We had intended once more to call the attention of our readers to the approaching meeting of the National Convention, but have been anticipated by one of our colleagues in the communication which is subjoined, giving an account of both its origin and its objects. It is to be hoped that, as the convention will probably assume a permanent organization, its proceedings will take on a scientific character. Independent of the subjects which pharmacy, every where, presents, such a body would be a fit one to assist in ascertaining and developing the resources of our indigenous materia medica. Our country is rich in medicinal articles, but the properties of many of them are but imperfectly known, and comparatively little attention has been paid to their pharmaceutical preparation. Inquiries of this kind, carried on with the aid of physicians, particularly of those attached to hospitals, could not fail to produce important results, and they seem peculiarly adapted to the wants of the community and to the position of the convention.
THE NATIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL CONVENTION.
The second meeting of Pharmaceutists, the first as a National Convention, to which the Convention of Delegates from the several Colleges of Pharmacy, held in New York last October, may be considered the preliminary movement, will take place in Philadelphia, on Wednesday the 6th of October ensuing. The convention of last fall was held chiefly for the purpose of considering the important subject of standards of quality and purity which imported drugs ought to possess in order to regulate and render uniform the character required of them by the government Inspectors, at the various ports of entry in the United States. Unofficially and officially the duty of affixing standards for imported drugs was, with propriety, assigned to the Colleges of Pharmacy. For this object they were called in convention for that time only, and permanent organization was not then anticipated. But on the meeting of the Colleges, and their united action upon the one subject of such general importance, it was a natural consequence that a spontaneous and general feeling should arise in favor of the establishment of a National Pharmaceutical Organization, with an Annual Convention for the {286} advancement of science and for the promotion of intercourse and good will among pharmaceutists generally. Accordingly the preamble and resolutions brought forward by the committee, subsequent to their report on the special business of that convention and its action upon it, were received with hearty favor. We think it would be well to recapitulate them:
“WHEREAS, The advancement of the true interests of the great body of Pharmacutical practitioners in all sections of our country is a subject worthy of earnest consideration; and whereas Pharmaceutists, in their intercourse among themselves, with physicians and the public, should be governed by a code of ethics calculated to elevate the standard and improve the practice of their art; and whereas, the means of a regular pharmaceutical education should be offered to the rising Pharmaceutists by the establishment of Schools of Pharmacy in suitable locations; and whereas, it is greatly to be desired that the united action of the profession should be directed to the accomplishment of these objects; therefore,
Resolved, That in the opinion of this Convention, much good will result from a more extended intercourse between the Pharmaceutists of the several sections of the Union, by which their customs and practice may be assimilated; that Pharmaceutists would promote their individual interests and advance their professional standing by forming associations for mutual protection, and the education of their assistants, when such associations have become sufficiently matured; and that, in view of these important ends, it is further
Resolved, That a Convention be called, consisting of three delegates each from incorporated and unincorporated Pharmaceutical Societies, to meet at Philadelphia, on the first Wednesday in October, 1852, when all the importent questions bearing on the profession may be considered, and measures adopted for the organization of a National Association, to meet every year.
In accordance with these resolutions, it was resolved that the President of the Convention be requested to transmit an invitation to the authorized bodies, at least three months previous to the time of meeting, desiring such bodies to acquaint him with the names of the delegates they may appoint.
On motion, it was resolved that the New York Delegation be appointed a Committee to lay the proceedings of this Convention before the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, and afterwards have them published in pamphlet form.
Dr. Philbrick of Boston, offered the following preamble and resolution, which were adopted:
WHEREAS, To secure the full benefits of the prohibition of sophisticated drugs and chemicals from abroad, it is necessary to prevent home adulteration; therefore,
Resolved, That this Convention recommend to the several Colleges to adopt such measures as in their respective states may be best calculated to secure that object.
On motion of Mr. Colcord of Boston, it was
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by this Convention to act as a Standing Committee to collect and receive such information as may be valuable, {287} and memorials and suggestions from any Medical and Pharmaceutical Associations, to be presented at the next Convention.
The President appointed G. D. Coggeshall of New York, S. M. Colcord of Boston, and W. Procter, Jr., of Philadelphia, as the Committee.
A vote of thanks to the officers was passed, and then the Convention adjourned, to meet in Philadelphia, on the first Wednesday in October, 1852.”
We hope that the considerations embraced in the preamble and resolutions of the committee will engage the thoughtful and earnest attention of every apothecary every where throughout the United States, who has a just sense of the proper dignity of his profession and an honest desire for its advancement, and that all will feel the importance of a general gathering at the approaching convention,—one that shall comprise a full representation of remote as well as adjacent districts of our extended country. In the words of the resolution, “three delegates, each, from incorporated and unincorporated pharmaceutical societies,” are invited, but a feeling has been increasingly manifested since the last convention, to solicit representation from all districts, small as well as large, that in places where but few apothecaries are located—too few as they may think for efficient organization,—they should yet feel their individual responsibility, and be encouraged to depute one or more of their number to represent them. All, who come in the right spirit of regard for the cause, may be sure of being welcome.—A National Pharmaceutical Association will undoubtedly be organized on a similar plan to that of the medical profession, and in it individuals may be admitted to membership that are acceptable as worthy practioners of their art.
The convention will have many subjects of general interest to discuss and to arrange for future consideration. Prominent amongst these will be, a Code of Ethics which should govern pharmaceutists in the performance of their duties, and in their intercourse with each other and with physicians; the importance of general conformity in practice with the United States Pharmacopœia; the suppression of home as well as the exclusion of foreign adulteration; and the driving out of quackery into its own mean company. That all these ends can at once be attained is scarcely to be hoped for; but we trust the convention will be composed of men who appreciate the distinctness of the honorable practice of our profession from all malpractice and quackery, and who are fully disposed to mark the division clearly and broadly; so that persons governed by such opposite principles may take their separate places, and be esteemed accordingly.
We are authorized by Dr. Guthrie, who, since the Convention of 1851, has removed to Memphis, Tennessee, to request that the names of delegates may be reported to Prof. William Procter, Philadelphia,—a convenient arrangement, as Mr. Procter is one of the delegates to the next Convention, residing in the city where it is to be held.
We would also invite the attention of Pharmaceutists to the resolution introduced by Mr. Colcord, of Boston, and hope that any suggestions they may wish to offer, will be presented at an early day to one of the committee appointed, to rceive them.
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