PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS — SECTION E. 
33 
one can tell ; we are, in fact, only on the threshold of accurate 
research, but at present wo must admit that the number of indigenous 
plants proved to possess really valuable properties capable of replacing 
articles in the Pharmacopoeia, or of filling a gap not yet filled by any 
•other article of materia medica, is very small indeed. 1 do not, how- 
ever, wish to be thought to express an opinion that there is no 
prospect of a harvest in this field. The imperfect list of suggestions 
I shall venture to bring under your notice will be sufficient to show 
that the ground has been merely scratched, and frequently there 
appears to us some fresh plant whose chemical and therapeutical 
investigation seems desirable. Negative evidence is of value ; and if 
only the research chemist can show that the claim of some of our reputed 
drugs rests on no scientific basis, a great step will have been made 
in the direction of clearing the path of encumbrance. But I believe 
that our indigenous plant substances require only to be carefully in- 
vestigated to reveal really useful drugs. In referring to this matter 
one feels like the voice of ono crying in the wilderness. The men in 
Australia who have up to the present shown the necessary inclination 
and knowledge to carry through such investigations to finality are very 
few indeed, and they are mostly weighted down with teaching and 
other duties. One good way, it seems to me, of advancing this work, 
would be to establish a system of research scholarships tenable in the 
laboratories of men who have specialised in work of this kind. I am 
inclined to think that scholarships of very reasonable amount would 
permit students to extend their time at a university, school of pharmacy, 
or technical college for research work only. If in any of the colonies 
there could bo established a research laboratory somewhat on the lines 
of that in connection with the Pharmaceutical Society of Great 
Britain, it would be a good thing; but, whatever the agency for doing 
the work, there is no doubt that we should, in Australia, have some 
organised means of investigating our reputed medicinal plants. I 
think we could be mainly independent of Governments in this matter; 
at the most we might ask for a subsidy proportionate to the amount of 
public subscriptions or benefactions. I would cordially invite members 
of this Association to consider the matter, for I feel sure that the 
principal reason why more has not been done in the past is because 
the subject has to some extent been lost sight of. 
The Royal Society of New South Wales, by means of medals and 
money prizes, has done much to stimulate research, and if the neces- 
sary funds were forthcoming this Association (like the parent British 
Association) might do good in a similar way. 
Just a whisper to high-souled Australians. Our educational 
advantages are most liberal — one might say lavish. Has the time 
not yet arrived when we should compete with the scientific men of 
Europe for the privilege of investigating our own plant products? I 
would like to see our research work in the domain of our indigenous 
vegetation to be at least as successful as our cricket. Intellectual 
victors may not be app lauded so vociferously as our heroes of athletics, 
but there is nothing in the world (other than a kind act) which causes 
the doer such happiness in the doing as research work. 
Last year the British Government communicated with the various 
Australian Governments on the subject of proposed additions and 
amendments to the forthcoming Pharmacopoeia. The notes I am 
c 
