THE PROPOSED PHARMACY BILL* 
667 
to tlie injury of others—the members of the Pharmaceutical Society. Wliat- 
ever faults it may have in detail, the twentieth clause is the one which stands 
pre-eminent. I feel sure the majority of tlie members of the Pharmaceutical 
Society will bear me out in saying that it is a most flagrant injustice. 
1st. To the founders, who, having worked so nobly, and having paid their 
money for so many years, naturally expected to see some fruit from their 
labour, but as they get older, instead of seeing the stream of improvement 
become clearer and clearer, growing gradually in strength, they will see it 
certainly stronger, but polluted with the most ignorant members of the 
trade. 
2nd. In 1852 a great cry was made; the druggists were at least permitted, 
if not asked, to join the ranks of the Pharmaceuiical Society, with the ex¬ 
press understanding that they were to enjoy the privileges of membership, 
and that, after the passing of the Act, no one should be admitted but by ex¬ 
amination ; many joined, and have paid their guineas ever since, and now 
others are to be let in. Is it not a breach of faith to these, after the hopes 
held out to them ? 
3rd. To the examined members. Here I can speak from experience ; for 
more than nine years previous to going up. I v as a constant reader of the 
Journal; during that time I tutored myself in believing, that the Society 
would be closed against all comers, unless their compeLency was proved. 
Having passed the ordeal of examination, what has it cost me? Many years 
of hard study, and £50 in direct expenses. The examined only can realize 
the work of study, with the privations it entails ; but being encouraged with 
an assurance that theirs would be a rich reward, worked on and gained this 
reward, which is certainly sufficient, if it be not violated. 
Now, what is the use of the title but as a means of enabling the public to 
select a qualified man ? and what good would a man get by passing the exa¬ 
mination and not using the title? In face of all this, men of no standing may 
be allowed to put over their doors “ Members of the Pharmaceutical Society,” 
thus palming themselves off before the public as equal to those who have 
passed. The difference between “ Pharmaceutical Chemist” and “Member 
of the Pharmaceutical Society ” is quite plausible in theory, but not in prac¬ 
tice ; the public will not, in fact cannot, be taught the difference. 
The agitators for this Bill talk of admitting those only who have a claim. 
Now, the only claim which I think admissible is that of competency ; and if 
they be competent, why not show their names in the pass lists ? and if they 
cannot do so, have they a right to usurp the hard-gained privileges of others? 
They talk of vested interests, and wish to protect theirs; then why not let 
us have ours? 
Of course our opponents in this matter will take no notice of what we may 
say ; the only hope of any protection must be from our own exertions. This 
being the case, let the examined members (and those who think with them) 
call meetings, and adopt such measures as will tend to prevent the title of 
membership being given to any but examined men. Deputations have been 
sent from the United Society of Chemists and Druggists, and from druggists 
belonging to no body, to Bloomsbury Square; then let a deputation go from 
us, and if we fail there let Parliament be petitioned. Hoping you will insert 
this in the Journal, 
I am, yours truly, 
Audi Alteeam Partem. 
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