3* '4 TIIK l'K(JFi:s.SI(jX OF I'llAK.M \C\. 



ctiiciencv tlian is desirable in the interests of the profession 

 and the eonntry is of necessity attained. 



Jjiit even with the subdivision proposed, it is a tax upon 

 the student after a day's work in the pharmacy to l)e recjnired 

 to ])rc|)are himself for a strenuous examination, unless si)ecial 

 means of assistance are at hand ; hence the necessity for the 

 provision of such courses by pul)lic institutions, especially those 

 with departments for evening nistruction. This is even more 

 particularly the case in this country, on account of llie dearth 

 of private instruction of a suita1)le character. Lack of these 

 facilities, public and ])rivate, has caused much migration to 

 England in the ])a^t. If the would-be candidate should be 

 serving his indentures at a country pharmacy, he has, generally 

 speaking, but little ho-pe of assistance other than that which 

 his employer is willing to render, since at present there is no 

 scheme in force by which he can effect a temjjorary exchange 

 of posts in order that he may bring himself within reach of such 

 facilities as do exist. In Australia such exchanges are effected 

 through the agency of the local Pharmaceutical Societies, an 

 exam])lc which might be followed with advantage in this country. 



In the subjects of the fmal examination, which are of a 

 miirc >trictly professional nature, it is even more diflictilt to iind 

 the necessary instruction other than that wiiich is learnt in the 

 ordinary rotitine work of the pharmacy. Pliarmaceutical 

 lal)oratories, such as are to l)e foin;d in the College of Pharmacy 

 referred to above, are practically non-existent in this country, 

 and in conse(|uence the studv of i)ractical pharmacy, except on 

 a small scale, is denied. This condition may be expected in 

 a comjxirativel}' new country like this, bitt there are man}- who 

 ih.ink that a necessity of this nature should soon be forthcoming, 

 'i'lie ])ractical utility of such a laboratory would soon prove 

 itself in com])etent hands in manv ways, not least in the investi- 

 gations of the toxic i)rinci])les of South African plants, most of 

 which have hitherto been carried out in Ruro]ic. The Poor- 

 L::w Commission considered the f|uestion of the establishment 

 of pulilic dispensaries, and the utilisation of these as a training 

 school for fiUure pharmacists would be attended Avith gn-at 

 benefits. 



The mere existence of examinations accompanied 1)\ a 

 Wcun of means for passing them is not sufficient attraction, but 

 rather the opposite, and until this state of aft'airs is remedied, 

 n.iigration to F.ngland is sure to continue. In some respects a 

 year's study in Pngland is regarded In- man}' as a Wniidcr/uhr : 

 hm there is another reason of a more important nature which 

 at the present moment impels many, who otherwise might deem 

 it inexpedient, to pursue this course. 



The certificates granted by the English authorities are valid 

 throughout the Empire, whereas at the moment those granted 



