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THE AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY. 
to carry on the pharmacy with the aid of a dispenser till she dies. As a result 
of this change of system there are at present “saleable’" and “unsaleable” 
pharmacies— 83 of the former, and 52 of the latter, making altogether a total oh 
135, of which 22 are in Copenhagen. This city is specially favoured, inasmuch 
as chemists practising there must have obtained in examination the mention 
“ Tres bien,” which is equivalent to “La grande distinction” in Belgium and other 
European countries. There is no possibility of a “ cutting ” competition in 
Denmark, a price current being fixed by the State, which has to be maintained, 
but which is said to be the lowest in all Europe ; it being estimated that the 
Danes pay at the utmost no more than one-half as much for their prescriptions 
as is charged in England. It is strongly forbidden to give advice to patients in 
the pharmacy, and the prescriptions from the physician have to be dispensed 
exactly. As a consequence of this complete separation of medical practice from 
the pharmacy, we are told that “ the physicians and apothecaries agree well 
together, and respect reciprocally each other’s activity.” In his concluding 
remarks Mr. Atkins stated, in reference to the G-overnment inspection of pharmacies, 
that it was not regarded as objectionable; while, as regards the fixed tariff 
of prices, the low price was more than compensated, because the entire supply of 
medicine to the public was in the hands of the pharmacists. The dispensing was 
very large, and the transactions mostly for cash. It is not very surprising, 
therefore, to find that, after carefully weighing the pros and cons between the 
condition of pharmacy in Denmark and Great Britain, Mr. Atkins felt bound to> 
pronounce in favour of Denmark. 
LITTLE THINGS, BUT OF GREAT IMPORTANCE. 
The Druggists Circular (N.Y.) of March has an interesting article bearing the 
above heading, in which various points are insisted upon as essential to success 
in the pharmaceutical profession. The first of these is cleanliness, which is 
urged to be almost synonymous with pharmacy ; and it is said that “ it is next 
to impossible for an untidy man to make a good pharmacist.” “By not over- 
crowding the counters and shelves, and keeping them clean,” says the writer, 
“ the convenience of the druggist is greatly contributed to. To be neat 
and clean requires one to be systematic, to have a place for each thing, 
and see that it is kept there. In doing this you can always put your 
hand on the desired article, and not keep the customers waiting unnecessarily ; 
and, too, you know perfectly well how much of the article you have in stock, and 
when proper to replenish it.” 
Next, the value of politeness is insisted upon. “ It is unnecessary to chat 
with customers on new business subjects, but answer politely such questions 
as may be asked, no matter how simple or even foolish they may appear. You 
may be sure a kind word often makes a friend — never an enemy.” 
“ The position of the prescription counter in a store is a thing of great 
importance to the druggist, but which many continue to disregard. How often 
it is the case, more especially in small towns, that the prescription counter is so 
situated in the store that customers are able to converse with the clerk while 
compounding prescriptions !” The evil effects of this, it would seem, are too 
evident to require attention being called to them ; yet this is not an uncommon 
thing even in this city ; and even the fatal accidents which have happened from 
this cause do not seem sufficient to cause amendment. 
“ If the trouble were taken to keep a formulae or memorandum book, in 
which to keep formulas, notes, etc., how much time, trouble, and expense would. 
