42 
PHARMACEUTICAL LEGISLATION. 
ing classes from the rapacity of ignorant and unscrupulous men. The restric¬ 
tion of the sale of poisons will be of little effect if such men are still allowed 
to continue this promiscuous dabbling in medicines, of the effects of which 
they are entirely ignorant. 
I am, Sir, yours obediently, 
Sevenoaks, June 20th. Trank Vincer. 
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TO THE EDITORS OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL. 
Gentlemen,—It is with the liveliest interest and sympathy that I read the 
important discussions now going on in your pages in reference to the recon¬ 
struction of the Society, with a view to legislative restriction, and to the 
“ settlement” of the question which is as important to our body as that of 
“ reform ” is to the body politic. I have no doubt, were I still in your midst, 
I should have been actively engaged in discussing the many questions which 
naturally arise when the existing state of things has to be disturbed. I am 
sure, however, that although I have no longer the benefit of a view of the 
“ whole board,” yet I may venture an expression of opinion, without detri¬ 
ment to the game ; and as chess-players are sometimes skilful at a distance, 
having time to consider their moves, I need not hesitate to convey to you my 
opinion on the state of the game as shown by this month’s Journal. 
In the first place, I would reiterate the views which I expressed at the last 
special meeting of the Society, which were considerably abridged and toned 
in reporting. I conceive that the history of our Society, like that of many 
of our Universities, has been, is likely to be, that of a series of cataclysms or 
great events. 
Firstly, the founders start with limited means and doubtful success. 
Then, with more or less success, the ingredients work themselves, or are 
worked by an industrious leader, into a comfortable mass of a pilular consis¬ 
tence ; then fermentation or spontaneous combustion ensues, with gaseous 
products previously unsuspected; perhaps solution is attempted, and a per¬ 
manent separation of a portion of the mass is thus effected. The main body 
again coalesces, especially under any circumstance of external pressure, and 
new materials come in of a more adhesive character, and the main original 
mass preserves its character. But should it be desired to preserve in unity 
the parent mass and its liquid or gaseous products, this may be best done by 
providing separate vessels adapted to the character of each, and not so well 
by a pounding of all together. Thus, as I observed on the occasion alluded 
to, the founders present a compact phalanx of benevolent and far-seeing indi¬ 
viduals, who steadily subscribed and worked for a future benefit which should 
be mutual and reciprocative. The “ outsiders ” joined in 1852, because they 
were like-minded, and had missed the first opportunity, or were not, at the 
time, in the position to appreciate it. The Examined Members form a third 
rank of men, who have taken early advantage of the opportunities afforded, 
and who have received in their educational training far more than a “ quid pro 
quo ” for their expenditure, and who should be, and I believe are, the most 
liberal class of the pharmaceutical community. Then we have established by 
law a social privilege of registration, which enables a man to occupy a cer¬ 
tain social status, as a pupil, assistant, or “pharmaceutical chemist,” by a 
prescribed examination and fee, without any future contribution to the sup¬ 
port of' the Society, or any of its internal social privileges. 
So far we have established the principle of an “ imperium in imperio and 
I repeat that I think the best interests of the Society would have been served 
by maintaining this principle in its integrity, and admitting “ chemists and 
