Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-04-09
The Doctors and the Druggists.

Id the contest which has arisen between the
medical society and the druggists of Washing
ton. IL is likely that the sympathles of the pub
lie will be altogether with the latter class.
There may be and probably are cases where
compounders OF prescriptions exceed the lust
limitations OF their business. but to meet these
1t Is unwtse for the physicians 10 undertake to
put the whole guild under ban and to assume
powers which do not belong to them, and
which they VIII find they cannot exercise.
After patient has bought and paid for pre-
Scrfption there can be no doubt that it his or
ner property, In law and equity, and neither
the physician nor the druggist has any pro-
prietary right In or control over It, 1t Is simply
left by Its owner with the latter by usage for
convenience and reference. II it Is desired to
have 1t renewed, that would seem to be ques-
ton of safety and propriety netween the pa
tient and the druggist; and While 1t Is possible
that slight abuses may have been practiced
occasionally In such connection, there Is no
reason to believe that the good sense of either
party would allow them to assume propor-
tons calling for any such arbitrary and sweep
Ing action as IS proposed for remedy. Again,
In the matter OF furnishing certain kinds of
med1cfneS, or OF giving advice 10 simple cases.
either voluntarily or on request. These are
things that will adjust themselves pretty satis-
factor1ly, as rule. and they cannot be regu-
lated by any number or kind OF resolutions that
may be framed. People will be apt to 90 where
they can be or think they can be served best,
WhlcE Is always the cheapest In the end and It
Is Dy no means certain that they would always
De worse of by taking the advice OF druggist
instead Of consulting physician. Experience
and observation are worth a good deal In any
occupauor, and nobody, We suppose, woul1
pretend that slightly sick person might not
De better OF sometimes In the hands OF a good
druggist than In those OF poor phyician. no
matter what the weight of diploma might be.
The case OF the poor woman who was left to
die alone and unaided In the ferry house here
few days ago because those who saw her
thought she was under the influence of LIQUOR
and therefore needed no attention, had a par
allel in Louisville last Monday, when an old
man was allowed TO die like a dog In the sta
ZION house because the policemen thought he
was drunk. In neither case, it may be added.
was there any ground for the cruel suspicion:
AND ii theTe had been, that fact affords no eX-
cuse for the brutal carelessness exhibited In
each Instance. Because a person might hap
pen TO be under the influence OF LIQUOR IA no
reason why medical or other aid should not be
furnished when needed. But. any way. 1t Is
about time for policemen or any one else to
quit assuming that eVeryb body who acts queerly
Sarily drunk, and therefore unworthy of any
farther notice. There are good many pros
tratiDg ailments not brought on by the use of
liquor. either moderately or In excess as every
body ought TO know.
The reform democrats OF Phllaie have
scored one point az least which speaks favor.
ably for the reorganization. They have
bounced" Squire William McMullen from the
position he so long held as chairman of the
democratic city committee. McMullen'5 meth.
DDS OF party management gave him national
notoriety. When spirit OF independence or
opposition TO the machine was manifested In
any democratic ward meeting or convention
the Squire marshaled gang of his roughs and
crushed out the rebellion, even If 1t required the
use OF pistols TO do it. He has been the boss of
the roughs. Plugs and rowdes, who always
seemed willing TO do bis bid1iRg whether It
was 10 disperse a crowd or stuff a baIIot-boy,
The squire and men OF his sort can well be
spared from politics. and the opposition to them
and their methods Is too powerful this year TO
be suppressed even with bludgeons and fire
arms.
One p001 result "a Of