair" and " successful
men
to
°
to
cases," than tc)
demoniacal torture,"
by expos..
146
ing their failures and want of dexterity,—and honores of argues
greater "
taste and
judgment,"
the northern fair one, could liave deadly wound on her repu.
to inflicted the
neglect the most important and sacred duties, tation :"It is very evident," says the sage, than scrupulously to perform them. I " that medical men in England, who have never was any where," says the man in sons bringing up with a view of practising the -play, "but all manner of folks loved as physicians, will, very generally, push them through that channel which leads to me most dearly ;" and the hospital gentry "
a Fellowsliip of the London College. If affection they do not, they will be guilty of (t crime for poor Dr. Macleod, that we will be much worse than thut af infanticide !" This is pretty well for a man who has sworn he has exhibited all the agreeable, which and tractable, ground, and graduated beyond the Tweed; trust-worthy qualities,
have shown such
gained
so
extraordinary
much ’favour for his
prototype. But he has something better. If men
can.
friends not get an Oxford or a Cambridge diploma, than the obsequious and obliging Johnson, he says, let them get " a good surgical who has " sentiments of respect and es- education, in order that they may earn their teem," or some such a compliment, for bread nespectabiy and independently as sur. every one that falls in his way. In his last geons; but let them beware of the disgraced Number, this worthy talks of the " march title of Licentiate !" Wlo would have of intellect," and of the " disgraced title 01 dreamed that a Scotch diploma and the Licentiate," which he, nevertheless, reckons license of the College, are incompatible the first of his " blushing honours," and so with respectability and independence; or that Dr. James Johnson, the holder of both, places it on the cover of his Review ! " We have reason, to believe," he says, ivoulcl be the first to make the discovery! We must allow him to know something of£ " that the Board of Curators of the ilunthe matter, as far as it relates to himself; terian Museum mean to pay no attention but we protest that it argues very bad taste to the liberal recommendation of the Trusto blazon it forth to the public. A man can tees, not to permit the visitations of English Licentiates, or Scottish graduates, with- only be disgraced by his own acts, and Dr. James Johnson best knows how far he is out a permit from the London Colleges;" but but must not be allowed to apply and have culpable, also
Indeed, he bids fair to make
have
more
believe, his sweeping epithets shown, that such " liberal recommendation"
as-we
reason
to
to the
great and re-
of the fraternity to which made, and that neither the Board spectable body much against his will, to he so happens, of Curators, nor the Trustees, have power to alter the laws which parliament gave e belong. was never
them, there is
an end of the matter. Drs. SIR AsTLEY COOPER, at the particular Johnson and Macleod have suffered much God for the knows, mortification, request of the KING, has lately visited the adopting error which we unfortunately promulgated ; Dcz:n of YORK, and on the first occasion and the latter has received a severe lashing his Majesty was pleased to meet the Hofrom ’’ A friend of the late Censors," in nourable Baronet at the Royal Duke’s resiour last LANCET, so that it were unneces- dence ; the interview lasted a considerable sary to add more to their ignominy, or their time. The DusE of YORK’S disease is generat unusarcrx, a form of dropsy the most difpain. ficult to remove. SIR ASTLEYprescribed a We set down the followingto the phases combination of squill root and blue piil, which of the moon, not supposing that any one in we understand has been taken with some his senses, who has received the summi benefit.
147
last Number we inserted the ac- to ground the comments which we intend of the LONDON OPHTHALMIC 1-.B,rin- to offer respecting the financial and puffing MARY, as published in the Annual Reports, departments of this pretended Charity. In up to March 1808, and we shall now place February 1810, the Institution was deprived before our readers the various items of ex- of the services of Mr. SAUNDERS, its propenditure during two other years, viz. 1823 jector, that Gentleman having departed this
IN
our
counts
and 1824 :1823.
By Butcher, Baker, Merchant
and Coal
................
By Brewer,Chandler,and Cheesemonger .................. and
By Medicines,
Drugs,
life on the 9th of the above month; he was £ s. d. succeeded by Mr. TRAVERS. Up to this period, only two pupils had been permitted 182 14 6 to witness the practice of the 1)?fii-mary ;and Mr. SAUNDERS had boasted for 0 4 23 although some years previous to his death of hav-
Leeches.................. 120 4 By Surgical Instruments and Optical Glasses............ 13 3 9 15 Bedding and Furniture........
Glazier, and Smith........ penses
By Advertising, Printing, Stationary, Stamps, and Postage By Insurance against Fire and Gas
Lights
..............
6
0
91 18
6
22
34
6
12 2 13 7
£
Drugs
s.
25
4
......
