Perhaps, in the materia medica, the whole of the botanical names may be adopted, as they are almost immutable; but it does not follow, that, although we say Rheum palmatum, in prescription we must say Pulo. or Tinet. Rhei palmati. The trivial name is inconvenient, and altogether unnecessary, except when it serves some useful purpose, or where there are different species of the same genus used, as is the case with aloes. Yet I would prefer giving, even in the materia medica, simply the officinal name, Rheum, followed by the botanical name as a synonym, thus, Rheum palmatum Botaniæ. *

I recollect reading, I am not sure whether in a pamphlet or in the Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal, some excellent observations by Dr Bostock of Liverpool on pharmaceutical nomenclature, founded on chemical facts, in objection to the new nomenclature, as it is called; and to which he was led by a different train of reasoning (if I remember) from that I have employed.

I shall now add a few examples of the manner in which I would form a nomenclature, to illustrate my ideas.

POTASSA.

Potassa, Ph. Edin. et Ph. Cast. Ruthen.
Kali purum, Lond. Kali causticum, Dub.
Kali causticum siccum, Ph. Borussic.

Alkali vegetabile fixum causticum.
Causticum communem acerrimum.

Potassa chemiæ.

CREMOR TARTARI.

Super-tartris potassæ, Ph. Edin.

Super-tartras potassæ, Ph. Lond. et Cast. Ruth.

Crystalli tartari, Ph. Dub.

Tartari purificatio.

Super-tartris potassæ chemiæ.

PULVIS ANTIMONIALIS.

Pulv. oxid. antimon. cum phosph. calcis, Ph. Edin.

Pulv. antimonial. Ph. Lond. et Dublin.

Pulv. oxid. stibii cum sub-phosph. calcis, Ph. C. Ruth.
Pulv. Jacobi.

Pulv. oxid. antim. c. phosph. calc. chemiæ.

* H. E. Dr Crichton followed this plan in the materia medica with respect to animals and plants, as I have just seen, in a copy of the Pharmacopoeia in usum Nosocomii Pauperum Petropolitani, given me yesterday; although he followed the new nomenclature in the chemical preparations and compositions.

SACCHARUM SATURNI,

Acetis plumbi, Ph. Ed.

Plumbi super-acetas, Ph. Lond.

Acetas plumb. Dub.

Acetas plumbi crystallisetas, Ph. C. Bath.

Plumbum aceticum, Ph. Boruss.
Cerussa acetata.

ACETIS PLUMBI CHEMIE.

N. B. The confusion of following chemistry, and the chang, ing of names, is well illustrated, especially in the last example, sugar of lead, which has three chemical names. One college reckons it an acetate; another, an acetite; and a third, a superacetate; and, with the improvement of science, we may soon have some additional names, How many similar examples might be quoted from the three pharmacopoeias alone, not to speak of the opinions of some distinguished chemists, who have shown the inaccuracy of many of the names!

CALOMELAS.

Submurias hydrarg. Ph. Ed.

Hydrargyr. submurias, Ph. Lond.

Submurias hydrargyr. sublimat. sive calomelas, Ph. Dublin.
Murias hydrargyr. oxydulat. præparat. Ph. C. Ruth.
Mercurius dulcis.

Submurias hydrargyr. chemia.

N. B. The chemical names also differ here,

These examples will illustrate what I mean, that, under the Immutable Officinal Name, printed in large characters, all the important synonyms, and lastly, the chemical name, in a line by itself, shall follow. I have only put down one chemical name; but as chemists differ in opinion sometimes, different names could be added, with a reference to the works of the authors And at the end of the pharmacopeia, I would have one gene ral index, alphabetically arranged, as in your pharmacopoeia, so that any medicine could be found in a moment, either by old or new, or chemical or botanical name, &c. This is agreeable to the plan of Linnæus, in his celebrated work; and would be in reality following Linnæan principles. I have marked Potassa, Cremor Tartari, Pulv. Antimon., Saccharum Saturni, Calomelas, as immutable officinal names. I only put these down, however, as they strike me to be good names. The name of

the medicine most approved should occupy their places, and they can follow as synonyms. Another rule, in the formation of names, perhaps, might be added,—that is, as often as possible,

when the old name is equally simple and good, that it should be retained, or made the officinal name. This might be done out of respect for our ancestors, but, in my opinion, for a much more powerful reason; viz. that we ourselves may the more easily understand their works; and, as my good friend H. E. Dr Rogerson lately said to me, for the advantage of our successors. To appreciate the advantages of a fixed nomenclature for our posterity, we need only recal to mind how much more easily, and with how much more pleasure, we would read the works of our ancient writers within only a century, in Britain (not to speak of Continental writers), had the terminology been the same as at the present day, or as it was only twenty years ago. Indeed, if I mistake not, we have already made considerable progress, and are rapidly advancing into the same state of obscurity, by the multiplicity and confusion of names in pharmaceutical nomenclature, that was so objectionable in botany, for want of a general plan, previous to the time of the ingenious, indefatigable, and immortal Linnæus. I wish some individual, of a mind equally clear and capacious, would devote his time to a science still more important than botany, and issue a Pharmaceutical Nomenclature into light worthy of its author,-by which he would do himself much honour,-contribute greatly to the advancement of pharmaceutical knowledge,--and, I am of opinion, call forth the gratitude of his medical brethren, but still more so, that of future generations. I shall only add, that I should be happy to see you crowned with the laurels.-I have the honour to be, &c.

