278 
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 
rendered highly necessary; and the veil of mystery in which 
all pharmacy was hitherto shaded, is beginning to be raised 
from the compounds and manipulations of the enlightened Ame- 
rican pharmaceutist. The practice of prescribing medicines 
for the sick, by the apothecaries where the reform is progress- 
ing, seldom occurs. They are not qualified by their education 
to undertake so responsible a duty; and it is chiefly if not 
solely limited to those who are actuated by the u auri sacra 
fames" rather than the wish to rely for their support upon 
the moderate compensation allowed by public opinion, for 
their services, rendered in the exercise of a liberal profes- 
sion. 
The practice of vending empirical nostrums, or rather that 
of acting as agents for their inventors, unfortunately exists to 
too great an extent, even among those whose education and 
standing should teach them to consider these opprobria of the 
healing art, beneath their notice. In a few establishments a 
stand has been taken ; and it remains to be seen, whether well 
educated, scientific apothecaries will allow their reputations 
and standing to become subservient to the avaricious purposes 
of charlatans and quacks. 
In the department of Medical Jurisprudence, the members 
and graduates of one of our colleges have been representatives 
of their profession; and it is gratifying to know that a class of 
young men is rising in the country, competent in chemical 
proficiency at least, to solve the doubts, which often embarrass 
the administrators of our criminal laws. 
It cannot be expected that this department of medico 
legal science in its boundless scope should receive many la- 
borers from the pharmaceutists of the country; of many of 
the details necessary for an expert toxicologist they are of course 
ignorant, nor can they be expected to be found qualified for 
the investigation of anatomical and physiological phenomena; 
but so far as nicety and accuracy in chemical research are re- 
quisite, or readiness in manipulation indispensable, I hazard 
the opinion that the graduates of our colleges of Pharmacy 
may be trusted. 
