VOL. XII.--No. VIII.-FEBRUARY 1st, 1853.

THE DECEASE OF DR. PEREIRA.

Ir is impossible to estimate the loss the profession has sustained by the decease of Dr. Pereira, who died on Thursday, the 20th of January, in his forty-ninth year. A few weeks previously he had a serious accident, having fallen down stairs and ruptured the rectus muscles of both legs just above the patella. This had confined him to his bed, but did not appear to have materially injured his general health, and he was progressing favourably towards recovery, when an unforeseen event suddenly terminated his life. He had been on that day wheeled into the next room on an easy chair, and about ten o'clock, on retiring to bed, which in his helpless condition required a considerable muscular effort, he suddenly fell back, exclaiming that he had ruptured some vessel about his heart. Three medical men were in attendance within about a quarter of an hour, but the case admitted of no alleviation, the Doctor himself was sensible from the first that nothing could be done to relieve him, and he expired at halfpast ten.

We cannot, on the present occasion, give a notice which would do justice to the memory of so distinguished a member of the profession. His indefatigable perseverance and energy in the pursuit of science, and especially his favourite study, Materia Medica, had placed him at the head of his department in the profession. As an authority in Materia Medica he was without a rival in this country-we might say in Europe. The Pharmaceutical Society is greatly indebted to Dr. Pereira for his constant exertions on its behalf, and his readiness at all times to promote its objects by the contribution of papers, and by every other means in his power. It is much to be regretted that the remaining portion of the present edition of his great work on Materia Medica was not completed; although we believe it is in a very forward state. We intend to give a more detailed notice in a future number.

THE ORGANIZATION OF PHARMACEUTISTS IN AMERICA. OUR number for December contains the report of a committee appointed at the Convention, held at New York in the previous year, and presented to the Convention held at Philadelphia, Oct. 6th, 1852. The persevering exertions of the Pharmaceutists in America, which we have noticed from time to time, have led to an important and satisfactory result, from which a complete organization and reformation of the profession of Pharmacy may be anticipated.

In the absence of any laws to regulate the qualifications, or influence the conduct of Pharmaceutical Chemists, various abuses prevailed which reflected disgrace on the profession. The Colleges of Pharmacy in Philadelphia and New York are the sources from whence the reform originated, and their influence is gradually spreading throughout the country. These institutions commenced by providing the means of scientific instruction for Pharmaceutical students, and establishing a class of graduates in Pharmacy, whose superior qualifications obtained for them a corresponding status in public estimation, and this served as an inducement to others voluntarily to pass through the same ordeal. As the number of graduates of these colleges increased, the importance of Pharmaceutical education became more generally understood and appreciated; institutions having similar objects were established in other places; and a correspondence was opened, which resulted in a Pharmaceutical Convention, the object of which was to consider what steps should be taken for the purpose of raising the standard of qualification of the members of the body, and establishing Pharmacy as a branch of the profession. The law passed by the American Congress in 1848, appointing inspectors of the drugs imported into the country, acted as a stimulus to further exertion, by directing public attention to the necessity for reform, and a supervision of the imports, as a check upon fraud.

At the last meeting of the Convention (Oct. 1852), the Report above referred to was presented, and in pursuance of the recommendations it contained, a resolution was passed, constituting a permanent Association, under the title of "THE AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION."

In the discussion which took place on this important measure, some difference of opinion at first prevailed respecting the line to be drawn in the admission of members. On one side it was urged, that the members of the Association should come from organized societies as far as practicable, and that a representative basis should be aimed at, even where no organization exists, by requiring every Member to bring credentials from the practising Apothecaries. On the other side a more liberal basis was recommended, taking into consideration the present condition of Pharmacy in the United States, and it was thought that the door should be thrown open to all Apothecaries and Druggists who should bring certificates of their good standing at home, and who were willing to sign this Constitution and Code of ethics. The latter view of the case, with a slight modification, was ultimately adopted. Several committees were appointed, and the following resolutions among others were passed :--

"Resolved, that the whole subject of the inspection of drugs be referred to a committee, who shall be instructed to confer with the examiners, and endeavour to arrive at some practicable means of fixing standards for imported drugs."

"Resolved, that in the opinion of this Convention, the law against the importation of adulterated drugs, chemicals, and medicinal preparations, has already effected much good, by excluding large quantities of inferior drugs from the market."

"Resolved, that inasmuch as the usefulness of this law will be proportioned to the ability and conscientious discharge of the duty of examiners, that this Convention shall respectfully and urgently represent to the appointing power, the cardinal importance of preventing the removal of qualified examiners on mere political grounds."

"Resolved, that the subject of the indiscriminate sale of poisons, as now conducted by Apothecaries, Druggists, and others, as regards the practicability of effecting some useful reform in the present state of the traffic, be referred to a committee of four members, to report at the next annual meeting."

"Resolved, that a committee of three members be appointed to take into consideration the whole subject of secret or quack medicines, and report at the next annual meeting the result of their deliberations, whether any course can be suggested by which the Association may act efficiently in abating this great evil."

The following resolutions, declaratory of the sentiments of the Convention brought forward by the business committee, were read and adopted :

:

"Resolved, 1st. That this Convention earnestly recommends to the practising Apothecaries in all sections of the United States, in places where they are sufficiently numerous, that they should organize themselves into societies for mutual improvement as Pharmaceutists, for the encouragement of Pharmaceutical literature, by the formation of libraries, and for the adoption of rules of conduct calculated to elevate the character of the profession among them."

"2nd. That as schools of Pharmacy are the most effectual aids to the student, this Convention respectfully recommends to Pharmaceutists, in all cities where they are numerous, to take measures for the establishment of such institutions, as powerful means of improving the education of their assistants and apprentices, and thus benefiting themselves and the public."

"3rd. That this Convention also recommends, that more attention be given by proprietors to the claims of their apprentices or assistants who are in course of study, as regards the facilities for learning, and the tuition which of right should proceed from them [the proprietors] in the absence of schools of Pharmacy, especially in the provision of the best books of reference on the several subjects that claim the attention of students of Pharmacy."

"4th. And that, in the opinion of this Convention, it is desirable that Apothecaries should be more generally careful, in taking pupils or apprentices, in reference to their fitness, as regards natural endowments and preliminary education, believing that many persons who are now engaged in Pharmacy, and unfitted for its duties, might thus have been prevented from misapplying their time and abilities in a profession for which they are not calculated."