THE AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY. 
451 
the question in its wider and more general scope, it will not be difficult, 
we think, to convince our non -professional readers, to whom we are at 
present specially addressing ourselves, that the system of what may be 
styled commercial pharmacy would speedily open the door to abuses, from which 
the public would themselves be the greatest sufferers. How long would it be, 
for instance, before the grocer or the ironmonger from the neighbouring counter 
would be called in at a pinch to perform duties which should only be entrusted 
to an experienced dispenser P And, enabled as trading companies would be by the 
variety of their wares and the extensive nature of their business to make a 
* l leading line” of their drugs, selling them at prices which would prove 
simply ruinous to the legitimate chemist, numerous hitherto flourishing 
pharmacies would be compelled to close their doors, and young men of the 
high class now being attracted to its ranks would hesitate before entering 
upon the long course of study and application necessary to qualify them- 
selves for a thankless and unprofitable profession, the tone of which would 
gradually deteriorate, and its present high standard become lowered. Having 
thus practically obtained a monopoly of the business, the conquerors would 
speedily be able to make up for the small profits, or losses, by which they 
had bribed their way to victory, and when it was too late the public would 
awake to the folly of which they had been guilty in thus discouraging the 
growth of an indigenous scientific pharmacy, which had promised to become 
renowned throughout the world. Thanks to the wisdom of our legislators, such 
a catastrophe has been effectually guarded against in Victoria, and in view 
of the unequivocal decision now given by the highest court in the colony, 
pharmacists can afford to forgive the gentlemen of the lower court for any 
temporary uneasiness they may have caused; while our brethren in the other 
colonies will, no doubt, hasten to obtain, as recommended by the recent 
Conference, similar statutory protection to that afforded by the Victorian 
Act. There is one point further in connection with this subject upon which 
a few words may not be out of place here. Without such assistance as that afforded 
by Mr. Goold, such insidious attacks on our rights and privileges as that now 
defeated would be impossible, and it is to be sincerely hoped that few among us 
would be found willing to fill a position so unfair to their professional confreres 
as that recently occupied by the gentleman referred to. 
THE PHARMACY BOARD OF VICTORIA. 
The monthly meeting of the Pharmacy Board of Victoria was held at the 
College of Pharmacy, Swanston- street, Melbourne, on Wednesday, the 8th 
December, 1886. 
Present — Messrs. Blackett, Brind, Francis, Owen, Strut, and Tompsitt. 
The president (Mr. C. R. Blackett) in the chair. 
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. 
APPLICATIONS POE BEGTSTEATION. 
The following applicants, having furnished the necessary statutory declarations 
as to their qualifications, were duly registered as pharmaceutical chemists: — 
Robinson, John Edward, Toorak-road ; minor certificate Pharmaceutical Society 
Great Britain. 
Cunningham, Oscar William, 126 Gertrude-street, Fitzroy; minor certificate 
Pharmaceutical Society Great Britain. 
Parsons, William, Sandhurst ; in business in Victoria before 1st October, 1876. 
