THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL. 
SECOND SERIES. 
YOL. VI.—No. VIII.—FEBRUARY 1st, 1865. 
PROGRESS MADE WITH REVERENCE TO PHARMACEUTICAL 
LEGISLATION. 
We alluded last month to the satisfactory progress then made in testing 
the opinions of chemists and druggists throughout the country with reference 
to the proposed new Pharmacy Bill of the Pharmaceutical Society, and the 
additional returns which have since been obtained enable us now to give 
a tolerably accurate indication of the feelings of the trade on the subject of 
pharmaceutical legislation. It could not be expected that any measure, likely 
to be sanctioned by the Legislature, would meet the views of all the members of 
a body such as we represent. The unanimous expression of a favourable opinion 
might in such a case be ascribed to indifference rather than the exercise of 
intelligent thought, and the formation of a settled judgment. That differences 
of opinion are expressed proves at least that attention is given to the subject; 
and the warmth sometimes manifested in discussion, and even the firmness with 
which views are maintained that do not coincide with those of the majority, 
may be favourable symptoms of the existence of a deep interest in the cause at 
issue, and of the exercise of vigorous intellect in its prosecution. 
The “ Bill for Regulating the Qualification of Chemists and Druggists,” 
which has been drawn and proposed by the Council of the Pharmaceutical 
Society, has of course received the assent of that body ; but it is not to be 
inferred from this that it comprises all that might be desired by those even who 
are its promoters and warmest advocates. In going to Parliament, it is necessary 
to consider what is practicable as well as what is desirable ; moreover, in our 
case, it was necessary to consider the influence of the proposed measure upon 
those immediately and most sensibly affected by it, and to cause among such as 
little alarm and opposition as possible. 
The result of canvassing the trade in all the principal towns shows most 
clearly that the Council have acted with much judgment in the construction of 
their Bill, as a very large majority of those to whom the appeal has been made 
have signed the declaration in its favour. We referred last month to Canter¬ 
bury, where the declaration was signed by every chemist in the place. We may 
now add to the list of places where all have signed, Berwick, Forfar, Richmond 
in Surrey, Kilmarnock, Thirsk, Narberth, Gloucester, Warminster, Rugby, 
Leominster, Dover, Sandwich, Deal, Walmer, Barnsley, Bedford, Whitehaven, 
Ruthin, Leighton, Gosport, Salisbury. Then, at the following places, all but 
one have signed :—Nottingham (68 signatures), Oldham, Darlington, Torquay, 
Ashton-under-Lyne, Stourbridge, Margate, Poole. In the following all have 
signed but two:—Swansea, Ramsgate, Rochester, Reigate, Norwich, Birken¬ 
head, Stroud, Cardiff. At Halifax, 22 have signed out of 25 ; at Southampton, 
VOL. VI. 2 F 
