Sharp misery had worn him to the bones,
And in his needy shop a tortoise hung,
An alligator stuff’d, and other skins
Of ill-shaped fishes: and about his shelves
A beggarly account of empty boxes,
Green earthen pots, bladders and musty seeds,
Remnants of pack thread and old cakes of roses
Were thinly scattered to make up a show.
ROMEO AND JULIET, Act. V., SC. 1.
Until 1868, any person whatever might open what is called a chemist’s shop in England, and deal in drugs and poisons. In that year, however, the Pharmacy Act was passed, which prohibits any person engaging in the business of, or assuming the title of, Chemist and Druggist, or dispensing chemicals or drugs, unless he be registered under that Act. And to be registered one must pass an examination in Latin, English, arithmetic, prescriptions, practical dispensing, pharmacy, materia medica, botany and chemistry.