Page 2 - Pharmacy History 29 July 2006

President’s column
History of pharmacy – in growth or decline
The 38th International Congress for the History of Pharmacy held in Edinburgh last year devoted a special panel discussion session to explore basic ideas on how to seek and explore ways of re- vitalizing pursuit of the History of Pharmacy. We were indeed fortunate to have both Geoff Miller and Radley West with spouses attend this important meeting.
An article in a recent newsletter of the International Society for the History of Pharmacy (ISHP) drew attention to the central issues associated with methods of increasing interest in pharmacy history.The general background is that while study of the history of pharmacy is alive and well, in practice certain signs may indicate a gradual decline in interest in this specific history.
One could observe that while general interest may have waned, specific interest in particular areas of study is now attracting a greater number
of competent specialist professional pharmacy historians. Reasons for this phenomenon have not been examined in depth and the situation may well differ from country to country. Common aspects could include ageing of the membership and weakening or even cessation of University engagement with students.
In Australia, our national history organisation is alive and well, progressing in both membership and influence. The Australian Academy of the History of Pharmacy has provided an excellent platform for the study and publication of all aspects of pharmacy history, but we would like to do better. Perhaps the most important area for us to address is that of academic research in pharmacy history and better education of pharmacy history. There is no doubt that research is a basic tenant for the future. Research needs fostering, requires appropriate personnel and supervision, needs funding and an outlet for publication.
All of these areas are pursued by our Academy and we would like to do more. To do so will require special attention to the development of open- minded pharmacy historians, and the co-operation of all members of our profession.
There are nor some 17 university pharmacy schools in Australia. Many of these would be grateful for assistance in establishing and strengthening the study of pharmacy history within their school. You could well help. You would be performing a wonderful service to our profession if you would contact the pharmacy school or schools in your area and offer assistance.
Our editor Geoff Miller, will willingly assist you with resource material.
Two things to remember:
1. If its not written down it hasn’t happened.
2. If you do not know your history, you do not know yourself.
Ross Brown, President
(Cont. from page 1)
Ralph Tapping who gave a paper on
the history of Wilkinson’s Pharmacy in Hobart as shown through the labels and recipe books used down the years. Launceston itself is a very historic city and the symposium was well supported by the local history societies, art galleries and museums, as well as the civic and political leaders of the state, so there was plenty to occupy us between conference sessions.
One novel display which took over 12 months to prepare, was created by the Miniature Hobbyists Group, to capture ten medical themes especially for this symposium.
Working in twelfth scale they created open rooms filled with the common things one would see in a pharmacy,
a doctor’s waiting room and even in a
morgue.
Note particularly the drug jars and the proprietary medicine advertising in the pharmacy and even leeches in a jar in the doctor’s surgery.
Geoff Miller
Editor
Editor’s note
Contributions from members are always
welcome, especially family histories of pharmacists.
The opinions and views of the authors of articles
in this newsletter are their own and not necessarily those of the publisher, the Australian Academy of Pharmacy History or the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. Every care is taken to reproduce articles as accurately as possible but the publisher accepts no responsibility for errors, omissions or inaccuracies.
2 ■ Pharmacy History Australia
volume 3 ■ no 30 ■ NOVEMBER 2006