REVIEW. 
331 
remedies other than those included in the codex. 6. The abolition of the Poison Bill 
as far as relates to pharmacy. Much of this system is already practically carried out; the 
first proposal is untenable, fusion between pharmacy and medicine cannot be. No ; the field 
of pharmacy is wide enough to make it a life-study in itself. Keep the two schools separate, 
if only from prudential motives, else the student may be tempted to neglect his pharmacy, 
which is one evil, and to acquire a smattering of medicine, which is another. The writer 
of these lines is not too old to recollect with vivid distinctness the prestige of the Ecole 
de Medecine, and the extreme popularity of its lectures ; all the more striking from the 
contrast of the still life exhibited at the Ecole de Pharmacie. Moreover pharmacy is a 
trade, and must remain so if by its means we expect to gain a living. Do not therefore 
needlessly distract the student’s mind. There is already quite enough temptation offered 
to despise the apron, and exalt the cap and gown. 
He would be a bold man who would venture unaided to stretch the outline of a Poison 
Bill that should meet all possible exigencies and be open to no appreciable fault; but 
even the most cautious might venture to express the thought that French enactments 
might be less vexatious, and at the same time more effective. One illustration given by 
M. Fumouze in his appendix will be sufficient proof. A wretched woman, living in the 
suburbs of Paris, was bent on the destruction of her husband. Her method was satanic 
in its skill, and consisted in the daily administration of small doses of tartar emetic, until 
death ensued. An able physician attributed the decease to inflammation, but was of 
opinion that it was no criminal case, since many non-poisonous substances might have 
produced the same effect. However, two analysts declared that there had been poisoning, 
slow but sure. The woman was condemned. During the prosecution it transpired that 
every variety of artifice had been adopted to procure minute quantities of emetic from 
different pharmaceutists. The order, being beneath notice, had not been entered in the 
usual manner in the book kept specially for that purpose. In most cases there was 
no record of the transaction. The whole of the pharmaceutists who either them¬ 
selves or by their assistants had been concerned were subsequently tried on the 
charge of having sold a poisonous substance without duly conforming with the regula¬ 
tions, and they were fined accordingly ; from which we may draw the moral that the strict 
letter of the law may be twisted into folly when not interpreted by common sense. 
In consequence of the Act winch forbids the practice of pharmacy without diploma, a 
class of men has arisen in France who lend themselves, together with the sanction of 
their title, to such houses as may require their aid. These persons are called Prete-Noms. 
The system is obviously open to abuse, and is not held in much esteem. The chapter 
describing this peculiar institution will well repay perusal, the case with its evils and ad¬ 
vantages being most fully stated. It should be borne in mind that this system of “ lent- 
names ” is by no means limited to pharmacy. Its worst and most objectionable develop¬ 
ment is in the case of certain provincial hospitals, which, under the guise of religious 
charity, trade in medicines. Current French medical literature bears frequent witness 
against this deplorable abuse, which could not exist save through the agency of some 
pharmaceutist with a recognized certificate. A hospital so constituted is the despair of 
the neighbouring pharmaceutist, nor can it be doubted that when religion hawks physic 
the interests of both worlds are at stake. 
The two concluding chapters are devoted to the consideration of specialities, and the 
value of advertisement. It is contended that every pharmaceutist would find it to his in¬ 
terest to pay special attention to one or more preparations; that in so doing his long 
practical experience would naturally indicate the best and most reliable methods, w'hile 
the public, once satisfied with the result, w T ould be glad to find the identical speciality in 
all parts of the world. Blancard’s pills of iodide of iron, and Henry’s magnesia, may 
be taken as examples of the author’s meaning. The question of advertisement is redo¬ 
lent with gunpowder, and must be handled with the greatest caution. M. Fumouze is 
strongly in its favour, and we cannot deny that from the trade point the subject is fairly 
argued. It is a hard matter to decide to what extent professional reputation may be 
injured or advantaged by resort to mere trade expedients. One thing is certain, that the 
views enunciated by M. Fumouze will find energetic advocates on this side the Channel. 
