25G 
PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY, EDINBURGH. 
cast-iron. The want of weight in the stone-runners was compensated for by a 
spring, which could be so adjusted as to give any required amount of pressure. 
PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY", EDINBURGH. 
The First Meeting of the present Session was held in St. George’s Hall, on Thursday 
evening, 19th November; Mr. G. Blanshard, President, in the chair. 
There was a very full attendance, including Bailie Alexander, I)r. James Young, Dr. 
Sanders, etc., etc. 
The President delivered the following Address:— 
Gentlemen,—It is my duty as well as pleasure, being President of the Society, to 
welcome you all on this the first meeting of our present session. It is not my intention 
to detain you long with the following introductory remarks, but as it has been the 
custom of my predecessors in office, you will, I doubt not, give me an opportunity of 
saying a few words. 
During the summer recess there has not been much to engage the attention of the 
pharmaceutist, beyond the interest which always attaches, more or less, to the daily avo¬ 
cations of those engaged in the manufacturing and dispensing of chemicals and drugs. 
Several new remedies have, it is true, made their appearance, while as remedial agents 
we can point to podophyllin, and a few other substances, which have become decided 
favourites, and are now established as such in the hands of medical practitioners. Gra¬ 
nulated preparations occupy a long list, and furnish us with the means of giving sub¬ 
stances, many nauseous in themselves, in a manner at once novel and elegant. In the 
higher range of Scientific Chemistry, talent and ingenuity have been alike displayed, 
every month adding to the long and interesting list of elementary and other bodies. But 
in connection with our own particular walk, I may be allowed to refer more especially to 
the formation of a new association, and which lately held its first or preliminary meeting 
at Newcastle, under the name and title of the Pharmaceutical Conference. It is quite 
true, that our own Society had capability enough to have undertaken the work which 
the new Association proposes to follow out; but as it has not done so, and as the field is 
still open, a commencement is about to be made on a wider basis, and it remains to be 
seen whether or not the exertions of its members will be crowned with success. Certain 
it is that the kindred association on the other side of the Atlantic, and which originated 
in 1821, has been most successful, resulting, as it has done, in the establishment 
of schools, as well as a college of pharmacy; while the annual meetings in different 
districts throughout the United States, have been rich in the elucidation of much 
that has been interesting, useful, and important. I understand that one of the lead¬ 
ing features proposed by the new institution, will be the study and examination of 
various subjects of much practical value, the results of which will fonn the principal 
business to be discussed at the annual pharmaceutical meetings. The Journal has inti¬ 
mated the organization of the Association; and as members are about to be enrolled, those 
desirous of connecting themselves with it have now an opportunity. 
From what is to follow this evening, I must not prolong these remarks; permit me how¬ 
ever to refer to the contributions to our museum, now before you, and which have been 
presented by our parent Society. For these I am sure you will join in heartily thanking 
the Council in London, for the kind remembrance of the Society’s branch in the North. 
The Library is now in complete working order, and attendance will be given by the 
Curator every other Tuesday evening in the Hall here at 9 o’clock, for the purpose of 
giving out books and periodicals. We are anxious that all, especially the younger mem¬ 
bers of our Society, should take advantage of this very excellent collection of volumes, 
which they have now the privilege of using. 
The Council are very desirous that the scientific meetings about to commence, should 
be as interesting as possible, and they invite any one disposed to aid in this matter 
to come forward with such communications as will form food for the regular monthly 
meetings throughout the winter session. 
I may only further’add, that I shall be most happy to award a prize to the author of the 
the best essay on any chemical or pharmaceutical subject, which may be written during 
the winter. Competing papers to be sent not later than the 1st March, 1864, with sealed 
envelopes, to the care of Mr. John Mackay, the Secretary, 119, George Street. 
