MANCHESTER CHEMISTS AND DRUGGISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 
427 
Continuing his remarks with regard to apprentices, he said that there should he a 
compulsory examination in Botany and Chemistry before apprenticeship ; that masters 
should pay more attention to the studies of apprentices, giving them time during the 
day, and facilities for attending lectures. At the conclusion of the apprenticeship he 
recommended a course of laboratory study, and another compulsory examination before 
taking an assistant’s situation. He feared that young men, by laziness and neglect of 
their present opportunities, sometimes deterred masters from affording more. He thought 
it desirable that local examinations should be held. 
In the practice of pharmacy, he held it the duty of the chemist to examine the drugs 
which he received, and to adhere rigidly to the Pharmacopoeia. He disliked secret for¬ 
mulae, and denounced the sale of patent medicines as a system of quackery from begin¬ 
ning to end, especially those for the cure of secret diseases. 
Mr. Abraham said that the Minor examination was originally intended for assistants, 
and would meet Mr. Tate’s views if it were rendered compulsory before an apprentice 
could become an assistant. 
Mr. Sharp was disappointed with the paper, as it contained no practical information 
or suggestions to chemists and druggists as to their position under the new Act. He 
had no sympathy with the present excessive rage for scientific learning, which would 
not allow a joiner to make a table unless he knew all about the botany of the trees 
which yielded the wood with which he worked. With regard to pupilage, he thought 
that at present it was more in use than apprenticeship ; that it was impossible to make 
chemists’ shops laboratories or schools of pharmacy ; and in country places he would 
tolerate counter-prescribing in simple cases. 
Mr. Symes differed from the last speaker with regard to scientific knowledge. He 
did not think that pupilage would answer, and believed that apprentices lost much time 
that they might very well improve. He thought that a chemist could find time, and 
ought, to analyse his drugs, and that he should have an ever-present feeling of his 
responsibility. 
Mr. Bedford said that the members must feel that the labour and research of Mr. 
Tate deserved their thanks, and proposed a vote to that effect. 
Mr. Sharp seconded the vote, which was carried unanimously. 
THE MANCHESTER CHEMISTS AND DRUGGISTS’ ASSOCIATION, FOR 
MANCHESTER AND DISTRICT. 
Lecture Arrangements for the Present Session. 
Chemistry .—A course of twenty lectures on chemistry, with special reference to 
pharmacy, will be given at Owens College, Manchester, on Wednesday evenings, at 
six, p.m., commencing January 13th, 18G9, when Professor Roscoe, B.A., F.R.S., Ph.D., 
etc., will deliver the introductory lecture. The course will be continued by C. Schor- 
lemmer, Esq., F.C.S. Fee 7s. 6d. It is hoped that Principals, as well as Assistants and 
Apprentices, will take tickets for this course, and be present at Professor Roscoe’s 
lecture. Non-Members will be admitted to this course only at 10s. 6d. 
Materia Medica .—A course of twelve lectures will be delivered at Union Chambers, 
15, Dickinson Street, Manchester, on Monday evenings, at 7.30, p m., by A. Somers, Esq., 
Lecturer on Materia Medica, at the Manchester Royal School of Medicine, commencing 
January 11th, 1869. Fee 6s. 
Latin .—Classes will be held at Union Chambers, 15, Dickinson Street, Manchester, 
on Monday evenings, at six, p.m., by J. Smith, Esq., B.A., commencing January 11th, 
1869. Fee for the course of twenty lessons, 5s. 
The course of lectures on botany has been postponed till the summer, sufficient names 
not having been sent in to justify its immediate commencement. 
The room at 15, Dickinson Street, will be kept open on Monday evenings, after the 
conclusion of Mr. Somers’s lecture, till ten, p.m., for the use of Members and Associates 
for reading and social intercourse. 
The next monthly meeting of the Association will be held at 15, Dickinson Street, 
on the second Friday in January, at three, p.m., the first Friday being New Year’s Dav. 
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