18 
NATIONAL  PHARMACEUTICAL  CONVENTION. 
tical  associations,  previous  to  our  next  annual  meeting,  answers 
to  the  following  questions  as  far  as  expedient. 
w  1st,  How  many  Apothecaries  and  Druggists  are  there  in 
each  of  the  principal  Cities  and  towns  of  the  United  States? 
"  2d,  What  organizations  exist  in  the  several  States,  and 
what  is  the  number  of  their  members  as  compared  with  the 
number  of  druggists  and  apothecaries  in  the  localities  which 
they  include  ? 
"  3d,  How  far  is  the  business  of  dispensing  medicines  sepa- 
rated from  the  office  of  prescribing  ? 
"  4th,  Have  you  any  information  in  regard  to  the  practice  of 
our  art,  and  the  professional  character  of  its  practitioners,  in  dif- 
conducting  business  at  the  counter,  should  avoid  prescribing  for  diseases 
when  practicable,  referring  applicants  for  medical  advice  to  the  physician. 
We  hold  it  as  unprofessional  and  highly  reprehensible  for  apothecaries  to 
allow  any  per  centage  or  commission  to  physicians  on  their  prescriptions, 
as  unjust  to  the  public,  and  hurtful  to  the  independence  and  self-respect 
of  both  the  parties  concerned.  We  also  consider  that  the  practice  of 
some  physicians,  (in  places  where  good  apothecaries  are  numerous)  of  ob- 
taining medicines  at  low  prices  from  the  latter,  and  selling  them  to  their 
patients,  is  not  only  unjust  and  unprofessional,  but  deserving  the  cen- 
sure of  all  high-minded  medical  men. 
Art.  V.  The  important  influence  exerted  on  the  practice  of  pharmacy 
by  the  large  proportion  of  physicians  who  have  resigned  its  duties  and 
emoluments  to  the  apothecary,  are  reasons  why  he  should  seek  their 
favorable  opinion  and  cultivate  their  friendship,  by  earnest  endeavors 
to  furnish  their  patients  with  pure  and  well-prepared,  medicines.  As 
physicians  are  liable  to  commit  errors  in  writing  their  prescriptions, 
involving  serious  consequence  to  health  and  reputation  if  permitted  to 
leave  the  shop,  the  apothecary  should  always,  when  he  deems  an  error  has 
been  made,  consult  the  physician  before  proceeding  ;  yet  in  the  delay 
which  must  necessarily  occur,  it  his  duty,  when  possible,  to  accomplish  the 
interview  without  compromising  the  reputation  of  the  physician.  On  the 
other  hand,  when  apothecaries  commit  errors  involving  ill  consequences, 
the  physician,  knowing  the  constant  liability  to  error,  should  feel  bound  to 
screen  them  from  undue  censure,  unless  the  result  of  a  culpable  ne- 
gligence. 
Art.  VI.  As  we  owe  a  debt  of  gratitude  to  our  predecessors  for  the  re- 
searches and  observations  which  have  so  far  advanced  our  scientific  art, 
we  hold  that  every  apothecary  and  druggist  is  bound  to  contribute  his  mite 
towards  the  same  fund,  by  noting  the  new  ideas  and  phenomena  which  may 
occur  in  the  course  of  his  business,  and  publishing  them,  when  of  sufficient 
consequence,  for  the  benefit  of  the  profession. 
