Bray 24, 1873.] 
THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
925 
by candidates, and consequent diminution in the number 
•of failures. 
As usual, early closing has engaged considerable atten¬ 
tion in many localities during the year. I believe that, 
for the present, as much has been accomplished in that 
direction as could be consistently with our calling gene¬ 
rally, and until the peculiarities of situation and the 
requirements of our patrons. I sincerely trust that those 
for whom the arrangements have been made may reap 
benefit in the way in which it was intended, taking ad¬ 
vantage of increased opportunities for study, as well as 
relaxation from toil. 
I cannot refrain from again touching upon the question 
of prices, a question almost daily in some way or other 
coming to the fore. The mere cost of an article should 
not decide the charge to be made, but rather the time, 
the skill, and the care employed, also the cost of education 
necessary to fit one for the office of dispenser, even if the 
cost of drugs, etc., were uniformly the same; but now that 
speculation in one shape or another is continually affecting 
the prices of the most important chemicals and drugs in 
use, this charge for qualification is more than ever neces¬ 
sary. The simplest plan would appear to be a fixed 
charge per dose, irrespective of the cost of material, sup¬ 
plementing with an increase for increased market value. 
Indeed, did nothing else suggest such a mode of proceed¬ 
ing, the increase in the price of everything, either per¬ 
taining to the business or otherwise, would almost enforce 
.a consideration of the subject. Members should face this 
boldly by communicating and consulting with each other, 
put an end to low charges, and form a determination to 
work upon a fair and remunerative scale. 
The number of subscribers to our Benevolent Fund in¬ 
creases. Some difference of opinion still exists as to the 
most desirable course to be adopted for its distribution— 
as it is, the deserving are not refused aid or neglected; 
although it is just possible that money has, upon a rare 
occasion, been badly made use of, still it is better that the 
undeserving should occasionally enjoy rather than any 
deserving: be refused. 
Provincial associations, I am glad to say, are increasing. 
There are now twenty-four which report their proceedings 
through the Journal, besides the North British Branch. 
Their prosperity seems to be good, if any estimate can be 
formed from the small number of applications for aid. I 
may be excused for repeating the language of the Report: 
“ It must not be forgotten that under regulations at 
present in force, assistance can be rendered to local asso¬ 
ciations which are doing efficient work.” 
A deputation from the Council, of which I -was one, 
paid an official visit to the North British Branch of the 
Society as recently as last month. I should be deficient 
in courtesy if I did not speak of the excellent spirit which 
exists in the North towards the parent Society in the 
South, and the great desire there is to promote in every 
way the interests of pharmacists generallja Towards 
your President, and the gentlemen -who accompanied him, 
I cannot speak too strongly of the kindly feelings mani¬ 
fested and the unbounded hospitality. 
I regret very much that death has been lately more 
than usually hard upon us, so much so that I dare not 
enumerate : but I cannot pass over two names;—the one, 
Mr. G. Waugh, so many years an honoured and valuable 
member of Council, and always a generous contributor to 
the Benevolent Fund; the other, Mr. James Garle, I 
believe one of the earliest members of the Board of Exa¬ 
miners and to the last, kind, patient, and careful. 
In accordance with notice of motion, the question of 
admitting females as associates and members of the Society 
will be submitted to you after the Report of the Council 
has been received and adopted. I will simply remind you 
that it is not a question of admitting them to lectures or 
examinations upon which you will be asked to express an 
opinion, those points having been already settled ; but 
whether it is desirable, whether it was originally contem¬ 
plated, that our Society should admit them as members. 
You will vote upon this point, I am persuaded, with that 
discretion which you have so often shown, and whichever 
way it may be decided, the minority will bow to the ex¬ 
pressed wishes of the majority. I sincerely hope that you 
will not follow the example of your Council, and place 
me in the unenviable position of having to give a casting 
vote. 
Notice has been given in the Journal, that at the con¬ 
clusion of the business of this Annual General Meeting, a 
Special General Meeting of the members of the Pharma¬ 
ceutical Society will be held, for the purpose of abrogating 
or altering some or one of the bye-laws of the said Society, 
and of considering, and, if thought proper, of confirming 
and approving such new or additional bye-laws, etc., etc. 
You will, I am confident, in considering this matter, giv¬ 
ing your earnest attention in the interests of the public 
and also of your Society, confirm the bye-laws or altera¬ 
tions as recommended by your Council. 
A few words more and I have finished. Possibly you 
have observed the absence of my name from the list of 
candidates for the incoming Council; and it is due to 
you that I should offer some reason for my retirement. 
For fourteen years uninterruptedly I have been a member 
of Council, working ever—as I believe I have done and 
as I still hope to do—in the interests of pharmacy and the 
Pharmaceutical Society ; but seeing that the number of 
Councillors residing in London must be limited, in order 
that the country may be fully and fairly represented, it 
seems to me desirable that such a one as myself should 
occasionally retire, if but for a season, and make way for 
others desirous of filling the office and enjoying the same 
honours,—beyond this I feel that I may be equally useful 
in another sphere, viz. the Board of Examiners. 
Permit me now to thank you for the attention with 
which you have listened to me; my colleagues in Council, 
for their unwavering kindness and support ; and our ex¬ 
cellent and indefatigable Secretary and Registrar. With 
this it only remains that for the present I should say— 
“ Farewell! a word that hath been and must be 
A sound that makes me linger; yet, farewell!” 
The Report was taken as read. 
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. 
In reviewing the proceedings of the past year the 
Council confidently believes that after full discussion on 
matters which from time to time have come under con¬ 
sideration, conclusions conducive to the general interests 
of the Society have been arrived at. It is indeed an ad¬ 
vantage that different shades of opinion should be fully 
represented in the governing body, and in the reports 
published from month to month of the debates in the 
Council, these find full expression. 
The financial statement is upon all occasions an im¬ 
portant feature in the Annual Report. It will be observed 
that the income of the Society has in no way diminished 
during the past financial year, but exhibits an increase 
upon former statements, upon which the members may 
fairly be congratulated. 
On reference to the Registrar’s Report for the year 
1872 of the number of members, associates, and appren¬ 
tices of the Society, it will be seen that there was an in¬ 
crease of 90 members, 170 associates—80 in business, 90 
not in business—and of 31 apprentices. 
One of the most important duties of your Council 
during the past year has been the revision of the regula¬ 
tions for conducting the examinations. This subject was 
urgently pressed on the Council by the Board of Exa¬ 
miners, to whose judgment great deference is undoubtedly 
due in the matter. It was specially represented that, as 
on passing the Minor examination a candidate was en¬ 
titled to registration as a chemist and druggist, and cer¬ 
tificated as qualified to perform the most important duties 
of his business, it was essential that the examiners should 
have better proof of his practical acquaintance with dis- 
