Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-04-09

TOR many months mysterious and in.
definite reports have come from
the battlefields of Europe that the
German infantry were being sent for
ward out of the trenches under the in
huence Of drugs. The first definite state
ment as to the exact nature OF the drug
which was being used came the other
day from Lord Northcliffe. the proprietor
Of the London Times and Daily Mail
This distinguished British editor was
given the unusual privilege Of visiting
the battlefront at verdun. So complete
an opportunity of observation was given
Lord Northcliffe that he was permitted
to go forward even into the first line
trenches. where he could look across a
narrow intervening space and watch each
separate rifle shot from the German front
line trench.
From so good an authority. so close an
observer, and so responsible man we
have this statement In Lord Northclffe's
own written words:
1.-THE ether with which they were
drugged before facing the French and the
giant guns, 1000 in number, under whose
fire they advanced, alone enabled them to
survive the terror under the influence of
which some OF them were almost unable
to speak"
Stil further Lord Northclire says:
This week Thursday was a black day
for Germany, when, drugged with ether,
the men came on in mass formation to be
mown down by the French 75s and ma
chine guns"
Another significant observation was
his remark that the German prisoners
who escaped the raking fire OF the French
75s presented wild. haggard, terrified
appearance that would move heart of
stone"
II the German troops are drugged is
there any drug which would provide a
temporary false courage and indifference
to danger and yet not react with dis
astrous results? Does ether fulfill the re-
Quirements?
A distinguished New York physician
with wide experience in surgery and the
use of anaesthetics, when questioned, did
not hesitate to say that ether would
have the effect described. Being an
American of somewhat pro-German SYM
pathies, he was inclined to resent the
suggestion of Lord Northcliffe that It
was necessary to drug the German SOL
aiers in this manner, but nevertheless he
declared tnat ether IN liquid form In
small doses could certainly be admins
tered to give men an abnormal reckless
ness.
The important point about ether is that
II stimulates a mans motor centres and
depresses his sensory centres, thus max
ing him abnormally active and daring,
while rendering him more or less uncon-
scious of impressions Of pain and terror.
There seems no doubt" said this ply
sician, that the war has brought into
wider scope than ever before the use of
powerful drugs. Not only have the medi.
cal corps OF the various armies given
their attention to the most effective way
Of alleviating pain and suffering, but the
soldiers themselves have been brought to
. closer study OF their own anatomy than
ever before. Hundreds Of thousands OF
men lying for months inert in trenches
have doubtless discussed among them
selves every form and possibility of min
linking by artificial means their own un-
happy condition.
"Dutch courage attained through the
asA Of alcohol has long been familiar. 1t
vas always the custom, and may be still
% far rs ! know in other navies than