The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-04-18
DRUGGISTS HERE
FEAR SHORTAGE
Government After Drugs and
Chemicals in j, S,
PROLONGED WAR, BELIEF
Many Articles UnObtainablei
Prices Advance,

Oklahoma City. in common with ev-
cry other city and village in the United
States, soon will be confronted by the
greatest and most acute drug and
chemical shortage in all history, as
result OF Americas entry into the
world struggle Local druggists are IN
a Quandry as to how TO cope with the
situation, which promises to be the most
serious since the inception OF medicine,
Government After Drugs.
Oklahoma City's pharmaceutical con-
tlngcnt today is agog with excitement
as a result of the United States gov
ernmcuts enormous demand for drugs
and chemicals Millions OF dollars
worth Of these necessities ot lie VIII
be taken out Of the market within the
next few DAYS, il is declared. The
United States government, anticipating
prolonged war, is soliciting bids Tor
a full alphabetical list from aCetanllld
to Xylol So prpd,gious a quantity IS
required that local druggists are unan-
lmouS in the belief that government OF
ticlalS are attempting to cover require
ments which will carry the army and
navy through long struggle,
Significance Of the drug shortage and
subsequent high prices in effect since
the European war began paled into
nothngness when the present crisis be-
came known. SO vast is the govern
men,'s order that local druggists inter
viewed this morning declined to ad-
vance a prediction OF the result OF the
shortage, or to venture a theory Tor a
solution to the situation
Problem Grave.
However, they consider the problem
extremely grave, and much anxiety cx-
lists over the question OF obtaining Ger
tam important ingredients tor preScrip-
tons it the war is OF long duration.
Many articles in the drug line are now
Practically unobtalnable and wholesale
prices have scared skyhigh, but the
druggists say retail prices have not ad
yanced accordingly They declare pro-
portionate advancement of retail prices
would be prohlbitlye
Cpmmentlng on the drug situation,
Ralph {. Crosby OF the Crosby Drug
company, said
One sensation after another has de
veloped in the drug and chemical
markets since the European war be
gan, nearly three years ago. The cut
| ting off OF foreign supplies sent prices
to the highest on record during l9lS
/ The year 1910 was one oi gradual de.
vcppmcnt IN those lines which coulC
he developed The current year openet
with the promise OF lowct prices. anC
these were we'll on the way 20 beint
realized when the United States en-
tered the war. How much hghe
prices will 60 is a matter OF conJcc
ture. II is not so much a question o
pficc-lt Is a question as 10 whether
we will be able to obtain certain drug
at any price, II the war lasts long.
Oils Scarce.
According to f. y AiuSworth. seorc
tary OF the Alexander Drug company
castor oil soon may be extinct
The bean is grown in English prov
inces and very light cargoeS arc be
ing imported because shippers car
realize greater profits on other com
modtieS." he declared. castor oil i
now obtainahle only in one gallon lots
and i, is very hard to get even thi
amount American mineral oil is tn
hest substitute now on the market Al
idea as to how the market iluc,uate
is seen in the fact that ate,phine,dir
which is used in headache remedies