The New York herald., 1877-02-13
DRUG CLERKS.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE LAW con-
cERNIHo THEM wHERE IMPROVEMENTS May
BE MADE.
Il is understood thai during the present session Of
tho Legislature nnendatory Of the existing Law
relative to druggists and their clerks will bo introduced
havisg Tor ts purpose the better protection Of the
public against dispensing and compounding
medicines To ascertain how far the law opera
tion the and what provisions might 10
beneficial brief conversations had yesterday with
some OF the better known pharmacists In tho city,
Some held that the original law TO tho pur
pose than the present in that particular provision
making II incumbent upon ali clerks who dispense
medicines be licensed and properly registered This
point absolute In the old law and was great
safeguard The enforcement Of that section, though
1t seemed harsh in some cases. allowed only qualified
persons 10 act ccrks--that is, II the Board Of
Pharmacy did their business in properly examining APP
pllcants Tho law now 10 force permits apprentices
and junior assistants TO dispense medicines, under tho
supervision OF registered pharmacists graduates in
pharmacy. The liberty thus accorded in many IN
stances has proved tho stepping stone TO fatal mis-
takes
ton taken by the Board OF Pharmacy relative TO the
registration Of those corks who present themselves
armed with certificates that they have graduated from
tns or that college OF pharmacy. Many OF these GER
tncatcs worthless They may be held by the
owners or they may not be. Fraud can be practised
boen known to be practsed. Therefore, every app-
cant before tho Board OF Pharmacy, whether he pre-
the examination which the important nature of the
matter demands Such Is not nor has II been the
amended act should be so framed a. 10 allow no loop
holes in the certificate business Nothing should be
taken for granted when life and death are concerned
SALE PoisoN&
The law now on tho statute books regarding tho sale
OF poisons does not seem sufficient II IS allowed 10 DO
sold tho buyer satisfy the druggist that he
she is acquainted with its deadly character and
satisfy HIM that the purposes for which u is Intended
are legitimate good deal than this is required
10 prevent improper persons from obtani ng deadly
drugs. No retail nor Wholesale druggist should be
allowed to dispose OF them 10 any person not having
In his possession a physicians prescription and who
should be Identified, as stranger wishing to cash
check ut any bank Is required TO be- The latter plan
Is adopted by several Of the leading stores. The
present law also permits physicians TO dispense
poisons they deem tit, and In the opinion Of phar
proved and some safeguard thrown IT, in order
10 prevent possible wrong doing
jorty OF that occur In compounding medicines
are made by the most competent clerks
CARE.Ess cLERks
srThc best In business; those thoroughly petent
and familiar with tho profession in all It's details,
some OF the MISTAKES said gentleman. '.rhc
reason he continued, 'is that just such competent
clerks become over confident and careless hence the
blundcrs Enact law that will prevent men from
becoming careless and groat point will be reached
No druggist OF repute however, will employ other than
competent men to do his dispensing and compounding
His fortune perhaps and certainly his reputation are
Ut Stuko Wuea sncic 10 y vaO~ucy WIN uS eHo
applicant must 90 through his examination
In this store We don't care how many examining
boards he has passed, don't what college he
has gone through, he must satisfy here at tho pre-
scripon desk that hc competent TO m the position
In this way we have conducted our business for years
without error. !"
Tho education Of tho drug clerk is essential All
clerks held by tho leading drug firms Of the city,
should through with tho regular course OF study IN
the College OF Pharmacy. Not TO do THIS is mistake
and no one intending TO become druggist should
glcct IT,
clause covering this point might with consistency
be introduced into the new act making It apply to iu.
ture applicants before the Board OF Pharmacy:
some OF tho members OF the leading drug firms also
felt that Notwithstanding much good may come out Of
an amended law, thcro was growing disposition to
overhaul and "nker" the act at every oil the
Legislatures; not to improve 1t, but 10 do something
that will add 10 the ices and perquises OF tho