INTRODUCTORY LECTURE. 
279 
stance be furnished for another; should a greedy desire for 
gain, induce the supply of a medicine inferior from any 
cause, the health of the patient may receive a shock, from 
the effects of which the skill of the ablest physician may be 
unable to save him. 
The importance which is attached to a proper exercise of 
this profession, and the high degree of responsibility involved 
in its functions, have induced all the governments of Europe 
to prevent, by the enactment of strict penal laws, any of these 
abuses which might otherwise have crept into it. The education 
of their pharmaceutists, is required to be carried to a high de- 
gree of attainment; boards of examination are established to 
prevent incompetent persons from intruding their services on 
the community, and censors are appointed whose duty it is to 
make a thorough examination and inspection of all the me- 
dicines submitted for sale or dispensation. Such as are found 
impure, deteriorated, or improperly prepared, are immediately 
confiscated, and a penalty is inflicted on the delinquent, be- 
sides the ignominy which attaches to a public exposure of his 
disgrace. 
In some of the German cities, but a limited number of 
pharmaceutists are allowed to dispense medicines, and the 
inducement to enter into a competition, which may de- 
teriorate their materials for the sake of enhancing their pro- 
fits being thus removed, the only incentive remaining is, to 
attract employment by the offer to furnish the best supplies. 
In France, the same scrupulous regard is paid to the cultiva- 
tion of a proper knowledge of pharmacy; and although the 
number of those who may practise this art is not limited by 
law, as is the case in Germany; yet numerous regulations ex- 
ist designed to promote the interests of the profession, secure 
the rights and health of society, and to elevate the character 
of the profession by requiring from its members a thorough 
education in every department of science, allied in the least 
degree with pharmacy. 
Unfortunately for the profession in this country, the 
law takes no cognizance of its character or duties. The 
