character only (a criterion only applicable to the Chrystals of Salts) similar mistakes were made in Acids, Salts, Mineral products, and other gifts of Nature. The Physicians were equally defective in Chemical knowledge; and in intending to vary their Medicine, repeated the same, and often under half a dozen different names, prescribed the same thing in one dose. In the present day (called enlightened) these inconsistencies are not done away; for the members of the old school are still, by far, the most numerous. The sharper Druggist smiles at his customer's simplicity, and avails himself of the advantage; but this is not sufficient without sophistication.

Such as the preparations were, the most prominent, we mean, articles of consumption, in the progress of society, became too bulky for the little Laboratory of the Pharmacopolist. These articles retired to distinct manufactories. The Vinegar Yard appeared. For Fermentation and Alcohol, the enormous Distillery. Copperas, Oil of Vitriol, and Aquafortis Works stood alone. Saline, Pearl Ash, Mercurial, Turpentine, and other concerns, were formed into separate interests; also Drug Mills, and Presses and Stills for Oils, and many besides, which is not necessary, under the present consideration, to enumerate. The maxim that holds good in trade, to fill one department well, was adopted by the Druggist, Apothecary, and Physician. They gave up the Pharmaceutical knowledge they possessed. The Apothecary and Physician could visit more patients, and the Druggist dispose of more articles (to men ignorant of them) than attending to the toils and drudgery of Pharmacy. The Pharmacopolarum tædia atque mærores ceased; but with this resignation, the knowledge of what they purchased was resigned; yet their own interest was increased. The great mischief rested upon those who swallowed their medicines-The Public. The public who were still more ignorant, and who were hindered, by means of mystery and a dead language, from making any discovery. The dreadful mischief, we assert, settled upon a credulous and confiding public. The business of the College of Physicians, and the Apothecaries' Company, was to visit frequently the medical shops. It is notorious that they have not generally performed their duty: and it is questionable whether they possess the necessary knowledge. Many articles when prepared, ground down, mixed, &c. cannot be decided even by the senses of great Doctors, at a shop, upon a cursory visit of five minutes; to be fairly estimated, they must be subjected to severe chemical tests.

Hence these privileged bodies, by such visits, are incompetent to form a judgment; we forbear to notice the singularities that have occurred upon these visits. They are not commissioned to visit, they durst not, the manufactories for distinct Medicines, manufactories that prepare according to order. Hence the evil, in the first and only stage, cannot be arrested by them. Let us look for the best means to remedy the above dreadful inroads upon the public health the-salus populi.

Unavailing would be the endeavour to enlighten the Druggist, Apothecary, Surgeon, and Physician, they are otherwise engaged; but to be candid, were they disposed to be informed, the information in one sense would be useless, as they could not enter into competition with the manufacturer. Confidence in men, religiously just and possessing capital, is not sufficient; knowledge is the only criterion,

It is well known, that a venerable Company in this town still perseveres in making many articles in an expensive and circuitous manner; also that they are excelled by shorter and more efficacious processes; yet from a false reputation, obtain heavy prices from one part of the public, and deter the other part from applying for the advantage of genuine Medicines.

Having concisely stated this deadly commerce of Medicine, at the -expence of the public health, the Proprietors of this improved Institųtion are to determine, whether they will render a service to their country, by establishing the New Medical Laboratory; whether in Britain, the seat of arts, trade, and civilization, the blessing of genuine Medicines, to relieve suffering humanity, shall be still wanting,

Acknowledging this national requisite, let us look to the resources of remuneration, of honourable remuneration. The evil is notorious. A whole public will crowd for relief. The great dividends at Apothecaries' Hall tell the profits on their articles.

The exorbitant price of Medicine, consequent on the non-adoptance of the machinery and apparatus, presented by the new creation, Mpdern Chemistry, show what may be done by superior steps. Look at the number of Druggists, and the rapid fortunes made; look at the immense importation of Drugs, and exportation of prepared articles to America, to the East and West Indies, to other foreign ports, besides home consumption. Behold what is demanded by the Arts, the Dyer, Distiller, Calico Printer, Dry Salter, and by almost every other manufacturer; and now that the advantages will be described in the Eng

lish language, merchants and men of business will be enabled to direct the commercial part of the concern in a superior manner; and it is presumed, that every Subscriber will bring all the business he can, to what must promote his own benefit.

If these are not ample views, your Committee will decline the business. On the contrary, should they be deemed sufficient to determine the Committee to proceed, the best steps must be taken to ensure

success.

All will depend upon the honesty, knowledge, and activity of the Managers.

Perhaps no design ever originated with fewer impediments. The primary consideration is, the thing is wanted; second, it springs from no improper quarter; no falling business, nor expensive premises to be got rid of; no peculiar tradesman's interest, nor patronage to promote. Without circulating 150 Prospectuses, more than the proposed 50,000!. is subscribed, and it has been judged adviseable to extend the capital to 100,000l.

