Pharmacopoeia of the United States of America Tenth Decennial Revision [Hardcover] United States Pharmacopoeial Convention

Description

1926 printing. Hardcover has significant wear, discoloration, scuffs and marks throughout. No dust jacket. Spine has tears on the top and bottom and some wear along the sides. Binding is loose on the cover but holding firm on the pages, except for a couple. Pages have a huge amount of annotation and marginalia written throughout on most pages, but does not obscure the writing of the book itself. Outside of pages have some initials written on it. Readable copy.

This well-worn copy of the 1926 Pharmacopoeia of the United States of America represents a significant milestone in the history of American pharmacology and medicine. Published by the United States Pharmacopoeial Convention, this decennial revision served as the official guide for drug standards, formulations, and quality control for the entire nation. Its purpose was to ensure consistency and safety in the production and distribution of medicinal products, a critical concern in an era when many “patent medicines” were unregulated and potentially dangerous.

The extensive annotations and marginalia found throughout this copy’s pages offer a fascinating glimpse into the working life of a pharmacist or medical professional from that era. The handwritten notes, formulas, and calculations suggest this book was actively used as a reference guide, with its owner carefully studying and applying the official standards. Such well-annotated copies are highly prized by collectors and historians, as they provide invaluable insights into the practical application of the Pharmacopoeia’s guidelines.

Despite its worn condition, this book remains a significant artifact of early 20th-century American medical history. It represents the collective efforts of the scientific community to establish uniform drug standards and promote public health, a mission that continues to this day through the ongoing revisions of the Pharmacopoeia.