NATIONAL  PHARMACEUTICAL  CONVENTION. 
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[the  proprietors]  in  the  absence  of  schools  of  Pharmacy  ;  especially 
in  the  provision  of  the  best  books  of  reference  on  the  several  sub- 
jects that  claim  the  attention  of  students  of  pharmacy. 
4.  And,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  Convention  it  is  desirable 
that  apothecaries  should  be  more  generally  careful,  in  taking  pupils 
or  apprentices,  in  reference  to  their  fitness,  as  regards  natural  en- 
dowments and  preliminary  education,  believing  that  many  persons 
who  are  now  engaged  in  Pharmacy  and  unfitted  for  its  duties,  might 
thus  have  been  prevented  from  misapplying  their  time,  and  abilities, 
in  a  profession  for  which  they  are  not  calculated." 
The  preamble  of  the  Constitution*  was  then  read  and  adopted. 
*  CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  AMERICAN  PHARMACEUTICAL  ASSOCIATION. 
Whereas,  The  advancement  of  pharmaceutical  knowledge  and  the  eleva- 
tion of  the  professional  character  of  apothecaries  and  druggists  throughout 
the  United  States  are  objects  that  are  dear  to  us  in  common  with  all  well 
disposed  pharmaceutists ;  and  whereas  a  large  portion  of  those  in  whose 
hands  the  practice  of  pharmacy  now  exists,  are  not  properly  qualified  for 
the  responsible  offices  it  involves,  chiefly  by  reason  of  the  many  difficulties 
that  impede  the  acquirement  of  a  correct  knowledge  of  their  business  ; — 
Therefore,  We,  the  members  of  a  Convention  now  met  at  Philadelphia, 
composed  of  apothecaries  and  druggists  from  different  sections  of  the  Union, 
and  from  all  the  Colleges  and  Societies  therein  existing,  with  the  object  of 
deliberating  on  the  condition  of  our  profession,  do  hereby  resolve  and  con- 
stitute ourselves  into  a  permanent  association,  to  meet  annually  at  such, 
times  and  places  as  may  hereafter  be  determined,  for  more  effectually 
accomplishing  the  objects  for  which  we  are  now  assembled ;  and  do  now 
adopt  the  following 
CONSTITUTION. 
Section  I. 
This  association  shall  be  called  "  The  American  Pharmaceutical  Associa- 
tion." 
Section  II.    Of  the  Members. 
Article  I.  All  pharmaceutists  and  druggists  who  shall  have  attained 
the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  whose  character,  morally  and  professionally, 
is  fair,  and  who,  after  duly  considering  the  obligations  of  the  Constitution 
and  Code  of  Ethics  of  this  Association,  are  willing  to  subscribe  to  them, 
shall  be  eligible  for  membership. 
Article  II.  The  members  shall  consist  of  delegates  from  regularly  con- 
stituted Colleges  of  Pharmacy,  and  Pharmaceutical  Societies,  who  shall  pre- 
sent properly  authorized  credentials,  and  of  other  reputable  Pharmaceutists 
feeling  an  interest  in  the  objects  of  the  Association,  who  may  not  be  so  dele- 
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