EDITORIAL. 
379 
and  has  urged  the  adoption  of  efficient  means  of  pharmaceutical  education 
for  the  rising  generation.  By  raising  the  standing  and  qualifications  of 
the  present  race  of  pharmaceutists,  physicians  will  be  much  better  served, 
the  community  at  large  benefited,  and  the  apothecaries  themselves  will 
reap  a  greater  pecuniary  reward,  inasmuch  as  their  valuable  services  will 
command  higher  recompense. 
The  great  subject  of  providing  more  efficient  means  of  instruction  by 
public  institutions,  and  at  home  in  the  shop  and  laboratory,  has  claimed 
earnest  attention,  and  was  referred  to  a  special  committee  last  year,  to 
report  in  July  at  Cincinnati.  As  the  future  progress  of  Pharmacy  in  this 
country  will  be  materially  affected  by  the  systematic  education  of  the 
present  minors,  it  is  of  the  first  importance  that  those  now  in  business 
should  adopt  a  liberal  spirit,  and  aim  at  making  their  pupils  and  assistants 
better  apothecaries  and  druggists  than  themselves. 
The  Association  looks  towards  the  local  organization  of  pharmaceutists 
as  a  powerful  means  of  effecting  the  reforms  it  aims  at  producing  Without 
co-operation  nothing  can  be  done ;  with  it,  every  desirable  reform  may  be 
carried  out.  Among  the  pharmaceutical  ranks  there  is  ample  occasion 
for  the  display  of  brotherly  feeling  and  charity — the  best  educated  have 
room  to  improve;— the  most  meagerly  instructed  may  raise  their  status 
greatly ;  and  it  wants  but  the  infusion  of  more  liberality  of  feeling,  the 
silencing  of  the  demon  of  jealousy,  and  a  less  bitter  spirit  of  competition 
in  business,  to  produce  changes  as  useful  to  the  members  of  our  profession 
as  they  will  prove  salutary  to  the  best  interests  of  the  community  who  are 
served. 
It  is  with  earnest  sincerity,  therefore,  that  we  urge  on  our  pharma- 
ceutical brethren  of  the  United  States  that  they  should  openly  recognise 
among  their  friends  at  home,  the  efforts  making  by  the  Association,  and, 
when  practicable,  to  attend  its  meetings  and  participate  in  its  labors.  The 
migratory  character  of  the  annual  meetings  affords  an  opportunity  to  a 
much  larger  number  than  would  be  the  case  if  they  were  fixed  at  any 
centre;  and  in  reference  to  the  present  meeting  in  the  largest  city  of  the 
Mississippi  valley,  the  centre  of  a  circle  of  human  enterprize,  we  hope 
our  western  and  south-western  brethren  will  manifest  a  large  share  of 
interest,  by  making  some  sacrifices  to  attend  its  sessions. 
The  Corresponding  Secretary,  Dr.  William  B.  Chapman,  corner  of  Sixth 
and  Vine  Sts.,  Cincinnati,  will  give  information  of  the  place  of  meeting. 
William  Procter,  Jr.,  ~) 
Thomas  B.  Merrick,    C  Executive  Committee. 
Joseph  Laidley,  j  . 
Philadelphia,  June  6th,  1854. 
St.  Louis  Medical  Society  vs.  the  Apothecaries. — The  following  doc- 
ument issued  by  the  St.  Louis  Medical  Society,  was  sent  to  us  by  one  of 
the  parties  addressed. 
<c  At  a  regular  meeting  of  the  St.  Louis  Medical  Society,  held  April  8th, 
1854,  the  following  Preamble  and  Resolutions,  were  adopted  : 
Whereas,  Druggists  in  St.  Louis,  are  in  the  habit  of  re-filling  prescrip- 
tions without  any  assurance  that  it  is  authorized  by  the  physician  prescri- 
bing; and,  whereas,  druggists  are  in  the  habit  of  prescribing  for,  and  ad- 
ministering medicines  to  individuals  who  choose  to  consult  them  ;  therefore, 
Resolved,  That  the  apothecary  has  no  just  right  to  put  up  a  prescription 
the  second  time,  unless  authorised  in  writing  by  the  physician  prescribing. 
