The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-28
Dr. Whelan Modestly Tells Something About System
 He Is Using
MRS. ORR TALKS OF
 PISGAH HOME WORK
Twelve Women Victims Are Now Be- ing Treated There-Oyer Fifteen Are on Waiting List to
 Take Cure

| That a native born A1abaman, and | physician of Birmingham, has possibl, made one of the greatest discoveries fol the cure of the drug victim is now wei established. Dr. Charles whelan, city physician, is the man.
 Modest, retiring and unaffected, Dr Whelan told a reporter of The Age-Herald what he knew of his new treatment which has created widespread interest among the medical profession through out the United States.
 ITO begin with" he said, 'I am exceed ingly sorry the announcement of the method I have been experimenting with for the cure of the dope fiends got out. However, you possibly know better than do how the press gets information in regard to these things. To begin with, I have no desire to exploit myself before the public. It Is true that I have been using a new method to cure the poor unfortunates who have become addicted to the use of drugs. Thus far, am de- lighted to say, l have had much suc- cess.
 Gives Them Lift
 'T do not claim any original discovery in the use of scopolamine. This drug is as old as some of the oldest.F All that I can say is that about 15 days ago began it's administration after method of my own to a few drug habftues, and that after recovering themselves, they have been quite peaceful and calm, with no pain and thus far no desire for the drug. It is apparent from the results obtained that the proper use of scopolamine robs the unfortunate of all pain, which we know does follow after the complete withdrawal of morphine and after a few days rest he is placed in position where he can take up life and live it as he should. l cannot change the spots of the leopard nor can I do more than 'giTe a fellow lift over the hilf.'
 'If the cure proves to De the success we think 1t will, I am sure it will be a boon to all mankind afflicted with the drug habit. It will do more to uplift the moral tone of all communities than any thing else"
 Dr. Whelan's method of administering the cure consists of depriving the victim of all nourishment for a period of 72
 
 hourly at first, then at intervals, during the entire period of confinement.
 Mrs. Orr Describes Treatment
 Mrs. c. P. Orr, who is taking an active part in the care of the unfortunates, in describing the treatment, said:
 After the victim comes out from under the treatment they are, or course, very weak. This can be readily understood when you realize that no nourishment is given them for a period Of P hours. The only thing they have besides the drugs is an occasional drink of water. No one can imagine how delighted these poor peo- pie are when they realize they have no craving for the dope.
 At the present time we have about 12 inmates at the Pisgah Home, all of them women, the men being treated at the Southside jail. They are all doing fine. much to our delight The unfortunate thing is that at the present time there are over 15 women on the waiting list to take the cure This would be all right if we only had a place to keep them. However we are crowded to capacity now, and these will have to wait until the present inmates are released
 You would be surprised to know what a great number of people are desrious of going under treatment, both rich and poor. Of course. those who are able will be treated in their homes Tor the inflrm- aries.
 '"rhe most pitiful sight have ever seen was brought before me the other day. We had mother and daughter, both slaves to the drug, to apply to us for treatment We have them at present at the Pisgah Home and they are doing fine. The mother is not over 45 years of age, while the daughter is about 9. Formerly. they were wealthy people, put on account of their craving for the dope they were reduced to abject poverty. No one can understand that there i- such a slight line between the degenerate and the gen. tleman or lady.
 Now there is one thing" she continued, "I want you to do for me. Please an- nounce to the public that these poor unfortunates have hitherto been unable to obtain employment on account of their pitiful plight. The result was they were merely wards of the public at large. However, now, since they can be cured, they will be able to make useful citizens of themselves, provided someone will em- ploy them If anyone IS desrous of doing so. please call the welfare depart ment and we will do the rest Mrs. Orr is considered one of the most phlanthropic women in the community She is the moving spirit in Pisgah Home and it was through her giving the use of the home to the unfortunate women that their being cared for was made possible Mrs. Searight Says Fund Inadequate Mrs. Wilson Searight, m commenting on the work being done said 'The city is appropriating $50 per month to this cause, while the county is giving us s35. This is wholly inadequate. The l reason Is plain when one realizes that fl is necessary to have four trained nurses on duty. two at night and two during the day. In addition, there are other ex penses too numerous to mention. How ever. thank God, we have been getting along nicely. though handicapped fol ~Iu