To Carpenter, Mason, Plumber, and Glazier .... 2 To Advertising, Sta153 tionary, and Stamps To Insurance against Fire 15 To Taxesand New River Water 22 To past Anniversary Expenses, 1823 19
Printing,
........
....
....................
Disbursements To Wages and Gratuities ....
9 d.
To Collector for Commission and Extra Service ............
more
profes-
of this
anon.
TRAVERS,
following charges—five guiattendance ; eight months; and ten guineas,
months’
three
guineas,
six
About five years since, the of this Institution was removed
twelve months. BUSINESS
6 where 8
name
0 at 0
we
fear,
scribed
by
a
0 0
9 at
9 5
36 5 7
a
Square to Moorfields, building was erected, known by the of the London Ophthalmic Infirmary, cost of nearly ten thousand pourds, a
which,
4
57 8 214 16
826
at the
firmary
6
House-keeping
....................
country;
from Charter House
144 14
116 9 To Medicines and To Surgical Instruments and Optical Glasses .............. 19 7
To
to the medical
but
after the election of Mr.
Shortly
6 neas,
Baker, and Coal
..................
sion of his
second surgeon was appointed in the person 0 of Mr. LAWRENCE, and in 1814! students were 9 admitted to witness the practice of the In-
To Brewer,Chandler,and Cheesemonger
method of operating
a
861 14
................
very
6
..................
1824. To Butcher, Merchant
on
8
By Disbursements in House56 keeping By Wages and Gratuities.... 217 By Collector for Commission, and Extra Service..........
peculiar manner
a
83
Ex-
..................
in
ing operated
6 young infants who had congenital cata8 ract, yet, up to the time of his decease, he 8 had not communicated the particulars of his
By Carpenter, Mason, Plumber,
By part of last Anniversary
6
was
too
rather
credulous
unwittingly
sub-
public.
It
is, we conceive, unnecessary to enter greater length into the minute history of
0 this Institution 8 direct our
shall now, therefore, attention to certain transactions 6 connected with its government, which, when explained, cannot fail to convey to the 3 minds of the Governors, a perfect know8 ledge of the deceptions which have been 4
8
practised,
busy
;
we
objects of certain have, unfortunately for and the public, taken a
and cf the true
persons who
the Establishment
These statements, taken promiscuously too active part in its government. Let from the various annual Reports’’ now us, therefore, begin with the beginning, lying before us, are sufficient data whereon and proceed to inquire how far the state"
148 ments
contained in the
verified unsparingly
tus have been
giums
so
prospec- such materials, that there can be no diffi. ; how far the eulo- culty in producing the instruments of their bestowed upon Mr. damnation from their own hands. ’The
projector’s
SAUNDERS in the annual reports were merited by that individual, and whether the anticipations of the benevolent Governors, who subscribed towards the establishment of this Infirmary, have been fully or even in part realized. An attentive perusal of the
London
Ophthalmic Infimary WAS NOT INTIN-
SCHOOL, its doors having been closed against those who were desirous to become pupils there until DED FOR A SCIENTIFIC SURGICAL
the fourteenth of
June, one thousand eight hundred and fourteen ;and from its esta. prospectus at once conveys the idea, that blishment in March, 1805, until February, one of its chief objects was to institute a 1810, at which period the projector died, Sur- there was practised within its walls an SCHOOL for the study of
Ophthalmic
gery. rants
The following paragraph this conclusion.
The structure of the eye and the ear is delicate and complex, and their irritability under injury so extreme, that they cannot easily be treated but by those who make them the objects of peculiar study and attention. The acknowledged difficulty in the treatment of the diseases to which
liable, has induced
pretended was one of
favour,
few to separate themselves from the practice of professional duties, and to devote themselves to the exercise of this branch alone ; a fact which sufficiently establishes the expediency of making them the objects of a specific institution." a
Thus the governors were evidently betrayed into a belief, that it was the intention of the projector to establish a school the investigation and study of those dis-
as
such,
sedulously
kept from the knowledge of the surgical pro. fession. It is true, that during this time, two persons, Sir William Adams, and Mr. Stevenson, the private friends of -Air. Saun. ders, were permitted, as a matter of might)’
so
are
was
I a peculiar character, and,
"
they
which it
surely war- operation
become
to
acquainted
with the
tricks of the secret operator; and these constituted the entire number o scholars during a period not only of five, but of NINE YEARS, as the doors of the Institn.
