The Washington herald., 1910-08-10

Washington druggists may stop
selling soothing syrups and medi-
cines for babies containing NOR
phine, opium, and cocaine, unless
prescribed by a physician, because
DR.. l.. B. Kebler, of the Bureau of
Chemistry, has declared they cause
infantile paralysis and other mala-
dies Of children.
That a large percentage of the
epidemic can be traced directly to
opiated sleeping syrups for babies
IS the belief of many doctors.
1t is proposed that an attempt be
made at the next meeting of the
Retail Druggists Association to
have a resolution adopted agreeing
not to sell such drugs without a
prescription.
They are all baby killers" said DR..
Kebler yesterday.
He is chief of the division Of drugs at
the Bureau OF Chemistry. and he has
made a careful Investigation Of almost
every patent medicine on the market. Dr.
kebler has just issued a pamphlet scor-
Ing drugged soothing syrups as a crime
against babyhood.
List of Deadly Syrups.
He gives a list of thirteen standard
market for years. ANY one Of them. he
says may put a baby TO sleep for good.
and all weaken infants so they fall easy
prey 20 any epidemic or any .infantile
disease.
Tiiat mothers use such drugs through
ignorance and because they are widely
advertised and that nurses often dose
children with them secretly to stop the
little ones from crying is known 20 every
doctor
The perils to babies IS an active one
and menace that should arouse public
opinion TO combat it with legislation, Dr.
Kebler declares.
The Washington department of health
has taken no interest in drugs as a par
tial cause for the infantile paralysis cpl
demic, though in Philadelphia and one or
two other cities strenuous campaigns are
on foot 10 combat their sale The Retail
Druggists Association Of Philadelphia re-
solved at their last meeting to sell no
more "doped" soothing syrups unless ply
scians prescribe them.
The following are some OF the patent
medicines that have been analyzed and
found dangerous by the Bureau Of Chem
istry. with the ingredients that make
them injurious:
Children's Comfort rmorrhine yilrhatel.
Dr. Fahey's Persin Anodyne Compound CInor-
phna suiphatel.
Or. Fahmey's Tecthing Syrup morphine and
Or. Fowier's strawberry and Peppermint Nix
ture lmophinel.
Dr. Groves Auod,ue FER Infants Cmorrhine sui.
rhatel.
Hoopers Anodyue. the Infants Friend mor-
rhinc hydrochloridl.
Jadways Elixir for Infants icodem).
DR.. James Soothing syrup Cordial heroinl
Kcpp'. Baby's Friend inirphne suluhatel
Or. Millcr's Anodvnc for Babies (morphine sui
rhafe and chloral hydrste).
Or. Gofiett's Teethina. Tcething Powders tpow-
dcrcd oriuml.
Victor Infant Relief chorotorm and cannabs
irdcal
Mrs wiuslows Soothing Syrup rmorrhine sui
rhatcl.
Others Termed "KIIIers.D
Some others that Dr. Kebler calls
killers" are Dr. Millers Anodyne Hoop
er's AnOdyne. Dr. Groves Anodyne. Jad
ways Elixir. Jayne's Carminative Bal
sam. and Or. Fayhey's Pepsln Anodyne.
They are on sale at every drug store
that keeps full line Of patent medicines.
and many are in great demand Could
the druggists agree TO stop selling them
without the doctor approves. they will be
taking hundred OF dollars out of their
own pockets. but little life will be saved
for every SO lost" said DR. Kebler
The preparations often contain large
amounts Of morphine and other deriva-
tives OF opium. Some contain even worse
drugs. Cocaine and chloroform are not
uncommon. and one drug even contains
the deadly hasheesh Of India. But most
OF the baby preparations are largely
Opiates"
DR.. Kebler saws that II the baby docs
survive such medicines it viii very Drob-
ably have acquired taste for drugs that
cannot be cured entirely. creating
foundation for the drug habit In their
later lives. He says hundreds OF CON
frmed dope fiends'' started taking coi-
ates before they got out Of swaddllng
cloths.
Preparations like Mrs WinsIow's
Soothing syrup" which contains NOR
r Iphate. have been on the market
i1 g. and there is hardly a publica-
,t does not print the advertise
its remarkable virtues That Is
nakes the soothing syrup habit
subtle danger. Mothers have
hem since childhood and the,
caln- lake of the idea that they are
te Hard and wholesome drugs
lehvenient for Mothers.
IS 90 easy when baby is fretfuI and
H,s In crying during teething, or
l.1 !, Is hot. to give the little one a
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