October, 1881. 
THE CHEMIST AND DRUGGIST. 
42 
In Germany the young man must pass the 1 1 gehtilfen- 
prtifung,” corresponding to the English minor examina- 
tion, before he can act as an assistant. 
As the Pharmacy Board has power to permit the widows 
of pharmacists to carry on the business of her deceased 
husband under qualified management, it is important that 
this question should be thoroughly understood, and no 
injustice or evasion of the law allowed. 
^he iftontlr. 
In the Ballarat Evening Post of 30th September, in an article 
upon careless dispensing and the sale of poisons, occurs the 
following : — “Mr. Francis Taylor, a surgeon, was summoned to 
attend a Mrs. Smyth, at Romsey. He prescribed salicite ( sic ) 
(bark of the willow), but unfortunately the druggist substituted 
strychnine.” This is a specimen of newspaper scientific 
knowledge and intelligence. In another part of the same 
article we find the following remark, apropos of chlorodyne : — 
“ No duly qualified medical practitioner would venture to 
subscribe (sic ) such a mixture without careful reference to 
the patient’s symptoms and idiosyncracy, and yet any one 
can purchase it, not only at the druggist’s, but at ordinary 
stores.” Surely the State-school has not yet done much for 
some of our scribes ! 
In this issue will be found a contribution by Baron F. von 
Mueller on a new orchid of Victoria. We regret to have to 
announce the death of Mr. Bentham, the great botanist and 
co-worker for so many years with Baron F. von Mueller, to whom 
the news was communicated by the director of the Botanic 
Gardens, at Florence. This news has not been yet confirmed. 
As Mr. Bentham is above eighty years of age, his decease would 
not be unexpected, yet we may cherish the hope that he still 
lives. 
A large audience assembled in the Young Men’s Christian 
Association Hall on the 3rd instant, when the fourth of the 
present series of health lectures was delivered by Mr. James 
Smith, who chose as his subject, “ The Nervous System ; its 
Use and Abuse.” In clear and incisive language Mr. Smith 
described the constitution of the brain and the operations of 
the nervous system. He deprecated the prevalent system of 
“ cramming” in schools as most injurious and detrimental to 
the healthy development of children, and the imprudence of 
young ladies of fashion who waste their vital forces in the 
ballroom was also commented upon. The lecture was 
followed with close attention by a very appreciative audience. 
We have received the first number of the Australasian 
Medical Gazette , the official organ of the combined Austral- 
asian branches of the British Medical Association. It is 
excellently printed, and contains a well-arranged summary of 
medical intelligence. In the inaugural editorial address, the 
conductors promise to “ follow as near as they can in the foot- 
steps of the British Medical Journal .” It is to be issued 
monthly from Sydney, Drs. Neild and Jamieson being the 
Melbourne editors. 
The arrangements for the annual dinner, to be held on the 
16th November, are progressing in a very satisfactory manner, 
and there is every prospect of a very large attendance. Mem- 
bers of the Society intending to be present will oblige by send- 
ing in their names to the hon. secretary at least a week before 
the date. 
We have to acknowledge, with thanks, from Mr. Bosisto, 
M.L.A.,the following donation to the museum : — Specimens of 
gums and resins, and other products of Australian vegetation. 
The second course of lectures at the School of Pharmacy 
Technological Museum will commence on the 6th February, 
1882. It has been resolved that the lectureships shall be annual 
appointments, and applications will shortly be invited for the 
positions. 
ittcctings. 
PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA. 
The monthly meeting of the council was held at the rooms, 
100 Collins-street, on Friday, the 7th October, 1881. 
Present— Messrs. Bowen, Gamble, Blackett, Thomas, Hooper, 
Huntsman,. Swift, Baker, Best, Jones, and Shillinglaw. 
The president, Mr. William Bowen, in the chair. 
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and con- 
firmed. 
Mr. E. M. Rogers, Emu Bay, Tasmania, was elected a 
member, and Mr. Charles G. Hill, of Adelaide, was nominated. 
Vacancy in the Council— M y. Robert Nicholls, of Emerald 
Hill, was elected a member of council, vice Mr. H. Francis, 
resigned. 
Medal for School of Pharmacy.— Mr. Blackett submitted the 
design for the gold medal to be given to the student who shall 
pass the best, examination in materia medica , botany, and 
chemistry, which was, after some discussion, agreed to. 
Grant of Land from Government. — Some time since, when 
a deputation waited on the Commissioner of Lands on the 
above subject, he stated that if no objection was made by the 
Public Works Department to the occupation of the site applied 
for on the Eastern Hill, it would be granted. The Commis- 
sioner of Public Works having offered no opposition, the 
Minister of Lands has therefore been asked to carry out his 
promise. 
Correspondence.— A letter was read from Mr. R. J. Poulton, 
Bourke-street, Melbourne, forwarding his resignation as a 
member of the society ; the resignation was accepted. A com- 
munication was submitted from the secretary of the Pharma- 
ceutical Society of Great Britain, stating that the letter 
addressed to them in reference to the pharmaceutical journal 
being supplied to members of the society in Victoria, would be 
dealt with at the next council meeting, in October. 
A number of letters of no special public interest were dealt 
with,, which, with financial business, brought the council 
meeting to a close. 
SPEcrAL Meeting. 
At the close of. the meeting of council a special meeting was 
held. The meeting was called by requisition, for the purpose 
of altering and amending certain rules, and more especially 
to alter the mode of voting for members of council from proxy 
to ballot. 
In addition to the members of council, Messrs. Ross, 
Dunn, M‘ Far lane, Brownscombe, Nicholls, and Pendlebury 
were present. 
Mr. Wm. Bowen in the chair. 
Mr. J. C. Jones submitted the amendment prepared by Mr. 
Ross and himself. No important alterations were made until 
clause 9 was reached, which was altered, making it necessary 
for persons wishing to become members of council to be nomi- 
nated by two members of the Pharmaceutical Society. 
Upon clause 17 being read— “ There shall be a Benevolent 
Fund, to consist of donations and subscriptions made for the 
purpose of relieving distressed persons who are or have been 
members of the society, their widows or orphans, aided by 
such appropriation of a portion of the general funds as the 
society at their annual meetings shall think necessary, two 
trustees for which shall be appointed by the counsel during 
pleasure”— Mr. Jones said he begged to propose that an addi- 
tion be made to this clause, giving the council power to grant 
out of the interest of the Benevolent Fund a sum not exceed- 
ing £5, to be applied in the relief of distressed persons, whe- 
ther they have been members of the society or not. 
Mr. Nicholls thought the sum so small that he feared that it 
would be of little use. 
