EDITOKIAL. 
87 
distinction,  and  operating  to  the  injustice  of  those  who  have  properly  qualified 
themselves  to  pursue  the  vocation  with  skill  and  fidelity. 
I  contend  that  physicians  are  as  culpable  in  not  expressing  a  preference,  where 
just  cause  for  preference  exists,  as  in  a  preference  for  an  unworthy  purpose  ;  and 
I  would  not  for  a  moment  question  the  acuteness  of  their  perception,  by  sup- 
posing that  pharmaceutical  knowledge  and  moral  integrity  can  long  remain 
hidden  from  their  observation.  Surely  the  respected  physician  sufficiently  en- 
joys the  confidence  of  those  who  entrust  their  lives  in  his  keeping,  that  he  may 
advise  them  where  to  rely  for  pure  medicines,  without  the  fear  of  sinister  motives 
being  charged  npon  him.  That  such  confidence  is  sometimes  abused  is  no 
argument  against  his  good  intent,  any  more  than  hypocrisy  is  an  argument 
against  true  religion  ;  time  will  separate  the  dross  from  the  pure  gold,  when  the 
latter  will  appear  brighter  by  the  contrast. 
As  I  aim  to  address  myself  to  the  respectable  portion  of  the  profession,  whose 
short-comings,  as  connected  with  Apothecaries,  would  appear  to  be  those  of 
omission  rather  than  of  commission,  I  need  hardly  allude  to  the  injurious  effect 
produced  by  that  portion  of  the  profession  who,  if  not  openly,  yet  effectually  en- 
courage Quackery,  and  participate  in  its  profits — nor  to  those  who,  in  their  cu- 
pidity, make  arrangements  with  the  equally  culpable  venders  of  drugs  to  divide 
the  profits  arising  from  their  prescriptions,  thereby  offering  temptations  to  the 
useless  prescribing  of  expensive  medicines  by  the  physician,  and  to  exorbitant 
charges  for  the  same  by  his  coadjutor. 
Secondly. — If  the  treatment  of  disease  requires  anything  beyond  a  mere  form, 
medicine  must  possess  some  value,  and  that  value  is  proportioned  to  the  uniform 
purity  of  the  base,  and  the  skill  exercised  in  its  preparation  ;  hence  the  physician 
is  but  consulting  his  own  interest  and  the  health  of  his  patient  in  selecting  those 
who  possess  the  knowledge  and  integrity  to  prepare  his  prescriptions  with  ac- 
curacy. 
An  eminent  writer  truly  remarks,  that  '  the  love  of  money  and  the  desire  of 
promotion  are  two  most  powerful  incentives  to  action.'  The  laudable  desire  of 
promotion  is  evinced  in  an  effort  to  merit  and  possess  the  confidence  of  physi- 
cians, and  through  them  of  the  community;  and  in  that  confidence  to  receive 
such  encouragement  in  the  duties  of  his  profession,  and  such  reward  for  his 
labors,  as  will  give  tangible  evidence  of  the  promotion  sought  for — while  proving 
practically  that  knowledge  and  integrity  are  the  sure  stepping-stones  to  honor- 
able success  in  his  calling.  In  the  absence  of  such  encouragement,  I  fear  that 
Apothecaries  (like  other  mortals  requiring  a  stronger  incentive  to  do  right,  than 
the  abstract  love  of  it,)  will  degenerate  into  mere  medicine  venders,  seeking  a 
livelihood  in  the  sale  of  secret  preparations,  which  in  many  cases  professing 
impossibilities,  are  thrust  upon  the  public  by  unprincipled  persons  under  ficti- 
tious names,  whose  whole  object  is  to  live  without  honest  labor,  by  preying 
upon  the  credulity  of  others.  Conclusively,  then,  it  behoves  the  medical  pro- 
fession to  regenerate  the  divine  art,  by  drawing  a  distinct  line  between  educated 
Apothecaries  and  mere  medicine  venders,  and  thereby  stimulate  the  rising 
Apothecaries  in  the  conviction  that  it  is  profitable  as  well  as  honorable  to  seek 
that  knowledge  which  will  enable  them  to  appreciate  the  purposes  of  a 
Retort." 
Blancard's  Pills  of  Iodide  of  Iron. — The  Agent  for  this  preparation 
has  sent  us  a  specimen  of  the  pills,  of  which  an  advertisement  will  be 
found  in  the  annexed  sheet.  Each  pill  is  represented  to  contain  5  centi- 
grammes (three-fourths  of  a  grain)  of  protiodide  of  iron,  and  one  centi- 
gramme (one-seventh  of  a  grain)  of  metallic  iron,  and  over  this,  a  very  thin 
coating  of  tolu,  which  forms  a  varnish  impervious  to  the  air.  To  be 
assured  of  the  absence  of  free  iodine,  the  manufacturer  attaches  a  piece  of 
