The evening times., 1895-12-14
suicide An EisY THING.
Lax District Law Governing the
Sale Of Paison.
A TIMES REPORTERS TEST
A Number of Drug Stores Visited and
Efforts Made TO Purchase Deadly.
Drugs-An of Them Obey the Regu-
iatfoIis, But Some. Would Not Sell.
Simple Excuses Often Suffice.

| 'S, suSSesteu an investigation Of the
conditions surrounding the sale of deadi,
poisons in this city.
Inc fact that he went into q drug store
and asked for laudanum, Offering somf
simple fabrication, and procured the sturf
wthout difficulty, even though he wasunder
the influence OF liquor, was sufficient tn
\ arouse III great many persons minds the
query as to what the law is concerning
me sale OF poisons, and whether or no il is
easy to procure means of poisoning os
| suicide. "a
Ilfnes reporter called at the Health
department today, and sa W the health of
ficer, DR.. WOODWARD, on this important
matter.
do you think, DOCTOR" was asked.
.; una. the Jaw regarding the sale of poisons
is adequate TO prevent the occurrences of
suicides if ii is rightly cnrorced?',
Wen, no: the law Is very well lived nm
10, out the law doesn't cover much II liz
rather hard matter to legisiate ,,pon''
Just what is the law?'
messenger was sent to bring the statute
Dook in which this matter was treated. ami
a weishty, leather covered volume was
SHOWN. Under section 10 of the act TO reg
stated: !. -
~ shah be unlawful for any person from
ana after the passage of this act to reto ii
to wit" - 80 ""S
THE TEST OF THE LAW.
And then comes two lengthy lists OF
boisons and the law proceeds:
without distinctly labelling -ibe box.
Vessei, or paper in which the said poison
y contained, and also the outside wrapper
OF cover, with the name of the article. the
word Poison and the name and place of
business of the seller
s,u NOT shall 1t be lawful for any person to
sci OF denver any Doisons enumerated in
schedules A and b unless upon du, inouirv
~ oe round that the purchaser S aware OF
is iMtS poIspnous character and represents that
IL iS 10 DE used Tor legitimate purpose
Nor shall ii be lawful for any registered
pharmacist TO sell any poisons Included
IN IN section without. before delivering the
Saihe 70 tle purcha ser. causing an entry to
oe made IN book kept for that Durnose
stating the date of sale, the name and
aodress or the purchaser. the name and
qGaiity of the poison sold the burmese for
which il is represented by Inc purcbaser
10 DC required, and the name of the dis.
penser, such book TO be always open for
Inspection IN Dy me proper authorities and
five years" ~ ie'''
The reporter remarked that the law didn't
seem 10 require much merely that a Iegiti-
address given. 'A'o
No, 1t doesn't seem adequate" said the
neaith oincer. "You viii notice that no
mention is made to the age or mental con-
dition OF the buyer. But / think most
quircs." AZ
~ see WHdl questions they Go nut 10 a
Wouid-De purchaser OF DoisoD, tie reporter
annouced his intention OF going 10 some
stores and trying the clerks
Dr. woodward obligingly produced
Dook. IN which was n list OF suicides with
the manner or their deaths. and frc m this
means list of pcisons was chosen and
nc amount that was necessary to pur-
chase 10 cause ceath. This list was re-
ibdrkab!e for having so many violent deaths
IN II. deaths caused by Rough on Rats
which which Is, mostly pure strychnine and
doubtless this is because people are
AFRAID 10 ask for opiates." said the doctor.
BUT there are so many poisons that one
life II he desires to-"
ASKED FOR LAUDANUM.
Going down to the avenue the reporter
resolved TO enter the first drug store
that that he came to; 1t was no
make doubtful request, for there
is always some one in the trug-store
lingering about. But he went in, and with
out any hesitancy of manner asked for an
onuce of laudanum.
We Couldn't sell it to YOU" said the
clerk. NV
Are You the proprietor"
NO. but | speak for him. 1t is against
Tue law TO sell Doisons."
on no, 1t isn't II one registers and tells
you what III for. i want to use this for n
hit ig che want to put some drops on a
We will seH you some toothache medi-
cine. but not laudanum. We don't keen a
poison register. II IS too much trouble and
Inconvenience. No, I'm sorry hut
couldn't"
DO look like a suicide?r
oh. no. Indeed. But I've no ric bit 10 Judge
In such matters and be smiled pleasanfIy
and remained obdurate.
SO the poison buyer passed on TO the next
Store. a little farther in the same SQUARE
After consulting the list he went in and
walked TO The rear of the store. A centIe-
nan said he was bead clerk and the propri-
tor was out.
Could l. get some chlpraI bere?'' was
asked.
The clerk looked as serious at once as n
SUPERINTENDENT, and said:
No: couldn't sell IL to you within The
aw.' 49,.
Bat I happen to know you can. I am
icadache. and l need it."
REQUIRED A PRESCRIPTION.
Then you mus get n physicians pre-
,piates.
But why should yon be unaccommodat |
ng? ! know what TO do With It, and don't |
vish TO pay a physician for telling me |
What know"
Then the clerk proceeded to give the re-
,crter a little moral talking to. He said
nat ne wouldn't be responsible for assist
ng anyone In the downward path of which
hiorai was the gate. Whoever da billed with
ms drag, he said, would eventually become
ddicted TO IL, and he couldn't imagine any
ne in worse condition than a slave TO
plates.
But that's neither here nor there"
aid the reporter. II have my own con-
cience, and want CHORAL"
We'll, l won't sell it tn you," said the
ru2gist, with admirable stubbornness. sIt |
lay not be against the letter of the law,
ut it's against TIE spirit. You might go
round to some hotel and drink 1t and kill
ourself. / refused a man choral once and
tier he shot himself. l didn't keep him
ON suicidiDg, but I did all could. No.
will not sell you choral"
The reporter went out feeling like q
liity wretch trying to ruin himself.
At the next place the head clerk was
sked for five grains of morphine.
:. What for?'' he asked sharply.
ITO relieve pain. 1 want 1t In one-balf i
rain pills."
That is a big dose" be said.
He went to get it, and came back with a
tie box.
II have given you twelve pills, one ,
ghth of grain each. Don't take them
tener than once in three hours"
. But this isn't enough tO do any GOOD.
'Oh, yes 1t is: and 1t won't do harm"
The clerk smiled cheerfully and the re-