THE PROPOSED NEW MEDICAL ACT. 67 
up there until he had found out the nearest Pharmaceutical chemist, as he 
always recommended one of that body. 
I quite agree with your correspondent that some chemists in the country do 
not give preference to young men for assistants belonging to the Society, but 
the reason is obvious; their businesses consist principally, besides retailing a few 
drugs, and cultivating inorganic chemistry, of selling oils, paints, cigars, a varied 
assortment of fancy pipes, light wines, and even in some instances bottled beer, and 
in such cases a certain amount of trade sharpness is more requisite than a know¬ 
ledge of the nature of medicines. On reflection, I think there can be no doubt 
but that the question of establishing provincial examinations at present is pre¬ 
mature, and quite uncalled for, when the examinations are held in London ten 
times in the year, and conducted by a board .of examiners selected on account 
of their special qualifications, each one taking a special department, and where 
the candidate may rely upon having a fair and impartial examination. We have 
also in Bloomsbury Square an excellent library, and a museum containing an 
admirable collection of animal and vegetable products from every part of the 
world, arranged for the convenience of systematic study, and it would be quite 
impossible that the arrangements for conducting the examinations in the pro¬ 
vinces could be carried out with the same amount of precision as in London. 
The Society having steadily gained ground is a sufficient proof that it has 
already adapted itself to the wants of the profession. It cannot however be sup¬ 
posed that men of long standing in business, however well qualified, will submit 
themselves to the examination test; but it is most important to the youthful 
candidates connected with the Society, for their own future benefit, that they 
should adapt themselves to its requirements. What books to read and a certain 
course of study have from time to time been laid down in these pages; and I 
think few young men, after preparing themselves for the examinations will scruple 
at the trifling expense of a journey to London to obtain the desired object. I 
have frequently heard candidates complain of the stringency of the examinations, 
or rather of the work in preparing for them, but never heard a murmur concern¬ 
ing the expense of passing them. 
I remain, yours faithfully, 
A Major Associate. 
Windermere , July 18, 1863. 
TILE PEOPOSED NEW MEDICAL ACT. 
TO THE EDITOR OE TIIE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL. 
Sir,—From the tone of some of the chemical journals, it appears probable 
that a violent opposition to the Act will be instituted by chemists and druggists. 
Surely no chemist can object to the preamble of the Bill:—“ Whereas it is expe¬ 
dient that persons requiring medical aid should be enabled to distinguish quali¬ 
fied from unqualified practitioners ; and whereas it is moreover necessary for the 
safety and protection of the public towards securing adequately educated prac¬ 
titioners in the several departments of medicine, surgery, and pharmacy, be it 
therefore enacted,” etc. etc. 
If so expedient, why offer resistance? Given the security of existing rights, a 
necessary preliminary to legislation, will it not be a great advance to prevent in 
future irregular and unqualified persons from practising in Pharmacy? To oppose 
the Act will be shortsighted policy. The Medical Council deserve commendation 
for taking up the question. Both medical men and the public are justified in 
applying to Government that medicine should be dispensed by qualified practi¬ 
tioners, surely of equal moment to the physician and the patient. If the regis¬ 
tration of proprietary medicines, as proposed in sec. 57, does away with the 
