LEEDS chemists’ associatiox. 
311 
people, nor do I mean that the advantage to be gained by becoming members of our As¬ 
sociation will always be a pecuniary one ; but I maintain that if we supply our members 
with the means of becoming acquainted with the progress of the branches of science 
bearing upon our daily pursuits, and conduct our proceedings in such a manner as to pro¬ 
mote honourable and generous conduct amongst ourselves, we are giving them quid pro 
quo, and are making it to be their interest and duty to unite with us. 
Mr. E. M. Atkixson said that restrictions were the great want of the trade. He had 
drawn up a petition praying that a license of the cost of two guineas per annum 
should be granted to every chemist, and no person be allowed to sell drugs without 
possessing such license ; by this means, the trade in drugs by hucksters would be 
effectually stopped. He was glad that sixty chemists out of eighty in Leeds had signed 
this petition. Until some such course was adopted, the position of the chemist 
would be like what Juvenal described, when he wrote, “Honesty is praised but 
starves.” 
Mr. Keynolds expressed the pleasure with which he had listened to the address of the 
President, and moved a vote of thanks. At the same time, he felt compelled to hold 
very different views to those just enunciated on the subject of legislation for pharmacy. 
Analogies had been brought forward comparing our position with that of the learned 
professions, and the President had endeavoured to show that such analogies could not 
make out a case for legislative interference. But it must be recollected that a large 
number of other instances could be adduced in which the State interfered with the 
liberty of the subject: thus, a railway company could not open a new line without 
official inspection and sanction,—ship’s anchors were officially tested before they could, 
be used,—steamboats must carry a certificate of being sea-worthy,—and the sailing 
masters of ships had to undergo personal examination as to their fitness to perform 
their duties. The public security and good being the reason for this interference, it 
seemed impossible not to admit that the State should require a competent knowledge on 
the part of those entrusted with the responsible duties of dealing in medicines. At 
present a man was liable under Lord Campbell’s Act for the results of misadventure 
whether that arose through ignorance or otherwise; but would it not be better to 
prevent a large portion of error, by securing proper qualifications in those whose actions 
were so important? 
Mr. Smeetox agreed with the sentiment that there was no disgrace in trade, and said 
he could not desire to divest himself of the character of a trader. He was anxious that 
distinctions should be made public as to qualified and unqualified dispensers of medicine. 
Supposing that in travelling he went into a strange town, he wished to be able to tell 
to what chemist he could apply for medicines with similar security to that which he had 
in calling upon a physician. He would not object to see a further extension of the 
principle to skilled labour of other sorts ; for instance, to have qualified watchmakers 
distinguished in some w'ay. 
Mr. Yewdale said, that it was because the public could not be judges of the quality 
of drugs as they could be in the case of provisions, articles of clothing, etc., that the 
right of State interference was established. He alluded to the importance to the 
Association of forming a collection of the newer or rarer objects of materia medica, and 
promised to bring forward a definite proposal at some future day. 
Mr. Brown was hopeful as to future improvement in the preliminary education of 
those entering the drug trade, since the admitted advance of pharmacy during the past 
twenty years could not fail to attract to it a superior class of pupils. This advance in 
the education and standing of many members of our body, undoubtedly enables those 
members to command a better remuneration for their services to the public, and 
their neighbouring brethren were consequently better paid by the influence of the 
standard thus created. 
Mr. Haigh, in seconding the vote of thanks, expressed his opinion that the improved 
education and status of the medical profession were much more due to the compulsory 
education of its members than to the general “ march of intellect” to which the President 
attributed it. 
The President acknowledged the thanks of the meeting, and replied to some of the 
objections to his views that had been raised. 
