Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-07-10
May PUT BAN on
WHISKY AS DRUG
DIR. Wiley, Head OF Pharmacopoei8l
Convention, Seeking Euiin@ by
Federal Officials.

Washington. ID. c., July Federal
confirmation OF his assertion that with
in the next few months every druggist
who wants to sell either esh3skcy or
brandy VIII have 90 take out "a license
as a salooukaa per Is to 5o sought ay
Dr. Harvey ST. wiley. president of The
United states phuE-aalogo postal oOnvan-
ton.
When Or. Wiley heard yesterday that
there is a disposition id some quarters
TO question his statement that -ae with
drawal OF recognition OF whisky AMID
brandy as medicines" liz the new paur-
macopoea will have the eject oil pro-
h.biuug thetc sale liz drug stores he
announced that he would present The
question TO Commissioner of Internal
Revenue Osborn Immediately.
Il VIII write the commissioner to-
day for an opinion" he said
Commissioner Osborn was advised
.of the statement He said he had not
heard OF the decision 10 drop whisky
and brandy from the pharmacopoeia
and therefore, had net given any
thought to the changes li1eiy TO result
from the action Of the revision com
mittee When Or. WiIey's letter is re
ceiYed he Will submit the questions TO
the law experts of the treasury.
Or. Carl A. Alsberg. successor to Dr.
Wiley as chief Of the United States bu-
reau of chemistry, pointed out that
many products not listed in the phar-
macopoeia are sold by druggists. He
called attention to the fact that none OF
the patent medicines are listed there.
Neither is the pharmacopoeia a gov
eminent publication. bat it is recog-
nized as official by all the government
departments having to do with health
matter
The pharmacopoeia, according To Or.
Wiley. has been made the official stand
ard for all drugs and medicines by an
act Of congress. He declared yester-
day that the recognition was given in
the food and drugs act, DIT. Wiley does
not deny that druggists may sell prod
ucts not listed in the pharmacopoeia,
but he points out that whisky and
brandy can be sold by druggists only
for medicinal purposes.
1t is his contention that when the
new pharmacopoeia becomes the off
cial list whisky and brandy can no
longer be sold as medicines. The ques-
ton was raised whether druggists
could not continue TO carry stocks of
whisky and brandy for use in prepara-
ton of medicines.
Il never heard OF either whisky or
brandy being used as an excipient,
DR.. Wiley replied. Alcohol is often
used, hut not whisky nor brandy"
When asked for an official state
ment Of his views as to the effect Of
changing the status Of alcoholic liquors
from medicines TO out and out beyer-
ages. DR.. Wiley dictated the following
physicians can prescribe any rene
dies they please If they are remedies,
hut I doubt whether the physician
could prescribe a beverage, controlled
nv the food and drugs act, 10 be sold
In any locality not authorized 70 dis
pense the same.
ANY other view OF the matter would
he wiuking at q violation OF the inter-
nal revenue laws. If physician wish
Cd 10 prescribe brandy as tonic, the
oniv place it could be purchased would
he at d saloon, having q license TO sell
it.
"On the contrary, alcohol. being rec
ognized as a pharmacopoelai product
could be prescribed and the preserlp-
tion filled By a pharmacist II couId