Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
Dec,  1918. 
Editorial. 
831 
established  upon  a  scientifically  sound  professional  basis,  we  must 
have  a  law  in  every  state,  territory  and  insular  possession  that  will 
fix  as  a  prerequisite  to  the  license  to  practice  pharmacy  a  proper  pre- 
liminary scholastic  attainment  followed  by  a  pharmaceutical  educa- 
tion in  an  approved  school  of  pharmacy.  Our  pharmaceutical  as- 
sociations, both  state  and  national,  have  been  very  lax  in  their  duty 
in  not  securing  this  primary  essential  for  the  recognition  of  pharmacy 
as  a  profession.  As  we  study  the  statistics  available  on  this  sub- 
ject, we  are  confronted  by  an  anomaly,  namely,  that  some  of  the 
states  that  are  supporting  universities  and  whose  teachers  in  the  de- 
partment of  pharmacy  are  energetically  declaiming  professional 
pharmacy,  have  no  such  prerequisite  laws.  Under  these  conditions, 
it  is  evident  that  pharmaceutical  reform  should  be  initiated  at  home. 
Much  has  'been  said  of  the  need  for  original  research  and  in- 
vestigation in  pharmacy  and  the  writer  is  heartily  in  accord  with  the 
idea  that  research  is  a  proper  corner  stone  for  our  structure  of  pro- 
fessional pharmacy.  However,  as  we  review*  the  situation,  we 
recognize  that  this  limitless  field  of  investigation  has  not  been 
neglected  by  American  pharmacists ;  that  they  have  made  many  valu- 
,  able  contributions  and  doubtless  in  the  future  many  more  studies 
worthy  of  the  name  of  research  will  demonstrate  American  in- 
genuity and  ability  in  this  line  of  work.  A  review  of  the  literature 
covering  pharmaceutical  research,  exhibits  another  anomaly,  namely, 
that  many  of  those  who  have  been  so  pronouncedly  professional  in 
thought  and  so  generous  in  the  advocacy  have  not  been  construc- 
tive contributors  to  pharmaceutical  research  and  some  of  their  names 
do  not  appear  connected  with  any  work  worthy  of  the  name  of 
research.  There  can  be  no  comparison  between  lip  service  and 
scientific  accomplishment  and  the  untilled  fields  awaiting  their  ener- 
gies is  an  undeniable  appeal. 
The  advancement  of  pharmacy  will  be  by  the  processes  of  evolu- 
tion and  not  by  revolution.  The  leaven  is  at  work,  the  internal  work 
is  progressing  and  the  education  of  the  public  as  to  the  value  of 
pharmacy  is  proceeding,  perhaps  too  slowly,  and  requiring  further 
speeding  assistance.  Let  us  build  the  structure,  in  which  we  are  so 
vitally  interested,  on  the  solid  foundation  of  genuine  professional 
pharmaceutical  service  and  devoid  of  pharisaism. 
G.  M.  B. 
