The Portland daily press., 1885-02-11
The ApotIpecnries, Elm.

To the Editor Of the Press:
Today the proposed act to amend the Pharmacy
bill Of 1877, comes before the judiciary committee
Two years ago sought not to pass was injudicious-
ly recommended by the same committee on a draft
of the same bill. Had this measure not been super
fcialy treated the acrobatic legal performances of
an alien to the State would have been unknown.
That stringent and equitable law should pass,
the public demand and every intelligent apotheca-
ry, either tacitly avowedly insists. The bill en-
anating from the hands of the Comm: ssioners of
Pharmacy seemingly has very few Objectionable
features. 1t is prominently adapted to circum-
The word "all,' in Sec. of the bill, line G..
might be struck out, and the word "any' inserted
| in its place.
In Sec. g. the clause "regularly Incorporated
medical college" is apparently defective, and de-
I faces the whole section.
The object of the Pharmacy Law, as generally
understood, is to secure much intelligence and
| experience as possible in the art of handling,
| preparing and selling medicines. No college Of
pharmacy of recognized standing pretends to grad
nate its students 'skilled in pharmacy without
-four years practical experience behind the coun-
ter. Even our own commissioners facetiously re-
mark ''that it is little amusing to observe the
slight esteem in which students hold 'Aateria Med
| ica,' Pharmacy and Chemistry" Not long
since, eight years in practice medical college,
graduate furnished a patient with quantity of
fluid extract of Aconite root, la deadly poison and
directed that ten drops be taken every three hours
until his return. Twenty-four hours later the pa.
tient was completely under the influence of the
LOAlcOlOSlcdl eu6cUs uruK. AS IL was three
calls week patient human life was saved not
by the practical knowledge of the attending phys-
clan, but by the immediate application of a good
measurement of common or "horse" sense-ground
mustard seed and water.
Is it reasonable to suppose that an apprentice,
serving three four years in well regulated
apothecary store, where physicians prescriptions
are compounded, would write, even if directed
such indefinite directions? No! Conscious that he
was placing human life in jeopardy, he would re-
fuse and advise with the doctor.
Again. in Sec. 10 of the bill, the clause ''hereaf-
ter enter upon should be suggestively, struck out
With few similar corrections, we cannot see
why the Commissioners pharmacy bill is not CON-
mendable. as we'll as progressive.
Great stress and Importance is said experience
either in professional or industrial pursuits. This
fact should not be overlooked by our legislators.
In conclusion, the percentage of questions to be
properly answered before the Commissioners, should
be regulated by law, not to be less than so per
cent. The average percentage of ffty-two candi-
dates in the year of 1883 was hardly more than
one-half 1922,
We gravely doubt the expedency of declaring
candidate "skillful in pharmacy" who after three
years practical and technical experience can bare
y answer so per cent of the req uired examination
our lenient but worthy board.
In conclusion, We should not hesitate to identify
ourselves in any honorable course thatwil prevent
incompetent, malicious al uncompromising per-
sons from entering upon or continuing in the ardu.
GUS and responsible duties of
DOCTORS COOK.