The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-04
ALLIED MEDICAL ASSN
TAKES UP RUNS CUDCELS
Certain Class OF Newspapers Give
Publicity to Associations Action
Out or All Relation to Its
Importance.

The Allied Medical Association OF
America on June Is in session in New
York adopted resolution declaring
that properly brewed lager beer
was absolutely essential In the treat
n1ent of certain cases and favoring
the manufacture of beer containing
not to exceed 2-34@per cent alcohol,
Light wine, II pure, was indorsed in
certain medical cases. The resolu-
ton declared - "a per cent beer
was not only beneficial to humanity
at large when drunk in moderation
but also admirably adapted as a sub
stitute for stronger drinks and as a
variant for many kinds of so-called
soft drinks"
DR.. O. NJ. Ottofy, Of st. Ls,,is de-
clared many of the soft drinks cannot
be recommended without reserva-
ton" The continued use of light
wines and beer. he urged. would in a
measure prevent increased use OF
narcotics"
The above is new item that has
received wide publicity. being featur-
ed on the first page OF many news
paper throughout the nation. Some
days later the association adopted a
resolution which practically rescinded
the action quoted above. The new
resolution reads:
Inasmuch as this association is not
a commercial body. but for the well
fare of humanity, 1t leaves the ad-
ministration OF alcohol as a medicine
to the opinion of each individual
member.
This resolution was introduced by
Major p. Ghadiahi. commander oil
New Yorks sky police. The medical
association had just elected him
fourth vice predisent. He is quoted as
saying:
If this body goes on record as in
dorsing the use OF alcohol as bever-
age, l.. being a total abstainer, for
thirty years. shall be regretfully COM
PEELED to resign as ice-presiden,
and as a. member"
The reading public is familiar with
the aggressive opposition to alcoholic
liquors by the American Medical as
ISOLATION. is the leading medical as
ISOLATION OF America. 1t is composed
Of over $4,000 members. and its lead
ers and directors are made up Of the
best-known physicians and surgeons
in the country.
The Allied Medical association is
comparatively unknown, and is not
representative of the scientific med
ical opinion in America. Its president
Is lgnatz Mayer. DIR. Mayer was born
in Austria, which fact may or may not
have something to do with the asso-
cations flirting with the brewers. L.
NJ. Ottofy is secretary treasurer and
apparently chief organizer. Is this the
same DR.. Ottofy who received consid-
cradle newspaper notoriety In connec-
tion with anti-vaccination agitation?
IT is to be regretted that the news
papers Of this country would know
ingly or unknowingly give prominent
publicity 10 the utterances OF COM
paratively unknown medical associa-
ton which are In direct contradiction
to the position taken by the associa-
ton which Is the true representa- tive
Of medical profession in this coun-
try The fact. that the associa ton
later rescinded its action, does not
remedy the harm done because OF the
wide publicity the first resolution OF
the association received, and the opin-
ion 1t created In the minds of many
that 1t was the action OF the repre-
sentative medical association OF the
country.