October 5, 1895 
THE CHEMIST AND DRUGGIST 
52J 
is exhibited to flood the market with all kinds of new drugs 
and special remedies, in endless variety of preparations and 
methods of administration, either before they have been 
fairly studied or tested at all, or only in a most superficial 
and inadequate manner. The consequence is that the large 
majority of these vaunted remedies fail ignominiously to 
maintain their position, thus inevitably bringing upon thera- 
peutics and pharmacy undeserved discredit, and seriously 
impeding their true progress. 
In order to maintain the cordial and friendly relations 
between medical men and pharmacists, to which I have pre- 
viously referred, I presume it will be generally agreed that 
it is most desirable that they should keep to their respective 
spheres as strictly as possible. I believe I am correct in 
expressing the opinion that a large majority of those belong- 
ing to the medical profession would rejoice to see dispensing 
by its members entirely done away with ; and altogether 
apart from consultants, I know many “general prac- 
titioners” who act accordingly, probably to their own 
financial loss. But looking at the matter practically, I 
honestly do not see how the long-established custom of 
doctors dispensing and sending out their own medicines can 
possibly be changed on [a general, or even a large, scale for 
many a day to come, especially in the smaller towns and 
country districts. Even “ doctors ” must live, and so long 
as people will not pay for mere “ advice,” as they call it, or 
give a fair remuneration for a prescription, it cannot be 
expected that the medical attendant will give up his main 
source of income. We can only hope that, as the result of 
the progress of education, ideas will change, and that dis- 
pensing will, in course of time, be left entirely to the skilled 
pharmacist. 
The Prescribing Chemist. 
There is another aspect of affairs which I feel bound to 
notice, though I may be venturing on delicate ground. I 
allude to the “prescribing chemist.” Whether I give offence 
or not, I must unhesitatingly and emphatically declare that 
for him there is no excuse whatever. He has never been 
educated or trained in any sense for the position which he 
assumes, and is certain to do inBnite barm in a variety of 
ways. Therefore I earnestly exhort jou whom I am now 
addressing as students from the very outset steadfastly to 
resist every temptation to resort to such a practice, and not 
to be led under any circumstances into what is an unfair 
and illegal competition with the medical profession. To 
treat patients merely on their own statement that they are 
suffering from indigestion, neuralgia, cough, palpitation, or 
what not, for which they require a remedy, is absolutely 
wrong in principle and disastrous in its consequences, and 
for their sakes, as well as having regard to your own sense 
of honesty and integrity, you ought invariably and without 
hesitation to refuse to do anything of the kiud. You can 
only be working in the dark, for you know nothing about 
the actual nature of the case, and are utterly incompetent to 
investigate it, even if you tried. I feel ashamed to acknow- 
ledge that there are practices prevalent amongst a certain 
class of qualified medical men, which are not one whit better 
than those of the “prescribing chemist.” The running cf 
“cheap dispensaries,” where “advice and medicines” are 
supplied to all comers without the slightest pretention to 
“ clinical investigation,” and, as a rule, at a figure that I feel 
sure would make you blush if I mentioned it ; and the exten- 
sive employment by medical men of “ unqualifiei assistants,” 
who are absolutely ignorant and incapable, and not a few of 
whom are but the wreck of immoral and degraded lives, are 
standing blots upon our professson, and it is a scandal that it 
is possible for such practices to continue. Our so- called “ states- 
men ” and “ politicians,” however, of all parties, care nothing 
for these things. I sincerely hope that you have a higher 
conception of your vocation than to compete with individuals 
of such a low type. As well, or better, may you compete 
with the “ penny-in-the-slot automatic doctor,” of which 1 
recently read. In a nude bronze figure, the well-known 
apertures are placed above the principal vital organs for the 
reception of the humble coin. The speculator makes his 
own diagnosis as to his particular ailment ; he introduces 
his “fee” into the corresponding crifice, and from the 
drawer thus opened he obtains a prescription supposed to be 
applicable to his case, for the ridiculous sum of one penny, 
plus the further charges of the chemist, who has therein a 
decided advantage over the doctor. In relation to the subject 
I am now discussing, I was much gratified, Mr. President, to 
read in your address the following passage : — “ If there is 
one thing more than another that our educational system has 
taught us it is that the best-educated men amongst us aro 
these who never trench on the medical man’s province.” I 
have no doubt whatever that this is a true statement, and I 
have every confidence that those who study here are so 
educated, and have such a high standard constantly placed 
before them, that they ought to give no opportunity for 
being “ found fault with for prescribing or dabbling in things 
which they do not understand.” 
Co-operation with Medical Men. 
It is pleasant to pass from controversial questions, and to 
consider for a moment that of co-operation, which in these 
days is such an attractive word. Taking a comprehensive 
glance at the existing state of things, and looking forward 
into the future, one cannot fail to see many directions along: 
which the authorities who guide the affairs of the medical 
profession and the Pharmaceutical Society, as well as the 
general body of members of the respective branches, may and 
ought to work together on legitimate and rational lines. I 
believe that we all desire a higher standard of education, and 
that true knowledge and culture may be more widely dis- 
seminated among our ranks. At the present time we are co- 
operating in the preparation of a new edition of the British 
Pharmacopoeia, under the able editorship of Professor Att- 
field, and I hope and believe with most beneficial results. 
From your chemical laboratories we have every reason 
to expect that you will supply us with additional and 
really useful remedies and active principles; while your 
laboratory of pharmacy cannot fail to be of great service- 
in advancing this important department in vaiions direc- 
tions. For much valuable help thus already received, I 
thank you cordially on behalf of the medical profession, but 
we anticipate far greater things in the future. With regard 
to pharmacology as a science, I understand that you have 
the means of encouragirg workers to aid those on the medical 
side in establishing and extending knowledge, correcting 
errors, and making new discoveries, according to the prin- 
ciples of modern experimental observation and research. Thus 
are you preparing the way, in most excellent fashion, for 
the true progress of practical therapeutics, with which the 
members of the medical profession are more immediately 
concerned. 
What will be the actual course of events in the future it- 
is difficult or even impossible to foretell. The administra- 
tion of internal organs or their products in different forms ; 
the introduction of serum-therapeutics, with the injection of 
antitoxins and the like ; the development of physical 
methods of treatment ; and other modern therapeutic novel- 
ties, are unquestionably revolutionising our ideas about- 
treatment in many respects. Methinks, however, that drags 
will still hold their own, and that to the end of time there - 
will be DO diminution in the demand for the services of the 
pharmaceutical chemist. With regard to sc-called modern 
progress in therapeutics, I confess I feel personally some 
misgiving. At any rate, I am sure that there is a great deal 
too much hurry in the matter, and that we all need to be 
warned to advance cautiously and circumspectly, like beings 
supposed to be endowed with intelligence and common 
sense, and to “keep our heads.” For some notions and 
expectations still widely entertained there is no foundation, 
whatever, and amongst them I confidently affirm is that of 
the cure of pulmonary consumption by subcutaneous injec- 
tions of various kinds. I thought that this craze had 
received a salutary check, but I see it has recently broken 
out again violently in a tew place! Apart from other 
aspects of the matter, it is a cruel thing to hold out such 
illusory hopes to those suffering from this terrible disease^, 
for which so much can really be done by rational methods. 
Friendly Words. 
I cannot conclude my address without offering you, and' 
more especially the male students, a few words of general 
exhortation and encouragement, though I can only repeat 
what has been said over and over again. I have now been 
intimately associated with medical students as a teacher 
and friend for thirty j ears. Whatever their particular line' 
