480 
EXTRACTS FROM MINUTES OF EVIDENCE 
by physicians and surgeons, and other medical men P—Hundreds of domestic -pre¬ 
scriptions, more commonly called “receipts.” 1 
458. I mean the prescriptions of medical men ; are you aware of any class of medi¬ 
cal men throughout England or Scotland, physicians, surgeons, or otherwise, regular 
practitioners m medicine, who deliver prescriptions otherwise than in Latin 0 _Yen 
rarely, indeed. ' J 
S/r Fitzroy Kelly. ] 459. It would be quite an exceptional case ?—Q.uite. 
460. Then, when you speak of the ability practically to understand medical pre¬ 
scriptions, you mean the prescriptions in Latin such as are ordinarily given to patients 
by the regular practitioner in medicine ?—Yes. 
461. Loth m England and Scotland?—Quite so. 
475. Low, with regard to the examination; do you think that amply sufficient (I 
am always speaking now of the Minor examination); do you think that Minor exami¬ 
nation, as adopted by the Pharmaceutical Society, to be amply sufficient to secure that 
degree ol competence and knowledge which is necessary to the safety of the public 
witli regard to the compounding of medicines ?—Quite sufficient. 
476. And the dealing with prescriptions ?—Quite sufficient. 
4/9. You do not think there would be any undue restrictions in the freedom of 
trade and commerce, and the liberty which every man ought to enjoy, provided it 
does not interfere with the public safety and the public good; you think, with a 
view to these considerations, it is too severe or stringent?—I do not think it is; 
seeing that masters of vessels and engineers are required to be examined, lawyers and 
c eigymen also, I do not see why there should not be some examination for those who 
have to deal with matters affecting the lives of the subject. 
480. You think there would be nothing unreasonable in requiring that any man 
who is to be trusted in making up Latin prescriptions or compounding medicines 
m conformity with Latin prescriptions ; you think there would be nothing undue in 
the interference with the freedom of trade and commerce ?—Not so far as I can see 
It must be remembered that there are outlying places which could scarcely support a 
man who had gone through a lengthened course of study and examination. There 
ought to be great judgment exercised in these restrictions. 
re f ere uce to that answer, have you any suggestions to offer as to how, 
practically, you could at once secure the public by requiring a certificate that the 
cheimsfc has undergone this examination, while I yet leave open the door in remote 
parts of the kingdom, and where the population is very limited, to somebody or other 
practising, but who yet may be trusted to compound medicines according to Latin 
prescriptions ?—With regard to that there is this to be considered. There would at 
once be a wide field thrown open for all to be admitted to registration ; that would 
effect an abundant supply for the present; and, if this examination be kept low, or to 
a limited extent, and there be sufficient time given to young men and others to prepare 
for it, 1 do not think there will be any great hardship. 
484. As I understand you to say that kind of examination as administered by the 
Pharmaceutical Society would be sufficient, and no more than sufficient, you have 
hitherto directed your attention to the consideration of these examinations having re- 
erence to the compounding of medicines in prescriptions. Now, allow me to ask you, 
with regard to the sale of poisons, do you think it is or is not necessary for the safety 
of the public, before any chemist or druggist should be permitted to deal in poisonous 
substances, that is, articles having poison in them that might be fatal to life if swal- 
u 0 imp ?® e restrictions, by way of examination, upon persons before they 
should be permitted to deal with such articles ?—I think that the retail trade in poi¬ 
sons ought not to be undertaken by any persons except those who have passed that 
487. You would apply tlm examination to all persons who are to be at liberty to 
compound medicines according to prescriptions, and to all persons who sell in retail 
poisons or poisonous substances ?—Articles that could be used for poison. Of course, 
a list oi those poisons should be given, 
492 If the character of the examination and amount of the fee are to be substantially 
and always under the control of the Secretary of State, you would say there would be 
no danger m the monopoly ?—No. 
