296 
AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ETHICS. 
of the Association, the following resolution was proposed by Dr. Squibb, and 
seconded by Mr. Albert E. Ebtrt, with the result detailed in the appended 
account:— 
“Whereas, it must be an object of this Association, in common with all others of a 
similar character, to oppose what is wrong within the sphere of its action and influence ; 
and 
“ Whereas, the constitution of the Association asserts that its objects are to elevate 
the standing, increase the knowledge, oppose the adulteration, and suppress the empi¬ 
ricisms of pharmacy; and . . j 
“ Whereas, a member of this association has put forth a nostrum called ‘ sweet quinine, 
which contains no quiuia, and is therefore a fraudulent imposture; therefore 
“ Resolved, —That Mr. Frederick Stearns has, in this so-called ‘sweet quinine,’and in 
the advertisement concerning it, violated the sense of moral rectitude of this association 
and has violated its constitution and the general purposes of its organization. 
“ Resolved ,—That for these offences Mr. Frederick Stearns be expelled from this 
association. 
“ Mr. Stearns, of Detroit, then came forward. He said that he felt it due, not only to 
himself, but to the association, to say a few words. He said it was true that he had 
put a speciality into the market. He felt justified in doing so from two motives.—1. A 
pecuniary gain to himself. 2. A belief in the efficacy of his medicine. He explained 
what he believed his preparation to be, and hoped the society would not proceed 'to ex¬ 
treme measures. 
« Mr. A. B. Taylor, of New York, asked Mr. Stearns if he proposed to continue selling 
his preparation if the society passed the present matter over ? 
“Mr. Stearns said, what he had done, he had done. He wished to be judged by that. 
That was all that this association could reach. His future acts would speak for them- 
se lves # 
“ Mr. Ebert read a letter written by Mr. Stearns to a Cincinnati journal, which con¬ 
tained heretical doctrines. 
“ Mr. Wright, of New York, thought that Dr. Squibb’s resolutions of expulsion were 
rather too severe, and offered the following as a substitute therefor:— 
« Resolved ,—That in the manufacture and manner of advertising the article known as 
‘ sweet quinine,’ Mr. Frederick Stearns, of Detroit, has committed a serious offence against 
the ethics of this association, and is deserving of its severe censure. 
“Mr. Taylor, of Philadelphia, thought this a matter of priuciple. He was a member 
of the Committee on the Constitution. He stood there to urge the penalty of those 
laws. He was a personal friend of Mr. Stearns. To inflict any penalty upon him would 
be like plucking out his own right eye. He had great sympathy for Mr. Stearns ; but 
the ethical code of the association must be upheld. If we are not strong enough to do 
it, we had better cease .to exist as an association. There are thousands who lie sick and 
dying, and who demand pure drugs. Mr. Stearns, as he says, went into this matter 
knowingly. He was always a great stickler for ethics. ‘I would have this association 
do by him as it would by me. It is a question of principle.’ 
“ Mr. Procter observed that Mr. Stearns had had a chance to defend himself. He had 
shown a sincerity that relieved him from all moral obloquy. His was an error of policy 
rather than of principle. But still he could not fail to regard this thing as a stab at the 
virtues of this association. The association must protect itself. 
“ Mr. Wright, of New York, wanted to know, if this matter of expulsion was carried 
out, how long this association could exist. How many members here would make their 
preparations up to the standard ? Who was there that did not dilute their mixtures 
more or less ? 
“ Dr. Squibb was called upon, and replied that he had nothing to say. ‘ Let him who 
is without offence cast the first stone.’ He had no desire nor heart to enter into the dis¬ 
cussion. 
« A member moved that the vote be taken by ayes and noes. Carried. 
“ Mr. A. B. Taylor moved that the chair order all the delegates to be present when 
the vote shall be taken. Carried. 
“ While the order was being enforced, a general discussion took place. One member 
said that while apothecaries were selling liquors over their counters, thus encouraging 
