Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-10-10
APPRENTICES.
BY BENZ. LILLARD, PHAR. D.

There are two popular impressions in re-
gard to our business, that we should at all
times try to correct. The one we hear
most, is that "the drug business pays enor-
nous profits" This is often illustrated by
common jokes, of character that add no
dignity to our profession. The other, and
more dangerous one, is the erroneous idea
in reference to apprentices and learning the
business, which also prevails TO a consider
able extent among ourselves. Is
b In order TO build mp our profession, we
must have good scientific men in 1t. And
in order to get them, we must have good
apprentices, and give them the proper adj
vantages to study. Too much care cannot
be exercised in selecting apprentices, as We
of.en see the natural results of taking
young men in our business who were bet
ter adapted to the ploW, .or some mechani-
cal pursuit. Our profession, when properly
understood and practiced, may be consld.
cred as an art, as q science, and as Q trad
ing business. And to be successful in 1t,
one should be active, neat, accurate,
careful, polite, naturally good
salesman, and good looking. No
other business embraces so wide
q scope of knowledge, has made such rapid
progress, produced so many great men, or
done SO much to promote the health, hap
piness, prosperity and welfare of the peo-
pie. Apprentices with these qualifications
ara an honor to their employers, and use
full ornament to the profession at large. In
the proportion that these are lacking we see
developed manufacturers of patent bitters
and soothing syrups.
Intelligent looking young men, and some
times young physicians, in applying for
situation, remark, s'they want to 90 In bus.
mess for themselves next fall, and as trade
is dull during the summer, they thought
they would get a situation and learn the
business during the dull season." Such
ideas of sthe business" as this, lower our
professional standard and bring dishonor on
the science. Young men of this kind want
to learn Hthe business" because of its "enor-
nous profits" which, If you should doubt,
they will refer you to "Jones," who made q
large fortune in a short time by advertising
his "Universal daylight pills."
When young man wishes to be al drug
gist, and applies for an apprentices position,
be should be carefully questioned as to
his motives and object in so doing.
Should they be of the s'enormous proft''
character, it is best to refuse him at once,
say you don't think the science of drugs
will agree with him. But if on the other
hand you find his motives are good, and
he possesses all the necessary qualifications
as mentioned, then q serious responsible
ity presents Itself, and the question naturally
arises, how can we conscientiously take
him? My plan is to picture the business to
him 10 its true character, showing him that
as clerk, he viii have to work harder and
longer, including the Sunday and night
work, and for less pay than at any other
business. And that as proprietor, he will
find there are too many competitors, and
often of character that anoys Ia many
mean and unprofessional ways.
But in the face of all this, should he by
long and tedious application to business,
and by neglecting all the social comforts and
pleasures of life, succeed in laying away
enough of the things of this world to make
him comfortable, does be not frequently
lose it ell, through the incompetancy or
carelessness of clerk?
Then by contrasting this with the life of
banker, insurance or railroad man, archi-
tect, engineer, merchant, or most any other
business or trade, have generally been
successful, and have yet to be reproached
by the first person, for having led them
blindly into an Improbable business.
OF course our business has to be kept
up, and somebody must take apprentices
and train them. And when one is found
who has the nerve to go ahead, after all
these things, should say encourage him In
it, as he will undoubtedly reflect honor on
il afterwards.
Nashville, Sept, 1873.