Evening star., 1905-11-07
PRACTICALLY KEPT OUT
SOUTH cAROLINA'S ACTION RE-
GARDING PATENT MEDICINES.

According to adyices received by the COM
missioner of interval revenue. the south
Carolina authorities have given the various
patent medicines and tonics of the coun-
try, including good old cider, a far worse
blow than that dealt by the commissioner
himself in his recent decision.
The chief state constable in charge of the
dispensary constabulary force has issued
an official notice to constables throughout
the state directing them to seize certain
medicines and tonics wherever found, un-
less they have been sold by druggists upon
prescription of reputable physicians. In no
other way can these medicines De disposed
of in South Carolina. This decision prac-
ticaNy puts an end to the sale Of all pat
ent medicines in South Carolina, especially
those well loaded with alcohol
Analysis of Patent Medicines.
The chief constable states that the state
chemist has analyzed several dozen kinds
of patent medicines and finds that nearly
all of them are too heavily loaded with al
cohol to be disposed of in that state. He
likewise directs that cider be prohibited sale
in the state the chemist having shown that
good old cider contains from to per cent
of alcohol much more than contained IN
domestic beer. 1t is stated that no cider
preservative. This has been a blow to the
South Carolina prohibitionists, who have
refused to patroniZe their dispensaries, but
have bought and used cider in large guam
titles. not to speak of the widespread con-
sumption of certain patent medicines.
The official analysis, published in the pa
pers of the state. shows that the two most
widely advertised patent medicines in the
United States contain, respectively, o2 and
81 per cent of alcohol. One well-knoWn
Etn a.cO
and another 62 per cent.
Views Of Representative Curtis.
Representative Curtis of Kansas. the only
man in the House with Indian blood in his
veins, and for years a recognized authority
on Indian matters, said that the govern
ment had for years tried to keep whisky
and alcoholic drinks from the Indians of the
Indian Territory, but that the curse of the
redskins had been these alcoholic medical
compounds and certain preparations sold
by country stores essences and fla
yoring extracts" While prosecuting attor-
ney In the Indian Territory he had often
tried to reach the people VINO SOLO these
things.
Things of this kind, together with Illicit
cheap whisky, we'll seasoned with red pep
per, sold frequently in the towns and cities
of the territory but in the country it was
not so bad" said Mr.. Curtis, who is giving
serious consideration to the proposition that
when the Indian Territory is admitted to
statehood with Oklahoma 1T be done with a
prohibition clause.
A number of suggestions have been made
that instead of providing for straight pros
hibition in the territory all sorts of mild
drinks be allowed sale, or. briefly put. a
sort of army canteen. where the indians
could have beer and light wines and be pre-
vented from getting whisky. 1t Is claimed
that this would satisfy the Indians and save
them from drinking the mean stuff they get
now through blind tigers. Mr. Curtis
proposes to look more fully into this sug-
gestion.