New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-01
OPPOSED BY THE DRUG TRADE.
WHAT IS SAID OF THE soUrHwoRTH BILL

REASONS WHY THE MEASURE is NOT LIKED by
MAKERS OF PATENT MEDICINES
The measure which has been proposed at Albany
looking toward State control the manufacture OF
so.cailed proprietary medicines Is regarded by the
representatives Of the drug trade In no friendly light
There is disposition and In fact strong desire. on
the part OF all prominent druggists to favor any
measure which viii be calculated 70 insure excellent
quality IN the manufacture Of what are known as
patent medicines" Benjamin 7. Fa'rchild Is the
chairman OF the Committee or National Legisla'
tion representing the drug trade OF the United states
He Is accomplished chemist. and as such Is recog'
nized by the profession. The southworth BILL lately
introduced at Albany. was somewhat OF q surprise TO
the drug trndc IN New.York City. The men In Ibis
line Of business have varying views In regard TO this
subject but the drft Of opinion IS against the measure
Mr. Farchild Is looked upon as the spokesman on 'he
general subject OF legislation although MS atehuoh
has been chiefly directed 70 the Paddock DILL III the
United States senate which had TOT It's OBJECT
National control over the manufacture OF proprietary
medicines.
In an Interview with Tribune reporter ie"
DAYS ago Mr.. Fairchild said "The drug trade. as
whole In this city Is opposed to the SOuthwoth OIL
now pending IN the State Legislature. THIS Dill Is
entitled An act to empower the Board OF Heaici
examine so-called patent and proprietary medines'
The druggists object - this bill In the first place
because 1t IL not necessary. The Board OF heai.n
Is already empowered to examine any patent "i'u''
cines or drugs or compositions OF any hnd ana %
prevent the sale Of anything that they deem injurious
or delcteriois There Is no d)ubt however, that a
general feeling exists among druggists that some
restriction should be placed upon the sale OF patent
medicines which may contain Injurious suDs'a"oe''
The representatives. Of the drug trade themselves h'e
strongly inclined 10 bring about such egslanoh put
the Southworth bill does not fairly meet their views
"Thc manufacturer OF patent medicine uhder '''''
BILL whether he makes one or twenty COMPOUNDS
must nav $50 to have each one examined ana cer"-
0ed 10 nv the Board Of Health Now this Is Regarded
rs an injustice and unnecessary interference WIN
his business. There Is reason 10 suppose ''"'
every proprietary medicine IS dangerous or injurious
many Of them are highly esteemed ana commo"''
used, and there Is reason whatever why hhnh"'
fncturers OF such medicines should be compeH" W
prove every time that the medicines are not Injurious
This seems practically like Furnishing man for being
In the business, and discriminating against tms
particular class Of manufacturers The measure -
looked upon by the trade species OF class iegS
Iaon which Is entirely unwarranted. IL Is proper
where drugs used In the manufacture OF patent
medicines which are known TO contain polsohs LOT
them 10 he critically and professionally examined as.
for instance medicines which contain opium or
strychnlne There instances where patent med-
icines have been used by people VINO were a"eio"u
to the opium habit and which contained OPIUM
Hence II is apparent that the use OF such medicine
would he deleerious the person who used the med
icine We do not want 10 give TO person addicted
10 the opium habit the drug which will only continue
the habit, and DO not want TO introduce
n In the form Of a pntcnt medicine. 1t Is all ngh''
therefore, that there should be some supervision over
this particular class 81 manufactures IL has ee%l
prop,sed BY some " the leading men In the dr's
trade that there might be- some legislation 10 Indicate
The laws OF 1851 give sufficient power for the proper
control Of all medicines which contain poisonous or
delcterOus attributes"