ARE CHEMISTS JUSTIFIED IN SELLING HOMCEOPATIIIC MEDICINES ? 587 
to devote the requisite time to the work of constantly watching over the inter¬ 
ests of the Society. Without such recommendation, the Council cannot he 
supposed to be able to make a judicious selection, yet it frequently happens that 
the voting-papers for the election of members of Council are sent up unaccom¬ 
panied by the separate paper which each member receives, and on which he is 
requested to write the name and address of the member he proposes for appoint¬ 
ment as Local Secretary. 
PHARMACEUTICAL EXAMINATIONS.—PRESCRIPTION 
DEPARTMENT. 
So great has recently been the pressure on our Examinations, that the task 
of providing larger and increased facilities for both the Examiner and the Ex¬ 
amined has become a matter not of sentiment but of necessity. Our present 
collection of autograph prescriptions amply supplied the demand formerly 
existing. The time has come not to alter but enlarge, and certain Members of 
Council, energetically aided by some London Pharmacists, and assisted by a 
few gentlemen in the country, have endeavoured to render the official formulae 
in the Society’s possession thoroughly effective for educational purposes ; that 
they should satisfy the requirements of an examiner and form also a library of 
reference and instruction for the student. 
The design speedily exceeded private enterprise. One hundred recipes, two 
hundred, and subsequently five hundred were arranged, but these proved insuf¬ 
ficient. Though something has been done already, much more remains, for it 
is felt that we must not fall short of that position which, under the new Phar¬ 
macy Act, we enjoy. 
It is the duty of every great Society to be the standard and centre of infor¬ 
mation with respect to the particular branch of science for the promotion of 
which it has been established. Prescriptions surely, as regards ourselves, come 
under this category. It is for us to teach as well as to examine. Therefore, 
as far as prescriptions are concerned, every variety should be offered ; some that 
might easily be read across a hedge, others that might puzzle the most experi¬ 
enced dispenser. 
If practicable (and we think it is), they should illustrate different districts, 
such as London, France, and our own provincial towns. Also, our collection 
should be a record (always necessarily imperfect) of dispensing pharmacy. 
This we cannot gain, but we may make considerable advance on existing cir¬ 
cumstances, nor need we adopt the creed, that whatever is is best. It is pro¬ 
posed, firstly, to arrange and restore the Examination Books in hand ; secondly, 
to add from 2000 to 3000 additional recipes. 
Wonderful help has already been obtained, and all fear of failure has been 
removed. If the Members of the Pharmaceutical Society should be induced to 
lend their aid, and to strengthen the hands of those who have given themselves 
to this work, there will, ere long, be a collection of autograph prescriptions 
which they will be proud to own, and whicli the learner will thankfully consult. 
Meanwhile we earnestly entreat the favourable consideration of the proposal 
which, in full detail, will be presented at our next evening meeting. 
ARE CHEMISTS JUSTIFIED IN SELLING HOMCEOPATHIC 
MEDICINES P 
The well-known name of Mr. R. W. Giles, of Clifton, must always draw spe¬ 
cial attention to any paper whereto it is appended, and our readers cannot fail 
2 Q 2 
