86 
THE AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY. 
We have so often dealt with this subject that we should hesitate to revert 
to it here were it not that it is so hopefully anticipated that the prospect 
of assimilating the pharmacy laws of the several colonies, and of pro- 
curing the establishment of a uniform system of training, teaching, and examination 
will be more greatly favoured by the proposed Conference than by any other 
apparent means ; and that it seems likely that only out of such a movement 
can the reforms aimed at be brought about. It is not merely that enlightened 
pharmacists hold the fruition of these hopes to be vital to the status of their 
calling, and to the advancement of science, but the reforms in question are 
absolutely essential to the public safety. Were we addressing the ordinary reading 
public, we apprehend that we should have no difficulty in arousing popular feeling 
in favour of our desiderata , on merely drawing attention to the monstrous 
absurdity of safeguarding the public in every possible way, so far as concerns 
the prescriber of drugs, while exacting comparatively little assurance that the 
dispenser is duly qualified to carry into effect the doctor’s orders. This 
alarming incongruity could not fail to at once strike the lay reader, and we 
have little fear but that Australasian pharmacists are now thoroughly in accord in 
a desire to arrive at an agreement upon the points referred to. To the uninitiated, 
Mr. Bowen’s address, delivered in the capacity of retiring President of the Victoria 
located Society, may savour of extravagance, and, although we hope not, there 
may be some members of the craft who may similarly regard it. But neither 
the educated lay reader, nor the enlightened pharmacist, will be of the number. 
Mr. Bowen, if in the language of enthusiasm, merely echoes the sentiments of 
all those to whom the interests of pharmacy are dear when remarking upon 
the progress which had been made towards the advancement of the art in the 
southern capital, and in hopefully picturing the splendid results to the public, 
to the profession, and to pharmacy, which were yet to be gained. A member 
both of the Queensland and Victorian Societies gave most gratifying assurance 
to the meeting of the thorough approbation of Queensland brethren in 
the efforts of the southern Society in advancement of the interests of Australasian 
pharmacy ; and nothing could be happier than Mr. Blackett’s prognosticated outcome 
of the Conference — that the representatives of the various colonies would go back to 
their respective Governments and say, “ Do for us what the Victorian Legislature 
has done for their pharmacists ! Let our pharmacy laws be assimilated, so that 
certificates may be interchangeable ; and we shall then have an Australasian piece of 
statesmanship which— at least so far as pharmacy is concerned— will obliterate the 
geographical limitations of the colonies, and secure a federation regarding the 
advantage of which there can be no difference of opinion, since it will give a status 
to a scientific body and security to the public health.” 
The record of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australasia is one in which the 
members have good grounds for gratification, and out of the engagement of the 
newly-appointed Director of the College of Pharmacy, and the October Conference, 
we hope that such good work will result as will crown the present year with new and 
higher honours. 
The British and Colonial Druggist quotes the following as a convenient 
and elegant method of dispensing essential oils when ordered in the form of 
pills : — The prescribed quantity of essential oil is poured into the mortar, and 
sufficient carbonate of magnesium added to produce a somewhat dry mass ; to 
this is added a few drops of balsam of Peru, and the whole is well beaten until 
of a suitable consistence. 
