PHARMACEUTICAL LEGISLATION. 
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much bitterness, if the gross falsehoods and misrepresentations of a few in¬ 
dividuals, arrogating to themselves the leadership of a body of men by whom 
they are viewed with the greatest contempt, are permitted to pass uncontra¬ 
dicted. I allude partly to the deputation of the United Society, and partly to 
the contents of its organ—if it is not still ashamed of the. association—the 
4 Chemist and Druggist.’ 
First, then, Sir, in reference to the deputation. At the near approach of 
general election, we need not feel surprised at the number of M.P.’s lending their 
presence to this gathering, as we know that members are often urged by the 
bores of their constituencies into matters which are very distasteful to their 
ideas. The old tale was told, the same unblushing falsehoods were reiterated, 
as to the number of the trade, and the small proportion of the Pharmaceutical 
Society,—ignoring, as is always the case, the large number of examined men who 
have not become members of the Society, and the still larger numbers of re¬ 
gistered apprentices. The duplicity of the Society was referred to, in obtaining 
signatures without the petitioners knowing the object of their prayer, and 
every ingenious method was taken to bias the Cabinet Minister. Butwilli : 
avail ? Decidedly not! These amateur legislators went a little too far—were 
all over-anxious to bray. Had they been content with the privilege of entree , 
and deputed one or two of their body as spokesmen, they would not have di¬ 
vulged the weakness of their position. 
The ridiculous admission of Mr. Slugg having signed both petitions, and 
pleading ignorance as to the contents of the one of the Council, is too absurd to 
entertain. The Bill has been before the trade now nearly twelve months, and 
he is not the man to neglect the perusal of so important a measure. 
Mr. Wade follows with the same stereotyped harangue that we have been 
accustomed to hear since the formation of their Society,—implores Legislation, 
but deprecates Education. “ Bother Latin, Botany, Materia Medica, Pharmacy, 
and Chemistry!” exclaims Mr. Wade,— 44 What do we want with them?” Do 
these gentlemen fear the responsibilities of examining candidates upon these 
subjects? or, do they view the future race of aspirants as boobies without 
brains or the hope of culture ? Mr. Wade despises Latin, yet would aspire to 
the reading of prescriptions. This somewhat paradoxical expression is hard to 
conform with our present mode of procedure, unless he contemplates reducing 
the attainments of the medical profession, and to make converts of them, to 
44 Bother Latin and write in English ! Is the chemist so thoroughly ignorant 
that there is not material in him to elevate to a professional status ? Such is 
the presumptive conclusion to be gathered from the arguments of that gentle¬ 
man. 
The question of Medical Education is far from being settled, and there are 
many who consider a university degree as the sine qua non of future admission 
into the medical profession. If so high an attainment is rendered essential to 
the qualification of a surgeon, surely the Pharmaceutical body must not retro¬ 
grade, but bring up the future candidates to the standard of proficiency. 
In the ‘Standard’ of to-day there is a leading article on the subject of 
Legislation, which will be read by all Pharmaceutists with considerable interest; 
it urges the adoption of the measure of our Council as the only means of elevating 
the trade. Police regulations for the sale of poisons can easily be enacted by 
a future measure. 44 In the rage to do all at once there is great danger lest ice end 
in doing nothing .” Such is the conclusion of this excellent article. 
Let me appeal then to the members of our body to exert themselves individually 
with their professional brethren, and not allow private jealousy to detract their 
usefulness ; the Council have worked most indefatigably, and we must each 
support them in their noble endeavour to elevate the whole trade into a compact 
and legalized body. I fear that there is too much apathy amongst some of our 
