Evening star., 1915-02-25
Letters Tell of Suffering.

leg by amputation, the wound healing
in such fashion as to expose on the
surface the end of a nerve Under the
friction of his wooden leg, he asserts,
the pain caused by this nerve is SO ex
cruciating that he is compelled to use
narcotics copiously to ease his suffer
ing.
a woman writes that she has not
been able to sleep, except by the aid
of narcotics, for many years. To cut
off her supply, she insists, will be sure
to crowd her into the grave in an
agony of wracked nerves. She also
tells of man who promises to cure
her of her habit with remedy of his
own compounding, which he Will sell
her at Sc pint.
Other writers ask for information as
to where and how they can obtain sup
plies of dope when the law is in ef-
feet.
There is no special reason for their
expectation that the supply will be
cut off or denied them, for the law
merely prescribes the method in which
the narcotics shall be dispensed, and
does not restrict the licensed physician
or define his responsibility in prescrib-
ing narcotics for any patient who may
apply to him.
Less Chance for Secrecy.
The method of obtaining narcotics
channels of dispensing the drug are
limited by the law, the expense upon
the individual may be greater. Also.
there must be a greater number in
the secret of the habits of the dope
fend," although the law protects him
from publicity.
When the law goes into effect it is
doubtful if all the agencies eligible.
to dispose of narcotics will have duly
registered under the law; and until
this is done such agencies will have
no right to dispense and probably no
facilities for obtaining narcotics, other
than such stock may be In hand,
and which cannot legally be disposed
of without registration. This will un-
doubtedly work an extraordinary re-
striction of the use of such drugs
| beyond the limitations made neces-
sary by the law. This will embarrass
| the drug fend whose source of sup
ply is not assured, and perhaps dis
| turb the negligent physician in the
proper exercise of his professional al
| duties.
| Another menace in the law to the
| comfort of the dope fiend" is found
| individual possession of narcotics un-
| less regularly prescribed by physi
| clan. SO the registered physician is
| his only legitimate source of supply.
4
\ tions on the registered physician as 10
| the dispensation of narcotics. as long as
he is registered. The responsibility is
fully his own. He must dispose of it by
prescription, except in his daily prac
lice, and even then must keep record
| of the fact.
Records Must Be Kept.
4 The law is relying on the precise sys-
TEN of records to be kept of the produc-
ton. sale and distribution of narcotics
to regulate the use. The maker of mar
cottc preparations must be registered
also the wholesaler, the retailing drug
gist or other agent; the physician, den
tist or other practitioner, with power TO
authorize the use Of the drug. must be
registered. No unregistered individuals
or concerns may have the inhibited drug
in their possession, except by authority
Of a prescription The stock Of all regis
tered agencies must be kept recorded
And the inspectors of the narcotic divi-
sion Of the internal revenue bureau have
power to investigate, and are charged
with the duty TO do so at all times con-
venient or inconvenient to the registered
party.
According to incomplete statistics
CLEANED largely from physicians, the ply
sicians form the greater bulk of those
addicted to drug habits In list of thu
occupations of about 245 drug habltues
the figures given indicated that seventy
one physicians had the habit. Pharma
cists were next in numerical strength
with thirty-one taking drugs. Dissolut'
women number eighteen in this enumer
alton. unemployed eleven. brain work
ers and professional men, nine; sporting
, men, seven; nurses, twelve. housewives
eleven; clergymen. seven. lawyers, seven
and 50 on These figures were collected
by the Department of Agriculture.