378 
THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. [November 5,1S79. 
tompnlmixe, 
*** 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 . 
PHAEMACEUTICAL TITLES. 
Sir,—As you have given a place in your Journal to the 
remarks of “An Aspirant to the Major,” I would submit the 
following facts to your kind consideration:— 
Up to my fourteenth year I received the education of a 
gentleman; then, being unfortunately deprived of the indul¬ 
gence of further school-training by the death of my father, I 
was apprenticed to a chemist in the year 1860, when the 
watch-word was “ push on ” and time was occupied by work 
and bed. After a five years’ apprenticeship and six years’ 
assistancy under these unfavourable circumstances, I have, 
by dint of perseverance and unwearied attention to study, 
succeeded in passing the Modified Examination, only to find 
that my position will not permit a further outlay of time and 
money for the Preliminary, Minor and Major. Ann I not to 
be excused for wearing the hardly earned plume of 
Associate oe the Phakmaceutical Society? 
Sunlury, September 26th, 1870. 
Sir,—I should like, as a “ Major man,” to express a hope 
that Pharmaceutical Chemists will make an effort to obtain a 
title sufficiently distinctive to recompense them in some degree 
for then’ labours. The principal facts of the case have been 
very clearly stated by “ An Aspirant to the Major,” and it is 
not only those who aspire to, but also those who have passed 
the higher examination who are interested in the subject. 
Until about two years ago, membership of the Society was 
an honour granted only to Pharmaceutical Chemists, and the 
terms were generally regarded as synonymous; then, per¬ 
haps, the title was sufficient; but, for the good of the Society 
and to prevent opposition to the “ Pharmacy Act,” member¬ 
ship was thrown open to all chemists and druggists in busi¬ 
ness and, now the difference between the numerous titles of 
the Society, so nearly alike, is scarcely understood by the trade 
itself, while it certainly never will be by the public at large. 
The creation of the new titles would in no way interfere with 
existing interests, therefore it need cause no jealousy, as 
the examination would be open to all, and those who have the 
intellect might also have the title. “ Omega,” at the com¬ 
mencement of his letter, satirically criticizes the vanity of 
those who desire the title of “ Fellow,” and shortly after falls 
into the same weakness himself, complaining that a flaming 
diploma is not awarded to the Modified. For the admission 
that he would grant what we ask without a moment’s re¬ 
flection, I am grateful, and hope it will be borne in mind. 
I also quite agree with him on another point, which is, that 
unless some real advantage be given to those who pass the 
professional examination the number who enter for it will 
ultimately fall off. In fact, I know several who would readily 
attempt it, if any reasonable advantage would be gained by 
so doing. Your correspondent makes a statement which I 
believe to be incorrect, namely, that the passing of the Modi¬ 
fied involves a yearly subscription. I always understood that 
the expenses cease with a nominal examination fee. 
In conclusion, I would ask “ Omega ” whether, solely on 
the ground that knowledge should make men humiliate them¬ 
selves, he could justly object to a distinctive title as a re¬ 
ward for hard study and no inconsiderable expense ? In re¬ 
ply to his quotation, I would recall to hi 3 memory another 
one equally important, about “ giving honour where honour 
is due.” 
I hope this subject will be fully discussed,—not in a party 
spirit or in one of jealousy, which would break the unity of 
the Society and endanger its prosperity,—but as a matter of 
justice to those who have passed the Major and as an incen¬ 
tive to those who aspire to do so. M.P.S. 
Si 1 ;,—Respecting pharmaceutical titles, would it not be 
well for Omega” and his critics to display rather less asneritv ? 
I owe my membership to the mere fact of being m business be¬ 
fore July, 1868, but think it really hard that those who pass 
the Major Examination have not a title manifestly superior 
to mine. I would therefore support the movement for urging 
the creation of a class of Fellows, to consist of all w r ho pass 
or have passed the Major Examination, and of the founders,, 
among whom I would include all who were members before 
the passing of the first Pharmacy Act in 1852. The case of 
“ Modified Men” also presents some degree of hardship, but 
I apprehend it is only what is almost necessarily consequent 
on the passing of any such law as the Pharmacy Act, intro¬ 
ducing a new era in pharmacy. However these gentlemen may 
console themselves with the reasonable prospect of reaping 
the benefit of it in years yet to come, when the Act shall 
have had time to produce its natural result of diminished 
competition. 
