PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL.

VOL. II.-No. I.-JULY 1st, 1842.

ON THE PROFESSIONAL CHARACTER OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMIST.

WHILE we are endeavouring, by regulations of a collective nature, to raise the character and increase the respectability of our body, it is incumbent upon us all, in our individual capacity, to promote the same object in those matters which relate to the internal management of our business. It is also desirable, that we should agree on certain general principles, and simultaneously adopt the same line of conduct, as far as may be found compatible with the adventitious circumstances in which our members are placed, in regard to locality and station.

So little intercourse has hitherto been kept up among Chemists and Druggists, that there is, as might be expected, some difference of opinion, not only as to the course which is most conducive to our credit and respectability, but also as to the precise boundary within which are included our normal and legitimate functions. A line of business which, in one locality constitutes a leading feature in the trade, is considered in another to be derogatory and unprofessional. The manner in which business is conducted among some of our members, is, by others, repudiated as approaching to empiricism; and the course which is adopted by some to raise their reputation, is avoided by others from an idea that it would have an opposite tendency.

In the remarks which we are about to offer on this subject, it is our desire, as much as possible, to reconcile what may at first sight appear to be inconsistencies, and to point out the manner in which, according to our judgment, each particular class of business comprised in the general routine, may be carried on without any sacrifice of that standing and character which, as a body, we should all endeavour to maintain.

It is evident that there is, and must always be, an essential difference between town and country business. The division of labour in all cases prevails to the greatest extent in large towns and cities, and extends its influence in proportion to the increase of population and the advancement of civilization. The Apothecaries were originally incorporated with the grocers into one

body. After the separation took place, an intermediate class, namely, the Druggists, sprung up, and the three bodies are now entirely distinct, although the functions occasionally merge into each other, in the case of some individuals residing in the small towns.

In many towns the Druggists invariably fit up one side of their shops with grocery and spices, while, on the other side, they carry on the business of Dispensing Chemists. This practice is, under present circumstances, unavoidable; and if the business of the Chemist be creditably conducted, the sale of grocery ought not to be considered to detract from the respectability of the establishment.

The sale of oils and colours is also a collateral branch of the business of Chemists and Druggists in the country, and although some persons may take exception to this vocation, as not being pharmaceutical, we must not hastily denounce a custom, which appears to be conducive to the convenience of the public, and in fact almost unavoidable, in those localities where it prevails. In the preparation of colours for artists, much chemical knowledge is required, and in places where the demand is not sufficient to support a Colourman, the office naturally falls upon the Che mist. Some of the graduates of the College of Pharmacy in Philadelphia carry on this branch of the business to a considerable extent, and one of our most distinguished dispensing houses in London, has for many years been celebrated for the manufacture of carmine.

The sale of patent or proprietory medicines, which is generally conjoined with retail business, is a department which ought not to be made prominent. The principle involved in the sale of such medicines, namely, that of recommending "infallible specifics," for various disorders, is not in accordance with sound medical knowledge, and in some cases amounts to dishonesty and imposition. Yet the encouragement given by government to this traffic, on account of the revenue which it produces, the sanction given by the medical profession to some nostrums (James's powder, black drop, and a few others), and above all, the propensity which exists in the public mind to patronize secret remedies, and to believe the improbable statements in which many of them are enveloped, these and other causes have always contributed to render the sale of patent medicines almost inseparable from the drug trade. The retail Chemist however, is not responsible for the efficacy of these medicines, or the accuracy of the panegyrics; he is not supposed to be acquainted with their composition, or to give any opinion in the matter. He is only the agent, and the purchaser buys the articles on his own judgment, and at his own risk. It should

be understood, however, that by pushing this kind of trade, and advertising or recommending secret medicines to any great extent the Druggist approximates, in the same proportion to another class, namely, the "patent medicine venders," who are a distinct body.

The preparation of horse and cattle medicines deserves more attention than is usually bestowed upon it by Pharmaceutical Chemists. The sophistication of horse powders and other compounds is so prevalent, that a person who offers genuine horse medicines is unable to compete with his neighbours in price, and consequently has a very limited sale for these articles. Farriers and grooms are not likely to be competent judges of the quality of drugs; they observe with some degree of care the appearance and effect of Barbadoes aloes, the sensible properties of which are comparatively easy of discrimination, and being satisfied that the staple commodity is genuine, they take it for granted that other horse medicines at the same shop are the same. The notion that inferior drugs are good enough for the purpose is confirmed by the fact, that they are more in demand than the best on account of the low price. The retailers are not in all cases aware of the extent of the adulterations; and it being considered a matter of secondary importance, this branch of the business is too often carried on in a manner which is by no means creditable. It is chiefly on this account that the sale of horse medicines is disregarded by many Chemists, who cannot conscientiously adopt the prevalent system, and who find it impossible in any other way to compete successfully in the market. There is, however, no just reason for considering this branch of the business derogatory to the Pharmaceutical Chemist; and in order to place it on its proper basis, it is only necessary to conduct it in a respectable manner, and thus to overcome the prejudice which prevails on the subject. An occasional exposure of existing abuses is likely to be useful in this instance as well as others.

