Evening journal., 1920-03-31
PHYSICIANSASK
DRYLAW Change
Continued from First Page.

OoubiIlucU lrO4u rlr5L fdscs
the State OF Delaware. both very clear
ly state that the use OF spirituous
liquors shall not be prohibited for
either sscramentai or medicinal pur-
poses. Tho passing of the Klair law
takes from us this right and privilege
granted under the Constitution Of the
United States and that Of the State OF
Delaware.
"A large majority Of the medical pro-
fession has always allied themselves
with the dry forces and exercised our
suffrage and influence In that direction.
but we had no intention In so doing
OF having a Constitutional right taken
from us or OF being deprived OF using
medicine which we believe In many
instances in our practice OF Invaluable
service in the prevention, relief and
cure OF disease.
I'VE voted dry with the intent OF
having the corner saloon abolished
and the legslized traffic in alcoholic
liquor as a beverage prohibited, meas
ures which we highly commend, but
not for the taking away OF the Consti-
tutional right and privilege OF having
at our command measures which we
consider very important and efficient
in our daily work of relieving the sick
and suffering.
Now one word as 10 the offer 10
amend the Klair law making II possible
TO prescribe alcohol and It's derivatives
for medicinal purposes. It was theo-
retical but not practical. A few changes
in that law made IL possible for the
druggists 10 carry in stock a supply OF
spirltuous liquors for dispensing upon
physicians prescriptions, but another
law on the statute books (Loose) for
bids any person. whether druggist or
other TO have In their possession more
than one quart.
"The National Prohibition Act, for
which we are contendlng. gives the
doctor the privilege Of prescribing one
pint every ten days.
"Under the Loose law any druggist
could have in his stock more than suf-
flclent to Ill two prescriptions, thus
making 10 impractical In that no drug
gst would qualify by putting up the
necessary $1,000 bond and pay the nee
essary license fee for selling same.
This was ascertained by a careful in
quiry by druggists. Now, what are we
asking for7 Simply the reenactment
Of the National Prohibition Act by the
State OF Delaware, known as the Vol
stead Act, together with the suspen-
sion Of such laws as conflict with its
provisions. together with the entire |
police powers Of the State no assist In
its enforcement.
We consider that the adoption Of the
Eighteenth Amendment, together with
the rigid Volstead Act, carrying with
II an appropriation OF two million
dollars for It's enforcement. amply pro
tects the best interests OF prohibition,
and that there Is no need for State
laws which directly conflict with this
aot.
I'VE would state that this is the only
drug listed In the u. S. Pharmacopea
which we are prohibited from using
though hundreds are more dangerous
I'VE are perfectly willing to let the
people. our patients, be the judges OF
the fairness and Justice of our demands
and 10 abide by their decision. We
would say that In so far as We. have !
been able 10 obtain an expression OF
opinion by canvass among our patients.
that public sentiment Is overwhelm-
Ingly In our favor and we consider the
people as the ultimate deciding power.