154  Ethical  Pharmaceutical  Practice.  {AmAJP0rnr,'5o5arm' 
burning  desire  to  contribute  a  mite,  as  modestly  as  may  be,  toward 
the  proper  placing  of  an  honorable  and  useful  calling  that  is  gen- 
erally misunderstood  and  usually  undervalued,  is  my  excuse. 
It  seems  quite  meet  and  right  that  this  venerable  institution — the 
Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy— the  veritable  cradle  of  American 
pharmacy,  should,  in  turn,  become  also  the  reform  school  of  its 
larger  grown  and,  oftentimes,  wayward  offspring.  Commendable 
indeed  is  the  spirit  here  present,  which  has  fostered  this  series  of 
meetings,  all  leading,  as  they  do,  towards  what  I  shall  again  and 
again  style,  "  the  proper  placing  of  pharmacy."  Yet,  of  all  the 
splendid  work  done  by  this  college,  nothing,  it  appears  to  me,  is 
more  creditable  than  is  the  persistent  maintenance  and  successful 
conduct  of  the  American  Journal  of  Pharmacy,  which  now,  as 
always,  stands  out,  in  precept  and  example,  for  clean,  dignified, 
ethical  practice. 
Lately  we  have  been  told,  by  one  whom  we  are  all  pleased  Xo 
honor,  that  years,  accumulated  years,  modify  the  minds  of  men  and, 
although  it  has  appeared  unwise  to  attempt  to  state  just  how  or 
where  this  modification  applies,  it  is  quite  safe  to  own,  for  oneself  at 
least,  that  years  plainly  tell  us  our  faults,  our  shortcomings,  our 
limitations,  and  it  will  be  quite  discreet  .to  assert  that  these  same 
years,  while  pleasantly  softening  our  criticisms  of  others  and  lending 
excuses  for  the  acts  of  individuals,  intensely  emphasize  principles ; 
principles  which  mercilessly  disregard  individuals  and  stand  as  firm 
and  fixed  foundations  upon  which  are  builded  all  laws — natural, 
common  and  statutory ;  principles  which  are,  without  doubt,  the 
basis  for  social  laws  that  we  call  ethics.  Please  let  it  be  understood, 
then,  that  respect  for  principles,  like  devotion  to  law,  need  not,  as 
it  does  not,  lessen  our  sincere  regard  or  respect  for  individuals  and 
their  personal  doings. 
Ethical  pharmaceutical  practice  may,  aye,  must  be,  looked  at 
from  three  points  of  view,  which  offer  considerations  bearing  upon 
the  relationships  between  pharmacist  and  client,  pharmacist  and 
brother,  pharmacist  and  physician,  respectively.  If  he  will,  one 
may  contemplate  this  practice  in  direct  line  from  his  one  chosen 
viewpoint ;  such  a  contemplation,  however,  is  difficult.  It  is  the 
blended  picture  that  is  most  engaging  ;  beautiful  from  any  observa- 
tory, if  properly  colored  with  pride,  honor  and  generosity,  while  all 
are  softened  by  the  exquisite  tints  of  "  The  Golden  Rule." 
