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BRITISH PHARMACEUTICAL CONFERENCE. 
there was not much complaint, especially as the bishops had the privilege of 
licensing persons to practise within their dioceses. 
Of course this and every effort of a similar character has advocates as well 
as detractors. 
I am now about to narrate an important series of events in connection with 
our individual existence as Chemists and Druggists ; for although very early 
mention is made of “ the chemist,” and under this name he was unquestion¬ 
ably known as the druggist, still the joint appellation was not used in the 
public records till the Apothecaries’ Company found it desirable to apply, as 
they did in 1812, for a Bill “ To regulate the practice of Apothecaries, Sur¬ 
geon-apothecaries, Midwives, and Chemists (Dispensing Druggist), and 
Druggists.” In reference to the early date of our recognition, a tract, 
printed on a single folio sheet at the ‘ Star’ in Bow Lane, in 1683, entitled ‘ A 
IdXe&fortlie Chemists or non-Collegiates,’ by one Nat. Merry, defends himself 
and other chemists, and contends that they ought to administer medicines in 
defiance of the apothecaries, who might be considered as the druggists just 
then begun to practise. 
Amongst other causes which the Company of Apothecaries asserted as 
contributing to the degradation of the profession, is mentioned the intrusion 
of pretenders of every description. “ Even chemists, it is said, and their 
hired assistants visitand administer to the sick; their shops are accommodated 
with private surgeries ; and as an additional proof of their presumption, evi¬ 
dences are adduced where they gave opinions on questions of forensic medi¬ 
cine of the highest and most serious import.” 
Some additional powers were granted, but, as I said before, the great 
struggle for supremacy commenced in 1812, and was finally consummated in 
1815. Meanwhile several concessions and modifications were necessary. 
The College of Physicians, the College of Surgeons, the dispensing druggists, 
and the midwives, felt the importance of guarding their vested rights. The 
Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons had not much difficulty in arranging 
their differences with the Company, provided they could be permitted to di¬ 
vide the spoil, and shut out by ignoring the claims of the druggists and mid¬ 
wives ; indeed it became a matter of joint interest to accomplish this object. 
However, notwithstanding great efforts, by promising Government additional 
duties on apprenticeship deeds, etc., the druggists, with the aid of public 
opinion, were enabled to get exemption, in the words of the clause, “Not to 
prejudice, or in any way affect the trade or business of a Chemist and 
Druggist, in the buying, preparing, compounding, dispensing, and vending 
drugs, medicines, and medical compounds, wholesale and retail; but all persons 
using and exercising the same trade or business, shall and may use, exercise, 
and carry on the same trade and business in such manner as fully and amply to 
all intents and purposes as the same trade or business was used, exercised, or 
carried on by Chemists and Druggists before the passing of this Act.” I 
have given this clause in extenso, for it is, and has been, the sheet-anchor of 
our trade, and has served us in many subsequent troubles. The apothecaries 
recognized all those who were in practice on the 1st of August, 1815; and 
instead of being a mere trading society, confined to the inhabitants of London 
and seven miles round, from this date their professional character was fully 
acknowledged, and their examinations extended to the whole of England 
and Wales,—Ireland having a previous and special Act obtained in 1791, 
wherein it was enacted that “ no person shall open shop or act in the art or 
mystery of an apothecary, within the kingdom of Ireland, until such person 
shall have been examined as to his qualification and knowledge of the busi¬ 
ness, etc., so that the Apothecaries’ Company of Ireland had a complete 
monopoly in the vending and compounding of medicines, whilst in Scotland 
there has been no clas3 analogous to our apothecaries. 
