272 
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 
cept in the large cities. There the necessity for a division of 
labour is beginning to be felt, and the consequence has been, 
that several of our cities now possess pharmaceutists as well 
educated as the duties of their profession require. 
Not thirty years ago, the druggist's shop was a mere ware- 
house or magazine, whence physicians drew their supplies for 
the purpose of dispensing medicines to their patients; whence 
paints, glass and varnish were distributed from the same 
hands, as rhubarb, calomel and magnesia; and whence arsenic 
and cream of tartar were furnished, wrapped in an undistin- 
guishable manner, each destitute of any mark by which its 
different character might be recognised. Within that period, 
a new order of things has, in some places, sprung up; — pre- 
scriptions are now compounded with as much skill, accuracy 
and neatness, as may be found in any other country of the 
globe; and from the best regulated establishments, nothing is 
put up or suffered to go out, without a distinct and appropri- 
ate label. Another advantageous change has also been effected: 
Pharmacy, properly so called, has been separated from mere 
dealing in drugs, and the two classes of retail and wholesale 
druggists, have become almost entirely distinct. Paints and 
their concomitants are rarely found exposed for sale in those 
shops where the practice of dispensing medicines for family 
consumption is pursued, being entirely incompatible with 
the order, neatness and cleanliness which have been found 
requisite to command the confidence and patronage of the 
public. This happy change, although mainly due to the effect 
of competition, has been ably, and honourably for those con- 
cerned, promoted by the voluntary exertions of the apotheca- 
ries themselves, to improve the condition of their business, 
and raise its standard of estimation with society. Among the 
means adopted to produce this effect, was the establishment of 
Colleges of Pharmacy, by which rules are prescribed for the 
general regulation of their members in the exercise of their 
profession; and the sciences of Chemistry, Materia Medica, 
and Botany, taught to the young men engaged in acquiring a 
knowledge of the business. A degree in Pharmacy was also 
