590 
Editorials. 
(Am.  Jour.Pharm. 
\      Nov.,  1883. 
complained  of,  it  received  the  endorsement  of  the  Association  and  was 
referred  to  the  Executive  Committee  for  such  modification  and  alteration 
as  may  be  deemed  proper  to  incorporate,  and  with  plenary  powers  to  act 
for  the  Association  in  the  presentation  of  said  plan,  as  modified,  to  a 
successful  issue.  A  committee,  consisting  of  W.  S.  Thompson,  of  Wash- 
ington, Alonzo  Robbins,  of  Philadelphia,  and  T.  R.  Baker,  of  Richmond, 
was  also  appointed  to  urge  upon  Congress  the  repeal  or  modification  of 
the  tax  upon  alcohol  when  used  exclusively  for  medicinal  or  mechanical 
purposes. 
In  union  there  is  strength,  and  if  the  apothecaries  throughout  the 
United  States  join  this  new  organization,  the  aim  and  object  of  which 
have  been  stated  above,  there  is  no  doubt  but  a  great  deal  of  good  may 
be  accomplished  towards  this  end,  even  if  the  plan  which  may  ultimately 
be  elaborated,  should  not  work  as  smoothly  as  anticipated.  The  annual 
dues  amount  to  only  |1.  Applications  for  membership  should  be  sent  to 
the  Secretary. 
Proprietary  versus  Family  Medicines. — The  Trade  Association  of 
Philadelphia  Apothecaries  is  endeavoring  to  remove  or  lessen  the  evils 
which  have  of  late  years  grown  through  the  reduction  of  the  retail  prices 
of  proprietary  medicines,  and  to  restrict  their  sale  as  much  as  possible,  to 
pharmacists.  We  do  not  propose  to  discuss  the  measures  suggested,  but 
merely  wish  to  allude  to  the  standing  of  proprietary  remedies  as  pharma- 
ceutical preparations  and  to  the  proper  supply  of  family  medicines. 
Regarding  the  former  two  views  are  entertained;  according  to  the  one 
they  are  looked  upon  as  ordinary  merchandise,  which  do  not  form  part  of 
a  legitimate  pharmaceutical  business,  and  which  should  therefore  be  allowed 
to  take  care  of  themselves.  According  to  the  other  view,  they  should  pass 
solely  through  the  hands  of  pharmacists.  This  view  has  been  very  ably 
presented  in  the  address  of  Professor  Attfleld,  outlined  above;  his  argument 
is  as  follows  :  "In  the  interest  alike  of  pharmacists,  physician  and  patient, 
this  patent  medicine  question  needs  careful  consideration,  with  a  view  to 
reform.  Patent  medicines  may  and  do  contain  on  the  one  hand  powerful 
poisons,  on  the  other  useless  substances.  The  well-trained  druggist  either 
already  knows  or  can  form  a  shrewd  judgment  of  the  nature  of  these  (offi- 
cially stamped)  articles,  and,  by  timely  caution  and  advice,  can  prevent 
much  mischief  resulting  from  the  careless  or  ignorant  use  of  a  potent  remedy, 
or  from  a  too  thoughtless  reliance  on  worthless  materials.  No  other  shop- 
keej^er  has  similar  knowledge.  The  sale  of  patent  medicines  should, 
therefore,  be  restricted  to  qualified  and  registered  chemists  and  druggists." 
But  whether  the  first  or  second  view  be  taken,  it  is  obvious,  that  these  secret 
medicines  deserve  the  attention  of  our  lawmakers,  as  soon  as  sufficient 
intelligence  can  be  collected  together  in  our  legislatures  to  grapple  with  a 
question,  which  is  not  one  merely  of  trade,  but  primarily  one  of  public 
health. 
In  cases  of  need  the  public  look  upon  the  physician  for  advice  and  to  the 
pharmacist  for  medicine  ;  in  minor  ailments  or  in  affections  which  are  con- 
sidered such,  the  vast  majority  of  people  will  have  recourse  to  hygienic 
measures  and  to  such  simple  remedies  as  experience  has  shown  to  possess 
