THE ATOMIC THEORY. 
319 
2. That, in addition to the equalization of the charge for licences, they should 
be granted only to Registered Chemists and Druggists. 
3. That the licence should be abolished, and stamped medicines sold subject 
only to such regulations as the law imposes upon the sale of other medicines. 
4. That, in connection with the last-named arrangement, some increase 
should be made in the values of the stamps attached to stamped medicines. 
5. That the stamping of medicines and the granting of licences for their sale 
should be altogether abolished. 
In dealing with this subject, the Government would probably view it simply 
as a question of finance. A certain amount of revenue is derived from the two 
sources of medicine licences and stamps. We believe the amount derived from 
the former of these sources is about £6000, and from the latter about £60,000. 
The number of persons licensed is about 12,000, and therefore an equalization 
of the charge for licences, at ten shillings each, would leave the revenue in this 
respect unaffected. From the above amounts, however, the cost of collection 
has to be deducted; and when, in addition to this, it is considered that in carry¬ 
ing the law into effect difficulties and annoyance frequently arise from misun¬ 
derstanding of the requirements of the law, it is not improbable that the 
Chancellor of the Exchequer might be induced to abolish the whole system of 
stamping medicines and licensing their sale. 
But there are other considerations, besides those of a financial character, 
which we as pharmaceutists will naturally take account of. We have to consider 
the bearing of the existing regulations, and the probable effect of any change 
that might be made, on the interests of our brethren in different parts of the 
country, and especially on the interests of pharmacy, and of the practice of 
medicine generally. It is with reference to the influence that might be exerted 
in these respects that it seems desirable to elicit the opinions of those of our 
members who are able to assist in devising the best course to be adopted for 
bringing this subject to a satisfactory settlement. 
RENEWAL OF THE PATENT MEDICINE LICENCE. 
In connection with the preceding article, it may be well to remind our readers 
that the medicine licence has not yet been abolished; that those who sell stamped 
medicines, if they do so without having a licence, are liable to a penalty of £20, 
and that the licence has to be renewed every year. The payment comes due on 
the 1st of September, but a month’s grace is allowed by the authorities at 
Somerset House. If the licence be not renewed within that time, and the sale 
of stamped medicines be continued, the penalty will be incurred, and a repeti¬ 
tion of circumstances similar to those recently described by Mr. larmei, o 
Putney, may have to be recorded. 
THE ATOMIC THEORY. 
A most important discussion has recently taken place at the Meetings of the 
Chemical Society, on the subject of the atomic theory. At the present time, 
when our notions of molecular constitution are undergoing so much deve opment, 
an inquiry into the evidence supporting the atomic theory is particularly op¬ 
portune The lecture which was delivered by Professor Williamson at the So- 
cietv’s rooms in July, contained an elaborate and masterly analysis of the rea¬ 
son^ upon which this theory rests. It would be impossible by an abstract to 
