Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-11

1~s which comes In various manners from
rTurians. The Victims OF the habit come
oo> every level Of society and may be
round IN any degree OF addiction. In
large number OF cases the addiction has
been caused by. gives rise 60. or az any
rate is combined with, other physical dis
abiiity or aliment
MUST AID VICTIMS
The Harrison act has sidestepped this
rrpplcm for the reason that prohibitions
nom treating persons could hardly be sup
ported as revenue measure, and secondly
because II was impossible for the trainers
of the Harrison act TO know what provi-
sion each State is prepared TO make for the
care OF its unfortunates. ! think II must
be admitted that n any State has made,
or is prepared to make. absolutely no PRO
vision TO relieve these persons, then II
would be positive barbarity TO make
Wholesale prohibition against treating them
BY physicians.
There may he many cases which can be
properly treated by physicians with some
hope Of cure. For example, persons Of
Intelligence, who are only slightly addict
ed and who have a very favorable chance
for recovery II they cooperate with their
physcians The opinion OF many medical
men IL that they may be cured by grad
usi reduction OF Substitution OF drugs
Those who can be placed under the care Of
nurns In their homes and compelled to
submit TO gradual withdrawal OF the
drug. Again, those who are suffering from
some disease even though such disease re-
suited from drugs.
The underworld cases in general are
not susceptible to this sort OF treatment "
physicians were invariably high-minded
men there would be no necessity OF this
control but, unfortunately. a certain per-
centage permit themselves to be used by
these victims as a method OF continuing
their vice.
1T seems that there must he State or
county Institutions provided, and until such
Institutions are provided don't believe
We have any right. even " we could 70 STOP
their treatment by physicians. even thoush
II be In itself great evil
AN act was passed which provided for
such an institution, and l understand that
the ground has been bought. but that there
Ia no appropriation yet for the building
OF what must be vast institution. IL
would seem, therefore. that before anything
can be done along this line some assur-
ance should be given that these victims
will have some place to go and will not be
driven from the care Of physicians.
III legislation does not provide scme
place whese these patients can be prop
srly treated great hardship must be en-
dured by them, and their situation may
produce legislation to make adequate pro-
vision for the commitment and care of such
patients at both State and municipal in
sttutions.
Therefore we must insist on a section
that an appropriation be made for such
institutions
FOR HEAVY PENALTIES
s'Provision should be made for the re-
uoval of the license Of any physician who
IL addicted to the use of narcotic drugs
or who has violated the law. heavy pen
atty should be put upon the false or
fraudulent issuing of prescriptions.
ssVUa hava consfdarad tho nrovisiona rac-
cmmended by Mr. Towne. of New York,
In regard to the sale OF the hypodermic
needles upon prescription only, but after
we were advised by Samuel Rosengarten
we have decided not to insert such clause.
Such an immense amount of legitimate
prophyIaxis Is carried on in the injections
Of serums containing no narcotic drugs
that the requirement of prescription
would be an unwarranted burden"
John r. Lands, special field Investigator
Of the citizens committee, appointed by Mr..
Kane to investigate the drug scourge In
Philadelphia, urges that course of in
struction as TO the dangers of narcotic
drugs be included in the curriculum OF the
public schools.
Especially since the extent Of the drug
Ec0urge became known have physicians OF
high standing been devoting their earnest
ttention to a matter OF cure for drug
nends Drs Joseph McIver and George
u Price have conducted an inquiry into
specified treatment to more than l47 cases
Of dope nends" at the Philadelphia Hos
pitai
The physicians agree with social and mis-
sion workers that unless there is a sue
cessful rebuilding of the moral nature after
the patient has been cured OF his craving
for his particular drug, he will revert to
narcotic drugs at the first temptation
DR.. Horatio c. Wood. Jr.. said: with
medicines we can cure a patient OF ms
craving for drugs, but unless we can give
him back his morals and build up his self
respect he will soon slip into the old ways.
II 10 a godsend for drug hend to get re-
iirion or to win the love of good woman.
Religion and a woman give the dope hend'
something 10 fight for
The gradual withdrawal treatment was
applied by Doctors McIver and Price at the
Philadelphia Hospital Only very few
Of the 1A7 cases treated were permanently
cured. The majority OF them returned TO
their old habits soon after leaving the In
stitution. The physicians have made re-
port, which says:
with the morphine cases we found that
with the exception of a few long standing
Gases patients who were taking exception
ally large doses. the drug could be with
drawn In from ten days to two weeks
without causing any special discomfort. As
regards the permanency of results, q large
percentage Of our patients have returned
for a second treatment some for a third,
-
remsinsd free from the drug, but only a few.
"While we do not indorse the statement
of one writer that the morphine habit Is as
1ncurable as inoperable cancer our ex-
perience would cause us to be skeptical re-
garding the high percentage OF permanent
cures reported by propretors OF certain in
stitutions devoted TO treatment OF drug
habits.
I'VE found heroin not only less severe In
It's effects than morphine, but also easier
49, alxa ta a
and abstinence phenomena are not as severe
- In the case of morphine.
-All drug addicts should be placed where
they can be detained until II Is considered
safe by the physician in charge for them
20 leave. An institution for the treatment
Of these cases should preferably be located
ir the country or suburbs and surrounded
BY ample grounds The building should be
OF modern construction. with plenty OF light
and ventilation. and preferably each pa
tient should have separate room. A
hydrotheraphy room Is desirable; electric
batteries for massage viii prove OF great
value closets for drugs 10 be used must