LINK: Pharmacists, Chemists, Druggists, Apothecaries

[Jane Eden]

Hi

I am a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. If you have a query about a pharmacist, chemist, druggist, apothecary I may be able to help. Also on queries regarding early types of medicines, chemist shops, drug treatments, leeches, maggots, drug jars, etc.

Jane

[Christopher]

Hello Jane,

I've spotted an interesting article about Dr John Langdon Down of Normansfield which was written by Professor O Conor Ward who is Chairman of the Langdon Down Centre Trust.

The article refers to regulations relating to the practice of Apothecaries being introduced in 1815. This allowed John Langdon Down to call himself an Apothecary. Anybody who wanted to be an Apothecary after 1815  had to be registered by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries and had to pass examinations. John started to learn his trade behind a shop counter at the age of fourteen. www.langdondowncentre.org.uk/history.php

Christopher

[blueboy]

Hello Jane,

One of my ancestors was in the 1851 census as a Druggist. I have followed one of his sons through the census and just out of interest I have a couple of queries you may be able to help me with.

His son was an apprentice druggist/chemist in 1881 and again in 1891. By 1901 he was a druggist/chemist. That seems a long time to be an apprentice. Did they train on the job and would they have had to have any academic qualifications then?

He had attended a boarding school so I assume he had fair education for that time.

Another question I have is, if all his family were from Wales how would he have known about apprenticeships in Devon which is where he was apprenticed. No family ties there that I can find.

Would there be records available of qualified druggists at that time? Did they have to register?

Thanks for any help you can give me

Mandy

[elin]

Hello Jane,

That is a kind offer.  My 3rd great grandfather is in the 1841 census as a druggist, but by 1851 he is a Commercial Traveller,  would you think that he sold drugs? 
Also do you know if being a  druggist a prestigious occupation in those days?

Thanks,

Elin

[elin]

As an afterthought, are druggists, pharmacists, apothacaries and chemists the same thing?

Thanks again,

Elin

[Jane Eden]

Hi

In the past druggists, pharmacists, apothacaries and chemists could have been interchangable but the correct term is pharmacist but how many people say they are nipping to the chemist?. The regulatory body for pharmacists now days is the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Your relative turned into a commercial traveer but it depends what in?

Of course being a pharmacist, chemist etc is a respectable occupation - it is a profession so it is more than respectable. Anyone who misbehaves gets struck off the register.

Jane

[elin]

H i Jane,

Thanks a lot for the reply,  I would hate you to think that I was suggesting that being a pharmacist might not be a respectable profession today, I am well aware that that  is not the case!
I just wondered whether in the 1850s people might have just been able to set themselves up as druggists and sold home made remedies unregulated. A bit like many elderly women delivered babies and barbers did surgery!    Although that may have been  in earlier times.

I have no idea what he sold as a commercial traveller, it just seemed to me that it might have been a bit of a come down for him after being a druggist.

Thanks again 

Elin

[treebuster]

Hello Jane,
Would be interesting to find out about someone in my tree who according to the 1881 census was transcribed has a Homscopathic chemist (not sure if this is a mistranscription).
His name was William F. Clayton .

[Treetotal]

Hi Jane,
I have and Ancestor who is listed as a "Grocer & Druggist" on the 1861 census..."A Commission Agent" in 1871 and a "Licensensed Victualler" In 1881.
Drug & Alcohol are hardly related......so I wondered if in this context...the "Druggist" tag was a loose term for someone who perhaps sold over the counter remedies for common ailments!
Thanks for your time.
T.T.