An Unexamined Membeb. 
Sir,—Permit me to add my quota to the discussion now 
going on in the pages of the Phabmaceutical Joubnal 
relative to the advisability of establishing a Fellowship. For 
some time I have held the opinion that such a course would 
be the best that could be followed under existing circum¬ 
stances. In the first place, I consider it would tend to un¬ 
ravel the mystery which at present shrouds all pharmaceutical 
qualifications and titles in the public mind; secondly, it 
w r ould tend to restore the confidence of a large majority of 
gentlemen (who have passed the “Major ’’Examination) 
and allay their dissatisfaction, felt at several clauses in the- 
“New Pharmacy Act;” an Act which I consider was a great 
injustice to pharmacists, and by which the then Council of 
the Society certainly forfeited all claims to our confidence. I 
think there is no question that the title “ Royal College of 
Pharmacists ” would have much greater weight with the pub¬ 
lic than the present title, and convey a better idea of what 
our Society really is. Most people seem to imagine that 
the Pharmaceutical Society is of a similar nature to an Odd¬ 
fellows’ or Foresters’ Society; in fact, I have several times 
been asked by persons, noticing my diploma of membership 
from a distance, to what lodge I belonged; imagine how- 
gratified I feel, at such times, to receive such an acknow¬ 
ledgment for money and time expended in obtaining the said 
diploma! 
I will now, with your permission, offer a suggestion for 
the consideration of those who hold similar views to mine*, 
as I think there has now been plenty of talking, and it is 
quite time some steps were taken to promote the object we 
have in view. 
I would suggest, then, that a meeting be called by an¬ 
nouncement in the Journal (to be held in town) to draw up 
a petition for presentation to the Council, praying them to 
frame a short measure for the ensuing session of Parliament* 
embodying the following views 
1st. The title “Pharmaceutical Society” to be altered for 
the title “ Royal College of Pharmacists.” 
2nd. Founders of the Society, Pharmaceutical Chemists* 
and all who pass the “ Major,” to be admitted Fellows of the- 
College, with the title “ Pharmacist.” 
3rd. All who pass the Minor or Modified Examinations,, 
together with those now in business, to be admitted “ Mem¬ 
bers .with the title “ Chemist and Druggist.” 
If this could be carried out, it would have the effect of 
showing to the public that there is a difference between a 
Pharmaceutical Chemist and one who, having passed or com¬ 
plied with the forms of a Modified Examination, flamingly 
announces himself as a “ Chemist by Examination,” “ Mem¬ 
ber of the Pharmaceutical Society,” etc. If this course can¬ 
not be carried out, then w r e must use our elective powers in 
altering the constitution of the Council; we must make it a-. 
sine qua non that all who seek re-election must first posi¬ 
tively express themselves in favour of these views before wo- 
accord to them our support. 
Tamworth, Oct. 31s£, 1870. T. B. AiiKlNS- 
Sir,—It seems “Aspirant to the Major” would fain in¬ 
duce the Council to ignore the nationally-recognized title of 
Pharmaceutical Chemist, a title obtained, after immense 
trouble, by a special Act of Parliament. 
The assertions of your correspondent must appear ex¬ 
tremely vague to those who understand the past history of 
pharmacy and fully appreciate its present position. The’ 
SDGcinl tatm viloorpa nP T^V»a i»»y» onanf J. 
1st. The honourable distinction acquired by those vn» 
have shown sufficient diligence and interest in their profes¬ 
sion to obtain the requisite theoretical and practical infor¬ 
mation which enables them to pass the examinations of the 
Society. This can bo no vague honour, as it is well known. 