St Petersburgh, May 15, O. S. 1816.

P.S.-In the above letter I have alluded chiefly to a Universal Officinal Nomenclature, the first and most important requisite for a general Pharmacopoeia for the empire, of course an universality of the formula for chemical preparations and compound medicines would necessarily follow; a circumstance also of the greatest importance. Would that it were the case throughout Europe!

IV.

Contributions to Diagnosis. By MARSHALL HALL, M. D., &c. Contribution First: containing, 1. The Effects of the Habit of giving Opiates on the Infantine Constitution. 2. Inflammatory Affection of the Chest in Infants. 3. Inflammation of the large Intestines in Adults. 4. Notice on the Beneficial Effect of a Warm and Regulated Temperature in conducting the Mercurial Course, and in the Cure of Syphilis.

UNDER

NDER the title of Contributions to Diagnosis, it is the author's wish to furnish such practical observations, relative principally to the history, description, and discrimination of diseases, as his professional avocations may, from time to time, suggest to his mind. Such, at least, is the general object of these papers. But, as they may sometimes prove rather desultory, and of a mixed nature, it is thought better to omit any further explanation, and rather offer an example or two to the readers of the Medical and Surgical Journal, as specimens of the rest, than occupy its pages by any further preliminary remark. 1. The effects of the habit of administering opiates or anodynes on the infantine constitution.

Feb. 10, 1816.-A boy, aged six months. This infant had the breast during the first month after its birth, at which period, being deprived of it, its mother began the pernicious prac-tice of giving it an anodyne every night; a practice which has been continued to the present day, and which has induced the following effects.

The countenance has a shocking disfigured appearance; the colour is sallow; the eyelids, especially the under ones, are swollen and red, secrete a glutinous matter, and are without lashes; the lips, especially the upper one, are also bloated and swollen; the integuments of the face, in general, are puffy and flabby, and are marked with deep furrows or wrinkles, especially below the under eyelid, and from the nostrils obliquely downwards, and outwards. When the infant cries or laughs, the countenance assumes an aspect still more shocking, the preceding appearances being increased; the action of the muscles is deeply marked, the integuments being partly stretched, and partly puffed up; the whole face is at once aged, haggard, and painful to see. There is an entire want of that appearance of intelligence observed in infants in general even of this age. It is constantly

employed in sucking its thumb; a circumstance which may contribute to aggravate the appearances described.

The infant is thin, emaciated, sickly, and puny, and is said to be less in bulk than on the day of its birth.

The integuments of the body are flabby, like those of the face. The skin is shrivelled.

The infant is apt to be very restless and cross, frequently cries for a long time together unappeased, and sometimes appears to be affected with griping. It was at first stopt by the anodyne; at present it does not sleep, but becomes composed and tranquil, and ceases to cry.

Its appetite is constantly urgent, and it eats so voraciously sometimes, as to be overcome by the load of food. It vomits occasionally only, perhaps not more than is usual with infants at this age. Its bowels are alternately without evacuation for a day or two, and then affected with looseness, and much griping. The stools are dark-coloured, and fetid. Occasionally there is a copious sweat over the body,

This infant was, at this period, made to abstain from its anodyne, and to take small doses of calomel and of magnesia daily, with a nutritious diet. It gradually, during two months, recovered a healthy appearance; and its appetite, bowels, and other functions, became natural; nor did the morbid state of the integuments, countenance, and the general decrepitude, continue after this period.

March 15, 1816-Subsequently to the last report, three infants, affected in a similar manner from anodyne compositions, have been made to forego their use, and adopt the plan of treatment just noticed. They have all improved remarkably in health, strength, and general appearance.

May 18, 1816.-Since the foregoing remarks were penned, numerous instances of the effects of opiates on the infantine system have fallen under the author's observation, The appearance has, indeed, become quite familiar. One female infant, of five months old, died of the effects of this baneful practice. Before death it presented the most remarkable living miniature of old age, in the female countenance, that can be imagined. To this appearance the absence of the teeth would, no doubt, contribute materially.

The effects of opiates on infants require to be accurately distinguished from those of chronic disease,-of defective nutrition, of syphilis, and from that state of feebleness in which some infants, especially one or both of twins, or those which are born prematurely, or of sickly or aged parents, are brought into the world.