PERIERA, JoNATTrAN, the pharmacologist, was b. in the parish of Shoreditch, Lon don, May 22, 1804. After a distinguished career at a classical academy in Finsbury, where lie remained for four years, lie devoted himself to the study of medicine, and in 1823 was appointed resident medical officer of the general dispensary in Ahlersgate street, at which institution he became, three years afterward, lecturer on chemistry. His attention'was early attracted to the study in which he has become famous. In 1824, lie published a translation of the London, Pharmacopeia • which was followed by A Manual for the Use of Students; A General Table of Atomic Numbers, with an Introduction to the Atomic Theory; and other text-books for the use of those who Were preparing for medical examinations. He contributed numerous papers to the professional journals on the properties and adulteration of drugs, and laid the foundation of those researches which issued in his great work on Materia Medica. In 1832 lie resigned the office of lecturer for that of professor of materia medico in the new medical school in Aldersgate street, and at tile same time he succeeded Dr. Gordon as lecturer on chemistry at the London .hospital. His Elements of ;Valeria Median (first published in the form of lectures con
tributed to the Medical Times and Gazette) appeared as a separate work in 1839-40, and at once established his reputation as a pharmacologist. The treatise is remarkable for the extent its research, the variety of its information, whether scientific, commercial. or practical, end the scrupulous exactness of its statements. In 1841, lie procured the license to practice in London from the college of physicians; in 1845 he was elected a fellow of that body; and on the establishment of the London university he was appointed examiner in materia medico and pharmacy, a post which he filled with admirable ef3ciency till his death. Among his other contributions to science, the best •known are his excellent treatises on Diet and on Polarized Light, both of which appeared in 1843. Ills death, which took place on Jan. 20, 1853, was the result of a fall down a flight of steps in the college of surgeons, and was deeply felt, not only by his profes sional brethren, but by the numerous scientific bodies, such as the royal, the Linnman, and the other societies of which lie was a distinguished fellow.