504 
IN THE FUTURE. 
Touching more intimately upon pharmacy, it is not to be imagined that every 
pharmaceutist would make all the extracts, tinctures, plasters, pill masses, pow¬ 
ders, distilled waters, and spirits; but once or twice every year some green ex¬ 
tract might be made, and a principle established, and even where distillation 
forms part of the process, as in Ext. Jalapse ; tinctures can be prepared, and 
compound powders mixed and sifted by every one, and there are very few 
galenicals that could not be made now and agaiu for the instruction of pupils. 
Thirty years ago and more, when no Pharmaceutical Society existed—when 
there was no compulsory Act of Parliament, there were masters who, with no 
laboratory but such as a back kitchen afforded, taught their apprentices to the 
best of their abilities the real rudiments of pharmacy, not omitting the prepara¬ 
tion of sal volatile, spirit of nitre, and all the other things before mentioned. 
How much more desirable and profitable for a youth to be thus engaged than 
wasting much valuable time, looking out of window! Such teaching will not 
unfit him for that which in the coming future must follow ; on the contrary, 
he will take more kindly and with more appreciation to the lectures upon che¬ 
mistry and botany, and practical working in the laboratory. Enough has been 
written to remind those who are willing to take upon themselves the instruction 
of future pharmaceutists, of some facts of which hitherto they may possibly not 
have thought; on the other hand, it may perhaps be urged that in many in¬ 
stances the premium paid with, or the kind of service required of, apprentices 
has not been of a nature to warrant so much instruction ; in the future the de¬ 
mand will be imperative, therefore the sooner it begins the better. A word or 
two to the young: to those commencing work, to remind them that they can 
assist the teacher, the seed will not germinate and bear fruit upon barren and 
uncultivated ground, the soil must be good and kept well weeded ; listlessness 
or indifference must be rooted out, pride and mock modesty banished, be not 
afraid, at least whilst young, of seeming ignorant by asking questions ; nip in 
the bud carelessness, want of order, and procrastination; expect not too much 
from books aud hours for study,—a good book is a good, honest companion, 
speaking the truth without fear of offence, but it should follow, not precede the 
teacher. Ten years ago I pointed out much that is now taking place, as the 
following extract from the Journal will show, Yol. I. p. 371, N.S. : — 
“ And it appears to me imperative upon every one, whether he be a member 
of the Pharmaceutical Society or not, taking an apprentice, to point out to his 
friends the fact of the demand for an increasing educational qualification, and 
the probability of further expenditure; and at the same time should in justice 
advise him to enter himself upon the books of the Pharmaceutical Society, for 
assuredly that Society will continue to increase aud extend its influence ; aud 
whether education be voluntarily or compulsorily directed, it will ever make its 
way, and compel those who desire or hope to obtain pre-eminence to bow to its 
influence and become its followers.” Time has not changed this opinion, and 
in the future it will grow stronger and stronger. 
A. F. Haselden* 