The proposition having been received with the strongest marks of favour, it remains to put it into execution. The plan is digested, and the business will proceed immediately; but it is not the business of this Report to say more, than that the deed of trust is legalizing, and `that se*curity from the persons who are to direct the concern will be required, that they shall never expend above two thirds of the instalments paid; and that no director or person in the concern shall be a tradesman, or otherwise in any manner interested in the expenditure of the capital. In this place it is likewise necessary to state a few prominent intentions.

First, namely, that it is intended to take advantage of growing discoveries. It is proposed by the Committee, that they shall be empowered, to a limited extent, to offer premiums for every improvement actually made in medical and pharmaceutical Chemistry: to be ascertained by proper, scientific, and practical evidence, so as to produce a saving in the reparation of any article.

Secondly, In order that the retail should not be obstructed, or impediment thrown in its way, every prescription will be made up, that is t sent to the shop, in any language; but scientific English is recommended in preference to contracted inexpressive Latin; this, however, is left to the pleasure of the prescribers.

Thirdly, I propose an English Pharmacopeia, which will point out

the defects of the one published by the College, and will shew upon a comparison a difference in its arrangements, in its operations, and in the copiousness of its views.

Fourthly, As this Society must look for the assistance of the rising generation, youths recommended by the subscribers will be instructed in the business of the concern; and a fund should be established out of the dividends, in behalf of decayed members and their families.

Along with these advantages, genuine quality in every article must form the great fundamental object and sacred duty. To obtain which, the medical departments of the concern must be filled only by such men as are fit to detect the sophistication of medicines, and who will have integrity not to allow themselves to be deceived. H. C.

We understand that, in the first week of January, Dr. Charles Maclean will commence a course of lectures, at his house in Bishopsgate Street, on the Elements of the Science of Medicine, treated according to the principles of philosophical induction; in which, contrary to the usual course of medical reasoning, he intends to establish his facts before he draws his inferences. Among other doctrines, in many respects novel, which he proposes to elucidate, are the following: Firstly, That health is the effect of the due and continued action of those powers, which are usually, or may be occasionally, applied to the living body. Secondly, That disease is the effect of the diminution, suspension, or cessation, of the action of one, or more, of these powers. Thirdly, That diseases can only differ from each other in extent, situation, and degree. Fourthly, That agents, whether remedial or other, considered in the effect of their application to the living body, can only differ from each other in the intensity, duration, and equality, of theiraction: from whence are deduced rules for the application of medicines in the cure of diseases. Fifthly, That no general disease, which is capable of affecting the same person more than once during the progress of life, is ever communicated by contagion. Sixthly, That, as all diseases depend upon a diminution, suspension, or cessation of the action of one or more of the powers, which are usually, or may be occasionally, applied to the living budy, no directly debilitating means, as bloodletting, ought ever to be employed.

These fundamental propositions, they understand, will be illustrated, in their principal ramifications, and details, as they respect disease, by

a view of the practice which has been found most appropriate, in fevers, hepatitis, dysentery, consumptions, scurvy, &c. and, as they respect the operation of remedies, by an explanation of the properties of those of higher power, which are in most general use. Considering the positive ravages made by the misapplications of empiricism on the one hand, (its indiscriminate excess) and the negative destruction, occasioned by the misapplications of regular practice on the other, (its indiscriminate deficiency) especially in the application of mercury, and opium, the properties of these most useful, or most deleterious, agents, will be more particularly enquired into, and principles pointed out, by which they may be used, by any person, in any necessary quantities, not only, with perfect safety, but with determinate success.

It being notorious that, on several occasions, when doctrines deemed heterodox, by those self-invested with medical authority, have been attempted to be promulgated, in this great metropolis, means of the most unwarrantable kind have been employed, through the influence of corporations, or interested individuals, to crush the freedom of scientific enquiry, Dr. Maclean, we learn, has it in contemplation, in order to prevent interruptions of the scandalous nature alluded to, to require that cach pupil should, on receiving his ticket of admission, sign a particular form of obligation; and, for the same reason, not to grant admission to single lectures. The Doctors of the Sorbonne, in the zenith of their power, issued a decree prohibiting the use of antimony. The University of Salamanca ordained that, in palsy, no one should draw blood, but from the arm of the opposite side. Some professors of the University of Edinburgh are said to have refused listening to any thesis, which contained quotations from the doctrines of Brown. Many persons in London will no doubt recollect the mode of opposition adopted in the case of Dr. Kentish and others. Whether the liberality of the medical constituted authorities, in London, is increasing with their years, may in some measure be judged of from the discussions which are now afloat. But however this may be, considering the great variety of heterodox points which his doctrines involve, we think Dr. Maclean will do right in adopting proper measures of precaution. Without farther explanation, we are not prepared either to approve or disapprove of his principles. But, whether true or erroneous, they ought to be candidly heard. Applying to the heads, which we have enumerated, the motto of the Great Boerhaave, simplicitas sigillum veritatis, we should be apt, upon the whole, to form rather favourable expectations.