The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-26
DEPENDS PROPRIETARY
 MEDICINES VS CRUSADE
Speech Made By J. A. Patten Before Pharmacists In Tennessee-Manu-
 facturers' Viewpoint.

Bon Aqua Springs Special to the chatta-
 nooga Times.
 Before the twentieth annual convention of the Tennessee State Pharmaeeutcai association here. J. A. Patten or the Chat- tanooga Medicine company, spoke as Ira ternal representative from the Proprietary Association of America, and gave atten- ton to the recent attacks upon the pro prietary medicine business. MT. Patteh position. as one of the leading business men of the state gave emphasis to his re- marks. which had careful attention and were received by the druggists with much favor.
 After extending fraternal greetings and referring to the relations of the manufac- turers and the retailers and several timely trade topics, Mir Patten said that he felt inclined to speak few words about the so-called patent medicine curse,' inas- much as we have recently had unusually severe and persistent attacks upon the manufacturers of proprietary medicines from influential publications and promi- tnent medical organizations.
 It must also be admitted by fair-minded people that every self-nterest of the man. ufacturer prompts him to put out rem edy which is not only meritorious but safe. However interruptions he may be at heart. common sense teaches him that only as he produces an article that will "repeat"--which will meet the needs of the people who buy it--can he reach suc- cess
 Admitting that there are fakes in medi- cine as in every other line of trade, is 1t not true that the leading proprietary medicines that have stood the test of time are of known therapeutic value? Are they not prepared In laboratories of the high est grade, under the care of skilled phar- macists, and made from approved formu- las, which in many instances have been the especial pride and specific of some successful physician or chemist? Have they not been tried in the crucible of public opinion and been found satisfactory by the people? For otherwise would not the people discontinue using them? But it has been said that it is advertis- ing and not merit of product which sells our goods. and that only by the strong est kind of advertising the proprietary
 medicine man forces the people to use his goods. Is not this also an overstate- ment? The most that advertising can do Is to make people try it. Nobody but an imbecile would continue to take a medi- cine if it failed to benefit him In all l have said in speaking of pro- prietary medicines, do not refer to the flake" connections of cocaine or other | admittedly harmful drugs or ',booze,"
 
 dies. They are no more proprietary med | icines than counterfeit bills are real dol lars. We all favor a reasonable, fair and uniform anti-narcotic and poison bill
 and will unite with any organization to | obtain the same.
 This agitation has served at least one
 useful purpose. Through legislative
 hearings and discussions in the public
 print the real substantial foundations I of the proprietary business have been
 shown. It has been clearly demonstrated l that the mass of the people want such products you offer them and are bene- | fited by, and satisfied with them. Pack age or specially branded goods are be- | coming widely used in every line of
 trade. The proprietary medicine makers | were just little in the lead of proprie- tary food makers and kindred lines. We
 certainly recognize that the entire ten- | dency of trade is toward the package rather than the bulk basis Having
 tried an article, the masses want to be
 assured of getting the same thing regu- larly. Made in large quantities, the best appliances and skill can be obtained in l its production. The loss of trade and | prestige to a proprietor if he produces | inferior or faulty goods. insures unusual l caution. The standard proprietary is put 1 In convenient form. The label shows
 exacly what 1t Is for. It's merit has
 been proven. II Is cheap-and easily ob-
 tainable everywhere. It Is the outcome
 of a demand on the part of the masses | of the people. and such can not and | should not be legislated out of existence ! by sensational magazine editors or medi-
 cal societies seeking to increase the reve- | nue of their members