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THE AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY. 
Mr. Ash (Hobart) suitably returned thanks for the warm reception given 
the delegates by the Victorian Pharmaceutical Society. 
Mr. Sowter (South Australia) remarked that, although the society in South 
Australia was in its infancy, he predicted great good for it by the conference, 
and hoped it would one day be equally as useful as the society in A 7 ictoria. 
Mr. Potts, replying on behalf of Queensland, referred to the many 
kindnesses they had received from the Victorian Pharmaceutical Board, and 
Mr. Shillinglaw, the hon. secretary, who always showed himself ready and willing 
to help them along whenever they found themselves in difficulties. He was 
equally sanguine of the successful result of their united labours. 
Mr. Blackett, in proposing the toast of the medical profession, said it was 
absolutely necessary that the physician and pharmacist should be intimately related. 
The ablest physician might labour in vain without the pharmacist, who required 
to be a man of superior education and practical utility in his business, able to test 
prussic acid, to find the percentage of quinine in the preparation of citrate of iron 
and quinine — (roars of laughter) — and to send out liquor potasse at its proper 
strength. Then the physician would have some confidence in him, and could write 
his prescriptions with safety, well knowing that they would be properly made up. 
It might be said by some people that his idea of the standard of education was 
too high, still he preferred it being so to descending to any lower level. If they 
kept up a high standard they could snap their fingers at mutual stores— (applause)— 
and the medical profession would not be abettors to the degradation of pharmacy 
which they had to tolerate. Ho man worthy of the name would think of allowing 
his prescriptions to be entrusted to wholesale grocers and dealers. If that sort 
of thing went on they might expect some day to find bacon and cheese 
merchants with a surgeon and chemist on the premises. (Laughter.) 
What did grocers know about pharmacy? Could they tell the percentage 
of quinine in citrate of iron and quinine — (renewed laughter)— or test 
the strength of prussic acid? No; their status was limited to pounds of 
butter and cheese. Adverting to the relationships between the physician and 
pharmacist, he said there was a very nice distinction. A pharmacist should 
never treat a case, or pretend to practice a knowledge that he didn t possess. 
Of course they were compelled to give a kind of domestic advice to people 
generally, but they should never venture farther. It was important that the 
cobbler should stick to his last. (Hear, hear.) Many a life might have been 
saved if it had been left to the physician, whose business it was to carefully 
diagnose and prescribe accordingly, and if the pharmacist kept within legitimate 
lines he would gain in self-respect and prestige with the medical profession. 
(Applause.) By their University course the medical profession of Australasia had 
attained a position recognised almost throughout the world. Many a man who 
couldn’t pass in Victoria had no difficulty in getting his degrees at the Scotch 
Universities. (A voice : Question.) He had no wish to reflect upon the Scotch 
Universities, but he really could not help saying that some men who had 
passed in Scotland were unable to get through in Victoria. It was positively 
unfair to the Melbourne University. Protection should be made to apply all 
round. With regard to pharmacy, he did not see any reason why their students 
should not be recognised at the University. Pharmacy was a cognate science, 
and it might be admitted by affiliation or direct teaching. Before, however, 
thinking of, or hoping for, such a step, it was their duty to show the University 
Council that they were worthy of it, and the standard of education proposed 
would doubtless be a wise step in that direction. In conclusion, he said he 
would like to see pharmacy introduced into the medical curriculum of the 
respective colonies. 
