St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-03-30
HER PRESCRIPTION.

About one in ten Of the persons who
take prescriptions to drug stores to be
filled ask for copy of the formula.
Nearly all pharmacists furnish the de.
sired copy without comment. Some OF
them may add or 10 cents to the cost
of the prescription to pay for their ex-
ira trouble in copying the physicians
hieroglyphics, but they raise no obJeo-
ton to the customers request. There
are druggists, however, who are averse
to making copies of the prescriptions
which they fill, and now and then some
spirited disputes are overheard at the
prescription desk.
Not long ago a quiet but self reliant
little woman stepped into drug store
near the Grand Central station and pre-
sented prescription written by well
known specialist
eighty cents. Please pay at the
DESK" said the prescription clerk ten
minutes later, as he handed the pack
age of medicine over the counter.
"But / want a copy of the prescrip-
ton, :" said the woman in a tone that
implied that she thought it ought to
have been given to her without the ask
ing.
ooh, but we couldn't give you that"
replied the clerk suavely. "This is
special prescription, and we would have
no right to give you copy of it with
out an order from the Doctor"
"But l must have a copy of it," per-
sisted the woman. 81 do not live in
New York. My home is several hum
dred miles from here, and want this
remedy for use during the winter. Now,
don't keep me waiting please, for am
about to take my train. "
"Well, my dear madam, you can send
to us at any time, and we will fill the
prescription for you. 1t will remain on
our books, and when you write you need
mention only the physicians name and
the number. You see that is special
prescription of DR.. IS, and he would
not want it handled by every village
druggist
ooh, fddlesticks |" exclaimed the lit
tie woman, bristling up. 'That is my
prescription. bought it and paid lib
orally for it, Now you either give me
a copy Of it or take your medicine back
and give me my original prescription.
DIR. - knows where l live, and he
knows that would not leave New
York without taking copy of that pre-
scription with me. "
"But, my dear madam, you must I'M
derstand our position in the matter. We
have got to protect ourselves. Now, il
DR.. - says that you can have copy
of this prescription we will be glad tt
give it to you.
you'll give it to me whether yor
are glad or not" retorted the little wo
man, now thoroughly aroused. "1f you
want DR.. rs sanction, you can sent
to him and obtain it. certainly am no
going back there to ask for it. I'll wal
Just five minutes, and if do not get
= copy Of my prescription or the prescriI
. ton itself I'll make trouble for you.
know what my rights are, and l propos
to stand up for them"
D The prescription clerk looked @
though he would like to say something
but after a few seconds hesitation COZ
cluded that it would not be worth while
He withdrew from view and presum
D ably consulted with the proprietor. Th
e latter came out from his little Tee i
the corner and after looking t., 3 littl
> woman over sharply turned to tho cler
. and said "Give it to her."
"You see, madam" said the clerk
. his most affable manner two minute
= later as be handed her a copy Of tn
Il prescription, 1--WE desire to accommt
70 date our patrons in every way possible
> but we have to be careful with specii
. prescriptions. Why, it was ~ la
year that we were threatened with
suit for big damages by noted speoia
J. list because we gave one of his patient
!. copy of the prescription he wrote fl
% her. He claimed that she took it to
small town in the south, where an o
IL scure druggist got hold Of it, and, fin
p ing it to be an effective remedy, at fir
IL mixed it for local distribution and of
4 erward put it on the market as specil
I, with his own name and picture as
IA trademark. So you see"-
~ ooh, fiddlesticksp' said tho little W
l. man as she hurried out to catch h
= train. New York Times.
~