The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-01-10

against 40 cents before the war, and
SIENNA brings 10 cents instead of ID
cents.
Even MOthbaIls ARE Up.
Atropine, commonly known as eye
drops" is quoted today at $50 an ounce
instead oC $40. because II is manufac-
tured abroad and Is shipped here in
only the smallest quantities. .
Even the humble. and lowly mothball
has taken an upward leap with other
drugs Nine-tenths of the nothballs
USED by the entire world were manufac-
tlred in Belgium from napthaline. q
coal tar by-product. Belgians have been
busy manufa curing food and war NUM-
tions for the Germans. and have had no
time TO make mothballs. That IL as
signed as the reason for the increase Of
mothball prices from 3 cents a pound
to u cents.
with the prices OF the synthetic drugs.
those manufactured from basic mate
RAILS Imported from Europe, have risen
quotations on drugs which are not only
manufactured here. but whose basic ele-
ments are found In this country in great
quantities. According to Bureau OF
Chemistry officials there Is little or no
Justification for the increase in the price
OF bromideE used In the treatment OF
nervous diseases from 20 cents to IS and
IS pound. Bromides are made from
bromine, by-prOduct of a'certain kind
OF salt found in enormous quantities IN
Michigan. No shortage of this salt has
been reported. the officials say.
Before the war American and German
manufacturers of bFomides engaged IN
cut-throat competition. but finally ar.
rived at an understanding. or "conven.
ton, according to bureau officials. and
the price of bromides was fixed at from
| 20 TO 90 cents a pound with Germany
shipping in about half the bromides used
in this country. Since shipments from
Germany were discontinued and the
American manufacturers have had the
| entire market to themselves. the price
| has steadily vaulted. so say those here
who profess to know.
UnjustifiabIe Price Boosting.
Chloroform Is cited as another in,
! stance of alleged unjustifiable price
boosting. This drug now sells for 81 oil
! $Ll0 a pound. as against 80 cents before
/ the war. Chloroform is derived from
the distillati0n Of wood. and M
machinery has been reported TO tn,
| Bureau OF Chemistry. Faraldehyde
/ which has leaped from 80 cents a pounl
! to $50, is derived from alcohol, RnC
| there is not much excuse for this in
crease. according to those who say the!
know drug prices
All along the line drug prices hav,
gone up and will continue to value, &C
| cording to wholesalers All of tn,
prices quoted in this article are whole
sale. the retail prices are about SO pc
cent higher than the wholesale.
Washington druggists report decrease,
| sales OF peroxide and consequent in
crease in the number of decided bru
nettes." The price OF the drug has in
creased materially, wholesalers charg
ing $40 for the same quantity they for
merly sold for IS.
Local dealers report limited supple
Of asperin, a popular headache remedy
which disappeared entirely from tn
high, however. wholesalers who for
merly sold It for 80 cents an ounce nov
demanding 81 or $I.10 for ii.
Good health. always a boon, is wort
more now than ever in the history o
this country, or. phrasing It differently
the price of getting sick is almost pro
hibitive.