314  EDITORIAL. 
(EMtorial  Scparhnntt, 
Meeting  of  the  American  Pharmaceutical  Association  for  1865. — The 
period  fixed  for  the  convention  of  this  body  by  its  adjournment  is  on  the  5th 
of  September,  1865,  at  Boston.  We  have  received  the  annual  notice  from 
President  Gordon,  which  will  be  found  at  page  313.  The  earlier  occurrence 
of  the  meeting,  the  interesting  locality,  and  above  all,  the  cessation  of  the 
war,  are  points  favorable  to  the  view  that  a  large  attendance  will  be 
present.  The  number  of  subjects  allotted  at  the  last  meeting  is  small,  v 
hence  it  is  desirable  that  members  should  bring  as  many  volunteer  papers 
as  possible.  Last  year  some  of  the  best  communications  were  of  this 
class,  and  added  much  value  to  the  "  Proceedings."  More  than  two  months 
remain  for  action,  and  we  invite  all  who  feel  interested  in  the  advancement 
of  the  Association  to  prepare  offerings,  and  take  or  send  them  to  Boston. 
There  are  many  occurrences  in  most  pharmacies  that  invite  an  investiga- 
tion, and  are  suggestive  of  subjects  for  papers.  Such  should  be  noted, 
and,  if  time  or  ability  to  make  them  be  not  at  command,  members  would 
do  well  to  bring  them  to  the  meeting  in  the  form  of  queries.  None  of  our 
meetings  have  been  more  interesting  than  those  whereat  subjects  of  general 
interest  have  been  brought  forward  for  discussion,  as  the  "  Sale  of  Poisons," 
"  The  Drug  Law,"  etc.  All  present  can  take  part  in  developing  them,  and 
often  those  who  do  not  write  are  well  qualified  for  this  engagement.  Let 
us  then  meet  at  Boston  prepared  by  general  consent  to  consider  some  of 
the  new  questions  which  have  arisen,  and  are  appealing  for  a  solution 
to  every  druggist  and  pharmaceutist  in  the  country  :  such  as  the  burden- 
some and  unjust  bearing  of  the  internal  revenue  laws  upon  the  business  of 
the  pharmaceutist  ahd  druggist;  the  actual  influence  which  the  alcohol 
tax  is  producing  on  the  quality  of  pharmaceutical  preparations,  and  on  the 
integrity  of  apothecaries,  as  custodians  of  the  pharmacopoeial  authority. 
The  relation  of  the  apothecary  to  the  trade  in  liquors  is  a  fruitful  subject, 
and  deserving  of  grave  deliberation  as  to  how  far  he  is  justified  in  selling 
liquors  strictly  for  medicinal  purposes,  without  requiring  a  license. 
Whether  that  part  of  the  law  of  Congress  could  not  be  modified  so  as  to 
admit  apothecaries,  who  have  no  desire  to  extend  their  trade  in  these  arti- 
cles, so  as  to  need  a  license,  to  furnish  them  on  the  occasional  emergencies 
which  all  are  liable  to  meet,  without  invading  the  law.  Then  again,  the 
temptation  to  inebriation  which  this  trade  opens  to  young  men  and  boys. 
We  know  one  apothecary  who  takes  out  a  license  as  "  liquor  dealer," 
which  he  finds  is  adequate  to  enable  him  to  practice  pharmacy,  sell  liquors, 
tobacco,  or  almost  anything  he  pleases !  What  a  commentary  this  is  on 
the  efforts  of  those  who  consider  that  pharmacy  is  a  profession  seriously 
bearing  on  the  public  health,  and  which  should  be  encouraged  and  upheld 
by  the  authorities. 
