PRICES. 
547 
dictation but simply in the hope of good resulting, we approach the subject. 
The discussion is rendered more than usually difficult from the fact, that there 
can be no universal tariff—difference of locality, custom, and surrounding cir¬ 
cumstances, forbid the entertainment of the idea. 
But while each Pharmaceutist must consult the exigencies of his position, it 
may be doubted whether he always sufficiently realizes that advantage to which 
he is justly entitled, by his previous training and greater consequent intel¬ 
ligence ; whether, on the contrary, he is not in error in adopting trade expe¬ 
dients to the total exclusion of his professional character, and that in a manner 
unfavourable to his own interests; and whether of late he has not been unwisely 
tempted to enter into a competition for which his business is not fitted. There 
does appear a tendency amongst us to fix the rate of remuneration at too low r a 
standard, a proceeding which it is not our province to condemn but to lament. 
Few will hesitate to credit the assertion, that the trade aspect of pharmacy 
might with advantage be more encouraging; its hours would bear shortening 
with comfort to those concerned, and the largeness of its returns has caused 
hitherto little anxiety to Rothschild. Hence we are justified in endeavouring 
to promote the wellbeing of the druggist by recalling a few known facts. 
Firstly, no lowering of price even to one degree short of zero, will increase 
the consumption of physic by a single ounce, being precisely that which sepa¬ 
rates pharmacy from general commerce. A black draught is occasionally of 
use, when not required, no tempting discount will induce the sale of an extra 
dose. Rhubarb ranks high in the catalogue of Materia Mediea: assign to it a 
proper value and it may help to pay the rent, retail it at an infinitesimal ad¬ 
vantage if you will, the loss will be your own, for a too cautious public may 
suspect the quality of the article, and most probably go elsewhere. In any case 
the dyspeptic world will take as much and no more than their disordered systems 
want. 
This plan of underselling (for that is its true designation and only object) 
may in some instances attract more customers to a particular establishment, a 
gain painfully counterbalanced, not merely by injury to others, but by the 
creation of a low grinding business which no intelligent man need follow. 
Secondly, the existing tariff imposed not by the public but the druggist, is 
on an average based upon such slender profits that prudence dictates no further 
diminution. Like London milk it will bear no more dilution. Already this 
timid policy of undercharge finds its expression in late hours, low paid salaries, 
and lingering occupation, though it would be folly not to state that to these 
remarks there are admirable exceptions. Under the sinister influence of this 
trade-mistake a mau becomes jealous of his brother Pharmaceutist, almost 
refuses him the courtesies of life, and trembles to afford the slightest accom¬ 
modation, lest a rival, who should have been a friend, might appropriate a stray 
customer. 
No one can accuse us of any wish to be satirical; wrn are sincerely sorry to 
be compelled to state that many amongst us place themselves in a position as 
undesirable as it is unnecessary. 
Wrong it is, undoubtedly, to encourage exorbitant and fancy charges, an evil 
which exacts its own retribution ; but the fault is our own entirely when we 
fail to place a fair and legitimate value both on our skill and our commodities. 
Lastly, do we not sometimes forget that self-respect which men of education 
owe themselves?—being such, we believe drugs and preparations should be 
genuine; not museum specimens, but beyond suspicion. Why should we vend 
them at a starvation estimate ? 
These observations must begin and end in generalities from which the reader 
will have to draw his own practical conclusions—their scope may be thus in¬ 
dicated. 
2 N 2 
