PIIAEMACEUTICAL MEETING, EDINBUEGH. 
331 
, aminers, however competent in other respects; but these circumstances, so far from being 
objections, seem just additional reasons why it should be urged on the attention of 
pharmaceutists, why each should be his own examiner in regard to it, and make sure 
that he is under its influence, that he is really—what, no doubt, he wishes to appear—a 
man of sterling integrity, discharging all his duties conscientiously, not because it is 
expedient or honourable, but because it is right. 
As you are aware, much attention has been given within the last few years to the 
condition of pharmacy and pharmaceutists, and various means have been used for the 
improvement of both. Among these we have the Pharmaceutical Society, the Journal, 
and scientific associations throughout the country, at the meetings of which excellent 
papers have been read on pharmaceutical and other subjects, and addresses given on the 
necessity of raising the standard of pharmaceutical education ; the importance of scien¬ 
tific knowledge and a well-cultivated mind, as means to success in the practice of phar¬ 
macy ; the beneficial results of which are to be seen, not only in an increased desire to 
enjoy them, but in some degree of progress towards their attainment. There is, there¬ 
fore, reason to hope that the discussion of such subjects as Pharmaceutical Ethics will 
be followed by similar benefits, and that the pharmaceutist, while seeking to increase his 
mental acquirements, will not fail to cultivate the moral sense, to take his stand, not on 
the low ground of expediency, but on the higher ground of moral principle; and thus 
show that, besides business intelligence, fair and honest dealing, honourable conduct, and 
moral integrity, are real and distinguishing characteristics of the pharmaceutist, and 
that they are so,—not because they are in themselves becoming or praiseworthy, not be¬ 
cause he is a Member or Associate of the Pharmaceutical Society, and, as such, bound 
in some degree to prove himself worthy of such an honourable connection, and to pro¬ 
mote its objects, which he knows to be the advancement of pharmacy and the elevation 
of the professional and social position of the pharmaceutist,—but from a sense of moral 
obligation to do right, even independently of such considerations, and certainly not less 
so on account of them. 
If it be granted that the pharmaceutist ought to be honourable and upright in all 
that pertains to his business, it surely follow's that he ought to seek these qualities in the 
highest degree and in the best way; and, therefore, not apart from, or independently of 
moral principle, but rather as the natural and certain results of its operation. 
No doubt the love of science—the desire to aid as far as possible investigations into 
the nature and therapeutic value and actions of the various substances employed in 
medicine, to produce them in the highest style of the pharmaceutic art, and thereby 
establish a reputation for skill in the science and practice of pharmacy—will tend to 
promote carefulness and accuracy; but when we have superadded to these qualities, 
moral principle, we have a pharmaceutist, much better equipped for his onerous duties, 
and, therefore, more likely to discharge them faithfully, even when other admittedly 
powerful influences and considerations fail. lYhen it is remembered that the business of 
the pharmaceutist is not to vend merely, but to select and prepare, and, when necessary, 
test medicinal substances; to w^eigh and combine them with accuracy and skill when 
prescribed, and thus—it may be in a humble but still important manner—aid the physi¬ 
cian in his endeavours to mitigate suffering, to control and cure disease,—the value of 
moral principle becomes evident, because it tends to secure carefulness and conscientious¬ 
ness in the discharge of these duties, the want of which might do much to defeat such 
efforts, to lessen the confidence of medical men in the honour and integrity of pharma¬ 
ceutists, and render their experience of the actions of medicines variable, conflicting, and 
unsatisfactory. 
The remedy for tliis, so far as pharmaceutists are concerned, is to do their part skil¬ 
fully and honestly; to furnish and use invariably m.aterials of standard purity ; to give 
the precise articles and quantities prescribed, carefully and tastefully prepared. All 
which, it is true, may be done without any regard to moral principle, but more certainly, 
uniformly, and satisfactorily with it; and, therefore, the pharmaceutist who is under its 
influence, gives an additional guarantee for professional uprightness, which those who 
really require his services will not fail, in some degree, to discover and appreciate. 
On the whole, then, it appears pretty clear that the pharmaceutist who is generally 
intelligent, well acquainted with his business, and guided in the performance of his duties 
by moral principle, who both knows what is right and is careful to practise it, is the one 
most likely to understand his responsibility, and on all occasions to act with integrity, 
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