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ON THE STATE OF PHARMACY IN MEXICO. 
ART. XVII.-ON THE STATE OF PHARMACY IN MEXICO. 
In the 13th Number of Travels and Descriptions of Coun- 
tries, by Widenmann and Hauff-Cotta (1S37, p. 67,) are 
contained, a few observations on the State of Medicine in 
Mexico. In reading these through, and more especially in 
perusing the description of the proceedings of the govern- 
ment against quacks and unlicensed vendors of Medicines, 
every honest Pharmaceutist must wish to see this class of 
men treated in the same way in every other country as in 
Mexico. 
The medical authorities in Mexico, are annexed to the 
Ministere de PInterieure. The Protomedicat, as it is 
termed, consists of a President, a Dean, a Fiscal, and five 
members, all Doctors of Medicine, with a secretary and an 
usher. 
Their duties consist in superintending the examinations in 
Medicine ; in the inspection of the conduct of all medical 
men; to see that they confine themselves to the legal limits 
of their profession ; in the direction of medical studies; in 
the inspection or visitation of the Apothecaries' shops; in 
the direction of the Medico-political measures in case of 
epidemics; in putting the laws into execution against quacks 
and unlicensed vendors of medicines of every description, 
who are to be rigidly prosecuted, and, in case of conviction, 
punished with fines, banishment, or imprisonment with hard 
labour ;* lastly, in sending in monthly reports of the state 
of health of the previous month to the government, the re- 
ports being themselves founded on the observations and 
notes to be forwarded by all medical men in actual practice 
to the Protomedicat on this subject. 
The Medical men are arranged under the usual heads 
of Physicians and Surgeons, (the two classes being rigidly 
distinct,) Accoucheurs and Apothecaries. 
* A plan which would answer very well in all other countries. 
