JACOB BELL. 



465 



find him an occasional contributor to the Lancet. A letter, 

 signed Pertinax, published in that journal llth Feb., 1837, 

 containing some capital practical criticisms on the capricious 

 changes of nomenclature introduced into the Pharmacopoeia of 

 1836, was from the pen of Jacob Bell. A second letter, on The 

 New London Pharmacopoeia unsuitable for its proper purposes, 

 appeared in the same journal Aug. 17, 1839. 



These professional labours were not unappreciated by the 

 pharmacists of other countries, and Mr. Bell was an honorary 

 member of various foreign scientific societies, of which we may 

 enumerate the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, the Societe de 

 Pharmacie de Bruxelles, the Societe de Pharmacie d'Anvers, the 

 Socie'te' d'Emulation et de Prevoyance des Pharmaciens de TEst, 

 le Cercle Me'dico-Chimique et Pharrnaceutique de Liege, the 

 Medico-Physical Society of Erlangen, and the Sociedade Pharma- 

 ceutica of Lisbon ; he was also a Fellow of the Chemical, 

 Linnean, and Zoological Societies of London, and of the Society 

 of Arts. 



The incorporation of the Pharmaceutical Society by Royal 

 Charter, which took place in the year 1843, though an acknow- 

 ledgment of the importance of the interests of pharmacy, did 

 not convey those powers and privileges which might enable the 

 Society to exercise its proper influence in restricting the practice 

 of pharmacy to persons duly qualified. Nothing short of an 

 Act of Parliament could do this ; and to obtain such an act, the 

 strenuous exertions of the Society were directed. 



In December, 1 845, we find Mr. Bell thus defining the leading 

 objects of such a measure : 



1859. 



Honours. 



Pharmacy 

 Act. 



" 1. The registration of all persons carrying on business as 

 chemists and druggists. 



" 2. The introduction of a regular and uniform education for 

 our body throughout the country. 



" 3. The examination of all persons who may hereafter enter 

 the business. 



" 4. The protection of the public against the proceedings of 

 ignorant persons assuming the title and office of pharmaceutical 

 chemists. 



II H 



