The sun., 1880-08-15

aminer DO satisfied after due investi-
cation that they are fit and safe to be
used for medicinal purposes" But this
amounts to little, because the examiner
has no standard to guide him as to the
quality and quantity Of what are known as
active medicinal agents allowable in such
preparations. Moreover, the law requiring
the filing In the Patent Office Of the formulas
OF patent medicines is very Incomplete and
unsatisfactory as practical protection, in
the opinion OF Mr.. DIEHL. To remedy these
defects, he recommends, first. the designa-
tion by law of tho substances which shall DO
regarded as active medicinal agents; and
secondly, tho extreme quantity Of such
agents that may properly be contained in
II given quantity OF patent medicine.
The most energetic agents OF the matcria
medica are known to enter into the compo-
sition Of these preparations In quantities
that a physician would hesitateto prescribe |;
for the first requisite in a patent medi-
cine is prompt effect. The sick man must
at once get heroic evidences that his dose
is telling on him, else there can be no
popularity for the medicine which will Sc
cure for it the large sales tho proprietor Is
after. Relief of some sort, though 1t be only
temporary, must be afforded, and without
much delay. Hence narcotics and stimu-
lants are largely represented in these patent
preparations, SO largely that, while they
may bring the immediate relief sought for
they also oftentimes generate habits which
prove ruinous to mental and physical health.
Mr.. DIEHL, therefore, would compel the
patent medicine proprietor to register at
some office under the control OF the general
Government the exact quantities OF these
active agents given quantity OF his prepa-
ration contains the uses to which his med
icines are to be applied, and the doses he
recommends. He would also, under all cir
cumstances, require that the minimum and
maximum doses be distinctly printed on the
label, and the presence Of tho active me-
dcinal agents designated as such by law be
unequivocally given in the same conspicu-
GUS manner.
1t is undoubtedly both fair and important
that the users OF patent medicines should
know exactly what they are taking, though
the knowledge would oftentmes destroy
the mystery which lends such charm to
these preparations, and perhaps aids them
in producing their effects. But 30 also does
thc ic6 ihcuiOdi pioieooioh ouiiouhu ieo
prescriptions with mystery. by writing them
in dead tongue not understood by the run
Of men. The principal gain under the plan
proposed by Mr.. DIEHL, however, would be
the opportunity afforded Governments and
physicians to form a pretty definite judg-
ment as to the character and probable effect
Of the patent medicine, whether 1t is q
preparation which may be safely sold or
one whose use should be prevented.
But SO long as men have fancy for doc
toring themselves, and blind faith In the
efficacy OF physic-and that must be very
long-the patent medicine men will con-
tinue to reap their vast profits, some indi-
cation OF which is afforded by the circum-
stance that their demand for certain drugs
is so enormous that at times they almost
exhaust the market Of the desirable supply.