PHARMACEUTICAL LEGISLATION. 
41 
derstood by the public. A more objectionable plan than having for a continu¬ 
ance two grades holding really one title, cannot well be conceived ; it would 
entail constant jealousy and ill-will, and would be most prejudicial to the in¬ 
terests and prosperity of the Society, both as regards status, progression, and 
finance. The following is what I propose:— 
To register as chemists and druggists all who are now bond fide in busi¬ 
ness as such. To allow them the privilege of becoming Members of the Society 
if they like, but they'shall not by virtue of that membership be Pharmaceutical 
Chemists. To register all assistants to chemists and druggists, and all appren¬ 
tices on becoming of age, as chemists and druggists, and to give them the pri¬ 
vilege of becoming Associates of the Society, and when in business the right of 
attending all meetings of the Society, but not to hold any office. To register 
as chemists and druggists all who shall hereafter pass the Minor Examination, 
and to allow them the privilege of becoming Associates of the Society, not Mem¬ 
bers as now proposed —for it is but right that the men who pass the Minor 
Examination and are content therewith, should be content with the second 
grade in connection with the Society. I offer these suggestions, believing them 
an improvement which will be acceptable to all parties; but I think it only 
candid to state that I for one shall not withdraw my opposition to the arrange¬ 
ment whereby all chemists and druggists at present in business have a right to 
claim membership of the Pharmaceutical Society ; and I would in conclusion 
point out to the Council that I, and I believe the greater proportion of the 
examined members, passed the examinations without attending lectures, or 
having laboratory instruction anywhere, or receiving any benefit whatever from 
the Pharmaceutical Society ; and we passed, paying the fees and subscriptions, 
and other incidental expenses, solely to obtain a valuable and honoured title ; for 
what other object could we have under such circumstances? And now all is 
to be lost, not by the incoming of the majority of the respectable outsiders, but 
by the influx, in one compact mass, of the refuse and dregs, to whom the title 
will be an enormous boon. 
I am, Sir, yours obediently, 
j Bridgnorth, May 22, 1867. Thomas Deighton. 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL. 
Sir,—I am anxious to bring before tlie notice of the trade a subject which. 
I think is of the greatest importance to all of us, and more especially to coun¬ 
try Members, who are the chief sufferers from this abuse. I myself, in 
common with many others, had anticipated some relief from the proposed 
Pharmacy Bill, but I was extremely disappointed in the perusal of it by 
finding that it provides no assistance whatever in the prevention of the sale 
of drugs, etc., by grocers and general dealers in small country towns and 
villages. The extent to which this practice prevails is surprising, and is 
probably owing to the low prices at which the articles are retailed, while the 
loss of the legitimate profit is compensated for by adulteration to such an 
extent that scarce a trace of their original composition remains. As an ex¬ 
ample, in this town there is a tobacconist who not only retails castor-oil, tinct. 
rliei, laudanum, etc., but powder for children, pills, cough mixtures, pro¬ 
prietary preparations, etc., and who does not scruple to sell any drugs, how¬ 
ever dangerous, to a class of customers whose ignorance is his only safe¬ 
guard ; this laxity of the law with regard to the practice of Pharmacy is a 
disgrace to us as a body, and shows the necessity for obtaining legislative 
protection to place us on the same footing as our professional brethren on the 
Continent, and at the same time to protect the health and lives of the work- 
