The American Medical Association and the Pharmacopoeia of the United States of America (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1877. Excerpt: ... The second clause, however, is not so easily disposed of. In adopting this portion of the resolution the Association may, though probably it will not--meet with opposition from the officers of the National Convention. This Association, as the superior body, and even embracing the very elements of the National Convention, may relieve it and assume its functions and work, and may even carry these out in its own way, yet the officers of the Convention may decline to be relieved, and may call a convention in 1880, as provided for by the Convention of 187-0. There might then be two pharmacopoeias, and the practical result of this to the profession would be a conflict of authority and no pharmacopoeia at all. Indeed, there is nothing in this country to prevent there being as many pharmacopoeias as there are treatises on surgery or obstetrics, except an harmonious agreement in the profession to l-ecognize but one as standard authority. The onc-which has been so recognized and upheld is now secured by copyright to the superior officer of the National Convention, and neither its name or text could be justly taken without his consent or acquiescence. When the copyright of the present or current revision expires is not known, but it probably does not extend beyond the time of the next convention in 1880. The writer, as a delegate to the last two conventions, has not been able to find out anything about this copyright, and the Committee of Revision in which he served in 1860-61, when seeking information in regard to it from the publishers by resolution of the Committee, was refused, so.that all that may be said on this point is inferential. It is certain, however, that the officers of the Convention of 1870, who are charged with the responsibility of calling a new co...