860 
THE PROPOSED PHARMACY BILL. 
observation) who, if druggists, can scarcely be called cbemisis, as tbe}^ tnow 
as little about chemistry, Materia Medica, and the principles of pharmacy, 
let alone botany, as they do of the philosopher’s stone ; who, although Mell 
versed in mixing paint and selling ha’porths of castor oil and pennyworths of 
whiting, etc., would be puzzled to describe the difierence bet\^eenan acid and 
an alkali, or state the constituents of air or water. And yet the Council 
propose virtually to place these (if they be willing) on a level with those who 
have passed all the examinations. 
Such a step as the proposed Bill is without controversy not only unfair, 
but a gross breach of faith, and an act of treachery both to the examined 
and uuexamined members, on the part of the Council of the Pharmaceutical 
Society ; and we have the flattering consolation of being the duped victims of 
the same. The greater part of those uho have passed the examinations have 
enrolled themselves as Members or Associates of the Society (if I may judge 
others from myself) from a feeling of attachment to the Society, rather than 
for the advantages gained thereby, which to a country chemist are very few. 
If therefore the Council will not attend to the interests of the present Phar¬ 
maceutical Chemists, the former cannot expect to receive their continued 
supi o‘t, nor need be surprised wdien the contributions materially fall oft—as 
they assuredly will if the Bill passes in its present state. There will be no 
encouragement for young men to prepare for the examinations, as any igno¬ 
ramus may be placed in an equal position, and enjoy the same privileges, 
if he chooses to apply. 
It may rightly be asked, where is the necessity for further legislation at 
present ? Our worthy President, I repeat our worthy President (although 
nou pursuing a mistaken policy) never spake timer wmrds than uhen he 
said ‘‘ They had nothing to gain by opening the doors. T'hey were satisfied 
to go on prospering as they had done of late, and the agitation out of doors was 
of more benefit than harm. Never 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 In¬ 
stitution.” This testimony is confirmed by the increasing number of can¬ 
didates for the various exaininalions, as all apprentices and assistants who 
are aspiring to a respectable standing in their profession, are qualifying them¬ 
selves by passing these examinations ; hence the Society would in a short 
time become all that ambition can desire. Then w hy not go on prospering 
until the Society is stronger ? If the Bill passes, Pharmaceutical Chemists 
have nothing to gain, but all to lose, whilst the outsiders will gain everything 
and lose nothing ; then, the reason of the course of the Council is merely to 
satisfy a few' clamorous outsiders, w ho w ill not take the trouble honourab y 
to qualify themselves, but seek a royal road to the attainment of their ambi¬ 
tion, and have succeeded in inveigling the Council to their assistance. These 
outsiders never did th^ Council any good, and probably never will; but, on 
the contrary, have said bitter things, and tried to do all the harm they could ; 
they were -never satisfied, and probably never w ill be ; they have often dis¬ 
agreed amongst themselves, and when the Council has succeeded in getting 
them into their family, we fear they will find them, or many of them, dis¬ 
satisfied, wayward, troublesome children. Altiiough the Council has con¬ 
ceded to them almost everything they asked, yet some have the conscience 
(or ratlier no conscience) to demand being placed on an equality w ith the 
founders ; who, to say the least, are all men of acknowledged standing in 
the trade, which cannot be said of all outsiders ; many are men of di^tlu- 
guished ability ; and to whose persevering adherence to the Society, sacri¬ 
ficing time, and from fifteen to thirty years’ pecuniary support, we owe the 
existence of the Society. 
