New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-09
TIE DRUG Law DEFENDED.

LETTER OF THE COMMISSIONERS To THE or
POSING DRUGGISTS.
OFFICE or THE BOARD FOR THE EXAMINATION OF
AND LICENSING DRUGGISTS AND
PREsCRIPTioN CLERKS u TIM CITY or NEw YORK, I
No. 70 UHIoN-rLACE, Me-" YORK, Aug. \, 1871.
NeSSr$. John W BoMAs, JAMES g. BtAcm, AUGUSTUS W.
NLlsMAN, ana Others Gf0dudteS iH PhGrmOCH
GENTLEMEN: Having obtained legal advice
The points in the paper submitted by you to the Board
for Examining ana Licensing Druggist and Prescription
Clerk, in the City OfNewYork, we, the Commits stone
Of said Board do respectfully reply to you as follows
The explicit reading of the act viz that all druggists
and persons engaged in dispensing medicines in the City
of NewYork can no longer pursue their calling without
q certificate from the Board for Examining and
Licensing Druggists and Prescription CLERKS, at
once placos the question of granting you an ex-
CcpOn beyond the power OF this Board. But while the
Ia" Is thus explicit tine Commissioners OF this Board,
regular schools OF pharmacy viii allow 10 the possession
q such diplomas the proper weight and consideration.
EOErl, believing nlt u "i!l guar ntyc immunity from
the fatal errors Of nooLc TcHscsof Grues, would
not he ignorant anu inexperienced, but the hig1yCdu-
Gated graduates Of the hoyls Of pharmacy. Tais dsaF-
alton thai the opportunity Afforded To cyatc and give
tone 10 profession which, owing TO the want OF eff
the rcpCctablity IL enjoys elsewhere, would he entirely
defeated Nou are aware how stringent in other anas
severe j. the ordeal those must undergo who prepare
themselves Tor the pharmaceutical profession You
know nag ia Germany and France many years of close
application 10 scientific pursuits are tic sole gateway 10
an apoibccarys license and that not only must the can
dddie for such license hold diploma from q regular
school OF pharmacy buthat he must further satisfy the
state OF his fitness 30 perform the important du.y OF his
calling, by suhmltlugto an examination before duly
appointed Board OF Examiners. The consequence Of 50
stlct course OF action IN foreign countries not only
the preclusiOn OF all hut the possibility OF mistakes
nosiio, of Mn rstIjccf biIif, in lie couInmriir
On the other hand II Is notorious that III the United
the ns,iouc ana uncdugled 70 swell the ranks OF cur
apOhccarlcS, not only has blur long rested on The fair
fame Of the profession, but the community has suffered
gFCrruc and cuupJwdtT has been confined within The
strctcSt limits by cgslayca action and there is DOUBT
TINT correct public sentiment includes drugs aud lned-
Carclc-sy dispensed CficCtually destroys lie
pound OF nrogiyccrinc, and the public insist that rs
th2 dangerous, tNllOaiNc ldtclld cannot ne stoIcU
within the city limits without special lie Hsc, 50 they VIII
MOI run the risk of being killed ny persons o. whose cpa-
city To make up ana dispense posohos 4itcles th,S
have no competent attes.dtOn. IL Is the object OF THIS
law TO remedy this evil ~ far ~ possible and with that
end n view the Board accordingly created sOEcts nc Co
operation OF all Intelligent drug-s r. and especially the
support of all regular schools OF phIIm1cJ 10 which II
is IN reality an aid and an adjunct We hope, there
cuCU IBtcT VIII be from those who are conscious that
they cannot meet The requirements lhe!s9f, pnd are
The fee which is to be paid but was fixed at the
published figures IN the belief that, Wne the utmost
Indulgence has been shown to the druggists and their
clerks, the charge OF smaller sum would detract
frOn the dignity ana consequent value of the certificates
express the hope that those who come within the reach
81 the action II this Board remembering that restrictive
laws while causing inconvenience to individuals, are es-
seutiay intended 10 prov ide FOR the welfare of the com
muuty, viii, with this Understandings chceriuy sub
Nit TO the requirements Of Chapter 2O2 OF the Laws OF
1911 OF the state NcwYOI. We have the honor to be,
gentlemen &c -pccf!ully, yours,
r. OGbES DoREuUs, NJ D., President.
WV GRAHAM
THEOBALD FEOHwEN.
COENLLiU> NJ. O'LLARr, " D., Ph d.
Louis c. Branda, secretary -