PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETI, EDINBURGH. 563 
Remarks or short papers on these or similar topics would be highly useful and at¬ 
tractive. . 
It is, therefore, to be hoped that many of our members will take the hint, and begin 
now to prepare to give us a helping hand next session. 
I am glad to say that we have the immediate prospect of a new and revised edition of 
the ‘ British Pharmacopoeia,’ in which it is expected that several of the old and familiar 
preparations omitted from the first edition will be replaced; that the materia medica 
and the compounds will be arranged together, as formerly ; and that there will be either 
a posological table or the doses given along with the descriptions and formulae of the 
various substances. Whether such arrangements and alterations be strictly in accord¬ 
ance with the nature and objects of a pharmacopoeia or not, it cannot be doubted that 
they will be very convenient, both to prescribers and dispensers. 
The subject of electoral reform has been absorbing so much of the attention of the 
Government and the country, that there is now little probability of a bill relating to 
pharmacy being brought before Parliament this session ; and, so far as appearances go, 
the question will very likely remain for some time in the condition in which it was left 
by the Select Committee. The policy of the Council in London will, therefore, probably 
be—in the meantime, at least—to wait and watch the action oi Government in the matter, 
and, at the proper time, endeavour to guide it to a satisfactory result. 
Having already referred to valuable the services of those who favoured us with commu¬ 
nications at our former meetings, I now, with much pleasure, acknowledge our obligations 
to Professor Archer on many occasions, and particularly for the excellent address he has 
just given us, li On a Series of Parinaceous Materials and Starches collected in the Exhi¬ 
bition of 1862,” and for his readiness, not only to show us from time to time some oi 
the vast stores of natural and artificial productions at his command, but to share with us 
the extensive knowledge he has accumulated regarding them. 
On the whole, then, Gentlemen, I think it is evident, that if we have not had a long 
session, we have at least had a useful one, and that the work undertaken has been well 
As you are aware, it is customary for the President to offer a prize for the best essay 
on any chemical or pharmaceutical subject; but as the offer made at the beginning of 
the session has not been taken advantage of, it has been thought advisable to extend the 
time allowed for the reception of essays, and to request parties desirous of competing for 
this prize to send in their papers to the Secretary not later than the 1st of November 
next. ,. 
I have now, in conclusion, only to thank you all for your attendance at the meetings, 
and for the kind consideration and assistance I have received while humbly endeavouring 
to serve the Society and to discharge the duties of the chair. 
THE ANNUAL MEETING. 
The Annual Meeting was held in the Cafe Royal on I riday evening, loth April, at a 
quarter past 8 o’clock ; Mr. Kemp, President, in the chair. 
After a few introductory remarks, the Chairman requested the Secretary to read 
THE ANNUAL REPORT. 
The Council beg now to submit, at this, the Annual Meeting of the Society, their 
usual report as to the position and progress of the Association during the past year. 
The scientific meetings have been four in number, and very fairly attended. The dif¬ 
ficulty in o-etting up these meetings still exists, a circumstance which causes much regret 
to the Council. They believe it only requires a little effort on the part of some connected 
with the Society, to increase at once the number and the interest of such assemblings 
during the winter session ; and while thanks are tendered to those who have so kindly 
assisted, the Council express a hope that the meetings of next session may be more nu¬ 
merous than during the one which has just closed. , , 
No essays have been lodged this year, either in competition for the President s or the 
Register Fund Prize. This is much to be regretted, and the Council have now to inti¬ 
mate that the President has kindly agreed to extend the time formerly given, and will 
still award his prize to the author of the best essay on any chemical or pharmaceutical 
subject, which may be sent for competition to the Secretary not later than 1st Govern- 
