Abstract
The study and research of the development of the pharmaceutical profession, over a period of three centuries in Ireland, was an interesting and enlightening experience.The first task was to find primary sources of information. This was obtained mainly in the transactions of the ancient Guilds of Dublin, the Apothecaries' Hall of Dublin, the College of Physicians of Ireland, various associations of Chemists arid Druggists, and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland. All these bodies, in some way, were associated during this period with pharmacy.
This information was augmented from Parliamentary proceedings and reports of both English and Irish origin. Public records and manuscripts were also found in considerable numbers. Legislation, which provided the ultimate authority for the various events, throughout the history of pharmacy, was also an important source of information. This was studied in considerable detail, in its draft state, and in its ultimate form. Finally the writings of others on the subject, although limited in quantity, provided varied interpretations of the historic events.
When the first stage of finding the information was completed, the long and arduous task of assessing its significance was undertaken. At this point reading on a wider scale followed, of scientific, medical and pharmaceutical publications of the period. Even the daily press, on occasions, proved useful in elucidating points of view.
The facts having thus been established, the prooess of selection from the extensive amount of material, followed. From this, the most appropriate .and authentic records and writing, have been used in the text.
The results present an account of the development of pharmacy, from a period when the College of Physicians attempted to eliminate "abuses and frauds" associated with the preparation and sale of medicines, to an era when the apothecaries introduced education and training for those concerned in its practice, and eventually to the establishment of a Pharmaceutical Society and thus a Pharmaceutical profession.
| Date of Award | 1977 |
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| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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