PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY, EDINBURGH. 
551 
fault, and though its imperfections are talked of, and probably much magnified, I feel 
satisfied that on the whole it is indeed a great boon, and that very soon, when the new 
processes are more practised and better understood, full credit will be given to the com¬ 
pilers of the work, and that we shall all be brought to acknowledge its great value as 
a standard work, suited for every town and village in the United Kingdom. 
It must be known to you all, that a movement is about to take place in favour of an 
extension of our Pharmacy Act. Of this it is perhaps too premature for me to speak at 
the present time, but from what I have heard, I feel convinced, that efforts will not be 
wanting on the part of those who are at the helm of affairs in London doing what they 
can to obtain an amended Pharmacy Bill, and, if successful, under the sanction of Govern¬ 
ment, carry out the original views of our Society, so as to give increased security to the 
public, and at the same time not overlook existing interests. 
It only now remains for me to acknowledge the uniform kindness and forbearance with 
which those connected with the Society have at all times treated me (and particularly to 
our energetic and excellent Secretary, to whom I am deeply indebted for his invaluable 
assistance), and to state, that though retiring from the chair, my warmest wishes and en¬ 
deavours will never be wanting to forward in everv way the prosperity of the Pharma¬ 
ceutical Society. 
Intimation was made by the Secretary as to the summer arrangements in regard 
to the Library, and after a vote of thanks to the Chairman by Mr. Kemp the meeting 
adjourned. 
The Annual Meeting of the Society was held in the New Cafe Eo.yal Hotel, on Tues¬ 
day evening, 19th current, at a quarter-past 8 o’clock ; Mr. G. Blanshard, President, in 
the chair. 
The Secretary was requested to read the 
ANNUAL REPORT, 1863-4. 
At the close of another session, the Council beg to submit a Report of the proceedings 
of the Society, during the past year, as well as to lay before the meeting an abstract of 
the financial state of matters in connection with the Society here. 
Five scientific meetings have been held, and these have had before them matters con¬ 
taining a full average amount of interest, and have all been exceedingly well attended. 
As usual, the Council take this opportunity to gratefully acknowdedge, the kind assistance 
of those who have aided them in this department of the Society’s labours. 
The meetings for Examination have been four in number, and eleven have been added 
to the Society by this means. It is gratifying to know, that there is an increased feeling 
in favour of joining the Society, which the Council hope will, ere long, produce good 
fruit. 
The Library and Museum still occupy the attention of the Council, but they regret to 
have occasion to complain of a want of sufficient interest in both these departments, 
and especially by those for whom the Library was chiefly instituted. Few books, com¬ 
paratively, are taken out by the juniors, but the Council hope this notice of the fact, will 
induce parties to come forward, and take advantage of the privilege now accorded to all 
connected with the Society, of obtaining books, wdien application is made to the 
Librarian. 
The Council are glad to recognize the appearance of the new Pharmacopoeia. 
This publication has been in the hands of pharmaceutists for several weeks, and with¬ 
out attempting any criticism on the work, the Council cannot but express the pleasure 
and satisfaction they feel, in now possessing a national scientific compilation, emanating, 
as it has done, from a body of distinguished and talented gentlemen, who, by the produc¬ 
tion of this work, have done away with much that was incongruous and troublesome; 
and who, by the assimilation of the different processes throughout England, Scotland, 
and Ireland, have done good service in preventing disappointment to prescribers, as well 
as danger to patients, by the use of preparations which, alike in name, differed in strength, 
simply because a few miles of space intervened. The addition of new remedies and new 
formulas are also hailed as boons, while many preparations, and even drugs, which have 
been long considered useless, and in some cases obsolete, have now been entirely ex¬ 
punged as officinal. 
