PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

THIS little work has been thoroughly revised, and many of its articles entirely rewritten. An attempt has been made to bring it up to date. The paragraphs on physiological action and toxicology, and in fewer instances those on incompatibility and contraindications · (constituting a new feature in the present edition), have been prepared in connection with the more important and better-studied of the newer remedial agents. Not only the results of my original studies of some of the newer drugs (notably antipyrin, chloralamid, chloride of ethyl, hydrastine, iodol, kava-kava, pental, phenacetin, phenocoll, and sparteine), but also the most recent physiological and therapeutic data furnished by the researches of many eminent investigators, have been incorporated in this edition.

Some of the articles

which have been thought not to come strictly under the title of "newer remedies" have been omitted. A great deal of new matter, the largest portion of which will be found in the main body of the book, has been introduced in the endeavor to keep the work in touch with the more recent advances in modern therapeutics.

In like manner an "Index of Diseases" has been added, in the hope that it will prove useful to the general practitioner.

I wish to thank Dr. Seth M. Morris, professor of chemistry and toxicology in the medical department of the University of Texas, and Dr. Charles Milton Buchanan, professor of chemistry, toxicology, and metallurgy in the medical and dental departments of the National University, for having kindly corrected many of the errors contained in the chemical formulæ of a number of the new synthetic products—errors which were overlooked in the first edition of this brochure. To the profession in general and to the medical press I wish likewise to express my high appreciation for kind criticisms and many words of encouragement. My thanks are also due to the publisher, Mr. W. B. Saunders, for many courtesies extended.

GALVESTON, TEXAS, December, 1894.

DAVID CERNA.

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

THAT I have not attempted to write a work on Therapeutics goes without saying. One of my objects in preparing these "Notes" is to keep brief records of the therapeutic applications of the newer remedies, especially of those whose usefulness has been more or less ascertained by clinical investigation.

The progress of pharmacology is so great that it is almost impossible for the standard works upon therapeutics to open their pages for the consideration of so many discoveries as are being constantly made in the use of new remedial agents. Modern pathology, which necessarily includes the wide province of bacteriology, has so revolutionized the world of scientific medicine, especially as regards the cause of disease, as to threaten a complete overthrow of every old system of therapeutics.

A new era has certainly been opened for the study of the cause of disease, and pari passu with the advance of pathology there is a similar progress in the study and application of new medicinal substances and measures, in all of which is seen the checkless spirit of investiga

tion. It seems, indeed-nay, it is a fact that no barrier can obstruct the tireless march of science.

The almost daily appearance of new works on pharmacology and therapeutics shows what the spirit of the age demands, and certainly the market cannot be too full of such books, if the immense amount of work that is being constantly done in the laboratory of scientific medicine and in the clinical ward be taken into consideration. The advance of pharmacology is such that the revised editions of works previously published, and even the new books upon the subject, become old as soon as they leave the printer's office.

Neither the student nor the general and busy practitioner, without neglecting other important matters, can possibly keep abreast of the times in regard to the science and art of modern therapeutics. Each would therefore, it seems to me, welcome a ready-reference vade-mecum. Let such consideration be my only. excuse for the publication of this little memorandum. And let it likewise be understood that my chief aim in the preparation of this brochure has been to furnish the practitioner and the student, and in as brief a manner as possible, the most salient points concerning the employment of the newer drugs in the treatment of disease. Some of these medicaments, not yet fully studied therapeutically, receive merely a passing mention. I have, for this reason, omitted all discussion as