The Washington times., 1902-08-04

stricted use has become so important as
TO raise q veritable storm in pharIna-
ceutical circles. One of the leaders of
the fight for restriction of the trade
in the drug to strictly legitimate pur-
poses and fep-iegisation looking to
that end, Is Walter II. Gale, of Chi
cago, president of the Illinois State
Pharmaceutical Association. In a recent
interview Mr.. Gale said:
Evil Results Enormous.
Reputable pharmacists do not engage
in the trade of reckless distribution OF
poisonous drugs. But we all know that
there are disEraces to the profession
who make large profit thereby. The evil
results are enomous, especially in the
case of cocaine, which is the most
deadly of all these drugs.
eft is true that there is law pro-
hibiting the sale except on prescription,
but II is ineffective. Druggists who
know their customers have nothing to
fear. If questioned it is easy for them
TO say that they sold the stuff on pre-
scription. which prescription they have
not preserved. It is probably impossible
actually to eliminate the evil by legis-
lation. but something can be done to
curb #.
My idea is TO procure the passage of
q l3N SDIDGluiUE llht LudL III iOitt III
Pennsylvania. According to it, 1t is an
offense to sell deleterious drugs TO any
ono known to be addicted 10 their use,
'fiends,' in fact. Furthermore, any
friend or even acquaintance of the fiend
can notify the drug stores in the 10
cality, and if the druggist persist in
selling to the fiend. on prescription or
otherwise, he can be punished"
The local side of the question, while
not yet so far developed as in larger
cities. has enough impetus to become
fairly alarming. The police take every
means to check the demoralizing influ-
ences of the drug. In this they are but
partially successful, because its sale in
quiet way can hardly be prevented.
OF the cocaine fieId, an authority on
pharmaceutical matters has this to say:
THE sale is not very large, hut the
consequences are demoralizing. in this
city the use of the drug is gradually
growing to proportions almost alarming.
1t should be restricted as far as possi-
BILE to do so.
THE cocaine fiend has no morals. lie
neither knows the meaning OF truth nor
comprehends the rights OF property. he
will never hesitate TO steal anything he
may lay his hands On in order TO procure
the drug. The mental effects are pecu-
liar and erratic. | once knew an in
telligent young man who became addict
ed TO the habit. He was able to do his
regular work all right. but outside Of
that he relapsed into almost idiocy. This.
/ understand. was a typical case. The
physical effects include emaciation, de-
bllity. and unearthly pallor. An ever
present symptom is a peculiar. CLASSY
stare. The effect of cocaine or the eyes
manifests itself often in a remarkable
nanner-what is known as cocaine
bugs. symptoms somewhat similar to
delirium tremens. The drug acts on the
pupils and SO interferes with vision. The
victim sees spots before his eyes, which.
under the influence CT a super-excited
imagination. he takes for bugs. | have
seen q man tear off his coat. roll up his
sleeves. and start to picking these iu-
agirary insects from his a-:ns.
Method of Using Cocaine.
"a favorite method Of taking cocaine
nowadays is In snuff. Thus 1t is pleas
anter to administer than with the hy-
podermic needle. and equally, II not
more effective. Many tricks are re-
sorted to by the sellers of cocaine. Of