Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1919-05-22

Recent investigation of conditions
in sawmill town in this State devel'
Oped the following situation: OF 95
persons found infected with venereal
disease so or over 81 per cent had re-
sorted to patent medicines, drug store
prescriptions, "root-doctors," or self
medication for treatment. Only
slightly over Is per cent had placed
themselves under a physicians care,
While this situation may be somewhat
unusual it may safely be said that
more than half of the vcrereal dis
eases contracted in this State never
come to the attention of q licensed
physician.
The psychology of the human mind
is difficult to fathor. Most sufferers
from any Of the common diseases-eX'
repting chills or suakebite--will apply
10 a doctor for treatment, whereas the
doctor is the most stunned person
in a case of venereaJ disease. There
are probably a number Of reasons for
this, the two most prominent being
shame and the expense involved in
cure.
These are not, however, sufficiently
good reasons for endangering the pub,
lie health, and reducing the chances Of
cure in the individual by the use of a
patent remedy advised by a frie1d, or
the futile efforts OF self,treatment, or
the silly and dangerous medication Of
a "root-doctor." Claims that syphilis
successfully responds to treatment
with nostrums, and that gonorrhea is
little worse than a cold, may lead to
serious consequences.
The use OF patent nostlums in vene'
real cases delays the return of the in
dividual to normal efficiency. and fails
to check the spread of the disease in
The community; for patent remedies
for seIf-treatment do not stamp cut
yenereal infection.
Stree only fraction of the cases Of
venereal disease contracted ever
reach the attention OF licensed physi
clans, the reporting Of ye1ereal dis
eases by physicians alone viii neither
give a true indication of the actual
state OF affairs, ror lead to the control
If more than a portion Of the venereal
disease in existence. Il was for this
reason that the State Board Of Health
raised formal regulation requiring
that "anv druggist or other person
who sells any drugs, compound prepar-
alton. CIR substance OF any kind when
purchased for the treatment Of any
venoreaI diseases. except when pre-
scribed by a licensed practitioner Of
medicine, shall lle%D a record Of the
name" and other formation regard.
ing "the person making such pur
chase" and these RECORDS Of sales
shall be forwarded to the State Board
Of Health
It is also provided in these Regula'
tons that circulars Of instruction
shall be handed to purchasers Of such
remedies, so they may be advised Of
the precautions to be taken for their
early recovery ard the protection OF
those with whom they come in con.
tact.
The United States Public Health
Service recently addressed a letter to
I'll the druggists of The country, point
ing out to them the responsibility they
bore in selling remedies which, as 2
rule. are to be considered detrimental
to the welfare OF their purchasers,
and asking them to pledge themselves
10 discontinue the sale Of such rene
dies. Previously to this time all tho
RexalI Stores in the State had yolun-
tarily decided to discontinue the sale
Of patent remedies Of this nature, and
many others responded to the Govern
meat appeal IN come States tho sale
OK patent remedies for the treatment