New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-24
DRASTIC COCAINE BILL
ON WAY. TO ASSEMBLY
BenseI Act, To Be introduced
Within 48 Hours. Aims
OeathbIOW at Traffic.
LIMITS PRESCRIPTIONS
Provisions Make Possession
by Laymen Impossible and
Compel Record OF Manu-
features and Sales.

\ new bill. aimed TO restrict the sale or
cocaine. viii be introduced in the Assem-
bly, either to-day or tomorrow by Assem-
blvman James c. Campbell, Of the 18th
District. OF Manhattan.
The bill. which was written by DR..
Walter Bens.l. Sanitary superintendent OF
the CITY Of New York. would prevent a
physician. or any other authorized person,
from prescribing cocaine for patient
Yes the bill is drastic" said Or Ben
sel last night 10 a reporter Of the IT'D
ure. but the conditions warrant II. The
havoc wrought by the piomiscuous use OF
cocaine. so graphically described III Inc
Tribune, is simply horrible | have con-
suited several physicians. ana they agree1
unanimously that Their. wis never an oc-
casion' when a physician need prescribe
cocaine When lts use is necessary he
may administer il personally This the
bill permits.
The proposed measure makes It felony
Tor any one other than physician dentist
veterinarian manufacturer OF drugs or
wholesale dealer In drugs even 70 nave
cocaine IN his possession. IL also hnh'S
In. amount that a phy siclan. veterinarian
or dentist NAV possess at any one time 10
two drains. Possession OF more than t"o
drans would constitute felony. ana
make Tho offenders subject 70 yea
in,prisonment. = $3.50 fre, or both.
Directs Distribution.
The bill Is novel In that II pronlplts
druggists. pharmacists. or manufacturers
f,,. 1,.ft, COLL
inr cocaine save upon a written order or
prescription and then only To the phY-
sician. veterinarian or dentist who signs
TIC prescription. and who must present
the prescription in person.
This section. said Or. BcnscL means
that no layman may, under any pro-
tence Whatsoever obtain the drug IN a
legal way. and his possession OF the drug
would make him amenable 10 prosecution.
Consequently only 2 physician. dentist or
veterinarian known to the druggist may
obtain the drug. and then not IL any
amount exceeding two drains
That provision OF the Dclehanty bill.
which colnpcs a physician, dentist OF
veterinarian 10 keep a record OF his dispo-
s.tion and purchase u the drug. Is
omitted I'm Dr Bensels bill, which. by
means OF the two dram prohibition
covers the case. Dr. Bensel, moreover.
believes that q sufficient check VIII he
placed on the handling OF the drug b.
means OF the following provision OF his
BIZ:
Whenever the alkaloid cocair" o. lis
sal's are sold. furnished or disposed o.
by manufacturer OF or wholesale deaiei
IN drugs. o regularly licensed pharmacist
OF regularly licensed druggist 20 a res
ulsrlv licensed physician, having the de-
gree OF doctor Of medicine. regularly
licensed veterinarian. q regularly licensed
dentist or q regularly licensed phatmaclSt
or a regularly licensed druggist, the per-
sou so selling, iurnishing or disposing o.:
the alllalOid cocaine or its salts shall ah'N
OF cause 30 be- affixed 20 The bottle. poN'
vessel at package IN which the cocaine
~ contained and upon the outside wrap
Der of tie package az originally put No, a
label. distinctly ard conspicuouslv dis
playing tho name and quantity Of cocaine
or It's salts sold furnished or disposed of.
and the word Poison With the name
and place OF business OF the manufacturer
Of or wholesale dealer In drugs pharina-
c!st or druggist and tlc date ~ transfer
4 The said cocaine. all written or printed
IN red ink.