REPORT ON MEDICAL EDUCATION, &C. 165 
one practitioner against another. When rivalry must often be 
the motive that leads to such information, is it not the man 
who has most success in practice, that is most subject to be 
informed against? Whenever an information is brought be- 
fore the committee of our Society, our clerk is directed to 
write to some agent, living in the neighbourhood of the indi- 
vidual informed against; this agent is directed to collect infor- 
mation concerning the qualifications of the party accused, and 
evidence in the event of his being prosecuted; and it is upon 
the report of such agents, that we determine whether we shall 
proceed or not. Your inquiry seems to be directed to ascertain- 
ing rather the truth of the information, than the medical attain- 
ments of the individual informed against? I think sometimes 
it may be so. Do you, or do you not seek for evidence of 
this character, before you determine whether to prosecute or 
not; namely, whether the education of the party informed 
against, has been of a character to render him competent to 
the exercise of the functions as an apothecary, without en- 
dangering the health and lives of the community? We take 
no other means of making this inquiry, than the one already 
mentioned, by applying, through our clerk, to some agent in 
the neighbourhood of the residence of this individual. Is not 
information respecting the medical education of the party 
likely to come with most accuracy from himself; and upon 
his supplying such information, would it not be easy for you, 
by inquiry to ascertain whether the information was correct, 
and if it be proved to be correct, then to take it into considera- 
tion, whether his education was such as to render him fit to 
practice as an apothecary; and if so to forbear prosecuting 
him. Would not such a course be most consonant to the 
preamble of the Act which describes entire ignorance, and 
utter incompetency, as the evils intended to be provided 
against? Yes, admitting that the power with which the So- 
ciety is invested was discretionary, it would certainly be their 
duty to look to these points; but as it is not so, I think they 
have no alternative, upon proper information and evidence of 
the illegality of such practitioners, but to proceed against them 
for the sake of those who are already qualified." 
