Some Maltese pharmacists of the past

Abstract

Some Maltese pharmacists of the past, dated from the 18th century are outlined. The first mentioned pharmacist is Stanislas Gatt (1744-1811) from Qormi, mostly remembered as the leader of the 5th Municipality (Qormi-Luqa) and the "Sindaco" for Qormi, during the uprising against the French in 1798. Another pharmacist at Zejtun, was Clemente Mifsud Bonnici who took part in the assault against Mdina on the 13th September 1798. The list of pharmacists and relative remarkable information is delineated with some significant details, in particular that of Dr. Philip Zammit (1719-1796), from Zurrieq who as a pharmacist he invented a health-giving salt and an antacidstomach powder which were in great demand in Malta and even in Sicily. The list is concluded with a famous name, Sir Themistocles Zammit (1864-1935) who started his highly varied and successful working life as a pharmacist. He was first employed in a private pharmacy and later at the Central Civil Hospital in Floriana during the cholera epidemic of 1887. He had also attended a special course at the '"Ecole Superieure de Pharmacie" in Paris.