The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-04
THE DRUG LAW.
How It's Prohibitions Affect Innocent
Persons.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Str: In
substance Chapter 363 OF the Laws OF
1914 prohibits the sale OF certain habit
forming drugs. namely. opium. NOR
phine, heron, codeine and choral. This
prohibition In itself and standing alone
would he reasonable. But the act pro-
ceeds to prohibit druggist from filling
more than once A. prescription contain
ing any Of these drugs.
In other words It prevents absolutely
a renewal of the prescription. and
obliges the patient to 60 to doctor
every time he desires the medicine and
to have new prescription for IL,
written by the doctor The medicine
may cost so cents. the doctors atten-
ton will cost at least 81.
An instance Of the effect Of this law
has come under my observation.
woman who had been In splendid
health suffered severe attack OF
bronchitis five years ago. Her physi-
clan cured her by means Of medical
preparation containing a large amount
OF oil Of eucalyptus and other elements,
which were certainly not habit form
Ing" and very small quantity Of
one OF the so-called habit forming
drugs. and the physician told her to
have the prescription renewed whenever
she was threatened with recurrence
of the attack, as he said IL would stop
such an attack In its inception.
She dislked the medicine very much
The very odor of II was sickening to
her. But several times when symptoms
of bronchial trouble developed they
were checked, at little cost. by this
highly beneficial preparation. She never
knew there was a drug In 1t. and never
felt the slightest inclination or mani
Tested the least willingness to take the
preparation until she had TO do so to
avoid serious Illness. But the other
night the druggist. who knew something
Of the circumstances. but was not per-
mitted to exercise any discretion. was
obliged under the law to refuse to Ill
the prescription.
The words reform" progress" "ad-
vance" are tossed lightly about as the
playthings OF imaginative people, and
the words "reactionary." medieval"
fossil are hurled at their more eau
tlous and deliberate fellows. Clubs, 80
cieties and associations that have mis-
appropriated the terms reform" 80
cial welfare" civic" &c. pass reso-
/ lutions. and fast thinking individuals
exercise their vocal chords ad libitum
ct al nauseam. Then unofficial law
makers, ! had almost said mischief
makers, who have no responsibility and
I who therefore cannot he held TO ac-
/ count. present suggestions or formulate
| bills for the official legislators.
Many OF the latter are nothing II not
oblging The bills are introduced, and
| in the rush OF legislation they are not
ordinarily the subjects OF mature re-
Election, serious discussion or careful
elaboration. And thus the liberty OF the
1 American citizen Is slipping away. He
IL being regulated into Il condition ap-
proximating seryitude The courts are
almost powerless When they do inter
fere on the ground that some law Is q
deprivation % individual rights and ir
, conflict with the fundamental law, th<
amateur statesmen howl In unison
do not know the history OF this
measure Some responsible and clever
people may have urged It's adoption
but II such people were concerned II
IL, they did not manifest their clever
ness ny their part in this performance
The law should he repealed with az
apology to the public for It's enactment.
PROGRESSIVE EyrRAoRpiNARY.
New YORK Nav g.