December 24, 1870.] THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
511 
to discuss; but we think the fact with which we 
started is one that may not be without its use in 
toning down any exaggerated estimates that may 
have been formed as to the influence of English 
Pharmacy in America. 
PHARMACY AND THE STATE. 
To those who are zealous in their efforts to pro¬ 
mote the interest of British Pharmacy and to those 
who have laboured at this work, the views ex¬ 
pressed in the following quotation will be at once a 
stimulus and a reward. It is with great pleasure we 
record this acknowledgment that during the last 
thirty years the Society has done some service, and 
that the objects for which it was formed have not 
only been to some extent realized but also appre¬ 
ciated. 
“The Appendix further contains Reports on a subject 
of great practical interest to the public—the examination 
of chemists and druggists prior to their being permitted 
to commence business. The report on the London ex¬ 
aminations is by Dr. Greenhow, that on the Edinburgh 
examinations by Dr. Christison. In former times the 
business of a chemist and druggist was subject to no 
kind of restriction, and was even frequently added on to 
other trades, such as the sale of groceries, by persons 
Avho had no knowledge whatever of the characters of 
drugs, who were incapable of compounding a prescrip¬ 
tion, and who sometimes committed homicide by misad¬ 
venture, from their ignorance of the dangerous commo¬ 
dities which they sold. The Pharmaceutical Society 
strove for many years to remedy' these evils; and after 
carrying on for some time a system of voluntary exami¬ 
nation, at last succeeded in procuring that this examina¬ 
tion should be rendered obligatory upon all who deal in 
drugs. It is now so conducted as to assume three forms 
—the major and minor examinations, which are intended 
to be permanent, and the modified examination, which 
will he only temporary. The major examination admits 
those who pass it to be registered as “pharmaceutical 
chemists; ” the minor, as “ chemists and druggists; ” and 
the modified admits those to be chemists and druggists 
who were fairly embarked in the vocation before the 
provisions of the Pharmacy Act became binding. The 
inspection of the examinations by men so eminent as 
Drs. Greenhow and Christison is a matter for which the 
medical department of the Privy Council deserves much 
commendation. The supply' of medicines to the sick, 
once regarded as a proper function of those general me¬ 
dical practitioners who attend the great bulk of the com¬ 
munity, has now been very generally abandoned by 
them, not only in great cities, but also in provincial 
towns and rural districts. Indications arc not wanting 
that it will before long be abandoned altogether, and 
that medical men of all classes will limit themselves to 
prescribing the remedies which their patients require. 
A few years ago this could not have been done with 
safety, but now, thanks to the Pharmaceutical Society 
and its Act, a sick man will find almost everywhere a 
chemist who may be trusted to dispense any prescription, 
and who will havo under his hand, save in exceptional 
cases, the preparations necessary for the purpose. It is 
not needful to follow the two inspectors into the details 
of their reports, but we have pleasure in recording the 
conclusion of Dr. Greenhow, “ that the examinations arc 
of such sort, and are conducted in such a manner as to 
constitute a sufficient guarantee to the public ; ” and 
that of Dr. Christison, that “ the results of the examina¬ 
tion seem to me [satisfactory in every point of view." 
The Pharmaceutical Society could receive no more flat¬ 
tering testimony to the character and value of its la¬ 
bours.”— Times. 
Dr. Henry E. Armstrong lias been appointed 
Professor of Chemistry at the London Institution, 
an office once held by Mr. W. It. Grove, Q.C., 
F.R.S., and subsequently by Mr. J. Alfred Wank- 
lyn. Hr. Armstrong studied chemistry under Pro¬ 
fessors Hofmann, Erankland and Kolbe, and has 
been associated with Dr. Frankland and the late 
Dr. Matthiessen in original researches. We under¬ 
stand that this appointment is connected with a pro¬ 
ject for establishing Practical Chemistry classes hi 
the laboratory of the London Institution. 
A contribution of twenty guineas has been made 
to the Benevolent Fund by the Local Committee of 
the Pharmaceutical Conference lately held at Liver¬ 
pool, out of the surplus of the local fund remaining 
after the expenses incurred had been paid. 
f roraditjjs of fire f|an«it«ttfial j&orattg- 
EXAMINATION IN LONDON. 
December ‘list, 1870. 
Present—Messrs. Allchin, Bird, Carteighe, Cracknell, 
Davenport, Deane, Edwards, Gale, Garle, Hanbury, 
Haselden, Ince and Southall. 
Dr. Greenhow was also present on behalf of the Privy 
Council. 
Twenty Candidates presented themselves for examina¬ 
tion, ten Major and ten Minor; the following passed and 
were duly registered :— 
MAJOR (as Pharmaceutical Chemists). 
* Skipper, Edward.London. 
*Pick, Richard .Hull. 
* Clark, Walter Beales.Leicester. 
* Cross, William Go wen .... Shrewsbury. 
* Taylor, John William _Great Grimsby. 
*Griffin, Thomas .Bromley. 
Thompson, John Thomas . .Richmond, Yorks. 
MINOR (as Chemists and Druggists). 
* Brown, James.Bideford. 
* Davenport, Horace.London. 
Field, Charles .Netley. 
Morgan, William John ... .Kinver, Stourbridge. 
Stoakes, Benjamin Maiden. .Boston. 
Sant, George.Atherstone. 
Marks, Benjamin.Plymouth. 
Spong, Douglas Morton .... Bedford. 
Skinner, Kenneth George 
Walrond.Christchurch. 
Biddle, Charles John .Manchester. 
The above names are arranged in order of merit. 
* Passed with honours. 
