EXTRACTS FROM MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. 
I 26 
there is now a better class of men altogether, and that, I think, will be the effect of 
legislation with respect to druggists. Just before the Apothecaries’ Society was 
founded, there was similar confusion and difficulty as to who was an apothecary and 
who was not. The time will come round when the present low class of druggists 
will be absorbed into the general body; and I believe the profession and the trade 
itself will be benefited by the result. 
Sir Fitzroy Kelly.'] 339. I understand you are distinctly of opinion that the exa¬ 
mination should be an easy one, so as not to interfere with the trade, and I under¬ 
stand you to chalk out that two persons should be duly qualified to go about as exa¬ 
miners?—I think it would require that two examiners for examining in medical 
botany and the properties of drugs, or what is called materia medica , and two other 
examiners for examining in pharmaceutical chemistry,—that is, chemistry required 
for the purpose of preparing compounds and in medicine ; and then I would, for the 
protection of the public, suggest that two Fellows of the College of Physicians should 
be placed on this Board of Examiners, for examining the candidates on the doses of 
medicines, and whether they can read ordinary medical (Latin) prescriptions. Drug¬ 
gists ought to know the doses in which medicines should be given. 
340. And that examination you would mean to be throughout the country, or is it 
to be in one particular place ?—It might be by examiners travelling, or by an exami¬ 
nation in a fixed place, as they do in France. It would be a great point to have the 
v examination in London, as is the practice in the medical profession. We allow any 
number of schools anywhere, but the examinations are always in London. 
341. But do you not see any difficulty with regard to the evidence you have given 
as to the necessity not too much to interfere with the sale of drugs ; do you not see 
a difficulty in bringing anybody up to one point ?—But in this respect my view is 
prospective, not retrospective. If an order were made that, after such and such a 
day, no person wdio has not undergone examination should deal in poisonous drugs or 
compound medical prescriptions, then the rule would be soon observed. With regard 
to the Apothecaries Act, after August, 1815, it was thought that many were treated 
with hardship. It will be thought by some to be a hardship to interfere with the drug¬ 
gists’ trade by any legislation now. I am not asking you to force an examination on 
chemists and druggists over the country ; I do not see the necessity for that. I think 
they should be allowed to enrol themselves as a company or society without examina¬ 
tion, and this should be for those w r lio are to come hereafter. 
342. Would you begin by making the examiners pass an examination?—There are 
already men who have been appointed by the Pharmaceutical Society, men of ability, 
who are well known to be able to conduct examinations. The same difficulty existed 
in reference to the charter of the College of Surgeons ; there were Fellows and Mem¬ 
bers, and the old members were aggrieved because they could not become Fellows ex¬ 
cept by examination. The college passed a bye-law, that a member might become a 
Fellow by examination at any time; and, with regard to old members, they should be 
admitted as Fellows after a certain date, on the payment of a fee for the Fellowship : 
in that manner all were satisfied. 
Lord Flcho.] 356. You would not propose they should be paid by the State?— 
No ; the candidate would get such a benefit by a document of this kind, authorizing 
him duly to practise, and would have an advantage by the suppression of an illicit 
and underhanded trade, that he might easily afford to pay a certain sum for examina¬ 
tion and diploma. After all, the diploma in pharmacy need not go to more than five 
or six guineas, and that would be sufficient. The diplomas for the medical profession 
are very costly; they provide ample funds for paying examiners. 
Mr. Ayrton.] 365. You have a list of articles that you think persons should not dis¬ 
pense ; what is the necessity of education being carried beyond a knowledge of the 
details of the articles mentioned in the list ?—I think it should go beyond that : he 
should know the properties of chemicals generally. 
366. If he knows that, he would be qualified to sell them ?—Yes. Therefoi’e I say 
the examination should at first be made easy, and then I think the public would be 
satisfied. 
Sir Fitzroy Kelly.] 369. Would you not require the power of distinguishing between 
one substance and another, where two happen to resemble each other ?—Yes ; that re¬ 
quires some skill and knowledge. 
