454 
PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY. 
Council. He also believed tliat as a voluntary institution tbe examinations, 
to which valuable privileges were attached, never would become so extended 
and universal as they ought to be. That could only be done by making it 
compulsory; and unless they became universal, they would fail of the great 
object for which the Society was established. He therefore earnestly hoped 
that the Pharmaceutical Society would take its proper course, whatever that 
might be, and he strongly urged that a great deal of latitude should be left 
to the Council, they receiving from the members an assurance that it was a 
matter to which great attention should be given. It was one in which they 
ought to use every possible means for carrying it out, and they should 
bear in mind that the objects they had in view when they founded the So¬ 
ciety were still of as great importance as they ever were, and that they 
ought not to rest satisfied until they had been obtained, if possible. 
Mr. Vizer, as an examined member, said they should deal with the ques¬ 
tion in a liberal spirit. At present a very large majority of the members were 
not members by examination. After all, they were a small body ; but still those 
who were members by examination and held certificates, were ample proof of 
what might be done. The United Society was one with them, and although 
some of its members had spoken rather warmly and angrily of the Pharma¬ 
ceutical Society, he thought that if they met them in a friendly spirit, they 
would be glad to co-operate and work with the Pharmaceutical Society. With 
regard to the question then before the meeting, he thought it would be better 
for them to leave it to the Council, because they had the best means of 
ascertaining and judging what was best for the true interests of the Society. 
They must deal liberally with those who had been in business for a number 
of years past. He had much pleasure in supporting the resolution. 
Mr. Long urged as liberal a policy as possible, so as to defeat all opposition, 
and, if possible, render it unnecessary to go to Parliament for legislative powers. 
Mr. Watts said, he thought one thing which had not been mentioned had 
operated on the minds of the members of the United Society, viz. the passing 
of the Juries Bill of last session. Those who resided in London, and had had 
to attend at Westminster and the Old Bailey, knew well how to appreciate 
that exemption, and he had no doubt that country members had experienced 
a similar benefit. The passing of the clause in that Act had no doubt stimu¬ 
lated the United Society to do something, if possible, like what the Pharma¬ 
ceutical Society had done, that should be equally as beneficial to its mem¬ 
bers. Mr. Abraham in his remarks had made a mistake ; he had confounded 
free-trade measures with professional education. How Members of Parliament, 
like other persons, were considerably interested in the correct dispensing 
of medicine, and they had to run the same risk as the community at large, in 
having their medicines dispensed by ignorant and incompetent persons, who 
often committed fatal mistakes. He approved of their applying to Parlia¬ 
ment for extended powers. 
The President said, that before he put the resolution he would read a 
letter he had received from Mr. D. Hanbury :— 
My dear Sir,—As some business engagements will probably prevent my attendance at 
the meeting to be held to-morrow, I take my pen to offer a few remarks upon the subject 
which is to come under deliberation. 
In the first place, I may say that I fully unite with those who regard the present as 
an opportune moment for seeking to obtain such legislative enactments as will place 
pharmacy throughout this country upon the footing of a responsible and important pro¬ 
fession. In saying this, I would have it clearly understood that I advocate no monopoly 
(such as exists in Germany), but simply' that on and after a certain date, a certain scien¬ 
tific qualification shall be required from any person who may desire to commence the 
business of a dispensing or pharmaceutical chemist. 
