891 
THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
[May G, 1871. 
jyou do not fall back or lag behind. Re up and doing; 
never rest content with the appearance merely, but ac¬ 
quire knowledge on every subject, and more particularly 
on that connected with your profession, for such as it is 
you will be compelled, in all probability, to rest upon it 
your whole dependence in after life. Bear in mind that 
“ In youth’s gay season of delight, 
When all around is fresh and lair, 
We think not of its rapid flight, 
It costs us not a single care. 
But grey hairs come, and wrinkles too, 
And many a thought that makes us sad; 
Ah! then we think how fast they flow, 
Those few short years when we were glad.” 
conclusion, gentlemen, as intelligent members of 
this Association, we ought to have, as it were, one mind 
and one heart a heart beating - in unison with each other, 
nnd diflusing with every pulse life and health and joy to 
"the remotest member of the Society. Some of you make 
a beginning, and come forward next session with a will 
and in earnest. Give an essay or a lecture on some sub¬ 
ject bearing upon ourselves, or on the business with 
which we are connected, or on the Society we have all 
so much at heart. There are not a few young men in 
this hall to-night perfectly able, and I trust not unwill- 
lng, to lend a helping hand to keep up and sustain the 
dig ml}, the prosperity and the high standing of the 
North British Branch of the Pharmaceutical Society. 
At the close of this address, Mr. Ainslie moved a vote 
<of thanks to Mr. Aitken for his servicoe as President to 
the Society. This was seconded by Mr. Young, and 
carried amidst hearty applause. 
At this stage of the proceedings, visitors and others 
were requested to withdraw, the members of the Society 
remaining to take part in the Annual Meeting. 
The Secretary then read the 
Annual Report. 
The Council, at the close of another session, beo - f 
congratulate the members of the Society on the cor 
turned progress of pharmaceutical education. 
It must be evident to those interested that the con - 
puisory power obtained under the recent Act of 1868 ■ 
already bearing good fruit, and that the taunt of war 
of proper culture in the chemist and druggist as ar 
pertaining to his daily walk and avocation is fast lx 
coming a thing of the past. This is not only highl 
satisfactory, but is also very encouraging. Lono - an 
arduous has been the struggle; for while the privilege 
vested m the Society by the Bill of 1852 left the matte 
°* e . x ^ matl f n ^ly optional, it was felt that the ver 
establishment of Boards of Examiners in London an 
Edinburgh was m reality paving the way for the mor 
compulsory powers which were obtained in our last Ac 
of Parliament. 
It is true that the Bill of 1868 was far from bein 
pci feet mixed up as it was with poison schedules, ye 
tw. 1 v1 JSt L n a° g - a T e both P osition and power, which th 
» r ociety had vainly struggled for many years to acquire 
t 0VC hn m ° nt rGCOgni 1 tion ’ with a definite organization 
has, however, now placed the affairs of our Society o: 
such a firm basis that it only requires we should be tru 
confusion bvwV ^ 10 US t0 e ™ er S° from the gloom an. 
contusion by which we were formerly surrounded. 
-,4 g!ance at the Journal from time to time shows ver 
plainly how many candidates present themselves for th' 
various examinations. In London especially the num 
forP tbP Ed- S1 n era n le V 3 Durm £ 18 ~°> those coming be 
fore , the Edinburgh Board were—Major 6, Minor 31 
Preliminary 62, Modified 44; total 143. Of thes 
there were rejected 9 Minor, 13 Preliminary, 8 Modi 
°l an average of 20 per cent, spread ove 
the whole. In connection with the rejections, it is ; 
catisfactory thing to note that many of those candidate; 
who fail, and come again before the Board for re-exami¬ 
nation, admit that it was a benefit to be sent back to their 
studies, as it compelled them to become thoroughlv ac¬ 
quainted with the various departments in which they 
had been found deficient. J 
Ific Council cannot avoid at this time expressing their 
satisfaction that the very vexed question of compelling 
chemists and druggists to adopt certain precautions for 
keeping, storing and selling poisons has been settled 
and arranged. It is freely admitted that it is most 
desirable all due precautions ought at all times to be 
taken in keeping and dispensing highly dangerous 
articles; and while, they conceive that in most places of 
business such care is already exercised and in full opera¬ 
tion, they can scarcely admit the propriety of compul¬ 
sory measures in connection with this departmant of a 
chemist s ordinary business, believing as they do that in 
all probability such an enactment would have led to the 
appointment of an inspector or other Government 
official. The recent vote at one of the Council meetings 
has set the matter at rest, and the members here very 
heartily concur in the resolution that certain poison 
regulations bo very earnestly recommended for general 
adoption. 
The Museum of the Society in Edinburgh has been 
enriched by a very. handsome contribution from Mr. 
Ransom, of Hitchin, in the form of a series of carefully 
and beautifully .prepared and mounted specimens of 
many of the.medicinal plants, and for which the Council 
feel the Society is much indebted to the donor. A few 
other, specimens, have been added during the year, but 
auditional contributions will be gladly received. 
The. Library continues to be supplied with volumes 
from time to time, and arrangements have now been in 
operation for a considerable period by which books can 
be had at any time by applying to the Curator. 
As St. George’s Hall, which has now been so long 
used as a place of meeting, will be required for other 
purposes, steps are being taken to obtain suitable ac¬ 
commodation for Museum, Library, Examinations and 
place .of meeting. Due notice will be given to those 
interested when the matter has been arranged. 
The Council think it due to Professor Balfour and to 
Dr. Stevenson Macadam, who have so kindlv lent their 
assistance in enabling students in pharmacy to attend 
their lectures on botany and chemistry, and trust that 
as. the same liberality continues to bo exercised pupils 
will evince an appreciation of the kindness shown by 
those gentlemen,, by taking the opportunities now 
placed within their power of gaining instruction in such 
important branches of pharmaceutical education. 
I he Council cannot conclude without tendering their 
thanks to those who have contributed during the past 
session to render the scientific meetings so interesting 
and instructive. The attendance throughout has been 
very gratifying, and it is confidently hoped in succeed¬ 
ing sessions that the Society may continue to record the 
kind assistance of their friends and others in keeping up 
the character and increasing the number of these meet- 
mgs, which are now recognized as being so useful and 
instructive. 
After some remarks by Mr. Mackenzie and others, 
various explanations were given by the Secretary, 
when the adoption of the Report was formally moved by 
Mr. Anderson, of Musselburgh, seconded by Mr. W. 
Gilmour, and carried unanimously. 
The following office-bearers, for 1871-72 were then 
severally proposed and unanimously elected:— 
President: Mr. H. C. Baildon, 73, Princess Street. 
J icc-President : Mr. Buchanan, 52, North Bridge. 
Council: The President and Vice-President; Messrs. 
W. Ainslie, W. Aitken, D. R. Brown, G. Blanshard, J. 
Gardner, W. Gilmour, Kemp (Portobello), W. Noble, R. 
Raimes, J. R. \oung, J. Mackenzie, Kinninmont, Davi¬ 
son and Fraser (Glasgow), with the President and Vice- 
President in London ex ojjiciis. 
