THE PROPOSED PHARMACY BILL. 
611 
of taking such a step, which cannot but be a gross breach of faith, not only 
to the examined members, but also to the founders and the public at large. 
It has been repeatedly stated in the Journal, so repeatedly indeed that its 
very reiteration has become almost wearisome, that the doors of the Society are 
closed to all except those who pass the examinations. On the strength of 
these assertions, hundreds of young men (myself included) have qualified 
and passed; but now the Council proposes virtually to ignore our claims, and 
pass over our heads men who not only will not take the trouble to obtain a 
certificate of qualification, but who have systematically and resolutely tried 
to frustrate all the efforts made by the Society to elevate the status of the 
trade. 
It might form a not unprofitable subject for meditation by the proposers 
of the new measure, What will be the effect on the public mind ? At last, 
after years of toil, Pharmaceutical Chemists have come to be regarded at 
least as men who know their business, and a large and increasing amount of 
confidence exists in reference to them. The end the founders of the Society 
had in view appears to be gradually approaching, when the Council, the men 
entrusted with the direction of the Society, and who are supposed to be the 
guardians of its interests, purpose admitting to the highest honours at their 
disposal any one who thinks proper to apply for them. This is, to say the 
least of it, unfair ; for if outsiders are indiscriminately admitted (which, under 
the proposed alteration, they must be ; for if one is allowed to enter without 
examination, how is another to be kept out ?) the effect on the public mind 
must, cannot fail to be most prejudicial; a want of confidence will be created 
in regard to its members which it will take years to overcome. It is true 
there is a proposed distinction, but the public cannot be expected to realize 
that distinction; to an ordinary observer it would appear the same thing 
whether a man put over his door “Member of the Pharmaceutical Society,” 
or “ Pharmaceutical Chemist.” I am perfectly aware that a large number 
of the present members are unexamined; but I am sure that no examined 
member would for a moment grudge the Founders the position they occupy. 
If it had not been for them, we should not have had a Pharmaceutical Society, 
with all its advantages ; not the smallest proof of the value of a connection 
with it is the clamour and efforts now being made by those who will not take 
the trouble to qualify to obtain admission on their own terms. 
The Founders will, in the ordinary course of events, soon pass away; but if 
the doors of the Society are now opened, the race of unexamined members 
would be continued for a very considerable time longer. 
In reply to one of the deputations which waited on the Council last month, 
the President, whom we may presume to express the opinions of the Council, 
said—“ It was impossible to forget the struggles and trials of early years, 
how only by undaunted perseverance and faith the Founders of the Societ}^ 
had raised themselves to the position they now held. They had nothing to 
gain by opening the doors. They were satisfied to go on prospering as they 
had done of late, and the agitation out of doors was of more benefit than 
harm. Flever had their numbers kept up as during the past few years ; at 
no time were there so many apprentices on their books, nor were they ever 
so sanguine as to the future condition of their Institution.” Such being the 
case, where is the necessity for further legislation at present ? why throw 
away what has been already’’ attained to satisfy a few clamorous outsider.?? 
would it not be better to go on prospering at the present rate for a few years 
longer, until the Society is still stronger ? 
Then, again, a money compromise was mooted. What amount could or 
would be fixed ? Those members who have been members since 1852 must 
have paid from 15 to 20 guineas in annual subscriptions, older members of 
