.BRITISH PHARMACEUTICAL CONFERENCE. 
147 
(fractions were unknown), and who were perfectly incapable of estimating the 
profit or loss on any article their masters dealt in ; and their knowledge of 
Latin so imperfect that not one word in three was properly pronounced. It 
is not for us now to enter into the cause of this state of things. I name it to 
show what we have before us. It is this ignorance we must individually and 
collectively endeavour to dispel, for I am satisfied that it is the fruitful source 
of all that is rotten among us, such as intentional adulterations and substitutions, 
recklessness in dispensing physicians’ and other prescriptions, mystifications of 
formulae, Lading our shelves with useless lumber, quack medicines, underselling, 
and indifference to one’s neighbours’ welfare, and a host of other well- known evils, 
which mostly vanish in proportion as an honest love of truth, order, and pre¬ 
cision take the place of a culpable and unworthy ignorance. 
The formation of this Conference is a novel experiment, essentially provincial, 
and I believe it is calculated to engage the interest of men in every position, • 
and prove to them there is no reason why they should not take an active 
part in their own intellectual elevation. To show the direction in which 
many country chemists may endeavour to advance our stock of scientific know¬ 
ledge, I may mention the fact that our medicinal herbs, such as Conium, Ilyo- 
scyamus, Digitalis, Colchicum, etc., are believed to vary considerably in their 
properties when grown under different circumstances of soil, light, heat, moisture, 
and natural or artificial cultivation. As every plant is known to require certain 
inorganic elements for its healthy growth and existence, it is obvious that unless 
the proper conditions are complied with it is highly improbable these plants 
will possess or attain their full medicinal virtues; hence, especially under cul¬ 
tivation, we may be supplied with herbs very far below that standard which we 
ought to seek after. Having determined these conditions, we may be led on to 
the discovery of the correct principles on which we may successfully work out 
the problem of the artificial production of the alkaloids ; for I believe their 
production in the living plants is in some way connected with the inorganic 
elements of the plants in which they are found. 
I must not trespass longer on your time on this occasion, as there is much 
to be done in the way of settling the constitution and rules for our guidance. 
Mr. Deane concluded by calling upon Professor Bentley to move the first 
resolution. 
Professor Bentley expressed the pleasure he felt in being called upon by 
the Chairman to propose the first resolution, which was to the effect that an 
Association be formed for the purpose of holding an annual meeting in the pro¬ 
vinces, of those interested in the practice and advancement of pharmacy. He 
was quite sure that most pharmaceutists would agree with him as to the advan¬ 
tages which would accrue from the establishment of such a society ; indeed, 
the presence of influential representatives at this meeting from many of the 
large towns and districts of the country, was in itself evidence of the interest 
taken in the movement. One great advantage which would arise from such a 
Conference would be the promotion of a friendly reunion and social intercourse 
amongst the members of the Pharmaceutical profession,—the first thing to be 
aimed at in all associations. While referring to these annual conferences, he felt 
called upon to express his warmest thanks (in which he was sure all present 
would cordially agree) to the inhabitants of Newcastle and the neighbourhood 
for their kindness and for the unbounded hospitality which they had exhibited 
to the members of the British Association at the present meeting. This was 
the first meeting he had attended, but he trusted sincerely that it would not be 
the last. 
Another advantage which must arise from such an association, if its objects 
were carried out judiciously and in an energetic manner, would be the advance¬ 
ment of pharmaceutical science; indeed, this ought to be their great desire. 