Perfumery, tooth and nail brushes, surgical instruments, and a variety of other miscellaneous articles, enter more or less into the province of the Chemist and Druggist especially in the country; and in this matter, each individual is of course at liberty to use his own discretion, but a conspicuous display of goods of that description is not calculated to improve the character of a business, as a Pharmaceutical Establishment.

It must, therefore, be acknowledged that in all these cases the test of respectability and professional character has reference more to the education of the parties, and the manner with which they perform their duties, than to the precise line of business in which their abilities are directed; or, in other words, although the preparation and sale of drugs constitutes our chief and most

legitimate office, the other collateral branches may be attached to it, according to circumstances, without of necessity detracting from the character of the Pharmaceutical Chemist.

A grocer may fit up a corner of his shop with physic bottles, and write the words "Chemist and Druggist" over his door; he may rank high as a grocer, and carry on a flourishing trade, but the sale of a few drugs does not entitle him to the name of a Pharmaceutical Chemist; and by assuming it he adds nothing to his respectability. The same remark applies equally to oilmen and "general dealers." The distinction between these parties and Chemists and Druggists consists in the fact, that the former have received no pharmaceutical education, and sell drugs as an accessory vocation, while the latter are supposed to be qualified especially for the dispensing of medicines, the grocery, &c. occupying a secondary and less prominent part.

It is, however, difficult in some cases to distinguish by any outward sign the true Chemist and Druggist from the person who assumes the name without possessing the qualification: a doubt which will, we trust, be removed when the PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY has extended its influence generally throughout the country.

In the course of a few years we anticipate that all regularly educated Chemists will possess the diploma of the Society, which will then be a mark of distinction and a test of proficiency.

While on this subject we may be allowed to caution our brethren against making a false estimate of the value of the diploma at the present time. We have already had occasion to remark, that in the endeavours which are now being made to raise the professional character of the trade, we must take those who are already established, as we find them. We may feel conscious that few among us are as near perfection as we could desire, and yet we are bound to consider that all existing Chemists and Druggists are to a certain extent qualified, and as such entitled to admission. This is a principle on which any legislative enactment must proceed, and it was recognized, in reference to the Apothecaries, at the passing of their act in 1815. The undertaking in which we have embarked is one which involves expense, and the benefit of which is contingent. We may, therefore, infer that those who have joined in the enterprise feel a lively interest in the credit and advancement of their profession, and are thus induced to make a pecuniary sacrifice, which those who are not entitled to rank as Chemists would be likely to shrink from. The possession of the diploma, by an original member, indicates that the possessor is actually a Chemist and Druggist, has been brought up to the business, and is a participator in the effort which we are making to introduce an

improved system in this branch of the medical profession. But it does not imply proficiency, because the original members have not undergone an examination; and it is, therefore, desirable not to attribute to it, in the first instance, that prospective value which it will in course of time acquire.

We would also suggest, that a too prominent display of the insignia of membership, or an ostentatious allusion to the PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY in public advertisements, is calculated, especially in the present early stage of its existence, rather to call forth animadversions from parties who are disposed to be censorious, than to confer that kind of character on the advertiser which it is his object to acquire. This is more particularly the case when such advertisements have reference to those subsidiary and collateral branches of our business to which we have already alluded. Our attention has been directed, in several cases, to shop bills, in which oils, colours, grocery, brushes, and patent medicines were enumerated in a very conspicuous manner, the words, "Member of the Pharmaceutical Society," being equally prominent. It is to be regretted that any member should make use of the Society in such a manner, as the circulation of handbills of that description is likely to bring discredit upon us. While we would not wish, in any way, to restrain our members from adopting proper means for making themselves known to the public, and extending their business, we think it particularly desirable that they should avoid quackery, and that kind of "puffing" which is discreditable to any profession.

We have also seen on such bills the words," Medical advice gratis;" the advice alluded to being given by the Chemist himself. This we consider to be exceeding our legitimate province. We have on many occasions been called upon to advocate the privileges and rights of Chemists and Druggists, and to prove that a certain discretionary power must necessarily belong to us, in recommending or suggesting remedies in our own shops, when regular medical advice either cannot be obtained, or is not required; the grounds upon which we lay claim to this privilege are well supported by facts and experience, and have reference to the interests and welfare of the public, as well as to our own.

The difficulty of drawing any precise line between the province of the Chemist and the circumstances under which he ought to decline to act, renders discretion on his part especially necessary. Those who court medical practice and undertake to cure every case which presents itself, and who, by advertising "Medical advice," lead the public to suppose that they are qualified practitioners, injure the cause which we are advocating by furnishing an illustration of the only argument which could be brought against our views. The necessities of the public