142  Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy.     { ^"'jii^;!:.":  S l*"' 
At  the  beginning  of  1831,  there  were  only  about  forty-five  stu- 
dents assured  for  all  the  lecture  courses.  But  the  College  authorities 
felt  encouraged  in  the  belief  that  its  work  was  destined  to  widely 
extend,  as  its  character  became  more  favorably  known. 
In  1838  the  graduating  class  numbered  only  nine,  and  this,  seven- 
teen years  from  the  beginning.  The  curriculum  could  not  be 
compared  with  that  of  to-day,  yet  it  was  a  severe  test  for  those 
days. 
In  1838  Thomas  P.  James  was  elected  a  member  of  the  college. 
Twenty-seven  years  later  this  gentleman's  drug  house,  No.  630 
Market  Street,  was  bought  out  by  my  father's  firm,  French,  Rich- 
ards &  Co.,  after  the  destruction  of  their  establishment  at  Tenth 
and  Market  Streets  by  fire. 
The  first  Minute  Book  covers  the  years  1821  to  1841,  inclusive. 
The  second  Minute  Book,  beginning  1842  and  running  to  1870, 
contains  a  most  interesting  tabulated  statement  relating  to  the 
officers  of  the  College,  over  which  we  might  absorbingly  linger. 
It  is  a  record  of  noble,  earnest,  unselfish  service  on  the  part  of 
men  worthy  of  lasting  honor.  The  names  of  twenty-eight  sub- 
scribers to  the  first  building  fund,  the  old  hall  in  Zane  Street,  are 
given,  that  of  Dr.  Geo.  B.  Wood  near  the  top,  for  $800.00.  Here 
are  the  names  of  five  presidents,  from  182 1  to  1885,  who  served 
an  average  of  thirteen  years  each;  Daniel  B.  Smith  served  twenty- 
five  years  and  Dillwyn  Parish  sixteen  years,  he  having  filled  the 
more  laborious  office  of  secretary  for  twelve  years  previously.  Many 
other  officers  served  long  terms  ;  Charles  Ellis  was  secretary  four- 
teen years  and  president  fifteen  years.  Henry  Troth  served  in  the 
vice-presidency  thirteen  years,  mostly  occupying  the  chair  at  stated 
meetings.  To  the  fidelity,  energy  and  wisdom  of  these  officers  of 
the  first  half  century  of  its  existence,  the  Philadelphia  College  of 
Pharmacy  owes  an  immense  debt  of  gratitude. 
At  a  special  meeting  in  November,  1847,  ^  memorial  to  Congress 
was  adopted,  directing  attention  to  the  importation  of  impure  and 
adulterated  drugs  and  asking  the  enactment  of  efficient  legislation 
to  prevent  a  continuance  of  this  growing  evil.  This  suggestion  was 
complied  with. 
March  31,  1848,  the  first  Code  of  Ethics  was  adopted,  the  Col- 
lege asking  its  endorsement  by  the  College  of  Physicians  and  other 
medical  bodies.  This  was  an  important  advanced  step  taken  and 
the  effects  have  been  far-reaching  and  lasting. 
