Commonwealth of Massachusetts. REPORT. To His Excellency CURTIS GUILD, Jr., Governor. In compliance with the laws of the Commonwealth, we have the honor to submit the following report. The general condition of pharmacy in the Commonwealth will compare favorably with previous years. A canvass of the State shows that this has been a prosperous year with the pharmacist, with but a few exceptions due to local causes. At the last session of the Legislature an act was passed giving registered pharmacists, in cities and towns where licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors of the first five classes are not granted, the right to sell liquor upon the prescription of a registered physician practising in such city or town, he having been granted a certificate of fitness from this Board. These certificates were granted in 55 cities and towns, and reports from a majority show the exercise of this privilege has been generally satisfactory, meeting with the approval of the officials of these cities and towns. At the annual meeting of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, held in Indianapolis, Ind., in September, this Board was represented by Charles N. Swift and Fred A. Hubbard. The following is a report of the delegates: MR. PRESIDENT:- Upon recommendation of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy, His Excellency the Governor appointed two delegates to the National Convention of Boards of Pharmacy, said convention to be held at Indian apolis, Ind., during the week beginning Sept. 4, 1906, at ClayYour delegates beg leave to submit the following pool Hotel. report: Seven sessions were held, and nearly every State and Territory was represented by delegates. President J. A. Keith of South Dakota presided, and Dr. G. E. Diekman of New York was secretary pro tem. The president of the association read an address, which was referred to a committee. The committee reported to the convention with recommendations, which were discussed and adopted. Nearly a whole session was consumed in this discussion, and a committee on resolutions was appointed to hasten the work; said committee rendered the following report, which was adopted: that a committee of five be elected from the floor every year, for the purpose of preparing examination questions for a guide to the boards of pharmacy throughout the country. The following were elected: G. C. Diekman, New York; W. R. Ogier, Ohio; G. F. Payne, Georgia; C. N. Swift, Massachusetts; and D. F. Jones, South Dakota. The recommendations of the joint conference of pharmaceutical faculties and boards of pharmacy were presented and discussed in full, occupying two whole sessions; and the secretary of the convention was instructed to have printed in proper form the provisions as adopted, and send to the constituent boards of pharmacy when completed. The election of officers for the ensuing year was as follows: president, F. C. Godbold, Louisiana; first vice-president, F. A. Hubbard, Massachusetts; second vice-president, Chas. B. Woodward, Indiana; third vice-president, Kittie W. Harbord, Oregon; secretary-treasurer, Geo. C. Diekman, New York; examination committee, John D. Muir, Wisconsin, Very respectfully yours, CHAS. N. SWIFT, We would recommend slight changes in the pharmacy laws, namely, in section 16, chapter 76, we would recommend that the fifteen days' limit for making complaints be extended to “thirty days after final conviction in courts having competent jurisdiction." We would also recommend that section 21, chapter 100, be amended so that only those druggists having a sixth-class license or a certificate of fitness should be allowed to sell pure alcohol. We recommend this change because of the fact that the intent of the law allowing such sale to be made without a license is being violated, and unscrupulous persons have taken advantage of its provisions to establish drug stores only in name, disgracing an honorable profession, and becoming a nuisance to the community in which they are located. The question papers, compiled for examinations during the past year, were formulated outside the regular meetings, and necessitated a great deal of extra time on the part of members of the Board. Although we have examined more candidates at each meeting, and have increased the desk room to its greatest capacity, we feel that more examinations could have been held to advantage during the year; but, owing to the extra expense incurred by members coming from a distance to the office, the Board was unable to hold these additional meetings. The Board is therefore obliged to ask for an increase of the appropriation for the members' expense account of $250. Many of the hearings which are enumerated in the secretary's report have occupied two or three hours, and have been extended well into the evening, many witnesses and the defendants with their attorneys being present. A detailed account of the work of the Board will be found in the secretary's report, appended hereto. Respectfully submitted, HENRY ADAMS, President. L. A. LAMSON. CHAS. N. SWIFT. SEPT. 30, 1906. Whereas, The retiring member of this Board, Dr. Henry Adams of Springfield, has served the State for five years with credit to himself and a benefit to the cause of pharmacy, we, the remaining members of the Board, desire to express in this formal manner our appreciation of the valuable services of Dr. Adams, his consistent work and manly manner, showing himself as a man of worth and character. Therefore be it resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the records of this Board; also, that a copy of this resolution be sent to Dr. Adams. WM. F. SAWYER. |