ART. IV. As the practice of pharmacy is quite distinct from the practice of medicine, and has been found to flourish in proportion as its practitioners have confined their attention to its requirements; and as the conducting of the business of both professions by the same individual involves pecuniary temptations which are often not compatible with a conscientious discharge of duty; we consider that the members of this Association should discountenance all such professional amalgamation; and in conducting business at the counter, should avoid prescribing for diseases when practicable, referring applicants for medical advice to the physician. We hold it as unprofessional and highly reprehensible for apothecaries to allow any per centage or commission to physicians on their prescriptions, as unjust to the public, and hurtful to the independence and self-respect of both parties concerned. We also consider that the practice of some physicians, (in places where good apothecaries are numerous) of obtaining medicines at low prices from the latter, and selling them to their patients, is not only unjust and unprofessional, but deserving the censure of all high-minded medical men.
ART. V. The important influence exerted on the practice of pharmacy by the large proportion of physicians who have resigned its duties and emoluments to the apothecary, are reasons why he should seek their favorable opinion and cultivate their friendship, by earnest endeavors to furnish their patients with pure and well-prepared medicines. As physicians are liable to commit errors in writing their prescriptions, involving serious consequences to health and reputation if {380} permitted to leave the shop, the apothecary should always, when he deems an error has been made, consult the physician before proceeding; yet in the delay which must necessarily occur, it is his duty, when possible, to accomplish the interview without compromising the reputation of the physician. On the other hand, when apothecaries commit errors involving ill consequences, the physician, knowing the constant liability to error, should feel bound to screen them from undue censure, unless the result of a culpable negligence.
ART. VI. As we owe a debt of gratitude to our predecessors for the researches and observations which have so far advanced our scientific art, we hold that every apothecary and druggist is bound to contribute his mite towards the same fund, by noting the new ideas and phenomena which may occur in the course of his business, and publishing them, when of sufficient consequence, for the benefit of the profession.
VARIA—EDITORIAL.
THE JOURNAL.
THE DRUG INSPECTION LAW.
We had intended to have made some remarks on the debate which took place in the Convention regarding the admission of certain articles, under the law for the inspection of imported drugs, which, though possessing medicinal properties are, we believe, merely used for the purpose of adulterating other and better articles, but willingly give place to the subjoined communication from Dr. Guthrie, which, on the whole, advocates views similar to our own. With regard to the Carthagena barks, as they are termed, we confess to a desire for further information. Those barks vary very much from each other. Though not rich in quinia, some of them contain a large per centage of alkaloids, which are closely allied to it. We hope that the committee to whom the subject was referred by the Convention will not only cause proper analyses to be made of the commercial varieties of these barks, but will have experiments instituted regarding their comparative therapeutic value. The Hospitals of our country afford abundant cases of malarious disease, and, we have no doubt, the physicians attached to them would be ready to institute trials which would afford a satisfactory solution to this important question.