340 
Pharmacy  in  Prussia^  etc. 
(  Am.  Joue.  Pharm. 
X    Aug.  1, 1871. 
in  the  officine  and  laboratory,  to  prosecute  their  studies,  and  in  sum- 
mer to  undertake  botanical  excursions  for  the  purpose  of  preparing 
a  herbarium.  They  have  to  keep  a  journal  of  all  preparations  made 
by  them,  and  to  enter  therein  a  short  description  of  the  theory  and 
the  practice  of  the  processes. 
When  the  apprenticeship  has  been  completed  to  the  satisfaction  of 
the  preceptor,  the  apprentice  is  examined  by  a  commission  consisting 
of  the  district  physicus  and  apothecary,  and,  if  desired,  in  the  presence 
of  the  preceptor.  This  examination  is  practical  and  verbal,  the  main 
aim  of  the  former  being  to  ascertain  whether  the  candidate  may  be 
safely  entrusted  with  the  functions  of  an  assistant ;  it  consists  in  the 
reading  and  pricing,  according  to  the  legal  valuation,  of  prescriptions, 
and  the  putting  up  of  three  of  a  rather  difficult  nature,  and  in  proving 
his  competency  to  perform  the  practical  labors  in  the  laboratory.  The 
verbal  examination  embraces  the  fundamental  principles  of  botany, 
materia  medica,  theoretical  chemistry,  natural  philosophy,  the  recog- 
nition and  terminological  demonstration  of  fresh  or  dried  indigenous 
and  medicinal  plants,  the  pharmacological  determination  of  drugs  and 
their  adulterations,  the  processes,  tests  and  doses  of  pharmaceutical 
and  chemical  preparations,  and  the  legal  enactments  concerning  the 
duties,  &c.,  of  assistants.  Failing  to  pass  a  satisfactory  examination 
subjects  the  candidate  to  a  prolongation  of  his  apprenticeship  for  six 
months ;  on  failing  in  the  third,  another  examination  will  not  be 
granted,  and  the  young  man  will  have  to  quit  following  pharmacy  as 
a  pursuit. 
On  receiving  the  testimonials  of  the  successful  accomplishment  of 
his  apprenticeship  and  examination,  he  acquires  the  title  of  pharma- 
ceutical assistant,  and  the  right  to  act  in  this  capacity.  As  such,  he 
shares  the  responsibility  of  his  employer  for  the  proper  conduct  of 
the  officine,  except  where  he  merely  carries  out  the  direct  orders  of 
the  same.  After  a  term  of  service  of  at  least  three  years,  not  less 
than  two  of  which  in  German  officines,  the  assistant  may  enter  the 
university  course  of  his  studies,  lasting  at  least  one  year. 
There  are  no  special  schools  or  colleges  of  pharmacy  in  Germany, 
since  universities  there  are  centres  of  all  scientific  branches,  required 
for  the  higher  professional  vocations. 
At  the  universities  it  is  optional  with  the  student  to  elect  the 
courses  of  lectures  and  the  professors  delivering  the  same,  and  no 
inquisitive  supervision  or  control  is  exercised  over  his  attendance  at 
