New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-09-16
DRUGGISTS UP IN ARMS.
CARBOLIC ACID PROTEST.
To Ask Darlington to Rescind Sui-
eide PreUentiUe Measure.

Pharmaceutical committees are to wait on
Health Commissioner Darlington and ask him
to rescind or modify hts recent ruling that pure
carbolc acid must not be sold except on the pres
entation of order from licensed physician
This action. as told in The Tribune, was taken
on account Of the number Of suicides due to
bolc acid and the ease with which persons in
tent on seIf-destruction could obtain the poison
One Of the committees, with DR.. william Muir
member of the State Board of Pharmacy, as
chairman was appointed Wednesday night
at a meeting OF the Kings County Pharma-
ceuticaI Association. On Monday another drug
gists' association will meet to take action on the
new ruling.
II was said yesterday that Commissioner Oar
lington and the local members OF the State
Board OF Pharmacy some weeks ago held a con-
ference regarding the adoption of measures TO
restrict the sale of carbolic acid. that the Board
Of Pharmacy members said they were powerless
TO act, and the Health Departments ruling fol-
lowed
According to Section 1872 Of the Pharmacy law
the State Board of Pharmacy has power Ito
make such bylaws, rules and regulations not in
consistent with the laws Of the State as may be
necessary for the protection of the public health
and the lawful performance Of its powers. 70
regulate the practice OF pharmacy to regulate
the sale Of poisons. and 10 regulate and control
The character and standard OF drugs and medI-
cines dispensed In the State"
Thomas J. keenan, the associate editor Of The
American Druggist" said yesterday that it was
true that the retail pharmacists of the city were
up in arms at what he characterized the un-
warranted and high handed action OF the Health
Department in usurping the functions OF the
State Board Of Pharmacy by amending the San
itary Code so as 10 regulate the sale OF poisons
Pharmacists view this new move of the Com
missioner Of Health with alarm" he said, for
they do not see where the commission is likely 10
stop. If he feels himself justified in framing a
new ordinance for the restriction OF the sale Of
Carbolic acid account OF the danger 10 public
health involved he will surely not stop here and
We may expect him 10 frame amendments TO the
Sanitary Code prohibiting the sale Of cocaine.
opium. morphine. etc. 20 drug habitues or other
irresponsible persons.
The pharmacists are determined TO bring
pressure upon the Commissioner To compel him
TO repeal the ordinance. The subject will come
up for discussion at the meeting Of the Manhat-
tan Pharmaceutical Association 10 be held az the
Sixty-eighth-st.. next Monday evening A COM
mittee will be appointed TO work with commit
tees appointed by the various other pharma-
ceUtica associations 10 induce the Commissioner
10 rescind modify his action"
Nearly every time any city Official tries TO
prevent the indiscriminate sale Of carbolc acid
other poisous. the druggist associations pro
test. The strongest carbolic acid that can le-
gally be sold at retail under the new provision
without a certificate IS a diluted solution not
exceeding . per cent
Has not Commissioner Darlington encroaehed
on the territory OF the State Board OF Phar-
Macy fs the question asked by druggists The
fear II also ex pressed that the Health Depart
ment may not stop al making rulings regulating
the sale Of cHrboc acid. but Include opium.
cocaine. etc. and even whiskey and beer. For.
II Is argued IN ali seriousness by opponents OF
the ruling. II the Health Department has almost
unlimited power IN making regulations for the
protection OF the public health Il could easily
sue an order that no saloonkeepeT could legally
sell more than a certain number OF drinks IN
day 20 any one person.