IDG 
THE BRITISH PHARMACEUTICAL CONFERENCE. 
ating to work, and of bringing out for the benefit of others the results of the 
investigations, of men who would otherwise sink into a state of inactivity. 
If good has resulted, and still continues to result, from the operations of these 
different bodies, it may equally be expected to attend the efforts of the British 
Pharmaceutical Conference. In fact, the objects of the Conference are such that 
all must agree in desiring to see them efficiently carried out. The constitution 
of the Conference expresses its objects in general terms, and they may be stated 
to be, the promotion of friendly intercourse, the systematic arrangement of sub¬ 
jects for investigation, the discouragement of adulteration, and the union of 
existing associations and societies for the carrying out of these purposes. The 
rules do not fetter the future action of the Society by needless restrictions, and 
those who framed them evidently had more faith in the good sense and good feel¬ 
ing of future meetings than in the power of red tape to direct their course. 
With reference to two of the proposed objects of the Conference, a few remarks 
may be offered. The suggestion of subjects for investigation, and the allotment 
of such subjects to individuals who may be willing to undertake them, appears 
to be copied from the plan adopted by the American Pharmaceutical Association, 
which has been in operation for many years, and which has resulted in the pro¬ 
duction of several useful contributions. Something of a similar sort has also 
been previously attempted in this country. So long ago as 1845, the Pharma¬ 
ceutical Society, at the instigation of Dr. Pereira, appointed a Scientific Com¬ 
mittee for the promotion of pharmacological knowledge, and it formed part of 
the objects of that Committee to suggest subjects for investigation aud to induce 
competent investigators to undertake them. The great and principal obstacle to 
the progress of the work at that time was the interference of trade interests, and 
the suspicions and jealousies which speedily arose from this cause. It is to be 
hoped that the new Association will not be rendered inoperative by similar in¬ 
fluences. We feel assured that much discretion and judgment will be exercised 
by the Executive Committee, nor do we doubt that there will be much occasion 
for them. 
The subject of adulteration is one which the Conference propose to deal with, 
and this also is a subject the full and candid investigation of which is beset with 
some difficulties. The word adulteration has become a sort of bugbear, from the 
adulterated truth promulgated by some who set up as teachers upon the subject. 
We are sure that the gentlemen composing the Committee on Adulterations are 
as much aware as we can be that their task involves especially the exercise of 
much tact and judgment. A roving commission put into force against a num¬ 
ber of retailers, and a report rendered piquent by the publication of names, is 
not what is required, and, we believe, is not what is intended. On the other hand, 
we have from time to time published what may be termed illustrations of 
British Pharmacy in connection with the question of purity, and are well aware 
that there is still scope for further illustrations in that direction. 
Of work to be done there will be no lack, of workers to carry out what is 
proposed it may be hoped there will be an ample supply, of advocates for the 
cause there are so many that the exceptions must be few, yet among those who 
approve of the objects there may be some, as we believe there are, who entertain 
doubts with reference to the means adopted for carrying those objects into effect. 
Members of the Pharmaceutical Society can hardly fail to approve of the ob¬ 
jects of the Conference, for they are quite congenial with the spirit and purpose 
of the Society, and have always formed leading features of the proceedings at 
our pharmaceutical meetings. Indeed, the meetings of the Conference, consist¬ 
ing almost entirely of members of the Pharmaceutical Society, are practically 
provincial pharmaceutical meetings under another name. It may be thought 
by some that there were already sufficient means for carrying out the objects 
of the Conference without the institution of a new Society. Why, it may be 
