men as well as the individual members. In this connection, it is especially gratifying to us, to be able, while holding the past in close scrutinizing view, to own the existence of more fortunate and more encouraging relationships between medicine and pharmacy than ever before held place in the histories of the two professions. These gratifying conditions, are evidenced in the kind and cordial reception of this delegation of pharmacists; by the acceptance of pharmacists into your association's membership; by the election of pharmacists to office in this Section; by the appointment of pharmacists to place in your Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry; by the almost too generous recognition of pharmacists in the revision of the Pharmacopoeia; by the selection of pharmacists as co-editors of the two great encyclopedias of Materia Medica and Therapeutics; by the closer affiliation of physicians with pharmacists in our local branches, recently established. All of which is most encouraging and promises much for still better things to come; especially encouraging because these better conditions are undoubtedly due to the broad, helpful spirit pervading the American Medical Association, assisted by a similar spirit uppermost in our own Association; a contribution to which we fondly look for the proper placing of true pharmacy and its final recognition as a special branch of medicine. More necessary, for practical reasons, in this country than in continental Europe, because of the impossibility of enacting sufficiently restrictive laws owing to the more liberal principles upon which our government is founded. It is hoped at this point that you will kindly bear with us while effort is made to clearly prove that the abuses and bad practices about which so much complaint is justly made to-day are only symptoms, old symptoms, as old, indeed, as medicine and pharmacy themselves. They are superficial symptoms that have been treated superficially, and which under favorable conditions may be expected to reappear as long as there remains in the human soul the slightest evidences of Adamic taint. They will be seen in pharmacy so long as the hated charlatan appears in medicine, until the contemptible shyster can no more be found in law, and until the despised apostate ceases to disgrace theology. At old Salernum, away back in the early part of the seventeenth century, the medical graduate was made to swear that he would not accept commission from the apothecary, while the latter as solemnly made oath that he would not substitute, proving by inference, as does German law and English enactment, that those sins which our fathers in pharmacy so vigorously condemned during the early fifties of the last century were not at all new even then, when those great and good men declared, in 1852, that: "We hold it unprofessional and highly reprehensible for apothecaries to allow percentage or commission to physicians on their prescriptions, as unjust to the public and hurtful to the independence and self-respect of both the parties concerned."-À. Ph. A. Proc., Vol. I, p. 2. The practices must have continued, because in 1868 a member asked: "Whether the Constitution (A. Ph. A.'s) includes the condemnation of apothecaries who allow percentages to physicians, an error which in some localities exists to a considerable extent."-A. Ph. A. Proc., Vol. XVI, p. 103. In the same year the State of Georgia found it necessary to enact a law providing that: 46 'If any vender of drugs and medicines, by himself or his agents, either knowingly or negligently furnishes the wrong article or medicine . . . he shall respond in damages." It is encouraging to note that at the birth of our Association, in 1852, when your own, figuratively, was but a child of five, it was declared that members-pharmacists—“ in conducting business at the counter should avoid prescribing for diseases." And it was then announced that: "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 deserves the censure of all high-minded medical men." There seems to have been what we still call "counter prescribing" and "dispensing by physicians" even in those so-called “good old days.” The quotations already made leave no doubt that the practices and conditions to which they refer, and which are claiming our attention to-day, existed in kind, and to a considerable degree, if not to so great a proportionate degree, at least fifty years ago in this our own beloved country, and it is quite within the positive memory of many here present that these abuses have continuously existed and have been continuously discussed for the last twenty-five years. The same may be as accurately stated regarding controversy applying to the refilling and ownership of prescriptions; conditions dependent upon the limited use of official remedies and the exploitation and excessive prescribing of "proprietaries," politely so called; abuses arising from the manufacture, advertisement and sale of fraudulent and secret remedies, testimony regarding the remote prevalence of which is abundantly borne by the following, offered by the East River Medical Association of the city of New York, September 10th, 1867: "WHEREAS, The attention of this Society has been called to consider the propriety of taking action relative to the practice of druggists renewing the prescriptions of physicians without their written order, thereby injuring very materially the interests of the profession; and "Whereas, In view of the graver and more important consideration that the interests and lives of patients are, in consequence, endangered, we consider it a duty to guard to the utmost of our ability against the liability to mistakes which should be prevented rather than deplored; be it therefore Resolved, That we respectfully request that no druggist will renew the prescriptions of any physician without due authority for each and every such renewal. Further, we will regard as unworthy of our patronage any druggist who fails to comply with the requirements of these resolutions." Answer by the American Pharmaceutical Association. "WHEREAS, The discussion of this important subject has called forth a free expression of opinion from our members, therefore "Resolved, That this Association regards the Pharmacist as the proper custodian and owner of the