[The founding of the Association of Pharmacists 1783 to 1784].

The Czech Association of Pharmacists was established as a state-constituted professional organization by the decree of the Czech Government dated 11 March 1784, the initiator of the decree being Josef Gottfried Mikan (1742-1818), the then Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Professor of Botany and Chemistry at Charles University. His correspondence with the government between 10 February and 16 May 1784, preserved in the State Central Archives, Prague, clearly demonstrates Mikan's main contribution to the issue of the decree. In his letter of 10 February 1784, he asked the government to order the establishment of a compulsory nation-wide association of pharmacists. Their meetings were to be presided by dean of the faculty in order to prevent disorders which he did not specify and evaluate at all. The pharmacists of Prague were acquainted with the governmental decree of 23 February, 1784, at the Carolinum Hall on 6 March, 1784. The decree included Mikan's requirements and the introduction of tests for pharmacists' apprentices (tirones) prior to the journeyman's examination and compulsory registration of employed pharmacists (subjecti) at the Faculty of Medicine. These supplements to education were added by the government. The Prague pharmacist Ignác Broz, the owner of the Golden Bear pharmacy since 1763, was appointed chairman of the Association. The governmental decree of 11 March 1784, including the above-mentioned regulations, was sent to all districts of Bohemia. The emperor was informed about the decision of the government by a letter dated as late as 17 June 1784.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)