THE  PERCENTAGE  SYSTEM. 
313 
The  present  article  is  not  written  with  animosity  towards  any 
one;  nor  is  it  dictated  by  any  other  than  a  kindly  spirit.  The 
author  does  not  know  that  he  has  ever  suffered  in  consequence  of 
unfairdealing  from  any  quarter;  duty  alone  suggested  his  action. 
That  our  occupation  has  been  for  a  long  time,  and  still  is, 
degraded  by  many  engaged  in  it,  is  a  well-established  truth  ;  and 
that  many  of  the  higher  profession  have  assisted  in  this  degradation 
cannot  be  denied.  That  a  remedy  is  seriously  required  all  may 
concede. 
The  degradation  to  which  I  allude,  sir,  is  the  practice  of  offer- 
ing and  allow'ing  physicians  a  percentage  on  their  prescriptions. 
This  humility  has  been  whispered  around  for  years  past  with 
muttered  condemnation,  yet  none  so  bold  as  to  proclaim  the 
dishonesty. 
It  is  not  the  writer's  intention  to  charge  so  grave  a  matter 
upon  any  single  individual,  or  upon  any  particular  class  of  drug- 
gists. It  is  sufficient  to  know  that  the  evil  does  exist ;  and  the 
guilty  ones  only  will  feel  the  just  rebuke.  Those  physicians  who 
would  thus  stoop  from  their  high  position,  must  certainly  know 
the  injustice  they  do  their  patients,  when  they  consider  from 
whose  purses  the  percentage  generally  comes.  They  must  know, 
also,  how  utterly  cruel  it  is  to  send,  often  a  poor  creature,  in  in- 
clement seasons  to  a  distant  store  for  trifling  medicines  which 
could  be  obtained  equally  as  well  from  competent  druggists  in  the 
immediate  vicinity ;  and  then,  in  many  instances,  only  to  be  over- 
charged for  their  trouble.  IIow  unfair !  How  dishonorable ! 
thus  to  impose  on  the  necessary  ignorance  of  others. 
May  I  ask  you,  kind  reader,  is  it  not  time  the  evil  was  cried 
down  ?  Is  it  not  time,  in  this  era  of  religious,  political,  scientific 
and  industrial  reformation,  that  the  druggist  should  arouse  from 
his  humility,  assert  his  manhood,  and  prove  to  the  world  that  he  is 
not  the  miserable  wretch  as  depicted  by  Shakspeare,  who  would 
sell  his  veriest  poison  for  a  paltry  mite  of  gold,  even  to  send  a 
poor  soul  to  its  final  ^account  ?  Our  calling  is  a  noble  one, 
needing  but  a  little  advancment  to  rank  with  the  noblest  of  all. 
Will  you  not,  Mr.  Editor,  lend  us  your  influence  to  destroy  this 
habit,  which  has  become  a  public  shame  ? 
Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
Baltimore^  Md.,  May  31, 1870.  A.  Caldwell. 
