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JACOB BELL. 



1859. of the measure, and although the bill was read a second time 

 this was done only upon condition that it should not be pressed 

 forward during the then present session. 



Political life. Nothing daunted with his want of success, Mr. Bell, early in 

 the session of 1852, again moved for permission to bring in a 

 Bill to Regulate the Qualifications of Pharmaceutical Chemists. 

 Although opposed by the late Mr. Hume, permission was ob- 

 tained, and the Pharmacy Bill of the former session, in a some- 

 what altered form, was read for a first time. Upon the occasion 

 of the second reading, which took place 17th March, Mr. Bell 

 in presenting a number of petitions in favour of the bill, 

 explained in a speech of some length the objects and provisions 

 with which it had been framed, and at the same time refuted the 

 erroneous impression that the measure in view was designed to 

 create a trade monopoly. In conclusion, he moved for a Select 

 Committee to which the bill might be referred. To this pro- 

 position the House acceded not unwillingly. It was a favour- 

 able opportunity for delaying a measure that was regarded with 

 some suspicion; it afforded the means of acquiring additional 

 information ; and last, but not least, it gave opportunity for the 

 introduction of innumerable alterations, technically, though often 

 The Select incorrectly, called amendments. The Select Committee held 

 several sittings, and received evidence from physicians, surgeons, 

 general practitioners, and pharmacists, the result of which 

 showed that pharmacy in Great Britain was in a state contrast- 

 ing very unfavourably with that in which it was existing in 

 other European countries. But though all seemed to point to 

 the necessity of some legislative interference, the contrary view 

 was taken, and the bill, instead of being rendered more effective, 

 was deprived, to a great extent, of those provisions which were 

 calculated to render it a practical and important measure. 



Mr. Bell was deeply disappointed. The bill was no longer 

 that which he had introduced, but it was all that the Government 

 would assent to ; and the question was between it as " amended" 

 by the Committee, and none. The former alternative was 

 preferable. The bill fell far short of what it was hoped might 

 be obtained, but it was a legislative measure in the right direc- 