legerdemain
tion
were
not thrown open for the admission
(and then at a charge of Sve or guineas each,) until the year one thou-
of pupils,
for
ten
sand eight hundred and fourteen, being nine years after it was founded ?yet in the eases which are peculiar to the eye and the annual reports, penned, we are informed, ear ; but was it the intention that it should by Dr. FARRE, it appears that the surgeon
become an arena accessible to the pub- was thanked by the Governors for comlic for those purposes’! Of motives it is pletely hum bugging them ;that he was held at all times difficult to speak with any up to the public as a " benefactor to the degree of certainty ; of actions, however human race," and " one of the brightest tortuous their course, we can comment ornaments of the medical profession:" inwithout fear of misrepresentation; here we deed, so extraordinary were his merits, that have data which we can clearly observe, and Messrs. Farre, Battley, and Co., expeuded the movements of individuals are as mani- upwards of sixty pounds in advertising them, fest to others as to ourselves. It is the of which we may say, that a piece of more Same with respect to the tendency of ac- gross or palpable quackery was never tions ; but in the attempt to investigate, to practised in this quacking metropolis. It analyse motives, our labours often become be- is with regret, deep regret, that we write wildered in the intricacies of hypocrisy and one syllable which can reflect discredit on intrigue. In the present case, our exertions thecharacter of the dead, but we hold are
of
a
lighter kind, because
the
living to be paramount to us with every other consideration for should sudt
projectorour duty
and hig supporters have furnished
to
the
149
nefarious practices be tolerated, which have our
own,
as we
should be sorry to lessen
by the conductors of this the effect which it ought to produce the medical profession would mind of the professional reader :-
been sanctioned
institution,
on
the
soon sink into irretrievable disrepute, and London, 2d Jan. 1809. the names of surgeons and physicians would My DEAR SIR, ***** YOU DISTRESS ME MUCH BY ASKform as many blots on the pages of its history. ING FOR MY MODE OF OPERATING ON CHILof the which The abettors obquackery DRE_’; BORN BLIND WITH CATARACT, and I tained at this Infirmary, are, in every re- hope, zvheit 1 decline it, you will consider me as culpable as was the quack him- as acting contrary to my natural temper and
spect, disposition. You must be acquainted with self; he was upheld by them, supported by my situation here, with two opponents enthem, and even now they are exercising grossing the public attention. From the the full
measure
The tale which
of their nefarious traffic. free communication between medical men, if I had made many acquainted with it, MY
we now
unfold, will,
we
OPPONENTS WOULD HAVE KNOWN IT BEFORE
convince the Governors that they NOW, AND BEEN ACTING UPON IT, so that I should have lost the credit which’1: have have been most shamefully deluded; that now gained over them, by doing what they their alms have been most infamously be- decline ; only two people, of whom Mr. 0. stowed, and their benevolent intentions is one, are acquainted with my notions, and these are most intimate friends, who have e for the greater part, entirely frustrated. been in the closest contact with me, and Let them inquire of Dr. FARRE, and his from whom I conceal nothing. Mr. COOPER,
hope,
colleague not
the
admitted
Druggist, why pupils into the Infirmary
were
WHO HAS KNOw IT.
until
nine years after its establishment. Dr. FAnnE, the coadjutor and biographer of Mr. SAUNDERS, speaks of that gentleman in the most glowing terms of eulogy ; and in
REPEATEDLY
ASKED
ME, DOES
After this I trust you will
NOT
excuse
me, for I should give just
cause of o.ffence to him and many other friends who have asked me in vain, but have been satisfied with my reasons, considering the predicament in which I stand:’’’*
Yours, faithfully, JJ.SAUNDERS. SAUNDERS.
individuals who had spoken reply We shall return to this subject again and rather reprehensively of the Hole and Corner" manner in which the surgical busi- again. ness of the Infirmary had been conducted, the Doctor thus valliantly writes : " Finally, if his enemies would search into his very ON THE ART OF BAKING BREAD. to some
bosom,
his
private correspondence
is
now
THE popular turn of late years given to hapthe of Mr. study of chemistry has led to many vapossess portion luable discoveries in the arts, and has mainly and as it Saunders’s private correspondence, contributed to support that pre-eminence furnishes indisputable testimony of the real motives of the writer for concealing his which the manufacturers of this country operation from the profession, we will, as hold over those of all others. Much has the Doctor seems to be so ignorant on this been done by the chemists of Paris, and by point, enlighten his understanding, and the Polytechnic School of Vienna, to excite gratify him with a sight of it ; indeed, it is a general taste among the people of these so argumentative, so conclusive, and gives countries for this interesting and useful such a peculiar impress to the memory of ! science; but thus far the population of this Mr. SAUNDERS, to the scientific and libe- kingdom has outstripped t!:at of any other open to their pens that
examination."
we
Now it
a
ral characters of his colleagues in humbug, puffing and secrecy, that we will here
insert it, without
adding another word
of
of the globe ia a with this branch of
portion
ance
possible
to
practical acquaint-
physics.
It is im-
select any class cf£ society to