investigation, the germ theory of disease, antiseptics, the uses of electricity and the tendency of prophylaxis to develop along physiologic lines by attention to the laws of health. Among important topics discussed by the National association of dental faculties the undue multiplication of dental schools without proper facilities and detrimental effects of scholarships have been prominent.' The question of interchange of licenses has been discussed frequently during the last few years. The correspondent of the New York state dental society at the May 1899 meeting submitted a proposition that all state boards, members of the National association of dental examiners, use identical question papers prepared by a committee of the national body, and that licenses granted as a result of such examinations be interchangeable among the states represented in the National association. This scheme had been submitted to dental examiners throughout the country and had been approved by most of those from whom replies had been received. Interchange of licenses is highly desirable and will doubtless be brought about to some extent in the near future. An examination, however, should not be made the only test. A reasonable preliminary general education and a diploma from an accredited school should be required for admission to the final test which should be both theoretic and practical, and should be carefully guarded from danger of fraud or indirection. An important step toward interchange of licenses was taken in 1898 when the New York dental law was amended so that the regents may now issue their license to any applicant who holds a license to practise dentistry granted by a state board of dental examiners, indorsed by the dental society of the state of New York, provided that his preliminary and professional education meets the New York statu This association voted August 1, 1899 that no school in the association should grant free or beneficiary scholarships not absolutely obligatory under charter provisions. tory requirements. The dental examiners of New Jersey and Pennsylvania having been indorsed by the New York state dental society as more nearly approximating the New York standard than any other state boards, the New York state dental examiners, at a meeting held Oct. 7, 1899 recommended to the regents the indorsement of New Jersey and Pennsylvania licenses granted under the new plan, provided the preliminary and professional education of applicants meets the New York statutory requirements. The regents will probably act favorably on the recommendation if the New Jersey and Pennsylvania boards agree to establish a standard in preliminary general education fully equal to that required by the New York law." Legislation In Alabama in 1841, the first state law regulating the practice of dentistry was enacted. This was probably the first dental legislation in any country. The next state to pass a dental law was New York, but this action was not taken till 1868. The English law was enacted in 1878, and those of other countries about that time or later. The practice of dentistry is now regulated by statute in almost all political divisions of the United States. Synopsis of present requirements In 23 states dental diplomas do not now confer the right to practise, an examination being required in all cases: 66 Idaho 1 The New Jersey statute demands "a preliminary education equal to that furnished by the common schools." The secretary of the New Jersey dental commission writes Oct. 17, 1899 that this has been construed to mean graduation from a registered four years' high school course. We have, however, agreed to require only a three years' high school course up to Jan. 1, 1901 when the full requirement shall take effect simultaneously with New York. This agreement is made with the full knowledge and approval of the governor and the superintendent of public instruction and you may rest assured that New Jersey will live up to the spirit as well as the letter of the agreement . . We look on the interchange of licenses with New York as the greatest educational advance that has yet been made in the dental profession, the formation of a nucleus around which all other states must rally." The following require for admission to the licensing examination : Colorado, diploma from legally organized reputable dental school Connecticut, diploma from recognized dental school, or three years' instruction or three years' practice Delaware, diploma of recognized dental school Idaho, three years' experience, certificate from another state board, or diploma from legally organized dental school Minnesota, diploma from reputable dental school, or evidence of 10 years' continuous practice previous to September 1889 New Jersey, common school education, diploma from recognized dental school or a written recommendation from five experienced dentists New York, full high school course, degree from registered dental school or medical degree with a special one year's dental course Oregon, diploma from dental school in good standing, or study and practice in Oregon prior to this act Pennsylvania, good common school education, diploma of recognized dental school Virginia, a fair academic education Washington, diploma from recognized dental school or evidence of 10 years' practice The following require the licensing examination only: Alabama Maine Massachusetts Mississippi Rhode Island Vermont In the following political divisions either approval of dental diploma or examination by state or other duly quali The following requiring either approval of diploma or examination, admit to examination on: Iowa, satisfactory evidence of three years' study Missouri, three years' study with legally registered dentist or license from another state Montana, three years' practice or three years' study under licensed dentist North Dakota, three years' active practice or three years' study with practitioner Utah, two years' practice or two years' study under licensed dentist Arkansas requires only a diploma approved by the board One state, Wyoming, requires only presentation of diploma to unqualified local officers In Cuba, the Philippines' and Puerto Rico' the requirements are in process of transition Alaska and Indian territory have no laws 1 See note under medicine. 6 PHARMACY Early schools of pharmacy The first meeting in this country to consider the question of systematic pharmaceutic education was held in Philadelphia in 1821. At this meeting the apothecaries of Philadelphia formed a society to provide a system of instruction in pharmacy and to regulate the conduct of their business. The outcome of this action was the Philadelphia college of pharmacy, which was chartered by the Pennsylvania legislature in 1822. The school opened in 1821-22 with a course of lectures on materia medica and pharmacy, and a course on pharmaceutic and general chemistry. The first class was graduated in 1826. In the early years of the institution committees were appointed to expose adulterations of drugs and a library and cabinet were established. The need of a medium of publication was soon felt. In 1825 the Journal of the Philadelphia college of pharmacy was started, which became in 1835 the American journal of pharmacy. The Philadelphia college of pharmacy was followed in 1823 by the Massachusetts college of pharmacy, in 1829 by the New York college of pharmacy, in 1838 by the department of pharmacy of Tulane university, in 1841 by the Maryland college of pharmacy. Prior to 1840 pharmacists were not recognized in pharmacopœial conventions. In 1850 the chartered schools were invited to send delegates to the decennial convention. In that revision and in the revisions of 1860, 1870 and 1880 pharmacists were well represented. In the convention of 1890, 16 of the 26 members composing the committee on final revision were pharmacists. Growth-There has been a remarkable increase in schools of pharmacy and students of pharmacy in the past 21 years. In 1878 there were 13 schools with 1187 students. In 1899 there were 52 schools, with 3563 students. The increase in students in 21 years has been 200 per cent. 36 of these |