National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-04-07
nsoYcorrINGn THE DRUGGISTS.
The Action of the Medical Association
Criticised.

Criticised.
To the Editor Of The RepublieGn:
After several weeks of hard work, it
seems $50 they think) the Medical Association have
at last hatehed the egg over which they have been
setting The three ee-corneredproblem" which has
SO destroyed the peace and happiness Of the medi-
cal mind, and which so materially decreases their
income, has been solved. Let Us see how they pro-
pose to increase their income"
First-By Withholding their support from any
druggist who compounds his medicines without
physicians prescription. This, we are told, the
public welfare demands"
Seeond-That when physician writes not to
be renewed" on prescription no druggist shall be
permitted to renew it, This, of course, is only to
be done when the physician shall consider it de-
sirable"-to increase his income.
We are further told that courtesy" demands q
due regard in all these matters e. that druggists
shall have no judgment of their own, but tamely
submit TO these resolutions, in order that neither
may be unduly reflected upon"
Now, Mr.. Editor, let us look at this matter in a
practical light The question naturally resolves it.
self into this: Shall the public, who are the suf
ferers and who pay the bills. submit TO such pro-
scription as this association have set out to en-
force7
For example if patient suffering from indiges-
ton or any other form of disease goes to physi-
clan and gets prescription, for which he pays 3
or more shall he be debarred from again using said
prescription for second or third attack? Must he
go each time and apply for renewal, at the cost
of g or more simply TO increase the physicians s
ineomef'
Or must q poor person, unable TO employ ply
scian, suffering from slight attack, be prevented
from applying TO druggist for some simple rem
edy for relief. all because the physician does not
thereby " increase his incOme?"
If the public has toothache, neuralgia, pain in
the back, heartburn, buniOns, mumps, measles,
sore eyes, or the black vomit, and the dear public
has already in the house a former remedy duly
prescribed shall the druggist the dead of night,
as the doorben announces customer, first pro-
bottle has upon the label 50 not TO be renewed be-
fore he can come down and compound the desired
remedy?
Or, if patient should be taken suddenly Ill,
with no physician near, must he suffer, and per-
haps die because the druggist who Is near at hand
is prohibited from prescribing remedy which Is
known as certain cure, or one that Will give I'M
mediate relief, simply because 10 do SO would not
increase physicians ineome?" Does the Medi-
cal Association know that the public are the ones
most concerned in this matter, and that they,
rather than the association are the ones who sup
port the druggists?
The Medical Association will withhold their sup
port, forsoOthi
Whatever may be the code Of ethics in this Dis
trict, feel confident no druggist will consent TO
become party to these plans The public vel
fare demands no such prescription; no such cast
iron rules can deprive them of their rights in this
resolutions were never before adopted in this city
Let the druggists stamp out this silly nonsense,
and rely upon the support of the public TO aid
them. NOT DRUGGIST.