The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-22


ended will doubtless result in
the loss of hundreds OF thousands of
lives the Government of the United
States. aided by individual states and
cities. Is engaged in a war which con-
Germs the health and well being of from
900 900 to 100000 persons. This Is
the war for the suppression of the drug
habit The victims Of the drug habit
include men. women and children and
according to the drug division Of the
bureau of chemistry of the Department
Of Agriculture they number at least
100000 and possibly there may be
100000 OF them
States and municipalities. through
Legislatures and Boards Of Health. have
Joined hands with the Federal authors
ties TO prevent the sale Of habit form
ing drugs. In the State of New York
the Boylan law, which went into effect
July ! has done much to check the
evil and to make 70 impossible for the
public to obtain dangerous drugs with
out DOCTORS prescription. In New
York city the Board of Health has
passed regulations which have the same
object in view.
While these measures have aided
largely in X eping habit forming drugs
out of the hands of irresponsible per-
sons, hundreds Of thousands of people
throuchout the United states sin find
II poss bic to obtain the drugs to the use
OF which they are addicted. InsCru-
puous physicians and also some manu-
faCturcrs Of these articles are only TOO
willing To- enjoy the large financial re-
turns which the sale Of these articles
makes possible.
In speaking Of the drug evil and the
measures which are being taken by
the Government To check 1t l.. f. KebIer
chief of tho drug division Of the bureau
OF chemistry of the United states De-
partmcnt of Agriculture, says:
There are various remedies, SO
called on the market which are useC
from infancy to old age ana which con-
tain habit forming agent hat can 10
purchased al libi'um by almost any one
Many Of the mixtures are connected
directly or indirectly through the aic
of physicians. so-called Some Illicit
sales of cocaine. morphine, sc. are a,sC
made by druggists. both wholesale nnc
retail. Some physicians take advan
tage Of the authority entrusted 10 then
for the proper using OF thcs" hah.
forming agents and prescribe for Al
who may request them. regardless q
the health and welfare Of the public
Even many reputable physicians are
often not Circumspect enough IN thu
writing and safeguarding of prescrip
t,ons containing these and sim.lai
drugs
w h such conditions obtaining dru.
addiction has become n national evi
and a great one The question there
. 3,
minim zed or eradcated? There is
great diversity Of opinion on this point
but the following are the lines aloni
which results may he expected:
"First-Thc education OF the publ
through the press and by pamphlets
lectures, sc.
"SeCond-ErAct laws forbidd!ng III
sale of all poruicous habit formlni
drugs. such as cocaine. morphine, opium
heroln &c. and thor derivatives an,
preparations at re:al except on pre-
scriptous Of physicians, dentists or vet
erirari1nS.
Third --Ecquirc permanent rccor
to hc kept. .ubjcot to state and Fedora
Inspection at all times, of all transac
lions IN such drugs. whether who!cs Il
REAL or through the use Of prescrIp
tons. Many states already have sue
laws while others have Not.
"Furh Ew', laws forbidd,rE IN
handling OF any o. tp.~c products OK
cent 10y IN .rufl.,urers who'.sa,. an
retail drJu-.~t- ."I others l,ra'i
puaun,d
"F.t;L- The State boards OF .,t.fu OIL
other gnvoru.a- auH.y. shua.d % EN-
powered tu withdraw tho licenses ,
phVSici4yS vino ir,-rrin. up drlgu. -