The Sun.
London, England, 1841-02-19 00:00:00

MEDICAL REFORM BILL.

A public meeting of Wholesale and Retail Che-
mists and . Druggists, was held at the Crown and
Anchor, Strand, to take into consideration the provi-
sions of Mr. Hawes' proposed Bill for Regulating the
.Medical Profession in Great Britain and Ireland. Mr. J.
_ .

Gifford in the Chair. The room was crowded by the
most influential members of the wholesale and retail
trades, amongst whom were, Messrs. Pigeon, Herring,
Barry, Dinneford, Leafier, Horner, Smith, Farmer,
Payne, &c. &c.

. The CHAIRMAN opened the business of the day by
, reading such clauses of Mr. Hawes' Bill as appeared
, likely to injure the interests of the chemists and drug-
gists. The Bill contains 27 pages of folio print, which
amongst others contained claims prohibiting any person
after February 1, 1842, from practising medicine far
remuneration, or carrying on the business of chemist or
Iruggist unless he be licensed—appointing councils and
examiners from medical practitioners—ordering a book
to be published under the direction of the Council, con-
taining a list of medicine and compounds—the manner
of prescribing them, together with the weights and mea-
sures by which they are to be mixed, and imposing fines
of 1001., 201., and 10/., with imprisonment and hard
labour for a breach of certain provisions of the Bill.
Mr. BELL moved a resolution condemnatory of the
Bill, as containing provisions injurious to the interests
of chemists and druggists, opposed to the resources of
the poor, and as offering a premium to the common in-
former to harrass and oppress the two trades by vexa-
tious informations.—(Hear, hear.) He observed that
the object of the Bill was to elevate the apothecaries at
the expense of the druggists.—( Hear, hear.) Now
that they had the Bill before them, all they had to do
was to act with unanimity, and they would prevent so
obnoxious a measure being passed.—( Hear, hear.)
Mr. KEATING seconded the resolution, and insisted
that the Bill would sadly affect the poor, who, in a great
degree, depended upon the druggists for their medi-
cines.—( Hear, hear.)
Mr. BARCLAY acid that the Bill not only concerned
the poor, but the middle classes also, who frequently
obtained at a druggists, for themselves or children, such
advice and assistance as checked sickness in its first
stage.—(Hear, hear.) He had been ten years an
apothecary's assistant, and during that time prescrip-
tions frequently came in when they were obliged to send
to the druggists for the medicine, as they had it not in
their shops.—( Hear, hear.) Persons who obtained
medicines at hospitals were often compelled to ask the
druggist in what quantities they were to divide the
powders, or take the pills. as they forgot the verbal di
rections given them.—( Hear, hear.)
'Mr. COOPER, surgeon and apothecary, rose, and
sted that he had been requested by Mr. Hawes to at-
tend the meeting, and to make such explanations
respecting the Bill as might be required. He assured
them that Mr. Hawes had no other object than that of
advancing the interests of the trade.—(" Oh, oh.")
He was only anxious to put the question on a fair and
proper footing, and was most desirous to receive any
communication or suggestion that the meeting might
think well to give. The object of the Bill was to exalt a
trade which consisted of men of the highest character and
first respectability.—(Hear, bear.) Mr. Hawes had no
personal interest in the passing of the Bill, as he was
neither directly or indirectly connected with the medical
profession.—(Hear, hear.) He wished to benefit the
public, and protect the trade from parties not qualified
to transact it.—( Hear, hear.) Mr. Cooper proceeded
at great length to defend the Bill. But his observa-
tions met with much interruption and considerable dis-
approbation.
Messrs. Barry, Payne, Maber, Walker, Herring
Smith, Beatton, Foulger, Dineford, Farmer, Butler,
Wilson, Bentley, and Lechen addressed the meeting in
condemnation of Mr. Hawes' Bill. After which the first
resolution was passed. Another was adopted requiring
the second reading of the Bill to be postponed for a
month, until the trede and the public expressed their
opinion of it. A Committee was also appointed to
take measures to prevent it passing into law, mid to
raise subscriptions towards defraying the expenses.
Thanks were then voted to the Chairman, and the meet-
ng separated.