The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-01


The AduIterHtion of Drugs and Medi-
CtneB.
A PEw days sgo, IN referring to the soSndalous
manner in which the public interests are
neglected at Harrisburg, while our legislators
devote their whole time and attention to
schemes for private emolument, attention was
called to the fact that little or nothing is
heard about any measures to protect the oom-
mupity from adulterated drugs and medicines.
Mr.. John l. Rogers, Of this city, who has
charge of bill in the House Of Representa-
tives designed to remedy the evils spoken OF,
informs us that, at the request Of the Medical
Society, he introduced bill, providing,
among other things, for the appointment of
Drug Inspector. The Judiciary Committee,
however, being tired Of bills creating inspeo-
torships of nearly everything, declined tooon-
slider it, and the bill was In o fair way to be
killed, but for the urgent request OF Mr..
Rogers, who undertook to prepare substi-
tute which would be acceptable to the COM
mittee. A new bill was accordingly drafted
after further consultation with the Medical
Society, and was reported to the House by
Mr.. Rogers. The bill provides that 1t shall
be misdemeanor, with peualty not exceed
ing one thousand dollars and the costs Of
prosecution, for any one to adulterate drugs
or medicines, or to sell or use them in the
manufacture of medicinal preparations. To
obviate the necessity for an Inspector of
Drugs, It Is provided that any resident physi-
clan, being a graduate of medicine and phar-
macy, may complain under oath or afirma-
tion, before any alderman or justice of the
peace, that there are reasonable grounds for
belief that impure drugs are being sold, and
on such complaint search warrant shall issue,
and in case of conviction the impure, inert, or
adulterated drugs or medicinal preparations
shall be destroyed by order Of the court.
A further delay was caused by the refer
ence of the bill to the committee again at the
request of the Drug Exchange for further
amendment, prohibiting any but graduates of
pharmacy from selling or mixing drugs. We
are happy to think that Mr.. Rogers is exert
ing himself for the public good at Harrisburg
in this particular matter, and we willingly
give him all due credit for his efforts in behali
of suitable Drug bill. 1t is little singular,
however, that, while the Legislature appears
to have no hesitation about creating inspes
tOrships Of "nearly everything" that there
should be difficulty about a matter of this
kind, the necessity of which is everywhere
acknowledged outside of the legislative halls
Mr.. Rogers explanation, while 1t is sstisfao.
tory 80 far as he himself is concerned, does no!
relieve the other members of the Legislature
from censure. bill almost identical with
the one introduced in the House was killed in
the Senate, and 1t is very doubtful whether
the one submitted by Mr.. Rogers will pass.
The Legislature has too many 'Jobs" on hand
this kind, that "have nothing in them" Il
the members OF the Legislature had felt the
slightest interest in the enactment of law
for securing the public against the injurious
effects Of adulteratsd drugs, a satisfactory
measure could have been perfected and
passed through both houses long ago. Mr..
Rogers is one of the youngest members OF the
House Of Representatives, he has his repu-
tation yet to make, and we hope that he will
push this matter to the utmost and if he can
secure the passage of his bill he will be en-.
titled to the thanks Of the community. The
additional section prohibiting any but gradu.
ates Of pharmacy from selling or mixing
drugs is good one, and ought to receive the
favorable consideration of the Legislature.
KANSAS, on whose soil the opening battles o.
the great conflict between slavery and freedom