Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-08-03
Uncle Samuel:
Apothecary
BY Frederic ]. Haskin

Every once in n while rImor goes
abroad that the American Army is handi-
capped by n drug shortage. Sometimes 10 IL
quinine that is scarce, several times ~ has
been iodine, and only few weeks ago one
heard that the American hospitals IN
France had run out of ether The Medical
Supply Department Of the Surgeon
Generals office wishes u assure all the
relatives Of mon at the front that there Is
absolutely no foundation in these rimors
that they arc merely another kind Of
German propaganda
It IL true that the tremendous quantl-
ties Of drug supplies required by The army
have placed considerable strain upon
the nations drug houses, but tho drug
manufacturers have been able 10 meet the
emergency. As soon AZ it became evident
that the United States could not stay out
Of the war, the drug trade began 10 fornu-
late plans for taking care Of the needs Of
the army and navy.
An association, known as the Commit
tee on Preparedness Of the Association of
Manufacturers Of Medical Products, was
formed for the purpose Of cooperating
with the government in the event of a
declaration Of war This committee sent
questionnaire to every drug factory,
asking just what that factory could do
towards supplying the drug needs Of the
government, and how il could bc re-
organized for the production Of drug
materials essential 10 the war.
4 LITTLE FoREHANDEDSEss.
Before this questionnairc was answered
however, the declaration Of war came. and
the Committee on Preparedness was sum
moned 70 Washington to confer with the
surgeon general Of the army and navy,
while plans for organizing the drug trade
for war were developed BY the Council of
National Defense
The medical supplies needed by the
government were divided into ten diff
ferent classes namely, medicines, anti
septics and disnfectants; surgical dres-
sings, plasters and splnts; medical and
surgical instruments and appliances; dent
al instruments, appliances and furniture
laboratory supplies; hospital bedding,
clothing and furniture; cooking utensils
and tableware; stationery; miscellaneous
hospital supplies, and miscellaneous field
supplies The medical department thon
held a separate conference with each class
Of manufacturers, explaining its needs
and pointing out that they must come Fl rst
that the needs of the Allies must BE- at
tended to second, and then the needs Of
civilians might be considered.
The drug manufacturers thought they
had q fairly accurate conception Of the
drug needs Of the army, but they found
they were wrong. The medical depart
ment refused to talk Of quantities less
than q million, ane: some Of the specihca-
tIons we're overwhelming The manu-
facturers Of surgical supplies especially,
went away from their conference with
desperate and bewildered look Forum
ateiy, however. American surgical supply
houses had greatly increased their capac-
~ SINCE the war in Europe began. Great
Britain and France had been unable 10
take care Of their own needs in the mat
ter of surgical supplies and had turned 10
the American concerns for assistance.
But by the time this country entered the
war the demands Of the Allies had begun
70 slacken. SO that the houses were in
good position to I'll government orders.
GAUzE By MILLIONS or YARDS
The first drug contract released by the
army medical department called for
oandages Of all sizes. adhesive plaster,
Oichlorde gauze, shell wound dressing, |
Igatures Of all kinds, and absorbent cot /
-on. The amount Of gauze specified was
100000 yards, and the surgical sup
ply men we're compelled 70 seek the assist
4nce Of 80 spinning ana weaving mills IN
this order. p TO date. the army
medical department has bought $50. .OOO,-
jDU yards Of gauze. The tremendous size
7t this rlglIre l. better understood when YOU
that il represents 2l90O0 miles
of gauze-or enough 70 bandage the earth
at the equator eight and a half times,
With 4 piece left over that would stretch
rom New York to Rio de Janeiro.