Columbia University College of Pharmacy - Apothekan Yearbook (New York, NY)

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developing a sense of personal independ- ence in the compounder. It would be dishonest to say that Mr. Kanig was adu- lated by the students — his temperament hardly led to student expression through such channels. It must be stated, however, that the class encountered few instructors as competent as he. E. Emerson Leuallen reserved the most difficult task for himself: that of teaching the comparatively new subject, the Phar- macy of Medicinal Substances. A staggering amount of material was included in the syllabus, and since almost all of this was of direct and primary interest to the prac- titioner, little could be de-emphasized. Leuallen entered into the battle with great imagination and energy and it appeared that he emerged victorious, since the class did rather well on his difficult examinations. He introduced a system which is in rather common usage in academic circles, that of volitional attendance only. His true reward for such confidence was forthcoming, for rare indeed was the individual who absented himself from the Professor ' s lec- tures without good cause. The delivery of the material left little to be desired, and everyone soon became aware that the man possessed a fine sense of humor. This was further indicated by his sanctioning of MADCAP activities, and the jocular re- marks that dotted his sessions. Senior Dispensing added little to our store of knowledge other than the acquiring of increased facility in pharmaceutical techniques. Perhaps the most unorthodox labora- tory procedures ever indulged in by stu- dents any where were performed in Professor Leonard T. Chavkin ' s Tincture Laboratory. There was general agreement among the members of the class that the course had become antiquated and was of little value. Any information gleaned therein could be obtained elsewhere with less strenuous effort. Chavkin, although never actually a disciplinarian, exercised just enough re- straint to prevent things from getting out of hand. He didn ' t object to the percolation of coffee (this being a practical application of the course), but when the situation dis- rupted the classroom decorum, the red light was flashed. But for all the good fun indulged in here, we are confident that another peg was driven to where it could lend support to our future careers and ambitions. As seniors, we have arrived at the point where we shall shortly assume a place in pharmacy alongside the men now engaged in the profession. We sincerely hope that we shall be able to carry with us at all times that which is a pharmacist ' s heritage, and abide by the precept faithfully taught over the four years — integrity o( character, truly Pharmacy ' s creed — H. G. Into the Bottle

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PHARMACY In any rational review of the Depart- ment of Pharmacy at Columbia, it should be evident to all at the outset that is is in this realm the student acquires the technical skills and theoretical knowledge incumbent on his profession, as well as the self-assur- ance and ability to assume his place in the professional stratum of our society. This class, as well as those to follow, are indeed fortunate that enlightened edu- cators have assumed the responsibility of training tomorrow ' s pharmacists. The col- leges cannot forever shield their inadequa- cies with pedantic statements that question the integrity of the practioner. However, in this world of ours as it is today, there is no longer justification for the mere simula- tion of ideals, for only those sincere with themselves can hope to achieve lasting satisfaction. The four years spent at Alma Mater were dominated, of necessity, by pharmacy work; and, as is normally the case, the students and faculty injected a full measure of levity into the proceedings to lighten the generally heavy scholastic burden. Consideration will be accorded to all of these phases. Our introduction to pharmacy work was entrusted to Professor Charles Heimerzheim. He was a particularly fortunate choice, since he was well grounded in other scien- tific fields, notably chemistry. This broad- ened his outlook. Many students were not fond of Mr. Heimerzheim, since some of his ill-conceived methods for maintaining stu- dent veracity were by way of insult to the class ' intelligence. However, we feel it can be honestly said that he served phar- macy well; for our experience has indicated that the information he imparted remained with us throughout our college careers. In that first year of pharmaceutical study, the fundamentals of technology were taught to us through the expedient of pre- paring official preparations. The more vital aspect of the work came in the second semester, where we crossed the Rubicon into the land of the mortar and pestle. Professor Heimerzheim ' s constant harangues did little to soothe irritated nerves. But through this media of admonishing lectures, he hoped to instill a mature approach to pharmaceutical techniques. The second year proved to be the un- doing of many of our classmates, and a goodly number were missing in September, That Priceless Ingredient. 1948. It seemed as if we were in a state of nature, competing with one another for a survival of the fittest. Much of this changed in the junior year. Dr. Leuallen assumed the chairmanship of the Department; almost immediately there was a metamorphosis in the attitude of the students, as well as in the pharmacy staff itself. Mr. Martin Katz, an eager, recently graduated young gentle- man, instructed us in the ordinarily tedious course covering official galenical prepara- tions. But due to his extraordinary tolerance and the class ' ebullience, a pleasant term was spent — with the accompanying result that a good deal of pharmacy was learned, even in this relatively unrestrained atmos- phere. Joseph Kanig was assigned the difficult task of teaching the Class of ' 50 in the vagaries of incompatibilities. Mr. Kanig did a creditable job indeed. Instead of relying on the mere listing of these pharmaceutical stumbling-blocks, he presented an intelli- gent discussion concerning the possibility of their development and the remedies to be applied. In the laboratory, the scholars finally began to feel their oats. Many pre- scriptions were compounded. It can be said that many of these were of dubious value. From a practical standpoint, the majority served to illustrate various pitfalls likely to occur in compounding. Also introduced in this course were the new practical ex- aminations initiated by the Department. These were unique in that an attempt was made to simulate State Board conditions. They served another valuable purpose by

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BIOLOGY What is biology? In a text-book they could give you quite an explanation of that question; but if it was all boiled down, it would be defined as the study of living things. Its relationship to pharmacy is evident, as a working knowledge of the structure and functions of living things is a necessary background for today ' s pharmacist. We have worked hard to attain this education, and in the process of doing so have come to realize the enormity of the realm whose surface we have but barely scratched. There was a geometric symmetry to the design in which the college presented our courses in biological science. As botany was a natural prerequisite to pharma- cognosy, so zoology was to physiology; and the two kingdoms, both vegetable and ani- mal, were combined in the study of pharma- cology. Gazing now in retrospect, and taking first things first, our course in botany must be recalled to mind. It was here that Pro- fessor Frank J. Pokorny, machette in hand, hacked a path for us through the vast jungle called the Plant Kingdom. Along the way we encountered the Thallaphyta, Bryophyta, Pteredophyta, Spermatophyta, and who could forget the life and loves of the pine tree. Professor Pokorny, A.M., B.S., and head of the local G.O., did much to make clear the differences between the sepals and petals. Here was a man who fully under- stood that the disecting technique of his students often left much to be desired. In accordance with this understanding, sec- onds and thirds on the various specimens were generously supplied. Glick usually took fourths or fifths, but only because- his appetite was of a greater magnitude. Then at last the great, day arrived; the sun was streaming dowry in all its splendor, the birds and the: bees were out getting acquainted . . . the Ginko tree was in bloom over in Central Park. So bidding fair adieu to Ernie up in the Botany Laboratory, we went off .;on ; : : a memorable trek. Ernie wanted to come along too, but he drew the short stf« r and had to si qy and correct papers jor Miss Nestler.. As antiTmn waned and passed into winter, marfcng the end of another cycle for the: plants, the ever-versatile Professor Pokorny nhisfed:uj): -the semester; discussing the Rhodophyceae. Phonetically speaking, this was the high-point of the course, arid will always be remembered whenever and:. wherever Red Algae gather, » : ■ As a class we were feeling. pretty good, Our first set of finals had been djsposed.of . . . likewise, some of us. Realizing bur state of mental exhuberance, the powers that be decided that a little sobriety was in order. And so it was that the first lecture of the new term was presented to us by the eminent Professor H. Randolph Halsey. Where, wherel Smoke the drum. Flash!