KEYIEW OF THE FRENCH CODEX. 
395 
Three certificates of fitness (40 francs each).120 francs. 
Diploma.100 „ 
Total .... 1390 = 53 guineas. 
For the title of pharmaceutist of the second class, a shorter course of study is 
required, and the fees amount to 460 francs, or a little over eighteen pounds sterling. 
In conclusion, a word or two about the sale of poisons, and the dispensing of medi¬ 
cines which are poisonous and only for external use, as this subject has recently been 
discussed at your meetings. With reference to medicines for external use, a ministerial 
circular was issued in June 1855, from which the following is an extract:—One of the 
most frequent causes of accidental poisoning, is the confusion which persons in charge 
of invalids fall into with reference to medicines for internal use and for external applica¬ 
tion. It is true that with the view of obviating such uncertainty, pharmaceutists usually are 
careful to indicate by the words ‘ for external use,’ that the medicine would be dangerous 
if taken internally. But, besides the fact that this indication is frequently neglected, it 
is only addressed to persons who can read, and it is only useful when they have the pru¬ 
dence to ascertain from the label the nature and distinction of the remedy. With the* 
view of putting an end to the danger now mentioned, I have [says the Minister] con¬ 
sulted the Board of Health, and, according to its advice, I think it right to address to 
MM. les Prefets the following instructions: one method at all times efficacious in the 
prevention of fatal mistakes, would be to have a visible sign which each one might easily 
recognize, and which would be calculated to attract the attention and to waken the sus¬ 
picions of illiterate persons. It has been thought that this object might be attained if 
the obligation were imposed upon pharmaceutists of placing upon the phials and packets 
containing medicines for external use, a label of striking colour, bearing the indications 
of its use. Such a conventional use would only be presented on the condition of its 
being universally adopted. Otherwise it would but increase the risk which it is sought 
to abolish. It is of little importance what the colour be, provided it be everywhere the 
same. I have selected an orange-red colour, the brightness of which is likely to catch 
the eye. Upon this ground will be printed in black letters, and in characters as distinct as 
possible, the words Medicine for external use. It is important that the orange-red label 
bear uniformly these words. It is, of course, to be understood that this special label is 
not to replace or interfere with the ordinary label written upon white paper, bearing 
the name of the pharmaceutist, the designation of the medicine, and all the instructions 
necessary for its administration. It is inexpedient to apply this measure to druggists and 
herbalists. Druggists are so affected by the Loi du 21 Germinal, an XI., that they can 
only sell simple drugs icholesale. They are forbidden to sell them- in medicinal quan¬ 
tities. The result is that the druggist, unless he be also pharmaceutist, does not sell 
directly to the patient. He does not know whether the drug is suitable for internal 
or for external use, or even whether it will be applied to pharmacy or to the industrial 
arts. From the moment at which it leaves his warehouse, under the conditions deter¬ 
mined by the ordinance of 29th October, 1846, concerning poisonous substances, he is no 
longer responsible. As to herbalists, the sale of poisonous substances for medicinal use 
is implicitly forbidden them by the above ordinance. They can only deal in plants fresh 
or dried ; and these plants, which are not used in their natural state, are destined to be 
prepared by another than the herbalist. The formality of the orange-red label, there¬ 
fore, was imposed neither upon druggists nor herbalists ; but it ought to be made obliga¬ 
tory upon medical men in country districts, who, in the absence of phamiaceutists, 
supply medicines, as well as upon those who manage the laboratories of hospitals and of 
other public charities. 
From an Ordonnance Iloyale, dated 29th October, 1846, relating to the sale of poi¬ 
sonous substances, I extract only that part which affects pharmaceutists. It is as 
follows:—The sale of poisonous substances for medicinal purposes is confined to phar¬ 
maceutists, and by them only when prescribed by a physician, surgeon, officer of health, 
or veterinary surgeon. The prescription must be signed and dated, and should express 
without abbreviation the dose of the ingredients, as vrell as the manner of administer¬ 
ing the medicine. Pharmaceutists will transcribe such prescriptions in a register, of 
the form determined by the first paragraph of Article 3. The transcriptions should be 
made in succession, and without any blank spaces. Pharmaceutists will not return 
these prescriptions without first stamping them with their seal, affixing the date at which 
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