(Bitovial department. 
By reference to the minutes at page 187, it will be observed that 
g the attention of the College has been directed to a charge which ap- 
peared in a medical periodical, published in New York, called " The 
Scalpel," to the effect t: that an agreement exists between the druggists 
and most of the physicians of Philadelphia, by which a per centage of 
the profits arising from compounding medical prescriptions is paid by 
the apothecaries to the physicians sending them said prescriptions." 
What motive could have induced the writer of the above paragraph 
to cast so foul and sweeping an aspersion on the character of the phy- 
sicians and pharmaceutists of this city, we cannot divine; but that it 
is most unjust, and in the main untrue, we have no hesitation in assert- 
ing. That a few isolated instances exist here, as perhaps in all large 
cities and towns, where one or more physicians have an interest in a 
store, or who seek to add to their incomes by receiving a per centage 
on prescriptions directed to a particular store, maybe true; but on ex- 
amining into these cases, the professional standing of the parties has 
not been of a character to implicate either profession ; indeed, we 
know of no city where so distinct a line of separation exists between 
the practitioners of medicine and pharmacy; in evidence of which it 
may be stated that the Philadelphia College of Physicians have, by 
resolution, declared that " any connection with, or monied interest in 
apothecaries stores on the part of physicians should be discountenan- 
ced;' 7 and the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy have in like manner 
declared in their published Code of Ethics. 11 That an apothecary being 
engaged in furthering the interests of any particular physician to the 
prejudice of other reputable members of the medical profession, or 
allowing any physician a per centage or commission on his prescrip- 
tions, is unjust towards that profession, and injurious to 'the public." 
We have no desire to attribute bad motives to the author of the as- 
persion in " the Scalpel," and are willing to place it to the account of 
wrong information ; but we do decidedly object to the publication of 
such wholesale accusations, without any evidence of pains having 
been taken to ascertain their truth. 
Whilst on this subject, we would express our utter disapprobation of 
the practice alluded to. A physician who asks an apothecary to give 
him a per centage, virtually asks him to overcharge his patients. It 
