Am.  Jour.  Pharro. 
Aug.,  1886. 
Apprentice  Examinations. 
411 
would  not  attempt  to  build  a  house  without  a  foundation!  Why  should  he 
expect  to  form  an  accomplished  druggist  without  some  investigation  of  the  fun- 
damental acquirements  of  the  applicant  for  instruction.  If  deficient  in  the 
ordinary  branches  of  an  English  education,  his  orthography  bad,  syntax  worse 
and  the  mysteries  of  the  rule  of  three  a  sealed  book  to  him,  how  can  he  be  ex- 
pected to  do  justice  either  to  himself  or  to  his  instructor?  It  is  unfair  to  the 
young  man  to  encourage  him  to  undertake  the  difficult  but  necessary  curricu- 
lum of  a  college  of  pharmacy,  if  he  has  not  arrived  at  a  point  which  will  ren- 
der earnest  and  effective  study  possible. 
It  will  be  said  that  the  employer  himself  should  thoroughly  test  the  appli- 
cant's fitness  and  knowledge  before  receiving  him  as  an  apprentice.  Very 
true,  but  how  many  have  the  time,  the  inclination,  or  sometimes  even  the 
readily  available  ability  to  arrive  at  the  desired  conclusion. 
Now,  I  would  suggest  that  this  might  be  accomplished  under  the  auspices  of 
this  college,  in  a  manner  which  would  be  satisfactory  to  all  concerned. 
Let  there  be  held  in  the  college  building  at  stated  periods,  either  monthly 
or  bi-monthly,  an  examination.  Let  it  be  conduc  ed  either  by  the  Committee 
on  Examination,  or  a  special  Committee  for  the  purpose ;  let  it  consist  of  ques- 
tions in  geography,  elementary  grammar,  arithmetic  and  composition;  orthog- 
raphy and  chirography  to  be  estimated  therewith. 
The  results  communicated  to  the  applicant,  if  favorable,  to  be  simply  a  state- 
ment that,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Committee,  he  is  sufficiently  advanced  to 
enter  a  drug  store.  If  unfavorable,  no  publicity  should  be  given  to  the  fact. 
Let  there  be  a  record  kept  by  the  actuary  of  all  who  have  passed,  open  to  the 
inspection  of  employers. 
It  would  probably  be  advisable  to  exact  a, nominal  fee,  though  this  would  be 
a  subject  for  consideration. 
If  such  a  plan  should  be  adopted,  the  young  man,  before  seeking  a  situation, 
could  be  examined,  or  the  prospective  employer  could  insist  on  his  passing 
before  considering  his  application  further. 
In  this  way,  members  and  others,  without  trouble  to  themselves,  might  be 
assured  that  their  apprentices  had,  at  least,  the  ground-work  on  which  to 
build,  and  could  proceed  to  impart  technical  knowledge  with  much  greater 
prospect  of  satisfactory  progress.  I  would  suggest  that  a  committee  be  ap- 
pointed to  consider  the  matter  and  elaborate  a  plan  for  its  practical  appli- 
cation." 
A  committee,  consisting  of  Wallace  Procter,  William  J.  Jenks,  Alonzo 
Bobbins,  Wm.  B.  Thompson  and  Daniel  S.  Jones,  was  appointed  to  report  on 
the  advisability  of  the  adoption  of  the  above  suggestions.  This  was  presented 
at  the  April  meeting  of  the  Board,  and  was  adopted.  It  favored  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  committee  to  carry  the  plan  into  effect  at  the  earliest  period,  deemed 
advisable.  This  Committee  consists  of  Messrs.  Wm.  B.  Webb,  chairman; 
W.  Procter,  AVm.  B.  Thompson,  Dr.  A.  W.  Miller  and  Gustavus  Pile.  This 
Committee  has,  after  a  number  of  meetings,  formulated  rules  for  its  guidance, 
determined  the  scope  of  the  examinations,  and  adopted  the  title  which 
heads  the  foregoing.  The  first  "Apprentice  Examination"  will  be  held 
Wednesday,  September  15th,  at  3  p.  m.,  in  the  Museum  of  the  College. 
It  will  consist  of  questions  in  elementary  grammar,  geography,  arithmetic, 
