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

have been because he wanted greater responsibility. We can assume then
that the terms ―underapothecary‖ and ―assistant apothecary‖ are
synonymous, as Hutton is referred to by both titles. Crellin does cast some
light onto the relative standing of the apothecary and the assistant
apothecary when he says that, ―The assistant apothecary, Prosser, in 1801,
succeeded Kelly [the incumbent apothecary who had resigned] being elected
after a trial period as acting apothecary.‖ 30 It seems that Prosser was a
licentiate, as he was sufficiently highly qualified to be promoted to
apothecary.
Crellin then confuses the situation when discussing Hammerton, the
apothecary and Neville, the assistant apothecary who worked at St George‘s
hospital 15 years after Prosser and Kelly. He says that, ―This was the first
time an assistant apothecary possessed the same qualifications as his
senior.‖ 31 He also introduces the title of ―dispenser‖, saying that on 25 July
1838 the Committee of Drugs and Medicines at St Georges had been
charged with improving the dispensing process and agreed to employ one
paid dispenser. 32 According to Mr Hammerton, the apothecary and his
assistant were constantly being given additional duties such as electrical
treatment, anaesthesia, cupping and acting as a triage officer in respect of
out-patients. This extra load was interfering with the dispensing of
30
Crellin, „Eighteenth Century Pharmacy at St George‟s Hospital, London‟, 330.
31
Crellin, „Apothecaries, Dispensers, Students and Nineteenth Century Pharmacy at St Georges
Hospital‟, 132.
32
Crellin, „Apothecaries, Dispensers, Students and Nineteenth Century Pharmacy at St Georges
Hospital‟, 135.
94