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A Respectable Occupation: - University of Hertfordshire Research ...

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measure specific gravity and how to determine thermometrical equivalents.<br />

He also had to be able to calculate using vulgar and decimal fractions. 159<br />

An indication <strong>of</strong> the standard expected <strong>of</strong> candidates may be gained<br />

by reference to question number six in the Materia Medica and Botany<br />

examination <strong>of</strong> 1859, which asked, ―What are the characters <strong>of</strong> Alexandrian,<br />

East Indian and Tinnivelly kinds <strong>of</strong> Senna? Mention their Botanical and<br />

Geographical sources, the substances commonly used to adulterate them,<br />

and the means by which such adulteration could be ascertained?‖ 160 This<br />

question could have appeared word for word in a final degree<br />

Pharmacognosy paper in the 1960s. Practical dispensing was introduced<br />

into the examination in 1861 and the candidate had to translate the<br />

prescription, weigh, measure and compound the medicine by an accepted<br />

method. He was to ―… write the directions in concise language as well as in<br />

a neat and distinct hand ….‖ He also had to be able ―… to spread plasters<br />

with dexterity and neatness.‖ 161<br />

The apothecaries‘ assistant‘s examination did not change from that <strong>of</strong><br />

1843 until 1863, when the British Pharmacopoeia, replaced the London<br />

Pharmacopoeia as the standard reference book and was adopted as the<br />

reference book for the examination. 162 There were no further changes until<br />

1871 when Pharmaceutical Chemistry was added to the list <strong>of</strong> subjects. 163<br />

159<br />

Pharmaceutical Journal and Transactions, series 1, 17, 2, (Aug. 1857) 117.<br />

160<br />

Pharmaceutical Journal and Transactions, series 2, 1, 5, (Nov. 1859) 257.<br />

161<br />

Pharmaceutical Journal and Transactions, series 2, 2, 9, (Mar. 1861) 442.<br />

162<br />

Society <strong>of</strong> Apothecaries Archive, Society <strong>of</strong> Apothecaries <strong>of</strong> London Candidates Regulations 1841-<br />

1900.<br />

163<br />

Society <strong>of</strong> Apothecaries Archive, Society <strong>of</strong> Apothecaries <strong>of</strong> London Candidates Regulations 1841-<br />

1900.<br />

128

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