Physician's prescription once dispensed. "Resolved, That however desirous we may be to accede to the request of the East River Medical Association, the restriction of the Pharmacist to a single dispensing of a prescription without the written authority of the prescribing physician for its renewal, is neither practicable nor within the province of this Association. Nevertheless we regard the indiscriminate renewal of prescriptions, especially when intended for the use of others than those for whom they were prescribed, as neither just to the physician nor to the patient, between whom we stand as conservators of the interests of both, and that such abuses should be discouraged by all proper means." "The subjects of secret medicines, or quackery, as applied to Pharmacy, together with the course usually followed by quacks, in bringing their nostrums into notice, is becoming yearly more fraught with ill consequences, both to the customers and the apothecaries."-Proc. A. Ph. A., Vol. I, p. 9. "Resolved, That this Association recommend to each State the enactment of such a law as shall require every person engaged in the manufacture and sale of any patent or secret medicine, designed or recommended for exhibition as a remedial agent, to file in the proper office of each State wherein such remedy is offered for sale, a full and complete formula of such remedy, and that under oath."-Proc. A. Ph. A., Vol. II, pp. 16 and 17. "Resolved, That this Association earnestly recommend to our brethren to discourage by every honorable means the use of these nostrums; to refrain from recommending them to their customers; uot to use any means of bringing them to public notice; not to manufacture or have manufactured, any medicine the composition of which is not made public; and to use every means which are employed to induce their consumption."-Proc. A. Ph. A., Vol. II, p. 17. "We also find that an amount equal to the half of all medicines sold, is sold in the shape of nostrums, as will be seen by the returns."-Proc. A. Ph. A., Vol. II, p. 25. The following is so very appropriate to this period that it appears to be almost the act of prophecy : "We have received from an esteemed correspondent, a gentleman of education, who, besides being a graduate of medicine, has been for some years zealous in the study and practice of pharmacy, a circular announcing to physicians, though somewhat vaguely, the composition of five different preparations which he makes and sells These are called 'Rose Pectoral,' Cream of Camphor' (for external use), ' Worm Syrup,' 'Tooth Wash' and Family Pills.' As far as appears, they are good remedies, if judiciously applied; and the same circular contains a certificate, signed by fifteen physicians resident in his section of the State, approving the design and recommending the medicines as worthy of patronage. Now, although these medicines were specially designed to be prescribed by physicians, and were evidently endorsed by respectable practitioners under that impression, they are deposited on sale in distant locations, advertised in the papers and in circulars, with certificates of cures, and the other necessary adjuncts of quackery. Aware of the difficulties thrown in the way of the legitimate practice of pharmacy in distant localities, which are overflowed by quack medicines, we should be loth to condemn an enterprise of this kind, if it could be recommended upon any just principles of ethics; but it must be apparent that there is no real difference between vending medicines which are advertised as cures, whether the recipes be retained as a profound secret by the maker, or be published to physicians in such terms as forbid the preparation being made by another. If physicians and druggists recommend such for the purpose of superseding the ordinary secret medicines, they fail of their object, while they lend their aid to a modified and less offensive, though more insidious form of quackery. No medicine can escape the odium of quackery which is offered as a cure for any disease, without the advice of a competent physician, even if it contains on its label a printed formula for its preparation, much less one which is recommended as containing certain ingredients without any mention of their proportions."-Proc. A. Ph. A., Vol. II, pp. 29 and 30. "Secret medicines have become more popular in some districts by the extensive use made of them by 'regularly graduated physicians,' who prescribe various 'vermifuges,' 'pectorals,' ' expectorants,' 'alteratives,' etc., which is so good an argument with the patient, that he, next time, tries the nostrum without the doctor."-Proc. A. Ph. A., Vol. II., page 38. Having, it is hoped, proven that the abuses that vex us to-day are identically the same ones that so sorely tried our forefathers; having, incidentally, shown that the continued condemnation of these abuses and the severe arraignment and semi-ostracism of their perpetrators have failed to lessen, in any great degree, their recurrence and, having, as surely, proven that better conditions have abundantly followed acts of education, of encouragement and affiliation, it should not be difficult for us to select the proper treatment. Yet, treatment is not all that is required; is not the essential. A change in environment is what is most needed; not a doubtful half-way change; not an uncertain change, but one that is positive and decided; one, the very fixing of which will give hope and courage and promise. The better placing of pharmacy, its restoration to an actual and honorable, even though subordinate, position among the specialties of medicine, under such conditions and requirements, and with such restrictions and curtailments as charity, justice and the exigencies of the times may properly demand, is the environment, the only environment, we respectfully submit, that will insure the permanently satisfactory results to be expected from a continuation of the wise treatment you and your assistant have begun; results that should follow the further application of higher education; extended ethical teachings; more stimulating legislation; better compensation; encouraging recognition; the happy results for which we are all so desirous; the abatement of the abominable abuses, as far as human agents and human abilities may abate them. It must not