282 
EDITORIAL. 
we hope that every pharmaceutist, whose sympathies attract him toward the 
Convention, will come, as there is every reason to believe that, on the first 
sitting of the delegates, measures will be taken to extend to them a parti- 
cipant in its deliberations, if not in its decisions. 
It has been repeatedly asked, what will the proposed Convention find to 
do ? Will it be a mere formal organization without vitality, or a feasible 
object to accomplish, which will pass resolutions, publish them, and then 
disperse, satisfied that the profession will be improved and elevated ? We 
trust that no such useless and unworthy results will be pointed to here- 
after as the best fruits of the Convention of 1852. It is action, not talk- 
ing, that is wanted; it is wisdom, not eloquence, that is needed ; it is con- 
scientious pursuit of the general good, not individual ambition, that is de- 
sired ; and it is a generous sacrifice of knowledge and influence by the better 
educated and successful, on behalf of those whose want of qualifications and 
success arises more from the force of circumstances, than from disinclination 
to improve their practice. 
Among the subjects which merit the action of the Convention, a few 
will be noticed: 1st, The plan of local organization best calculated to sub- 
serve the interest of those concerned; 2d, Pharmaceutical education as it 
relates to the studies pursued, the manner of teaching, and the practice 
of the shop; together with a consideration of the means most effectual 
for encouraging ill-qualified established apothecaries to improve their 
practice. 
3d, The Convention, viewing itself in the light of a scientific association, 
might receive written communications of scientific or industrial interest 
connected with pharmacy, and, if worthy, direct them, to be published 
in its transactions. In this connexion, it would be desirable that members 
should bring every offering worthy of a notice, whether in the form of 
draughts or models of apparatus ; practical suggestions in manipulation, 
or criticisms on processes ; specimens of, or information relating to the na- 
tural productions available in our art ; and lastly, sketchas of the state of 
pharmacy among their constituents. 
4th, With a view to more efficient action than could be effected in a 
Convention, standing committees might be appointed, to whom subjects 
should be committed for investigation during the recess, previous to the next 
annual meeting. These committees might be entrusted with such subjects as 
the following, viz : 1st, What are the actual results of the law against 
adulterated drugs, chemicals and medicinal preparations, based on an ex- 
amination of the custom house records as compared with the drugs on sale. 
2d, To what extent is home adulteration practised, where is it most prac- 
tised, and what suggestions can be made to lessen or prevent it? 3d, 
What is the actual practice and customs of the apothecaries generally 
throughout the Union in relation to the employment of the formulae of the 
United States Pharmacopoeia in making their preparations ? 4th, To what 
