The rejection of tradition in favour of experience: The publication of British pharmaceutical texts abroad 1670 to 1890

This paper presents an analysis of Cowen’s study of the popularity of translations and re-printings of British pharmaceutical texts abroad. Around 260 translations and reprints of over 30 publications were published between 1677 and 1871. The London Pharmacopoeia was the most frequently reproduced, although the largest category was the dispensatories, representing 52% of all those published. British texts were most popular in Germany, accounting for 41% of the total; along with the Netherlands, Italy, France and the United States it accounted for 90%. The appearance of translations fluctuated decade to decade, with geopolitical events having an important impact. Publications peaked between 1750 and 1800, accounting for 51% of all texts published abroad.