St Louis College of Pharmacy - Prescripto Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

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IXII. ' ll mm 1 PI I ig!! Qdwniors

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-----Ls Dnfsclzlnto The Importance of Pharmacy in Chemistry The science of chemistry originated in the prescription laboratories of ethical pharmacists who lived centuries ago. Many people do not realize the contributions of these and later pharmacists to the sciences of Medicine, Botany and Pharma- cognosy, and Analytical Chemistry. In preparing the pharmacist of today, great stress is laid on chemistry as well as pharmacy. Pharmacy has a chemistry all of its own, and because of this condition the pharmacist must be specially trained. The chemical engineer cannot take the place of the pharmaceutical chemist because of his lack of training in pharmacy. It is for this reason that colleges of pharmacy produce pharmaceutical chemists, other schools cannot produce such men. In the past, the pharmacist was looked upon as a magic worker. He was thought to be an agent of the devil and through this association much mysticism resulted. In spite of the mystical air surrounding the pharmacist, he became a care- ful observer. The true science of chemistry was revealed when these observations were correlated. After this practice had been at large for many years and in view of the fact that baser metals could not be turned to gold the majority of the in- dulgers in this practice, who were not pharmacists but alchemists, turned to other lines of endeavor. The pharmacist, however, saw the necessity of a knowledge of chemistry in his profession and carried his investigations on in this science. This continued interest in chemistry by the pharmacist led to the discovery of many substances. Chemical knowledge was then forthcoming and every year brought many new achievements in this field. The pharmacist of long ago was a very careful worker and a very careful observer. As an example of these workers I could mention many. Some of these pharmacists, who have been outstanding, are Sertuerner, Scheele, Pelletier, and Caventon. As an example of their work I might mention the discovery of Mor- phine by Sertuerner, which alone has done moreto alleviate suffering than all of the work done in the Held of surgery by physicians. This is only a fragment of the achievements brought about by pharmacists. The study of plants and plant principles by the pharmacist has created the sciences of Botany and Pharmacognosy. It is true that in recent years Botany has become a specialized science and that the latest developments have been brought about by specialists in this lineg but the science of Pharmacognosy, the most important of the two, has been in the past and will be in the future developed entirely by the pharmacist. At present there is no school in the country where plant chemistry can be studied except in the pharmacy school. It is, therefore, fitting and proper that the pharmacist of today realize the high standards which their predecessors have set and train themselves to carry on this great work. This is precisely the attitude taken in the pharmaceutical chemical curriculum. The students are trained to meet the demands of the pharmaceutical chemical profes- sion and to keep the profession of Pharmacy upon the staunch pedestal where it has rested for many centuries. ...-I 3 2 1-... :r 1 r Page 'Tl1i'rty'Six

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------a DIQESCIQIDTC te-a-l The junior Class QNX!! As juniors we feel that we have accomplished considerable towards acquiring a general knowledge of Pharmacy. Slowly we are beginning to realize the practical importance of each subject studied by us in attempting to become efficient and ethical' pharmacists. Two years ago we entered school as Freshmen having little or no idea what the future had in store for us. Gradually pursuing our studies, we became ac- quainted with and accustomed to the College environment. Through common interests and co-operative aims, College tasks have brought about a tie of friend- ship among classmates which has proven itself very valuable in -the realization of the importance of each subject studied. Moreover, this unison and harmony has lessened our burdens since we are all striving for one goal, a successful future. We are grateful to the Faculty who, through many years of careful research work, are instilling in us the essentials necessary for a thorough understanding of the Theoretical, the Practical and the Ethical Applications of Pharmacy. Life is what we make it more or less. We can only obtain from life what we contribute to it. Since each day is a part of our life-a most important role, we must grasp and absorb each detail as minute as it may be. For, to be a success in life, the ideal which we are all striving towards, we must put forth our very utmost. And so, as this year's work nears completion, the Juniors are all anticipating the time when they will become members of the graduating class of the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. J Page Tl1irtyfEight ft:-9