140 
THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
[August 13, 1870. 
Communications for this Journal, and boohs for review, 
should be addressed to the Editor, 17, Bloomsbury Square. 
*%* No notice can be taken of anonymous communica¬ 
tions. Whatever is intended for insertion must be authenti¬ 
cated by the name and address of the writer ; not necessarily 
for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith. 
Trade Grievances. 
Sir,—In the admirable letter of “ A Country M. P. S.” on 
the above-mentioned subject two suggestions are given, and, 
so far, very good; but I think that there might have been a 
third, which is, “ that all Registered Chemists and Druggists 
be equally exempt with Pharmaceutical Chemists from 
serving on juries;” or, what would be better, “that all who 
are M. P. S. or A. P. S. be exempt.” 
If the latter suggestion became law, every chemist in the 
country would become connected with the Society, just the 
same as every surgeon is a member of his college. 
Again, I do not see why the Pharmaceutical Society should 
not be called the Royal College of Pharmacy, and so Members 
become entitled to the initials M.R.C.Pii., and Associates 
A.R.C.Ph. The difference between Pharmaceutical Chemists 
and Chemists and Druggists would be much the same as it is 
between the Fellows (F.R.C.S.) and Members (M.R.C.S.) of 
the College of Surgeons. 
I remain, Sir, yours obediently, 
W. B. C. 
Manchester, August 8th, 1870. 
Sir,—It was with some surprise that I read in the Journal 
of the 0th an article written, under the title of “ Trade 
Grievances,” by an M.P.S. The writer of this letter, I 
think, must have been in a somewhat passionate frame of 
mind, or he would hardly have recommended the adop¬ 
tion of the sixth article of the French code to our En¬ 
glish law. It is well that the desire of the Pharmaceutical 
Society for educational progress has not led it to wish to take 
from shopkeepers the right of selling simple drugs, as salts, 
senna, etc. In not attempting this, the Society has shown 
that whilst in restricting the sale of poisons it has been 
anxious to protect the public welfare, yet it has not wished 
to prohibit the sale of simple remedies merely to enrich the 
class of tradespeople whom it represents. In stigmatizing 
small shopkeepers who deal in the above class of drugs as 
pirates, parasites, etc., I think our friend has far exceeded 
the bounds by which he would have been restrained, had 
he considered justice, good taste, and courtesy. 
Although wishing as ardently as “ A Country M.P.S.” that 
the sale of drugs should be confined to our class, yet it is not 
by the aid of the law that I would see this done, but by the 
gradual enlightenment of the public mind, which will lead 
people to see the propriety of purchasing even the simpler 
drugs from an educated tradesman. 
In conclusion, I w T ould just remark that, should any Act 
so stringent as the one advised be passed, in all common 
English fairness, grocers and wine merchants will demand 
that we, too, be compelled to leave off the sale of the many 
articles which belong especially to their department. 
I am, Sir, yours truly, 
Walter B. Clarke, A.P.S. 
15, Belvoir Street, Leicester. 
Sir,— <£ A Country M. P. S.” should not worry himself 
about his “grocer” neighbours who sell salts and senna, un¬ 
less prepared for fair play, for I should be glad to “ spot ” 
the small town pharmacist who does not sell tea, spices, 
starch, and the numerous articles fairly within the province 
of the grocery trade. The French pharmaciens are un¬ 
doubtedly blessed by having Art. 6 to protect them; but no 
free-trading Englishman can be debarred from selling “ that 
which goeth into the mouth,” though it steal away the brain. 
“ M. P. S.” has but a poor opinion of himself if he fears the 
competition of shopkeepers who can only sell scheduled 
poisons by affixing a patent medicine stamp thereon; so 
much for the Pharmacy Act and the five-shilling patent 
medicine licence. We note, on paper, the advancing strides 
of chemistry, and the superior position of pharmacists, whilst 
it is w r ell knowm that grocers who have sold drugs are now 
“registered chemists; ” time, of course, will settle the many 
sham druggists now afloat, but until the present generation die 
off, or this grievance is looked after, the existing state of 
things must continue. Of course, the well-educated phar¬ 
macist will, as a rule, 'carry more weight with the public 
than will a second-class man, but it must not be forgotten 
that “birds of a feather” will sympathize with each other, 
and No.,2 frequently drives ahead of No. 1, whose pride, as 
a superior and scientific man, brings him to beggary, espe¬ 
cially in small country places. 
Just a word about “ Rule of Thumb,” or guessing, there is 
more “cry than wool” about your correspondents’ letters, 
for who would weigh out separately a dozen 1 grain calomel 
powders, or not do so in the case of the same number of 3ij 
magnesia powders? A practical man will judge correctly, 
and never be in doubt as to the best method of dispensing 
physic. 
Just another word. I am a country pharmacist, and to 
make a fair return am obliged, by the necessities of “ small 
mouths to be filled,” not to do as I w r ould wish, but to pro¬ 
vide my clientele with the minor articles of grocery, and 
encroach also upon the preserves of the painter, perfumer,, 
butcher, wine merchant, etc. etc., without squeamishness, 
thankfully and cheerfully. 
I am. Sir, faithfully yours, 
J. Houlton. 
Poison Regulations. 
Sir,—I regret to find that the “ Poisons Regulations ” are 
rising to the surface again; I had hoped they were submerged 
with a millstone upon them. 
Notwithstanding the suggestion of the ‘Pall Mall Gazette,’ 
that our Society has public duties and private interests, which 
may not always concur, it so happens with chemists that 
public duty and private interest do absolutely concur; for a 
chemist’s success mainly depends upon public appreciation, 
and that depends upon the care and attention of the indi¬ 
vidual, the public having quick discernment in these matters. 
Your obedient servant, 
John Beaton. 
Kilburn, August 8th, 1870. 
W. C. Fry (Taunton).—The work mentioned is a very good 
one for the purpose. 
“ Studiosus” (Knaresborough) writes to ask which is the 
best modern work on the general treatment of diseases in 
cattle and horses, and its price. 
A. B. —(1.) The tap would be injured after a time. (2.) The 
solution would probably become contaminated by the metal. 
W. Young (Harrow Road).—Received with thanks. 
C. L. B. wishes to be informed where he can procure a 
work on entomology, in which “the general structure of 
insects is fully explained, and the conformation of their 
minute parts as seen in the microscope is adequately illus¬ 
trated.” 
“ Zeta ” and “ Quercus.” —The new edition of Bentley’s- 
c Manual of Botany ’ will be ready in October. 
“ Cortex ” (Manchester).—(1.) Scheele’s green comes within 
the meaning of the Act. (2.) Apply for information to the 
Registrar. 
Gr. J. Thomas (South Molton) should consult his solicitor. 
“ Chemist ” should apply to the Inland Revenue Office. 
Instructions from Members and Associates respecting the 
transmission of the Journal should be sent to Elias Bkeh- 
ridge, Secretary, 17, Bloomsbury Square, W.C. 
Advertisements to Messrs. Churchill, New Burlington 
Street, London, W. Envelopes to be endorsed for “ Bharm . 
Journ .” 
The General Index to the first Fifteen volumes of this 
Journal may be obtained of the Secretary, 17, Bloomsbury 
Square, price 2s. 8 d., post free; bound in cloth, lettered, 3s. 8 d. r 
post free. 
The General Index to the Yols. XYI.-XYIII., Old Series, 
and Yols. I.-IX., Second Series, may also be obtained of the 
Secretary, price 3s. 3d., post free. 
