666 
THE PROPOSED PHARMACY BILL. 
Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons or the Society of Apothecaries stand to 
medical men. giving to those who may pass its examinations a certain legal 
title and status. Now, what is the corresponding title given by these analo¬ 
gous institutions? It is that of Fellow, Member, or Licentiate, denoting 
that the recipient has been taken into association with the Society, having 
previously been found by examination to be fitted for that position ; hence, 
although we may be in doubt as lo the real qualifications of a man who sim¬ 
ply styles himself ‘‘ surgeon,” or “ consulting surgeon,” yet when we know 
that he is a “ Member” of the College, we are at once satisfied that he is a 
legally qualified man, aud, reasoning from analogy, the public and medical 
men also, will conclude that the man who is a “ .Member ” of the Pharma¬ 
ceutical Society, holds an equally good, or probably a superior position to 
the Pharmaceutical Chemist. 
The existing regulations of the medical examining Boards and of the Phar¬ 
maceutical Society itself, would warrant this conclusion. What then becomes 
of the distinctive title “ Pharmaceutical Chemist” ? Practicall}^ though not 
legally, the distinction is annulled, and a higher and better appreciated title 
may be had by any druggist who chooses to register, and pay a guinea a 
year. 
It is clear that the examined members and founders of the Society are en¬ 
titled to more consideration than the present proposals contemplate. What 
would medical men think, if the Society of Apothecaries were to admit unex¬ 
amined men as “ Licentiates ” or “ Members,” on the simple conditions that 
they were to subscribe yearly, and were not to style themselves Apotheca¬ 
ries, but only ‘‘Licentiates” or “ Members of the Society of Apothecaries,” 
and “ Eegistered Medical Practitioners”? The whole of the examined 
men would rise in one body to protest against such an unjust confusion of 
tit es. 
I know that the Council have many difficulties to encounter, and that for 
any Bill to have a chance of passing, there must be concessiona»on both sides. 
I would suggest, that all who are now members of the Society shall, after 
the passing of the proposed Bill, be designated Fellows, and shall retain their 
connection with the Society on payment of an annual subscription of half a 
guinea instead of a guinea. If it be found impossible to confer both these 
privileges, then at least one of them should be granted. 
I would further suggest, with regard to those who may qualify after the 
passing of the Bill, that as those who pass the Minor examination wdll be 
eligible for election as Members, that those who pass the Major examination 
should be eligible for election as Fellows. I fear that unless this marked 
distinction is made, there will be very few who will take the trouble and bear 
the expense of qualifying as “ Pharmaceutical Chemists.” 
I am. Sir, your obedient servant, 
An Examined Member. 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL. 
Sir,—Now that so much is being said and done with regard to a Pharmacy 
Bill, it behoves those interested to bestir themselves to a right understanding 
of what is proposed. That a reform is needed no one will deny ; that such 
reform cannot be obtained but by the authority of law, all will admit. This 
being the case, the object should be to pass a good Bill, one to benefit all and 
hurt none. 
Does the proposed Bill benefit all ? It may benefit many, but it will be 
