The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-05-16
WOMEN AS PHARMACISTS.
It Is an Occupation for Which WOms
Are Peculiarly Adapted.

It Is an Occupation for Which Women
Are Peculiarly Adapted.
entered drug store the other day, and q
bright eyed, intelligent young woman came
to wait upon me- | handed her q phy&cian's
prescription, and 10! the smile frozs on her
pretty lips and little wave of perplexity
succeeded it.
"I-er-the prescription clerk is not in at
present, she said, doubtfully. IF you are
net in hurryn--
She hesitated, and 20 relieve her evident
embarrassment replied That could wait.
'You do not fill preScriptionsf" l asked,
carelessly.
oh no, she answered, as enphatically as
though l had asked her if she ruled an en-
pire. Il have been in the store three years
and understand everything else, but | never
handle the drugs"
Now, that girl, bright and attractive as she
was, will always be a fat failure One who
could be possessed of such natural and practi-
cal advantages for learning, and yet, at the
end Of three years, not even dream of "hand-
ling the drugs" has not one of the qualities
which contribute to success. Five years hence
we will find her either married to some harm
less young man who parts his hair in the mid
die and uses white rose on his handkerchief,
or still contentedly selling pretty sundries
from the show cases, and not bothering her
head about the drugs.
| can not understand why more women
have not turned to the study of pharmacy
1t is an occupation to which they seem par
ticularly adapted, requiring steady habits,
clear brains, education, self reliance ard a
light, delicate touch Yet, when the princi-
NIL NJ cob no nth do roI
to the scholars that certain young lady was
going to leave them TO enter the school Of
pharmacy many eyes grew round with Curl
oSity and amaZement.
There seems to be predisposition in the
minds OF girls who are trying to decide upon
career to cast about for something easy
something that may be learned quickly, and
which will not have too much responsibility
about it. I fear they want something tenn
porary-a work that will carry them along
easily until they can make good marriage,
and which may then be cast aside like an old
glove.
But, girls, to be a thoroughly competent
pharmacist and druggist is something of
which you may be proud. 1t means not only
that you have fair education, but also that
you have given some years, at least, 60 study
duu anu SCteuIluC OK
But you must learn to be business woman
as WELL if you wish to succeed. There are
some disadvantages about the drug business
for women, of course; but none that may not
be overcome. The hours are long, for in
stance, and there is considerable night work.
But a modest, bright and popular young
lady can draw custom 10 any store and
make herself so necessary to the business that
the proprietor will be glad to favor her in
sue way of hours and night work.
But don't undertake pharmacy with any
uncertain, half way notions. Make up your
mind that you will wash bottles, if necessary,
when you secure your first situation; that is
no degradation. You think nothing Of wash
ing dishes for your mother.
If you wish to undertake it, there are no
obstacles in the road to a successful and in
seresting work in pharmacy that may not be
rolled aside by girl who is intelligent and
self reliant, and who is willing TO study and
70 work.-Ella Higginson In West Shore.