The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-30
hi DRUG
Recalcltrant Attitude Of the Physician
Toward Restrictive Legislation.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: A
correspondent who says that "once In
a while there is a law passed which
1t Is practically imp sslble to obey
appropriately signs himself "Informa-
ton Wanted" II he had stated that
practically all recent laws of Importance
potentially make misdemeanants. felons
and prospective Jail birds out of whole
classes of the community he could more
accurately describe the finished product
OF our lawmakers when harried into ac-
tivity under the delusion of progress
by vociferous busybodies Intent upon
their own interests. one reason why
the baggage law is so emphatically pro-
tested Is that 1t lacks what Is known as
4 moral issue. which eV T serves ds a
s~llencer or muller or cutoff to Intell'-
gent criticism By those most affected
Take. for instance. the Harrison anu
narcotic law, passed by Congress after
the passage OF a similar law in This
State had blazed the way for II. TINS
measure foists upon every physician In
the United States a license patterned
after those issued to liquor dealers,
saloon keepers, rewer and distillers'
and about which there is still a DOUBT
as TO whether they are To be eNnoseu
IN our offices or pasted in the front win
dow. This law gives the right OF entry
and search to internal revenue collectors
into professional doings TO an extent
which no court can ask now under It's
process and the refusal to divulge which
on the stand has always been upheld on
the ground Of duty to his profession. All
his following the parent law In this
State compelling the publication OF the
name, axe and address OF the recipient
OF a prescription for the commonest
remedies for either a sprained ankle or
an everyday collie.
Needless TO say. intelligent and con-
scientious physicians and druggists VIC
late the provisions OF this law whenever
they conflict with the age long duties
they owe to their calling even al the
risk of going 20 jail.
In my experience an adherence to It's
strict letter made agonizing the last
hours Of a dying woman. The endless
possibilities OF graft under the Harrison
law can be imagined when every doctor.
druggist, dentist and veterinarian In the
land can be held up without warning
and the privilege of entry n search ex-
ercised over him at will by a Federal
Inspector.
The passage OF this law was pre-
coded by a campaign in the undertaking
magazines and newspa pers which EN-
bodied a yilifcatlon OF the entire medical
profession, such as was never known
before bu which has been elaborated
since by its promulgator.
II the possibility OF drug addiction By
! the faded and still unsatisfed cigarette
fend Il not embraced by him IN his
extremity it will not be for want OF the
knowledge OF this relief spread abroad
by This crusader. Even later he has
pointed out It's potentially in the event
OF the closing OF the saloon in prohibit
ton centres.
When It Is stated that the drug law
in this State was passed against the
| unanimous protest of the entire medical
profession within It's borders IL Will
serve to show how little weight Is given
70 matters strictly pertaining 10 their
most sacred duties. and all his a. a
time when everywhere over the land
Legislatures are voting the expenditure
OF millions for every form OF health
measures and control that 4. urged by
those sufficiently influential politically to
| control and direct this disbursement.
JOHN p. DAWN, NJ D.
New YORK, June q.