September 16,1871.] THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS.' 
231 
The next paper was one on— 
Pharmaceutical Ethics. —Be “ Apprenticeship.” 
HY S. R. ATKINS. 
We venture to claim for the subject now introduced 
to yom* notice the merit, at least, of practical impor¬ 
tance. 
It is evident, on a moment’s reflection, that the future 
of pharmacy is vested in the hands of our young men. 
We are all alike interested,—the trainer, the trained, 
and the public on whom we depend. The present gene¬ 
ration of principals were in their day pupils, whilst the 
pupils of to-day will, in their turn, be teachers. But 
apart from the abstract or general merits of the question, 
there are special and particular aspects of it at the pre¬ 
sent moment which deserve our careful consideration. 
Let us inquire what Apprenticeship means. It is an 
arrangement through which a youth is placed by his 
parents or guardians under the care of a third person to 
learn a profession or trade, the remuneration for which 
education is called “ the premium.” 
It is relevant here to inquire if this system be a good 
one and desirable to be continued, for we scarcely need 
remind the readers of ‘ The Year Book,’ and of the in¬ 
teresting article it contains on American pharmacy, that 
the institution of apprenticeship, as our Transatlantic 
Cousins would term it, does not exist amongst them¬ 
selves. We are disposed to answer this question affirma¬ 
tively, but, at the same time, endeavour to show what 
modifications are needed. 
We venture on this subject with some degree of dif¬ 
fidence, remembering how ably and comprehensively the 
entire field of pharmaceutical ethics has been surveyed 
by Mr. Ince, a name, by the bye, worthy of the highest 
respect by all pharmacists; we refer more particularly 
to the elaborate paper read at the Nottingham meeting. 
It is with great satisfaction we also recognize the 
ably expressed opinions on this and kindred branches 
of the same subject of Messrs. Giles, Schacht, Brady, 
Benger and others. 
On the other hand, the question is by no means as yet 
threshed out; indeed, it is doubtful if it has yet been 
fairly grappled with, whilst the difficulties inherent 
must, from the nature of things, increase for a time at 
least. A statement of the facts in the first place, and of 
suggestions remedial in the second place, will probably 
be the best plan on the present occasion. 
1st. For the facts. 
Fewer apprentices are being taken. Of these it is 
to be feared comparatively a small proportion are being 
trained in establishments competent for the task. The 
results are evident in the Preliminary Examination. 
Those who, like myself, are familiar with the facts of 
provincial education, know that the failure of our youth 
in that initial test scatters dismay amongst their own 
ranks and that of their friends. The standard of that 
Examination it would not be wise to lower; if that be 
done, the subsequent or higher rungs of the ladder must 
be reduced in proportion. To say the least, such a 
course would be an anachronism in an age of growing 
culture in the nation generally; and when from our¬ 
selves special demands are made, as the result of that 
chartered status, so long nobly fought for, and at length 
secured. Our classic houses both in town and country 
have not yet felt the pressure, but that the inexorable 
logic of facts they will sooner or later have to acknow¬ 
ledge there can be no doubt; the supply of young men 
is not keeping pace with the demand. Many personal 
friends of mine are declining the responsibility of taking 
apprentices. Men competent for the work say, “We 
have done our share in this matter, and will now leave 
it to others.” The result is, our youths are being rele¬ 
gated to third-rate houses, in which “the premium” is 
the “consideration ” in more senses than one, where the 
habit of industry may be acquired, and the charms of 
variety are freely offered, but where chemistry and 
pharmacy are conspicuous only for their absence. 
Such, in brief, are the facts of the case. And now 
what remedial measures can be suggested? for we all 
know how much easier it is to criticize than construct, to 
analyse than to synthesize. 
We start then from the position that the ordinance of 
apprenticeship is in itself sound and good. What can 
be done to bring it into more harmonious working with 
tho other gear of pharmaceutical machinery ? Confes¬ 
sedly the difficulty is for tho transition period of the next 
few years. That the thing will come right in the end 
there can be no doubt. 
Firstly, we insist on tho Preliminary Examination or 
its equivalent, one of the University Local Examina¬ 
tions, being passed as a prerequisite of apprenticeship. 
The advantages thus secured would be immense, and 
felt at each subsequent stage. An eligible start would 
have been secured for the youth, whilst the master is 
placed in a less invidious position. A lad submitting to 
the test immediately on leaving school should be in 
“ form” to win the race; whilst for ourselves, as men of 
business, we are conscious of the fact, whatever our capa¬ 
bilities may have been when school-days ended, and we- 
had our first introduction to the pestle and mortar, that 
at any rate notv we cannot accept the responsibility of 
teaching Ovid or Euclid. 
We urge then a liberal and prolonged school-training, 
to be continued at least until sixteen years of age; this, 
will necessitate tho ranks of pharmacists being recruited 
from the substantial section of the middle class; pari 
passu, this will be a gain, for whilst we gladly acknow¬ 
ledge the fact that intellectual force as well as moral 
quality is not confined to any rank of society, there 
clearly would be less disappointment if those who joined 
our order were more equally weighted, not only at start¬ 
ing in educational advantages, but in pecuniary pro¬ 
spects ; we might then hope to see a diminution of those 
wretchedly small businesses, the cause of much more 
heart-breaking than is indicated in the Gazette , or the 
lists of our Benevolent Society. 
Tho next point to which we advert is the shortening 
the term of apprenticeship. Three years, or at most four,, 
will be regarded as sufficient. The contraction of the 
time must prove a mutual benefit: less to be played 
with, concentration of energies will be aimed at and 
achieved. 
An improved treatment of our apprentices will inevi¬ 
tably arise as the result of mutual confidence and respect.. 
At its best estate, and under the most favourable cir¬ 
cumstances, the pursuit of pharmacy has many draw¬ 
backs, but what it must be when these conditions are 
wanting, it is sad to think,—long hours, short holidays, 
much work and sometimes dirty too; this is, alas! too 
often the plain prose which destroys all the early ro¬ 
mance of coloured carboys and mirrored glass. 
Let us not be misconstrued; we have no contention 
with work, and plenty of it too. The best men in any 
calling are those who have attacked its initial drudgery 
with brave hearts and strong arms, having faith in the- 
law that no lasting or proportioned structure can be- 
reared on an imperfect foundation. Only let us as prin¬ 
cipals see to it, that tho conditions under which that 
work is done are not too exacting. 
We advance to the last consideration and the most 
important. What are the just claims our apprentices 
have on us for instruction, and to what extent are those 
claims at present being met ? 
By the deed of indenture we undertake not only to 
provide sufficient and suitable board and lodging, but we 
also covenant to teach the art and mystery of pharmacy. 
Let us fairly look this matter in the face; where do our 
responsibilities begin, and where do they end? Me as¬ 
sume the Preliminary Examination, or its equivalent,, 
has been passed ; this, as wc have already argued, must 
be insisted on, as a sine qua non. 