be expected that we will corral all, nor even the large majority of those who call themselves pharmacists, within the fold of Pharmaciavera. Neither will true and honorable medicine more easily claim as worthy of its protection all who profess to be physicians; not until the millenium becomes the certain dawn of approaching eternity will this be possible. It will come all the quicker, however, if we will teach more of good living, more of ethics, especially, as they apply to professional life, to the young of our kin and teach it long, that they who learn it of us may teach it to those following, early. Let us make the receptacle fit for the professional knowledge before that peculiar knowledge is acquired, that those who may practice medicine and pharmacy, hereafter, may live up to true principles and not so readily accept conditions which contribute to their convenience and immediate pecuniary advantage. In all professions, ethics are taught last, when they are of least use and after the greatest hindrances to true progress have been offered. The uncertain anchoring of pharmacy has been offered as the real, the fundamental course of its many driftings, yet, if safe moorings in the harbor of medical professionalism is sought, at once the specter of trade appears and we hesitate. But need we hesitate, when we realize that commercialism, barter and sale is not a part an essential of pharmaceutical practice but simply incidental to it, as commercialism is incidental, in a greater or less degree, to every profession under the sun. Nor does this association of commercialism necessarily detract from the honor of professionalism, which in honorable practice strives to give unto others the fullest benefit of its every attainment. In this plea for a quick and final settlement of pharmacy claims, it may be stated that unless it can be established as part of medicine with the environment such connection will offer, it will not be able to prove the right of legitimate existence. It does not appear how it can remain separate from medicine proper because, should it be ostracized, it will for its own protection, establish a school of its own and pharmacists will, to all intents and purposes, become medical men; and medical men, needing pharmacy offices, will become pharmacists. Thus the relationship will again be completed, but under most deplorable conditions. This is admittedly a radical presentation, but how long, oh, how long, shall we temporize with this difficulty. It is, withal, a most respectful plea; for pharmacy can make claim to no other origin nor can it find peaceful rest in any other home. It is a plea made without the slightest desire to satisfy ambitious promptings, however laudable these may be, but it is solemnly made in the interest of peace, of progress and of humanity, for truth's sake, the truth that will, in spite of all opposing influence, " rise again," to the glorification of all concerned. The Chair stated that without objection the report would be received to take the usual course, and it was so ordered. Referring to the communication from Dr. Solis-Cohen, Mr. Fennel, of Cincinnati, made a few remarks, and agreed with Mr. Ebert as to the unsatisfactoriness of present conditions, but thought that pharmacists had stood in their own light in the matter. He was in favor of higher ideals, but believed likewise in practical work, and thought that if each member of the Association would do missionary work with even one physician that he might pick out, it would result in the hearty support and co-operation of the physicians, and go far towards making pharmacy what it ought to be in this country. He seconded the motion to extend a vote of thanks. Mr. W. C. Anderson, of Brooklyn, thought the communication of Dr. Cohen deserved some special notice, other than a mere vote of acceptance and thanks, and moved to amend that the Secretary be instructed to make a suitable acknowledgment, extending the thanks of the Association and stating that the American Pharmaceutical Association approved of the sentiments contained in that letter. Mr. Ebert said he would accept this, and the motion was seconded by Mr. Whelpley and several others, and carried unanimously. Mr. C. S. N. Hallberg said he believed it would expedite business materially if there were constituted a Committee on Reference and Resolutions, to which could be referred all such matters as would properly come up at the last general session for final disposition, and moved the following: Resolved, That a Committee on Reference and Resolutions be appointed, to consist of five members, one representative from each Section of the Association, to which all subjects presented to the Association in General Sessions and also to the various sections be referred to report on at the last General Session of the Association. The resolution was seconded by Mr. Wilbert, of Philadelphia, and carried. Mr. Lowe, Chairman of the Committee on Time and Place, gave notice of a meeting of his committee at 7:30 p. m., and invited all parties interested to be on hand and present their claims for next year's meeting. Mr. Whelpley gave notice of the meeting of the Conference of Pharmaceutical Faculties on Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock, and invited all interested in pharmaceutical education to be present. The General Secretary said he had been requested to call attention to the first session of the Section on Scientific Papers for Thursday morning at 10 o'clock, and invited all members to be present. The report of the Nominating Committee was called for as next in order, and Mr. Whelpley, Secretary, read the report as follows: INDIANAPOLIS, September 3, 1906. To the Officers and Members of the American Pharmaceutical Association : The Nominating Committee met with forty-one members present and unanimously nominated the following officers for the ensuing year: President-Leo Eliel, South Bend, Ind. First Vice-President-Wm. Mittelbach, Boonville, Mo. General Secretary-Chas. Caspari, Jr., Baltimore, Md. Reporter on Progress of Pharmacy-C. Lewis Diehl, Louisville, Ky. Members of the Council for Three Years-J. P. Remington, Philadelphia, Pa.; Chas. E. Dohme, Baltimore, Md.; J. L. Lemberger, Lebanon, Pa. Respectfully submitted, J. P. REMINGTON, Chairman. H. M. WHELPLEY, Secretary. |