The morning call., 1891-11-10
AN EFFECT OF DRUGS.
They Cause Discussion in an
Italian Society.

Drugs and medicines have caused dis
sension among the members of the Italian
Mutual Benevolent Society during the past
lew months. The breach has gradually
wldened, until now it is yawnlng chasm
IN the minds Of some OF the members.
The trouble began at the July meeting
when l.. Demartini charged that one OF the
Iour druggists OF the society was accus-
TONED to exact exerbitant prices for the
prescriptions filed at his store for members.
Then another complained that a female
member who suffered from a chronic COM
plant was in the habit of procuring medi-
cine for herself in large quantities and then
dividing the supply with her women who
were not members. but who also felt under
the weather occasionally.
NO names were mentioned at the meeting,
Dut the President appointed COMMITTEES,
comprising L. Demartini, ID. Gnnocchlo
and ii. Zacheri, to investigate the matter
complained OF and report to the Board OF
Managers.
On each prescription written by the socl-
eety's physicians, Drs. Joseph Pescia and "
Vaccari. are the names of the four drug
glsts, Guisrppe Calegaris. A. Zabaldano.
Pletro G. Rossi and ID. p. Ross, the sick
member procuring the medicine ordered at
/ winch ever drugstore he prefers.
There are 1000 members of the society,
and the total monthly drug bill averages
$40. or this, it is claimed by some, seven
tenths Is paid to Calegaris, and the balance
about equally divided among the others.
The committee investigated first the bills of
ID. z. Rossi. They were written in what is
currently called hog Latin" and the CON-
moned DIR. Pescia as interpreter. The
physician explained the Authorizations and
| symbols. but when asked regarding certain
prices, he declined to express an opinion,
| contenting himself with the general re-
mark that it was his belief that none of the
tour druggists would charge more than was
| just.
The committee then visited the store OF
| ID. L. ROssi. and demanded an explanation
of an alleged irregularity. The druggist ex-
| pialned it satisfactorily, as he supposed, but
| shortly afterward he was summoned tc ap-
pear before the Board of Managers. He
DID not attend the meeting, and was conse-
| Quently suspended for contempt.
PIetro Z. Rossi was next called to board
meeting, which he attended,, and there
stated that lie charged for patent medicines
the standard prices and for general pre-,
scriptions what he considered Just and
| equitable. This reply was deemed satisfac-
| tory, and Mr. Rossi withdrew.
I The friends of the brothers Rossi ara now
| inquirlng why Calegaris' rates were not
looked into, he having the bulk of the
| patronage. They also challenge the COM
mittee to compare the prices Of each drug
gist for the same medicine. which, they
claim, will prove boomerang for the fac
ton which procured the Investigation.
By this they mean l.. Demartini, DR..
Pescia and G. Calegaris. They explain the
| statement by adding that DIR. Pesca sends
| his personal patients to Calegaris. and that
he uses his influence to send tho society
| prescriptions in the same direction. They
state, too, that Demartinl is a chronic
kicker. and that he has been made the tool
OF DR.. PeScia and Calegaris TO demand an
! investigation and ultimately have Calegaris
named as the sole druggist
| just how this is 10 be done does not ap-
pear, and it is Indignantly denied by all the
| parties alleged to be concerned in 1t, DR..
Pescla in particular pronouncing the state
| ment to be without a tissue of truth.
In the meantime, the investigation seems
10 have resulted in nothing but feeling OF
| bitterness and unlove. No evidence has
| yet been adduced to substantiate the charge
about the woman who gave the society S
medicine to her neighbors. The members
| Of the committee say that they are now en-
| gagged in examining the prescriptions OF
| Calegaris and Zabaldano.
| Tie Oregon City Enterprise has entered
uOOn lis tWentv-sixth wear Of Dubli ia tiOn.