The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-03-13
WHISKEY PRESCRIPTIONS.
Total in Charlotte, N. G., for 1907
Was 43,192--Some Interesting
Facts-Significant Figures.

the number Of whiskey prescriptions
written during the year 1907 mas just
been prepared. A statement appear
ing in the papers a few days ago
was premature, unofficial as well as
incorrect and that which herein APP
pears comes direct from those who
made the tabulations and is also au-
thorizad.
The total number Of prescriptions
issued by Charlotte doctors during
1907 amounts to 4 1852. All the pre-
scriptions being tabulated on a basis
Of quarts, it was discovered that the
total number Of quarts amounts to
30,G35. The total beer certificates
number l7I dozen bottles. Figuring
that the wiiiSkrv sent out from the
dru" stores on prescriptions sold at
an average price Of $l.25. it can be
seen that the amount Of money cX-
pended for the total number is $780,
543.75.
The l7i dozen bottles Of beer
would likely average in price about
ID cents per bottle, which would
amount t" Il total Of $S53.20, showing
that the drug stores received for the
sale Of whiskcy alone during the past
year the grand total of $i50, 300. 90,
paying tribute to fine city at the rate
Of 500 for the privilege. Only 1t
GA" stores were given the license to
deal in whiskcy, and therefore, the
city only received a revenue Of ST.
400, while the drug stores received
$50, 1896 90.
The largest number Of prescriptions
issued during the year by an invidi-
dual physician was 1901. which
would make an average Of about 13
for every day in the entire year. in.
cludinw Sundays. The second highest
on the list is 1897; the third, 3,G9l;
the fourth, 2,SSl; TIC fifth. 2.54G;
H." sixth, IBIS; the seventh. 1879:
the eighth. l.25l; The ninth. 1850;
the tenth, l.l5l; the eleventh, Ills;
the twelfth, CSC.
~ r"N NlNItt "Hp "Iolt 400
whiskcy prescriptions also wrote Ger
tiiicatcs for 2l dozen bottles Of beer
leading the list along this line. The
one who wrote l,225I whiskcy pre-
>c:in:!:ns wrote prescriptions for 20
dozen bottles. The doctor who is
sued the 2.SS4 also wrote 70 dozen
beer prescriptions. and is one Of the
colorcd physicians Of HE city.
One Of the leading and oldest ply
]SicianS Of the city wrote 20 prescrip-
tons. another wrote l2O, another 81.
Tin" records show nothing further
that is unusual about the numbers,
aside from those already given. The
old raiin" which applies to every
thin" applies to the physicians, and
all those whose names appear on the
register can be claSscd rs radicals,
conservatives and extremists. There
= probably little difference in the en-
tent Of the practice or he locto:
who wrote 1901, and the other wno
wrote 20. and the variance may be
due to their individual ideas about
the efficacy Of alcohol.
One "iancing over the records finds
s'u" Siran"" ,n.::e:. is apuIr, ;!
that some Of the druggists have been
miSlcd and filled prescriptions upon
the signatures of doctors who do
moi exist at all. This Is no reflection
upon their integrity as it was impos-
sDblc for them to keep readily in mind
the names of every physician in con-
tiguous territory to Charlotte. Ply
S%icians from Gastonia, Concord,
Monroe and all towns of such near
Ness 10 this city sent prescriptions,
bona fide prescriptions, to be filled
here. and if, occasionally a fellow
Forged 4 name Of a doctor non-eXiS-
tent, the diScredit cannot be placed
against the druggists.
Upon the records sent up from one
drug store, the name Of a doctor Of
divinity appears as having authorized
some bearer TO obtain one gallon of
whiSkcy. This, of course. is an in
stance where The name Of the minis
ter WAS forged by the holder and
thoughtlessly passed ovcr by the
druggist. or Il ease wherc the min
lister holds precisely the samo name
and initial rs some doctor in North
Carolina.
The drug store standing at the
head of the list in IN, number of DIP