The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1905-02-10
Kill BILL No 50.

ns "ieuASsisst pay IN lmpVrVunl
part in the practice of medicine and t,ie
restoration Of health in this state
though they are often referred TO by
physicians with ridicule. 1t is known
positively That many physicians recon-
mend them TO thez patterns and that
they frequently take the place of pre-.
scriptions, in fact, constitute the pre-
scription itself.
However much patent medicines may
be decried, yet it is On undisputel fact
.tnat many of them do great good, as
shown by their widespread and sue.
cessful sale, to say nothing of personal
experiences and testimonials. And no
one will dispute the proposition that It
Is really incumbent on the manufaetpr.
sss of these medicines to make good
! goods, because Of the fact That the very
life of the manufactures depend upon
/: the further patronage, and not trans
lent orders. Tho firm That introduces
ia medicine or remedy in place merely
!, to meet the present and does not look
to establishing permanent trade
threatens the very existence of the en-.
terprise and will not long continue in
business because of the lack of SUIT
ficent patronage to keep the thing going.
These firms have large sums invested
in the business and to not only preserve
and protect their capital but also ITO
realize upon 1t, they are necessarily
bound to make goods that will sell, and
to DO that they must have something
worth the price and That will do the
work.
To accomplish all this It Is essential
that their formulas and business should
be kept to themselves AMI not be sub
jected to public inquisition, or the risk
of betrayal and possibly competition by
what is termed state chemist. The
creation of such an Office and officer By
law gives at once the opportunity not
only to indulge in graft but also to in
augurate competition. from informs-
tion compelled to be surrendered to MIN
and upon which the manufacturers have
staked their fortunes, their all. to say
| nothing about their having devoted their
lives to it, which will ruin them. Be
sides prohibition of the sale of these
medicines would occur to a large extent
as the firms would surrender the ter
ritory rather tnan divnls. the method.
and formulas by which taeir medicine.
are made. Then comes absoluts depend
ence on the physicians. unless the oldcn
resort to catnip tea and hsrbs is en-
ployed.
Why should the manufacturers of pro.
prietary medicines bs compelled to fur
nisn their secret formulas to the pub,
lie. and thus destroy their business,
built up by legitimate means, and on
preparations of recognized merit! A.
well demand of any business man that
he makes public the combination to nj.
safe, or That the trade secrets of indus
try. or skilled labor, shall be made pub
lie for the benefit of any idle ignoramus
VINO is jealous of and ready to take adj
vantage of other peoples success. SUD-
Legislation as proposed by the above act
is class legislation Units worst form.
Many proprietary medicines are uni
ysrsally conceded to b, very valuable.
and ar. used largely by people OF limit
ed means. VINO cannot afford to pay for
the advice of physicians and tae COS,
of prescriptions. Many propc liv, orr,
of easy rsacn of physicians. ami tliose
people depsnd largely on propriets,,y
medicines. and if the sla of same WI.
destroyed. thy would b. obliged to sui
fer taereby.
T'ae pretenss Of protection to publ
health is. "A Transparent fraud. probab--
urged by some doctor wlo would "l,il:''
very hard If some maaslirq was prcpssed
providing for tina examination or suo-r-
vision Of his prescriptions. Ta- stsir
laws are generally suficisnt for Zoo pro-
tection nj Inn noai4h "a a. <.s,,,r,.