Experimental pharmacology

Preface

For several years the writer has liad a growing conviction that the teaching of pharmacology might l^e greatly facilitated, and rendered much more effective and comprehensive, if each student could have in his own hands a laboratory manual giving exact, specific, detailed directions for carrying out most of the experiments which he will be called upon to perform in the study of this most interesting, vital and complex subject. The small number of manuals of this character w^hich heretofore have appeared in this field may be most strikingly compared with the very large number of laboratory manuals which have been published on such subjects as chemistry, botany, physics, zoolog}^, etc. And the thoughtful teacher might be at once inclined to ask himself whether or not the general scope and character of the work .done in these various experimental fields may not have been to some extent indicated by the number and character of experimental manuals devoted to these subjects. In consideration of these points the author has therefore ventured to hope that in presenting this manual of experimental pharmacology^ to teachers and students, some small amount of good may be accomplished.

My especial thanks are due to the publishers, Avho have rendered every assistance they could in the progress of this work; to Mr. Paul Knabe, who has faithfully devoted much time and labor to the proof reading, the arrangement of the illustrations, and the printing of the book; and to Mr. Paul P. Halleck, who in making the drawings contained herein has given me the advantage both of his extensive experience as an artist, and of his special training as a physician. I am deeply indebted to Mr. John A. Higgins,

4 PKEFACE

who for seven years has faithfully assisted me in performing most of the experiments from which the tracings illustrated in this book have been mainly derived.

D. E. J.

Pharmacological Laboratory, Washington University Medical School.