362  Emphasising  Value  of  Pharmacy.  {Am,^°"r-I^ih7arm- 
on  a  rational  basis  and  at  the  same  time  conduct  or  direct  research 
work  for  all  concerned. 
In  applying  the  points  made  at  the  beginning,  pharmacy  is  the 
alma  mater,  from  which  have  sprung  the  children — the  various  de- 
partments of  the  drug  business.  Too  much  consideration  of  these, 
too  much  enthusiasm  because  of  their  prosperity  is  apt  to  bring 
neglect  of  pharmacy.  The  realization  of  the  dereliction  comes 
when  an  effort  is  made  to  secure  recognition  on  account  of  what 
should  be  the  most  important  part  of  the  drug  business  and  is,  too 
often  perhaps,  a  very  small  part  of  it.  The  American  Pharma- 
ceutical Association  and  pharmacy  have  no  easy  task,  they  need  and 
are  entitled  to  the  support  of  every  one  in  the  drug  industries, 
because  of  their  importance  in  sustaining  them.  I  am  loathe  to 
decry  commercial  enterprise  when  it  is  kept  within  seemly  bounds, 
but  it  must  not  be  forgotten  that  however  important  and  essential, 
the  commercial  departments  of  the  drug  store  are  still  superstruc- 
tures in  the  drug  business  resting  upon  and  dependent  for  life  on 
pharmacy. 
Continued  success  demands  efficient  direction,  and  this  is  not 
possible  in  the  drug  business  when  pharmacy  is  not  heartily  sup- 
ported. No  department  of  the  store  should  be  planned  without 
giving  consideration  to  the  pharmacy  of  it.  This  is  real  team  work 
that  requires  watchful  coaching;  using  a  base-ball  aphorism,  "team 
score  has  right  of  way  over  the  individual  record."  Make  it  apply 
both  to  pharmacy  and  the  American  Pharmaceutical  Association. 
The  present  seems  to  be  a  most  opportune  time  for  securing  a  better 
recognition  of  the  services  of  pharmacy  and  pharmacists;  let  us 
use  our  pharmaceutical  energy  and  professional  enthusiasm  in  that 
direction. 
"  If  ever  you  feel  that  you  gladly  would  shirk 
The  task  that  is  set  for  the  day, 
Some  fellow  will  offer  to  take  on  3-our  work 
While  you  go  your  own  chosen  way." 
