The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 276 No 7395 p419
8 April 2006

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Letters to the Editor

April Fool

Looking forward to an authentic Coat of Arms

From Mr B. Holden, MRPharmS

I note your article on the proposed new Coat of Arms (PJ, 1 April, p391). Surely a more worthy emblem than the cannabis leaf could have been chosen to convey medicinal research. A statin tablet could be more apt.

The blister strip of eight tablets, along with scissors, beggars belief. I was of the opinion that scissors had been relegated to the first-aid cabinet. Also, is there some fiendish plot to bring in a 32-day month? I have not noticed any directive from Europe.

Could the cat not be linked with a woman dressed in black and flying on a broomstick? Perhaps the woman on the right?

You also state that Galen and Avicenna have been replaced by a Scotsman and a Welsh woman. I thought they were both women, one in a mini and one dressed like a granny to signify continuity with the past.

What about the horns by the side of the computer? A horny pharmacist hooked on pornography?

Finally, I refer to the motto. I freely translated this to read “Death comes as an occurrence”. The article states that the existing emblem is outmoded and needs bringing up to date. Ipso facto what is wrong with an English motto?

I look forward to your authentic Coat of Arms.

Barry Holden
Clitheroe, Lancashire

Appalling artwork

From Mr M. J. Shucksmith, MRPharmS

Who is responsible for the appalling artwork on p391 of the April Fool’s Day edition of The Journal?

At best the design might be of acceptable standard in a class of junior schoolchildren but is nevertheless in poor taste and offensive to those of us who appreciate the symbolism of the established heraldry.

As humour it is puerile.

Mike Shucksmith
Fordingbridge, Hampshire

New motto

From Mr I. G. Simpson, MRPharmS

Rob Darracott and his colleagues in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Directorate of Corporate and Strategic Development are to be congratulated on their proposals to modernise the Society’s Coat of Arms, which so elegantly encapsulate the essential elements of pharmacy practice in 21st century Britain. However, I feel it would be wrong to dispense with history entirely, so I would suggest that in recognition of the scientific basis of our profession, recalling the use of Latin in prescriptions and bearing in mind the date of publication of the consultation paper, the motto should be changed to “cum natrii chloridii dosis magnum sumendum”, which may be roughly translated as “to be taken with a large pinch of salt”.

Ian Simpson
Oxford

Then the penny dropped

From Mr M. Smith, MRPharmS

Thank you so much for the funniest April Fools Day spoof (PJ, 1 April, p391) that I can recall since the BBC’s famous “Spaghetti tree” programme many years ago.

As I read the article my incredulity grew until I was ready to translate the Society’s motto “Habenda ratio valetudinis” as “We have lost contact with reality”. But then the penny dropped and I had the biggest laugh of the week.
 
Michael Smith 
Woking, Surrey

Two suggestions for the Coat of Arms

From Dr S. Kayne, FRPharmS, and Mr L. Kayne, MRPharmS

We read with great interest of the proposal to update the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Coat of Arms to more accurately reflect the changing role of the pharmacist. Although the proposal has our full support, might we suggest two small additions?

In order to emphasise the role of the pharmacist in promoting a healthy lifestyle, we would suggest that the figure of the Scotsman should demonstrate that he is attempting to follow a balanced diet, with a dram in each hand.

Further, although we agree that the importance of the computer should be acknowledged prominently in the Arms, we feel equal emphasis should be accorded to the other indispensable dispensing item — the scissors — and suggest that they be included sanguine, aislé and couchant under the motto.

Steven Kayne
Lee Kayne
Glasgow

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