THE AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY. 
3 
3. That students should attend certain specified courses in college classes on 
Chemistry, Botany, Materia Me die a, etc. 
4. That they pass examinations in due course in these subjects, and a final and 
practical Examination in Pharmacy. 
If these are attained, no future divergence will be likely to take place between the 
colonies. In fact, a federal council could be formed ultimately to meet alternately at 
the various capitals, to watch over and discuss all matters relating to Pharmacy in 
Australia, as well as for the purpose of advancing the progress of science in all its rela- 
tions to Pharmacy. Steady work, hopeful courage, and high aims will assuredly accom- 
plish all this, and more. As our more youthful members in this and the other colonies 
may not be seized of the past history of the rise and growth of Pharmacy in Victoria, we 
have thought it not inexpedient to give a brief history thereof, and also to address a few 
words of a didactic and encouraging character to those who have not been long in the 
ranks, or are only upon the threshold. Our ideal is a high one, and as we have always 
striven for it in the past, with still more emphasis and hope will push on towards its full 
realisation, not now, or during the few and lessening years that remain, but in that great 
future which imagination justifiably pictures — which is, or may be — in store for succeeding 
generations in this happy and beautiful continent of Australia. It will be in yourselves 
that you “ are thus and thus.” 
We in Victoria have to congratulate ourselves that, after much effort and anxiety, 
Pharmacy has obtained not only a name, but a “ local habitation.” We have to thank 
the Government for their assistance and enlightened apj)reciation of the needs of 
Pharmacy as a branch of medical education, and also those who, by their foresight, took 
the necessary steps to obtain site and buildings, now firmly established as a College of 
Pharmacy, for the purpose of more conveniently and efficiently carrying on the important 
work of Pharmaceutical Education. The Melbourne University has its Medical School, 
and is about to spend some thousands of pounds granted by Parliament. Thus, it is to 
be hoped that our medical faculty are fully alive to the urgent need of keeping the 
education and training of the physicians and surgeons of Australia abreast of the 
teaching in the great European schools. The Sydney University, it is gladly recognised, 
is also making the most earnest and active efforts to be, if possible, ahead of us. The 
Melbourne University has at last accepted our College of Pharmacy, and thus — 
Pharmacy has now a place in the system of medical education in this colony ; the 
teaching of Materia Medica , Botany, and Chemistry at the University was found, if not 
inadequate, at least ill-adapted to the proper education of pharmaceutical chemists. 
Therefore, after long and careful consideration, it was decided by the council of the 
Pharmaceutical Society to form a College of Pharmacy, which was done in 1882, under 
the direction of the Society, for teaching Chemistry, Materia Medica , and Botany. This 
step met with the warm approval and recognition of the Pharmacy Board. A large 
number of students have gone through the School and passed the various examinations 
required by law, some of them having given evidence of great intelligence and proficiency 
in the various branches of knowledge, some receiving the gold medal given by the 
Society for excellence. The experience gained by the examiners appointed by the 
Board has enabled them so to improve the methods of examination that much more 
definite and satisfactory results are now being obtained. The Preliminary Examination, 
which must be passed before apprenticeship, is conducted by Mr. James Clegy, M.A., 
and has given entire satisfaction. It is curious to find that the average of failures in 
this examination is much about the same as in the corresponding examination in 
England. Judging by a comparison of the state of Pharmacy in the past before the 
passing of the Pharmacy Act, with the present we have every reason to be satisfied that 
a great improvement is manifest, and that the public may feel that their interests have 
been considered. The medical profession may rest assured that the preparation and 
dispensing of medicines will be in safe hands. 
It may be interesting to some of our more youthful members to have a slight 
historical sketch of the rise and progress of Pharmacy in Victoria. In the early days — 
now gradually fading into the twilight of the past — before the gold era, when the popula- 
tion was small, there were very few pharmacists, or, to use the ancient term, chemists and 
druggists. Most of those who were in business had emigrated before the establishment 
of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, and belonged to the old school. After 
the discovery of gold, when population and prosperity increased, many young pharmacists 
