-December 21, 1872] THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
499 
I shall be glad to see this question taken up by those in 
“ high places,” as at present it is evident neither of the ob¬ 
jects of the Pharmacy Act are attained, viz.—the protection 
-of the trade and safety of the public. 
J. Rymer Young. 
Warrington, Dec. 5th, 1872. 
The Duties oe Local Secretaries. 
Sir,—The question has sometimes occurred to me—what 
- are the duties of the local secretaries ? Is the title one that 
is conferred on certain individuals pointing them out as the 
representatives of the Pharmaceutical Society, but having no 
functions to perform ? With some few exceptions, this does 
-appear to be about the state of the case, judging from the 
lethargic indifference that reigns over the majority of those 
holding this important office. But it does occur to me that 
one of the duties that ought to attach to this office is to see 
that the integrity of the Register is not infringed by un¬ 
registered persons commencing and carrying on business 
without let or hindrance. If this be permitted without 
protest, it will not require the powers of a prophet to fore¬ 
tell what will be the consequences. The Pharmacy Act will 
become a dead letter, and the Council will be laughed at. 
I, therefore, in the name of right and justice commend 
-this matter to the consideration of the Council. 
JUSTITIA. 
November 29th, 1872. 
Lady Students. 
Sir,—The ladies now attending lectures seem by their 
manifesto to be rather aggrieved that the laboratory is not 
• open to them, and suggest that to admit them would com¬ 
plete the generous initiative already taken by the Council. 
I am tempted to ask in the interest of the ladies themselves 
(broadly), what possible good can arise by their admission ; 
do they hope to obtain employment in first-class pharmacies? 
If so, I fear ancient usage would compel the proprietors to 
prefer their male competitors, and surely they have not the 
hardihood to venture into business on their own account 
without first gaining that practical knowledge which can 
■only be obtained behind the counter. 
This is not a question of gallantry but of expedience, and I 
maintain it to be inexpedient both to present members and 
future possible female students. With the new regulations 
looming in the not far-distant future, containing that most 
salutary clause requiring three years to be actually passed 
with a qualified man, I am afraid another difficulty would 
arise. What master with more than one assistant would 
care to introduce a fair young maiden of sweet seventeen 
behind his counter? and if she have to gain her experience 
where only one is kept, her lot will not be very enviable. In 
sober earnestness I would recommend her parents or guar¬ 
dians to choose some other sphere for her usefulness. A 
liberal education she must have had to enable her to pass the 
Preliminary, and I will assume she is of gentle birth; is such 
a one fitted to wield a pestle heavy enough to thoroughly 
incorporate a pill mass weighing 12 oz. or lb j ? Would she 
more easily accommodate herself to a 12-inch drum sieve ? 
And if she possess the strength, would her previous training 
be at all likely to make her feel happy in her new occupa¬ 
tion ? 
The past shows plainly that the female chemist and drug¬ 
gist never attained any position worth notice in the trade. 
Would it be different now that examination is compulsory ? 
And, if not, would it not be wiser to close the door of the 
lecture-room to her, for she who enters there will certainly not 
leave care behind her, and will, I much fear, be a victim to 
that hope deferred that maketh the heart sick. 
A London Member of nearly 20 Years’ Standing. 
December 17 th, 1872. 
The Amended Regulations of the Board of 
Examiners. 
Sir,—I see on looking over the Amended Regulations of 
the Board of Examiners in your issue of the 7th, that those 
who present themselves for examination on and after Oc¬ 
tober, 1874, must present a certificate as to having been three 
years in the employment of a pharmaceutical chemist or a 
•chemist and druggist. 
Now, on the north side of the Tweed, I am sorry to say, 
there are a great number of young men who cannot comply 
with this regulation, there being so many surgeons keeping 
open shop for the dispensing of medicines, who, almost with¬ 
out exception, employ apprentices or young men who have 
not served their whole apprenticeship, or who I may say 
have forsaken their first love. I regret to think that young 
men will be drawn into the surgeon’s net, I may say, una¬ 
wares ; with this one temptation, viz., that they will receive 
more remuneration for their services than if they entered a 
highly respectable chemist’s. If it were not for this the sur¬ 
geons would be unable to procure apprentices. Besides, the 
surgeons are indifferent as to whether their apprentices pass 
the necessary examinations or not. 
Now, the subject developes itself into this, can a certifi¬ 
cate granted by a surgeon be legally accepted by the Board 
of Examiners in conformity with the amended regulations ? 
My impression is that it cannot be accepted, for section 23 of 
the Pharmacy Act, 1868, distinctly sets forth that persons 
registered under the Medical Act shall not be or continue to 
be registered under this Act. Hoping that some of my fellow- 
pharmacists with a more able hand may take the subject into 
consideration and cast more light upon it, I am, etc., 
A. Strachan. 
Ellon, N.B., December 14 th, 1872. 
The Edinburgh Chemists’ Assistants’ Association. 
Sir,—In the end of April last a few formed themselves 
into a committee for the purpose of having a social gathering 
of the chemists’ assistants and apprentices of this city. 
Notices were sent out and between eighty and ninety re¬ 
sponded to the call. When I mention that this was brought 
about in less than a week, I think you will agree with me 
in saying that it betokened a healthy sign on our part for 
forming a more mutual intimacy than has hitherto existed 
amongst us. 
At this meeting the proceedings throughout the entire 
evening were marked by the most cordial unanimity of feel¬ 
ing, and^when the chairman (who was one of the most active 
originators of the meeting) in speaking of pharmaceutical 
education, referred to the cord of friendship amongst us 
which he was sorry to say, was very “ slack,” and expressed 
the hope that this state of matters would soon be remedied 
by the formation of an association to be called the Edinburgh 
Chemists’ Ass’stants’ Literary or Mutual Improvement 
Association, an impression seemed to pervade the minds of 
all that a new era was about to dawn on our hitherto isolated 
existence. 
The suggestion was received with hearty marks of approval, 
and the most sanguine hopes were entertained of its success. 
A meeting was subsequently held for the purpose of fram¬ 
ing a code of rules and making such other arrangements as 
might seem necessary, but, alas ! the great block in the path 
seemed to be, who were to render the contributions in the 
way of essays, debates, etc. This stumbling-block could net 
be got over, and the meeting had to be dispersed, resting 
itself content with the election of a committee who were 
empowered to use such measures as they thought best towards 
the putting of the association in working order. The 
gentlemen forming this committee were the very persons who 
formed themselves into the committee for getting up the 
social gathering. 
They held several meetings, but the spirit of their zeal 
seemed to wane, notably that of the worthy chairman w T ho 
made the suggestion, and a final meeting was held, declaring 
the scheme an utter failure. Now, Sir, is it not sad to think 
that with our numbers there is not sufficient talent to carry 
on the work of a mutual improvement association ? Every 
opportunity is offered to us ; 1 believe, were we to memorialize 
the North British Branch of the Pharmaceutical Society, 
they would grant us the use of their new rooms gratis for 
the purpose of holding our meetings: and what more could 
we want? 
A meeting of that Society was held here recently, and 
the subject of pharmaceutical education was discussed, but 
no light was thrown on that perplexed question. I am con¬ 
vinced that the cure lies in the assistants and apprentices 
setting themselves to with a right good will, and preparing 
themselves for the respective examinations; I am sure they 
could have no better assistance than what tie/would get 
by connecting themselves with an association, and I hope 
that this fact will be a new stimulus for our n >w defunct 
