The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-11-17
FREEMAN TO
PROBE SALES
OF MEDICINES
Prosecuting Attorney Seeks
to Test Validity of Section
Two of the Prohibition Act
Many Violations.
C0NTEMPLATES ARREST

Prosecutor Gath Freeman let 1t be
known Wednesday that it was his il
tention to test the validity of section
two of the Indiana Prohibition act.
which defines what constitutes intoY
icating liquor
Mr.. Freeman has been prompted 10
take this action because it has been
reliably reported to him that so-called
patent" medicines and other nedi-
c1nes containing considerable propor
tions OF alcohol, are being generally
sold in Richmond appearantly for bev
erage purposes.
Mr.. Freeman contends that the sale
of such medicines for beverage pur-
poses is violation of section two of
the state prohibition law, which reads:
The words Intoxicating liquor
shall be construed to mean all malt.
vinus or spirituous liquor containing
so much as one-half of one per cent
of alcohol by volume. or any other
intoxicating drink, mixture or prepa-
ration of like nature; and ali mixtuies
or preparations containing such incox.
icating liquor. whether patented or
be used as a beverage, and all other
beverages containing so much as
one-half of one per cent of alcohol, by
volume"
Contemplates Arrest
Prosecutor Freeman contemplates
the arrest of some dealer for sale of
some patented medicine containing
more than the prescribed amount of
alcohol under such conditions that it
can be charged that it was reason
ably likely or intended" that the mel
cine was to be used for beverage
purposes. After taking this action the
case will be called to the attention Of
tNe grand jury and, in the event of
an Indictment, it is planned to pros
ecute the indicted dealer in circuit
court.
"1f necessary, the case will be cac
ried to the supreme court for final
decision" Mr.. Freeman said, He add
ed that he wanted to know whether
section two of the prohibition act,
had ANY teeth in it,"
Wednesday man became intoxicat.
ed oD a preparation. purchased at
pharmacy, which is labeled beef,
wine and iron"
Drunk on Medicines.
The label on the bottle further stat
ed that the contents included 20 per
cent alcohol.
The police state that many of the
men who are now arrested for intoxi-
cation become drunk on jamaica GIN
ger, stimulant containing as high as
80 per cent alcohol. it is said: The
police state that jamaica ginger has
been sold openly in two ounce bottles
They further report that several
brands of patent medicines containing
a considerable amount of alcohol are
commonly used for beverage purposes
Patent medicines, however, are not
the only preparations used by local
victims of the drink habit who fall
into the clutches of the police. Re.
Gently an arrest was made of a man
who had become intoxicated on toilet
water Even liquid shoe polish has
been used, also lemon extract.
Fl. Wayne Acts.
A dispatch from FIT. Wayne reports
that authorities in that city are plan
ming action TO prevent the sale of var
ious patent medicines for beverage
purposes. 1t Is stated that a prepara.
tion known as Wine and Pepsin is
being generally sold in that city. Dr.
Eric Crull, health officer of Ft. Wayne
is reported to have stated that the
effect of this medicine is decidedly
detrimental. A wine glassful of the
fluid contains, he stated, from three to
four teaspoonfuls of the alcohol which,
in compliance with the state law, must
be in a denatured state and, therefore.
in the quantity named, poison, &C
cording to DR.. Crull
dispatch from Decatur, Ind, states
that the proprietor Of a soft drink
place there was arrested and fined
500 and costs and sentenced to go
days in Jail when the police seized
81 half-pint bottles of Anti-Cough. an
other alleged brand of improvised
booze.