Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-09

which would have done for him, as aconitia
is deadly poison. could not reach the
doctor that night and was compelled to hold
the prescription until the next day, notwith-
standing the protests of nv patron, who
wanted to know why could not give it to
him. 1 had hard time of it furnishing
excuses on that occasion. learned at last
that the teaspoonful was to be used exter-
nally as liniment.
A. j. Kaercher of Federal street, Allie
gheny, said that he occasionally received
incorrect or badly written prescriptions, but
not often. He thought druggist had a
right to watch for and correct mistakes, not
to fill if they did not understand them.
There was no doubt in his mind, that ply
sicisns could and should write little more
carefully than they do. They should also
not abbreviate their words as much as they
do, as this was liable TO cause mistakes, on
account of the similarity of names of some
drugs.
G. Eisenbeis. 113 Federal street, ALLIE
gheny, said: 1--WE have not so many incor-
rect prescriptions come to US, although 1
know that physicians display considerable
carelessness in this respect. 1t is clearly
the duty of the doctor to write carefully
and avoid mistakes, although know that
the habit of patients talking to physicians
is often the cause of it. But they should
examine their prescriptions carefully before
permitting them to leave their hands.
NO USE TO KICK.
Druggists dare not change the prescrip-
tions, as, no matter how dangerous is the
compound. the physician could raise the
point :. 1T he knew what he was doing.
However, there is very little use kicking
about it, as such care is taken nowadays
that there is very little opportunity of
dangerous compound reaching the patient
1t is the prevailing opinion that in ten years
the prescription business will be thing of
the past, as doctors are gradually getting
into the habit of compounding their own
prescriptions"
Among the many other druggists visited,
practically the same information was
CLEANED. Mistakes were many. Several
had received prescriptions which, if followed
literally, would have certainly killed the
user. 1t was also learned that MANY
"quacks" who had gotten into the business
were in the main the cause of the trouble
Another surprising fact elected was that
many of the most prominent physicians
were without diplomas. Among these, some
of the Oldest in the two cities. Others
again, with no knowledge beyond
that gained with patent medicine
circus shows or the like, had taken advant-
age of the 15-year continuous handling of
privileges granted by the Legisla-
ture, and by registering under it. were doing
a smashing business. although they, in
many cases. hardly know one drug from
another.
MAKING MONEY AT BOTH ENDS.
1t was also stated by several that a num-
Der OF physicians had gone into the business
Of making money at both ends. When they
had gotten what they could from the patient
they endeavored to secure percentage from
the druggist for the privilege of their trade.
They succeeded In some cases, but not every. |
where
The cuts herewith presented are fac SINH |
es of three prescriptions taken from drug |
,ists' bills. No. l was received from a |
prominent physician recently. AS the in
,redient named is prepared in five different |
ways, namely: Tincture, powder, fluid ex-
ract, ointment and the belladonna leaf. four
If which can be used as directed, which of
hem was correct was left to the imagina-
ion.
No. is specimen prescription received
" local druggist some time since The
lruggist was compelled to go to the doctor
or a translation at the time, and admits
hat he would have to do so again if he re-
eived an order to refill it.
No. 3 is an exact reproduction of a pre-.
criptIon received from well known physi-
ian of this city. He claimed afterward
hat one-twentieth of grain of morphia
Tas clearly indicated in the second line. 1t
Eas too imaginary, however, to suit the
ruggist. Ii 1t had been prepared as pre-
cribed the first dose would have killed the
,atient.