Grundriss der Geschichte der deutschen Pharmazie

Abstract

ON the Continent, pharmacy is more of a learned profession, less a matter of trade, than it is in Great Britain. Its prestige is perhaps greatest in France and in Spain, where a pharmaceutical training still often precedes an academic career in pure chemistry. Formerly it was also so in Germany; we need only mention Beckmann, Fehling, Fresenius, Poggendorff. Even to-day much valuable research in organic chemistry is done by professors of pharmacy in the German universities. There the academic nature of the profession dates from 1835, when a period of university study became necessary for the qualification; in 1904 the leaving examination of a complete secondary school (usually a Gymnasium) was made a prerequisite to professional studies; from April 1, 1935, the period of university study was extended to six semesters, which, with the preliminary practical apprenticeship of two years followed by an examination, makes a total course of five years. This long curriculum is scarcely necessary for acquiring the art of dispensing, or the capacity to sell proprietary preparations over the counter; its length seems rather due to economic factors, to a desire to restrict the entry to the profession, for in Germany it is not enough to be a qualified pharmacist before setting up in business. The number of Apotheken is limited; a concession has to be obtained, which is generally personal, and under the new regime depends to some extent on war service; the right to conduct certain specified pharmacies can even be inherited, or bought at a high price.

Grundriss der Geschichte der deutschen Pharmazie

Dr. A. Adlung Dr. G. Urgang. Herausgegeben auf Veranlassung der Gesellschaft fur Geschichte der Pharmazie mit Unterstützung durch Die Deutsche Apothekerschaft. Pp. viii + 648. (Berlin: Julius Springer, 1935.) 28 gold marks (inland); 21 gold marks (abroad).