54 
THE BRITISH PHARMACEUTICAL CONFERENCE, 
annual peripatetic meeting was to be a chief feature, naturally led to some 
speculation as to what might be the result of the undertaking. It was thought 
by those who met in Newcastle in 1863, that in an association, framed on a mere 
voluntary principle, which sought no other bond of union than professional 
fellowship and sympathy, whose existence depended only on the desire of those 
interested in pharmacy for opportunities of intercommunication such as the 
proposed union might supply, much must be left to the common sense and good 
feeling of its members. Any rules for its guidance, further than the very 
simplest, seemed out of place,—the elaborate bye-laws and official regulations 
to suit every contingency, which are of necessity a portion of the framework of 
any society whose membership implies a certain legal standing and responsi¬ 
bility, would only retard its operations. On the other hand, the absence of 
restrictions would leave the Executive Committee at liberty to attempt experi¬ 
ments in any direction which might seem desirable, and thereby widen its sphere 
of usefulness. 
That there was room for such a society, and that it might labour honestly in 
its own field, minisfering to, rather than interfering with existing institutions, the 
meetings at Bath in 1864 and at Birmingham last year give ample evidence. 
Not only have those who have attended these gatherings been gratified and in¬ 
structed, but we have been told by the pharmaceutists of the two cities named, 
that the visit of the Conference has done much to improve the mutual relations 
of the resident chemists; that the coolness, not to say distrust which too often 
existed amongst men of the same calling has given place to a fair measure of 
neighbourly respect, and even of friendship. A breaking down of personal 
prejudices is the natural outcome of associations founded in good-fellowship—to 
“ bear and forbear ” the lesson they teach. 
The approaching meeting at Nottingham will probably leave the same im¬ 
pression that has attended those which are passed, though the executive have 
taken advantage of their elastic framework, to enlarge somewhat its programme. 
During its first two years, the Conference enjoyed the presidency of Mr. Deane, 
and to members of the Pharmaceutical Society we need say nothing of Mr. 
Deane’s qualifications for the post. Much of the success of the gatherings at 
Bath and Birmingham may fairly be attributed to the varied scientific know¬ 
ledge, the moderation, and the geniality which characterized his guidance of the 
discussions. This year Professor Bentley succeeds to the chair, and very many 
of his old pupils will be at hand to welcome him warmly. Those who have not 
this bond of attachment will readily accept his leadership, on the ground of his 
well-known scientific attainments, and his valuable contributions to pharma¬ 
ceutical literature. 
On running over the programme of the meeting, two points attract our at¬ 
tention as novelties. One of these is Mr. Ince’s paper on “Pharmaceutical 
Ethics.” Hitherto the Conference has confined its labours to the investigation 
and discussion of scientific subjects, but here is a new and important develop¬ 
ment. That there should be a desire manifested for a paper on the relation of 
pharmaceutists to each other, is of itself a pleasing sign that the efforts of those 
who have for long been endeavouring to make pharmacy mean something more 
than shopkeeping are beginning to bear fruit. We do not know anything of 
the line which will be pursued in arguing the various ethical questions which 
may be treated of, nor even the precise subjects which may be included in the 
paper ; but, whatever the opinions of the author may be, it is scarcely possible 
that they can do more than represent the views of the majority. For this, unlike 
purely scientific points argued by the few, is one on which every member has, or 
should have, an opinion regulating his own practice; and as no opportunity 
has hitherto occurred for the general discussion, or even for the recognition of 
the subject, there can scarcely fail to be a lengthy and animated debate upon it. 
