MAY  8- 1910 
THE  AMERICAN 
JOURNAL  OF  PHARMACY 
Nearly  one  hundred  years  have  elapsed  since  the  first  school  of 
pharmacy  was  established  in  America.  In  this  initial  systematic  effort 
to  educate  pharmacists  a  course  of  two  years,  consisting  of  lectures  on 
materia  medica  and  chemistry,  was  the  original  conception  of  the 
special  education  necessary  for  the  would-be  druggist.  A  practical 
experience  of  four  years  in  a  drug  store  was  then,  as  now,  considered 
by  those  engaged  in  the  calling  as  essential  to  complete  the  equipment 
and  training  necessary  for  an  apothecary.  During  this  time,  the 
student  by  faithful  application  to  his  studies  and  store  duties  was 
presumed  to  have  acquired  the  requisite  scientific  knowledge  and 
professional  skill  and  to  have  become  proficient  in  the  art  and  prac- 
tice of  pharmacy. 
In  those  early  days,  little  or  no  attention  was  paid  to  the  pre- 
liminary education  of  the  would-be  pharmacist.  Yet  as  one  studies 
the  history  of  those  who  were  active  in  pharmacy  during  this  period, 
he  is  convinced  that  many  of  these  were  men  of  high  attainments 
and  great  ability  and  exceptionally  well  educated  for  the  time  in 
the  sciences  and  languages.  The  thoughtfulness  of  parents  in  se- 
lecting vocations  for  their  sons  coupled  with  the  scientific  and  pro- 
fessional associations  of  the  apothecary,  it  wouJd  seem  had  attracted 
many  of  the  young  men  with  scientific  propensities. 
For  many  years  the  colleges  of  pharmacy  did  not  deem  it  necessary 
to  require  of  their  matriculants  any  standard  or  grade  of  preliminary 
education.  Reliance  upon  the  final  examinations  to  weed  out  the 
■;  undesirables  and  incompetents  seems  to  have  been  the  only  method 
considered  expedient.  With  the  changes  of  time,  the  ideals  have 
been  elevated  and  from  time  to  time  the  preliminary  education  re- 
APRIL,  ig20 
EDITORIAL. 
THE  INSUFFICIENCY  OF  PHARMACEUTICAL 
EDUCATION. 
