Address. 
103 i 
sentiment that it would confer distinction, or by a desire of 
making it a means of increasing your sales. 
It will be readily conceded, that all well educated phar- 
maceutists must possess a stock of ideas on medical subjects, 
far greater than that possessed by any other class of persons out 
of the medical profession. If they use this knowledge discreetly 
and not obtrusively, with no disposition to trench upon the 
ground of a kindred profession, and without exacting fee or 
reward either directly or indirectly, no possible objection can 
be raised to the course. I feel satisfied that much good is done 
by the intelligent apothecary in correcting the crude notions of 
thapublic on the subject of proper doses; and I am equally clear 
that they should interpose to prevent an ignorant person from 
prescribing an obviously inappropriate medicine for himself. 
Nay, I would go further and say, that the pharmaceutist 
should possess such general intelligence on subjects connected 
with his profession, as to enable him, in cases of extreme 
emergency, when medical aid cannot be had, to interpose 
with judgment and efficiency. Cases of poisoning furnish 
examples of such emergency, wherein the loss of a few 
minutes is often attended with fatal consequences. A know- 
ledge of antidotes, therefore, should form a part of the attain- 
ments of the accomplished apothecary. These substances 
act on chemical principles ; and the apothecary, viewed as a 
chemist, is bound to understand the principles on which they 
operate, and the modes in which they should be applied. 
There are still a number of topics, touching the duties and 
responsibilities, the rights and the wrongs of your profession, 
on which I might dilate, were I not admonished by the length of 
this address, that it is time to bring it to a close. In laying 
down principles for the guidance of your professional con- 
duct, my aim has been not to present to your acceptance 
any over-strained rules ; but such only as are applicable to 
the condition of pharmacy in this city. I wish you not to 
take any of my opinions on trust, but to examine for your- 
selves. Such of my ethical rules as, upon reflection, you 
may be convinced are well founded, you are bound to act up 
to, If any of them should be deemed erroneous, then I de- 
clare, that such is my respect for opinion, honestly enter- 
