The Washington times., 1916-01-10

against 10 cents before the war. ana
SIENNA brings 10 cents instead OF 10
cents.
Even Mothballs Are Up.
Atropne, commonly known rs 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. q
Even the humble and lowly mothball
has taken an upward leap with other
drugs. Nine-tenths of the mothballs
used by the entire world were manufac-
tured in Belgium from ns pthaline. a
coal tar by-product. Belsians have been
busy manufa curing food and war NUM-
tions for the Germans. and have had no
time to make mothbalIs. That Is as
signed ms the reason for the increase Of
mothball prices from cents a pound
to j. cents.
with the prices OF the synthetic drugs
those manufactured from basic mate
rlals imported from Europe, have risen
quotations on drugs which are not only
manufa ctured 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 bromides used in the treatment OF
nervous diseases from a. cents to s. and
81 pound. Bromides are made from
bromine. a 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 bromides 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 30 cents pound. with Germa ny
shipping in about nalf 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 raulted. so say those here
who profess to know.
Unjustifiable Price Boosting.
Chloroform is cited as another inv
stance of alleged unjustifiable price
boosting. This drug now sells for 81 or
the war. Chloroform is derived from
the distillation of wood. and no
shortage in this wood or the distilling
! machinery has been reported TO the
Bureau OF Chemistry. faraldehyde.
which has leaped from 30 cents a pound
to $50. is derived from alcohol, and
| there is not much excuse for this in
crease. according to those who say they
! know drug prices.
/ All along the line drug prices have
gone up and will continue to value, ac-
CordinG TO Wholesa lers. All of the
prices quoted in this article are whole
| sale. the retail prices are about 50 pei
| cent higher than the wholesale.
! Washington druggists report decreased
| sales OF peroxide and a consequent in,
! crease in the number of decided bru.
| nettcs." The price OF the drug has in.
| creased materially, wholesalers charg.
| ing $40 for the same quantity they for.
/ merly sold for S.
! Local dealers report limited supplies
| OF asperin, a popular headache remedy
! nDearpd
| market some time ago. The price il
, high, however. wholesalers who for.
! merty sold 1t for S5 cents an ounce now
| demanding 81 or $I.I0 for 1t.
| Good health. always a boon. is worth
| more now than ever in the history o.
| this country, or. phrasing It differently
| the price Of getting sick is almost pro.
| hibitiNe.