Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-16

. who are legally registered with the
federal government. These drugs can
be transported in interstate commerce
only through a legally appointed dis
penser.
Elaborate Prescription.
The physician prescribing any one
of these drugs must make out an elab-
crate prescription. including name, ad
dress and age of the person receiving
the drug. If he furnishes them him
self directly to the patient he must
order his supplies special blanks.
The druggist keeps prescriptions and
order blanks until called for by the
collector and may not refill a pre-
scription. The same rulings apply to
dentists and veterinarians.
No matter how small the amount of
these drugs which the physician de-
sireS to use, all the detail just Speci
fed must be given on his prescription.
The druggist. however. may sell over
the counter. without special registra-
ton. proprietary medicines which con-
tain the prescribed minimum or less of
these drugs.
Investigations and prosecutions
have disclosed the need both to
strengthen the law and ameliorate the
sufferings of those unfortunate citi-
zens addicted to the use of drugs which
the act prevents them from obtaining.
Many persons financially unable to OBJ
tam necessary treatment at hospitals
or Sanitariums, and some of them be-
cause of advanced age or physical IN
hrmities. cannot be deprived of the
drugs without endangering their lives.
Reports of Violations.
During the four months ended June
80. 1915, there were reported total
OF 5.osS violations of this law and the
regulations made hereunder. of which
52s were by persons registered under
the law. and 1857 by unregistered per-
sons. The violations by the registered
persons were distributed among the
professions as follows: 257 by ply
sicians, 40 by dentists. s by veterinary
surgeons. by manufacturers. 5 by
wholesale dealers. 211 by retail dealers
and by registered persons not within
these classifications. Many of these
violations were fragrant: the ma jority
were technical or unintentional due to
misunderstanding of the laws REQUIRE
ments.
prosecutions were Instituted and
trials had in 131 cases. resulting in
convictions in 1oS cases and acquittals
IN twenty-five cases. Upon convic-
tons, fines only were imposed in
number of cases. while in others, both
nnes and Imprisonment. ranging from
short Jail terms to three years in the
federal penitentiary, were fixed by the
courts. There were 10 cases under
indictment or held for the grand Jury
at the close of the fiscal year.
Some of the difficulties of enforcing
the Harrison law may be surmised
from the fact that fully 100000 per-
sons or firms affected by 'it-phy-
sicians. 10000: dentists, $4,000: veter-
mary surgeons. 1.100; retail druggists
$4,000: manufacturing chemists and
wholesale druggists, 500. Registration
and supervision constitute a task of
no small magnitude.
Finds Leaks in Law.
That there are leaks in the law
even the first years experience has
proved. though reports are not yet
available from many portions of the
country and measures for revision of
the law have not as yet been finally
formulated. One such leak is said to
be in the enforcement of interstate
commerce regulations. Another is the
fact that there is no means of dis
eliminating between honest and dis
honest intention on the part of ply
sicians- though IN official interpreta-
ton of the law, inssued during the
year, may cover this point II rules
that when an especially large amount
Of the drug Is ordered, the prescrip-
ton must indicate the purpose for
such amount.
advantage given TO preparations over
doctors prescriptions, in the much dis
cussed section 6. The repeal of this sec
ton is being strongly urged.
Other recommendations based upon
cen brief experience of the law in
c3ude d tax on the specified drugs
based upon some unit of weight and
denoted b. stamps affixed to original
package or containers: the inclusion
of chloral-hydrate, cannabis indica
and other drugs having the same gen
eral properties within the law; that
tire registration OF persons permitted
to handle these drugs be yet further
restricted and that more adequate pro-
vision be made for treatment of indi-
2crt persons who are drug habitues.
An important movement has been
serted, nentime. that newspapers
snail reject all whisky advertisements
as well as advertisements OF medical
preparations containing alcohol or
np:ates IN hdb:;-forming quantities