ON THE CHEMISTS AND HIUJGGISTS BILL. 
435 
day for advice; but if lie wanted a dose of pliysic, it would he a difficult thing to pic- 
vent his getting it in a chemist’s shop. 
Mr. Roebuck .] 434. If he came Monday, he might not go Tuesday F—-Ho might 
not go daily and systematically. 
Mr. Ayrton .] 435. He must not go until he is cured?—Well-or-- 
Lord Klcho .J 436. You have said such a clause would be extremely useful; to 
whom ?—To the public. . . 
437. Why ?—Because it would prevent many of them being carried on m the quasi 
treatment of their diseases, till the diseases became serious. 
438. It would be likewise useful to the medical profession ? I have more sympathy 
with the public in respect to them diseases. _ _ . 
439. You do not wish that as a medical practitioner ? Hot in that capacity alone. 
Sir Fitzroy Kelly .] 440. I think you have had great experience in the practice oi 
your profession for a great many years ; how many years have you been a member of 
the profession ?—Nearly thirty-five years. 
441. You are aware now, I suppose, by law there is no restriction whatever on any¬ 
body whomsoever exercising the trade of a chemist and druggist? Quite so. 
442. Making up medical prescriptions in all cases ? Quite so. . .. 
443. Dealing in poisons of every description, without any species of limit, anybody 
'may do that withont any qualification whatever ?—Quite so. 
444. However incompetent, however ignorant ? Yes. 
445 Then I will ask you first, in your opinion, and founded on your long experi¬ 
ence, do you think that legislation is necessary in order to impose the necessity oi 
some qualification, by means of an examination, before persons shall be permitted 
thus unlimitedly to exercise that trade ?—I think it is necessary. . 
446. Do you think it necessary, with respect merely to the medical profession, or 
any particular class, or generally for the safety of the public? I think, generally, for 
the safetv and advantage of the public. 
447. You have alluded to some resolution or recommendation which was made by 
the Medical Council upon this subject; would you just cast your eye over that, and 
tell me if that is the recommendation {handing a Paper to the Witness) r- xes. 
448. “ Nothing exists at present to prevent any person commencing business as a 
chemist and druggist, or publicly vending drugs or compounding medicines; the 
necessity for legislation on the subject is expressed in a resolution of the Medical 
Council, as follows:” this is the resolution of the Medical Council to which you 
^449 That a communication be addressed to the Secretary of State for the Home 
Department, drawing his attention to the present defective state of the law regarding 
the 1 practice of pharmacy, under which any person, however ignorant, may undertake 
it • and expressing the opinion of the General Medical Council, that some legislative 
enactment is urgently called for to ensure competency in persons keeping open shops 
for dispensing medicines, and for the compounding of physicians and surgeons pre- 
Mr. Roebuck .] 450. Is that a report ?—That is a special communication sent from 
the Medical Council to the Home Secretary. It was made m 1864. 
Sir Fitzroy Kelly .] 451. And since that there has been no legislation on the sub- 
C 452 Now you have said that the examination should be of as moderate a character 
as possible, consistently with the object to be attained the safety of the public j would 
you allow me to ask you whether you are acquainted with what is called the Mmoi 
examination adopted by the Pharmaceutical Society ?—Yes; I have read the pro- 
gl 453 Qe We lt shall have the details presently; but I will, as we go along, ask you 
whether that embraces, first, the ability to read medical prescriptions ?—It does. 
454. Of all kinds that are taken to chemists and druggists for the compounding oi 
medicines ?—All prescriptions written in Latin. 
Sir John Shelley.'] 455. And English?—But not French or German. 
To be continued.) 
