The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1920-01-29


Memphis. Jan. ga report by
the special grand jury empanellcd
here last week for the purpose OF
making an investigation into the re-.
cent deaths Of three men who were
said 10 have drank toilet water,
strongly Condemns the carclessncss
and recklessness which has been dis
played by local druggists In the sale
Of such compounds.
The report in full follows:
Memphis, Texas, Jan. gath, 1920.
The State Of Texas, County Of
Hall; In the District Court Of Hall
County, Texas, December Term,
l9lg-Special Report Of the Grand
Jury:
To the Honorable J. A. Nabers,
Judge Of said court.
We the grand jurors Of this term
Of your court having been re-assem-
bled and re-impanneled by your hon
or, herewith submit the following re-
port of our labors;
1--WE were re-assembled by Your
Honor for the purpose of investigat-
ing the tragic end Of three citizens
Of our County. and after having
numerous witnesses before us in our
investigation and giving the matter a
/ thorough investigation. we have
found that while the evidence may
not be sufficient to sustain convic-
ton, it certainly is discriminating in
that il shows that some Of the drug
stores Of our county have been indis-
criminately and carelessly selling
preparations and compounds contain
/ ing a large per cent Of alcohol and
that some of these compounds con-
tain wood alcohol and that some Of
the preparations being sold by the
druggists and used by various citi-
zens of our country as beverages, al
though they contain a high percent
of alcohol, no formula showing what
per cent is shown on the vessel con
tanning them. We refer especially
to the fact that these preparations
have been sold to all persons for any
purpose whatever and in what ever
quantity desired. We also wish to
refer specifically to the Eau De
Quinine" hair tonic and the Spirits
de Lilas" a toilet water, which has
been carelessly and recklessly sold
by various druggists.
We cannot condemn too strongly
the recklessness and carelessness
which has been displayed in the sale
Of these compounds, and which in
our opinion has largely contributed
to the death of three of our citizens.
We realize that this report is couch
ed in strong language but the facts
and circumstances and the evidence
produced before us. clearly justifies
the same and shows that in some
cases the sales were made where Il
was known that the compounds and
preparations bought wete TO be used
for beverages purposes only. And
while we do not feel that the evidence
is sufficient 10 sustain a conviction
of any particular party, yet we feel
that several of the druggists have in
fact violated the spirit of the law II !
not the letter
We take this method Of warning /
the public against the danger Of |
drinking such compounds and feel
that has already been brought so
forcibly home TO us should be suffi- |
cient TO deter others from the use of |
these preparations for other than
lawful purposes.
We have had a chemical analysis /
of these compounds made as such |
analysis confirms our findings as |
above set forth and we are instruct /
ing our local authroities to give the I
Federal authorities all the assistance
in their power towards bringing the
offenders to the bar of justice
Having finished our labors we ask
that we be finally discharged.
W II. YOUNGBL0OD,
Foreman of the Grand Jury |