advancement of the cause of true pharmacy he established the well-known periodical, the 'Pharmaceutical Journal' The publication of this work he superintended for eighteen years. The conduct of the journal was with him a labour of love, for it resulted in no pecuniary advantage during its first fifteen years of existence, notwithstanding its acknowledged usefulness. To the new journal Bell was also a constant contributor himself until his death. His efforts in connection; with an improved pharmacy led to his being; elected an honorary member of various foreign scientific societies, and a Fellow of the Chemical, Linnean, and Zoological Societies of London, and of the Society of Arts.
In 1843 the Pharmaceutical Society was incorporated by royal charter, and the same year Bell published his 'Historical Sketch of the Progress of Pharmacy in Great Britain.' The author dealt with the practice of pharmacy from the time of its partial separation from the practice of medicine until the establishment of the Pharmaceutical Society. It was found that an act of parliament was required for restricting the practice of pharmacy to persons duly qualified, and in 1845 Bell drew up an account of desirable provisions, including the registration of all persons carrying on business as chemists and druggists; the introduction of a system of education and examination; the protection of the public against the proceedings of ignorant persons; the separation of the trade in medicines from the practice of physic and surgery as far as practicable; the recognition of the Pharmaceutical Society as the governing body in all questions relating to pharmacy. For several years the question of pharmaceutical legislation was much discussed, and numerous petitions on the subject were presented to parliament; but as no practical issue was arrived at. Bell decided to seek a seat in parliament for the purpose of advocating the necessary measures. In 1850, accordingly, he contested the borough of St. Albans in the liberal interest, and was returned, although the unscrupulous means used by his agents led to the ultimate disfranchisement of the borough. Bell, however, was absolved from blame, except in regard to the laxity he displayed in placing himself unreservedly in the hands of his parliamentary agents. In June 1851 Bell brought forward in parliament a bill to regulate the qualifications of pharmaceutical chemists, and or other purposes in connection with the practice of pharmacy. The measure passed Its second reading, but could not be further proceeded with. In the following session the bill was reintroduced, and after considerable discussion it was referred to a select committee. The act, as it eventually became law, only very partially fulfilled the intentions of its framer.
At the general election of 1852 Bell offered himself for the representation of Great Marlow, but was unsuccessful. Two years later, on the death of Lord Dudley Stuart., he contested the borough of Marylebone with Lord Ebrington, but was again unsuccessful. He was subsequently solicited to offer himself again for Marylebone, but ill-health compelled him to decline the invitation. During the last winter of his life, while suffering from a painful affection of the larynx, as well as from great debility and emaciation, he still took an active part m professional matters, and also devoted himself to philanthropic causes. He died from exhaustion 12 June 1859. It is stated that Bell spent a fortune in founding and advancing the Pharmaceutical Society, but he felt himself repaid by the knowledge that his efforts had raised enormously the educational standard of his order. On the day of his funeral nearly the whole body of chemists throughout the country closed their places of business.
Bell's chief works were:
- 'Observations addressed to the Chemists and Druggists of Great Britain,' 1841.
- 'Historical Sketch of the Progress of Pharmacy in Great Britain,' 1843.
- 'Chemical and Pharmaceutical Processes and Products,' 1852.
With regard to his patronage of art, the gallery of pictures at his house in Langham Place testified to its extent and catholicity. The finest part of his collection he bequeathed to the nation, including six of the best works of Sir Edwin Landseer, and well-known examples of O'Neil, Sidney Cooper, Charles Landseer, E. M. Ward, W. P. Frith, Rosa Bonheur, &c.
[Annual Register, 1859; Pharmaceutical Journal and Transactions, 1842, &c; Bell's works.]
BELL, JAMES (1524–1584), catholic priest, born at Warrington in Lancashire, in 1524, was educated at Oxford, where he was ordained priest in Queen Mary's reign. For some time he refused to conform to the alterations in religion made by Queen Elizabeth; but afterwards, adopting the tenets of the Reformation, he exercised the functions of a minister of the church of England for twenty years, and was beneficed in several parts of the kingdom. In 1581 he applied to a lady to solicit her good offices to procure for him
