New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-09
Wide Inquiry to Expose
Ouacks Is Indorsed by
Health Officials.
NATIONAL LAW
TO BE PROPOSED
Series of Articles Will
Deal with Drug Frauds
Dangers of Fake Cures.

The Tribune herewith presents the
Art Of a series Of articles exposing
tAs patent medicine evil.
In It's efforts to stamp out the evil,
Tbs Tribune will have the active sup
mar, Of Dr.. S. S. Goldwater, Commits
,,onsr Of Health Of the City OF New
York. and all the aid that the Depart
men. Of Health can extend TO it.
THIS Tribune, whose opinions in the
matter are shared by eminent medical
vnc.itioners, social workers and 9TH
an working to safeguard the health
q, he people, believes the only solu-
ton Of the evil is national legislation.
Only law, national in scope, can put
an end to the widespread harm that
some ouack nostrums accomplish. Big
wholesale druggists admit the need of
such legislation.
To this end The Tribune will present
tie results Of its investigation into the
ways and tricks Of the patent medicine
maker, whose quackery in many in
stances surpasses the ludicrous preten-
sions Of the medicine man" Of savage
tribes.
War on Quackery.
And to the same end The Tribune
will present the results Of investiga-
tons along the same lines of the New
York Department Of Health and the in
ysstigations made by the American
Medical Association, and the views of
eminent medical practitioners who
know Of the ravages caused in the
health Of the general public by these
euaek medicines.
The Tribune purposes to call a spade
spade in the course of these articles,
and It will print in their entirety the
fearless interviews obtained from men
who are prominent in the field of medi-
cine and surgery, and who know Of the
harm done by these frauds.
Most Of the patent medicines now on
tds in every drug store throughout the
United States are, in the opinion Of
medical men, frauds as worthless as
they are murderous. The higher they
are in price the more evil are they
capable Of, seems to be the rule.
The evil has been recognized by the
United States government and by the
governments Of other countries. This
country, save for some Investigations
BY The Bureau of Chemistry Of the De-
psrnent Of Agriculture and some
i'snd orders issued against medical
quaeks Of various sorts, has done next
TO nothing to end this evil in the
United States In the Philippine ISL
snds, however, the patent medicines
A'vs been practically legislated out Of
existence.
The Tribune will cause to be intro
oased at the next Congress Of the
Unlied States, and will urge the pas
age Of, bill to end this patent medi-
sirs scandal.
National Law To Be Urged.
Immediate relief from this evil can
o obtained in cities and communities
sas's the local boards Of health, as
n New York City, have the authority
ADOPT rules and regulations govern
q The health Of their respective local
mes. And with this in mind, The Trib-
.as will ask the Board Of Health Of
"T York City. Of which DIR. S. S. Gold
''isr is the head, to pass such rules
&c regulations.
"sen a representative of The Trib-
ns discussed with Commissioner Gold
r.s;. 49, us plans for exposing patent
~.1ieines he said:
seh a crusade would be a godsend.
s o. Aese patent medicines are
~sssnfous frauds. Many Of them are
r4ess. All Of them mislead the un-
NJ. ~ wildly exaggerated claims.
na;,. containing habit forming or
eoas an drugs should be sold save
80. phyneian's prescription. Patent
ksrssa are working incalculable
o., % inbune's investigation Of pat
CT, .aieines purchased in New York
''ns OF which have already been
p.,,Sso At the laboratories Of the De-
,u,s.snt Of Health under the direct
H,i.rion OF James p. Atkinson and
rsissv D1fsnd, chemists, and others Of
a. are In the course Of analysis at
IA .oofatorles, tends 70 prove that
h s~n' medicine maker deals largely
resssinni1i esni1i patent medicines could
Ftl.SY be divided into six groups,
- herewith done:
~ Ihose that are harmful because Of
pelsonous drugs they contain.
Hsy O'e tast e harmful because
car. Si az advertised as being able 10
q Tasss hey cannot cure.
ss, nose nose hat are harmful because
tkorit warning symptoms which
fsf.,s - needed, and falsely lead suf-
a., rom diseases 20 believe they
a. ing cured by the nostrums, az in
'ss,s.s o. consumption and cancer
fsv s.e .noae hat are harmful beeaure
q syhtsin habit forming drugs, such
I've, '@"' cocaine and their deriva-
~. Those that are harmful because
m Ie nothing more than whiskey
tsl =. limitations Of whiskey, eolored
@oe e u tasting by the admixture