The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-08
OPTICIANS.

ton OF homes and to the happiness of the
people, will De universally conceded. Dis
ease too often comes. despite the resistance
or medical and pharmaceutical science, but
who Will say how many deaths. ascribed
every day to disease, may not be due IN
fact, to inexperience or ignorance i'm our
pharmacists? Education at the dispensing
desk is not less important than at the
bedside. One should faithfully supplement
the other, and sacred privilege of the
former is to correct, when need be, any
palpable error OF the physician committed
amid the confusing scenes frequently &C.
curing in the sick room.
But, IL is said, If special laws are neces-
sary in the case of drug stores, why not
of food supplies? Is not food as important
as medicine, and IS not the public able 10
care for itself, and to avoid unreliable
places? answer that, as regards the abil-
ity of the public 10 discriminate, there is
little or no analogy between drug and food
stores. little experience by a person or
average intelligence will usually assure a
tolerably accurate Judgment OF qualities OF
food, and, II an error be made. ii is rarely
of immediate and critical consequence. But
even the more intelligent drug store pa
irons, on the other hand may be presumed
to know absolutely nothing respecting the
nature, qualities, doses or compromising OF
drugs, and, IL any error be made IL is too
often disastrous If not fatal I'm its results.
ME good law against authorizations is,
therefore, usually sufficient TO protect the
public against unwholesome food, nothing
short OF law which shall reach the deal
ers In drugs, which shall exclude the in
competent and assure all possible skill and
trustworthiness in medical dispensing, can
be regarded as adequate. Because phar-
macy laws are not framed i'm the interests
of pharmacists il must not be presumed.
however, that they do not benefit the pro-
fession. The protection, though incidental
to that designed 10 be given TO the public
is none the less valuable and important.
The discrimination against incompetency
and quackery demanded by the pubic well
fare is Inevitably associated with
determinations in favor of the edu-
Gated. the experienced and Competent
I IA Ia nflaT-
macist has a special personal interest In the
enactment and maintenance OF pharmacy
laws. While they accord to his profession
a legal status. honor il with distinctive
recognition among the learned sciences.
purify il by rejecting elements which other
wise would tend to degrade and disgrace.
elevate it to rank OF dignity. strengthen
IL with possibilities for the more rapid de-
yelopment Of its literature, for the
lions. and for substantial advance
ment in efficiency-whle accomplishing
these great results these laws also
confer direct business advantages by re-
stricting the number OF druggists. reducing
competition, and thus. by dividing the trade
into fewer parts, assure TO each more near
ly adequate remuneration. While the pub
lie has general interest in pharmacy laws
i'm times Of sickness, the educated phar.
macist has a special professional and mer-
camille interest in their maintenance at
all times. The precise character Of an ideal
pharmacy law L shall not attempt 70 de-
scribe. This species OF legislation Is still In
its infancy. and years OF experience will be
required to develop it and TO adjust IL TO
American institutions. Certain fundamen-
tai provisions are, however, indispensable
10 just and efficient law.
F'irst-Its scope should include, for rea-
sons previously stated only such depart
ments of the pharmacy az require the exer-
else of special professional qualifications.
For this reason patent medicines ana
certain domestic remedies" the vending
of which required no special scientific
knowledge, may properly be subject TO less
stringent legislation.
Second-Aii druggists i'm business when a
new law takes effect must. for constitution
al and prudential reasons. be permitted TO
continue in practice, and all OF sufhcient
experience be permitted TO continue In their
Third-The proper administration OF the
law requires a board of pharmacy, COM
posed of pharmacists only.
FourthEAfter the law takes effect all
persons desiring TO engage in the practice
of pharmacy should be required 10 pass
satisfactory examination before the board
As the test of competency should obviously
be uniform. and all candidates be accorded
equal opportunities, no exception whatever
TO this rule can be regarded as just or per-
manently eXpedient.
Fifth-In the absence OF legislative APP
preparation. il Is clearly good policy for the
persons most interested-the druggists-to
provide the requisite revenue. The pay
ment Of small fee at stated intervals by
all pharmacists registered would be the
most feasible method for this purpose.
Sixth-The penalties for violation should
be sufficiently severe TO insure respect ana
ton. To insure conviction. the board OF
pharmacy should be charged with the duty
of causing prosecutions.
Seventh-As the avowed purpose OF the
act is simply to restrict the practice OF
pharmacy 10 competent persons. y Is SUM-
cient TO require that the actual dispensers
I'm a store be registered. regardless OF
whether OF not the proprietor be registered.
though, i'm order 10 insure conformity TO
the spirit OF the law. the proprietor should
be held responsible for failure TO keep
registered pharmacist in charge.
The constitutionality Of The principle en-
bodied in pharmaceutical legislation has
recently been affirmed by the Iowa SUI
preme Court. and prosecutions under the
various State laws IN the absence OF verbal
defects. have Invariably been successful.
State pharmacy laws are In force I'm the
following States: Alabama. Colorado. Con-
recticut. Georgia. Illinois. Iowa. Kansas.
Kentucky, Maine. Massachusetts. Mich
igan. Minnesota. Missouri. Nebraska. PENN
sylvania, South Carolina. New Hampshire.
New Jersey New York, North Carolina.
Ohio. West Virginia, Wisconsin, Dakota.
Wyoming Territory Washington and YER
mont. r J. tlNEHOOT. Ph. @.
Bristol. Ind. Fen. 4.
NAnk Kidney and uterine pains. rheu-