156 
An  Inspiration. 
5  Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
(     March,  1921. 
society  organized  in  the  new  world.  The  gradual  evolution  of  the 
practice  of  pharmacy  in  America,  its  condition  at  that  time  and  at 
least  some  of  the  errors  and  frauds  that  had  crept  into  the  drug 
business  at  that  period  along  with  the  particular  action  of  the  trustees 
of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  that  inspired  the  worthy  druggists 
and  apothecaries,  of  the  City  and  Liberties  of  Philadelphia  to  organize 
themselves  into  a  college,  are  matters  that  have  been  fully  recorded. 
.  From  a  perusal  of  these  records  it  does  not  appear  that  the  men  who 
were  active  in  the  movement  had  given  very  much  thought  to  the 
possibilities  and  influences  that  might  flow  from  their  action  or  had 
a  vision  of  what  the  result  of  their  efforts  would  mean  to  the  future 
of  pharmacy.  The  existing  conditions  inspired  them  to  take  action 
in  accordance  with  their  deliberate  judgment  and  to  establish  an  in- 
stitution whose  example  and  labors  have  been  of  incalculable  value 
in  the  development  of  the  profession  in  which  they  were  engaged 
and,  likewise,  in  the  benefits  accruing  to  the  public.  Their  efforts 
have  been  a  continuous  inspiration  extending  throughout  the  century 
that  has  past  and  their  achievements  remain  with  us  and  the  coming 
generations  not  alone  as  historical  records  of  accomplishments  but, 
likewise,  as  potent  influences.  The  inspirations  of  the  century  that 
is  closing  are  an  enduring  foundation  for  renewed  energies  and 
still  higher  aspirations. 
The  inspiration  growing  out  of  this  centennial  celebration  of  the 
founding  of  pharmaceutical  education  in  America  should  be  of  suf- 
ficient magnitude  and  of  such  potent  influence  that  the  pessimistic 
views  that  have  found  expression  as  a  passing  fad  among  quasi 
pharmacists  should  be  forever  drowned  out.  The  first  century  of 
pharmaceutic  education  has  left  a  firm  and  well  built  foundation, 
and  the  achievements  of  the  past  and  the  plans  for  the  future  are 
inspirations  for  an  unprecedented  progress  and  our  imagination  pic- 
tures a  magnificent  addition  to  the  temple  of  pharmacy  erected  long 
before  the  close  of  the  second  century. 
G.  M.  B. 
