The Washington times., 1921-02-04

Wines <td Be press he'd by phys
lsicians in Any quantity that the Shy
sician deems necessary. according
to ruling Of the Prohibition Bu-
Ireasl- n - ,s ~. ssss
John F. Kramer, Prohibition Com
missioner, today notified all pro-
Inhibition directors that the ban, which
has seemed to exist without any
ruling one way or the other from
the Prohibition Bureau, has been
lifted and physicians can prescribe
wine as a medicine, "the quantity
to be prescribed being left to the
sound discretion of the physician"
KRAMER's LETTER.
In his letter to prohibition direc-
tors Commissioner Kramer said:
"Some confusdon has existed as
to the quantity, OF wine (vinOus
liquors) that may be prescribed by
n physician in HIS practice, for me-
diciaal purposes.
| "In order to remove this con-
fusion, you are advised that until
further orders, physicians may pre-
scribe in their practice such guam
| titles Of wine (vlnous liquOrs) N
they, in the exercise Of their sound
and honest Judgment, deem neces-
sary In the particular caSe, II they
in good faith believe that the use Of
wine (vinOus Hquors) n q nedi-
| cine by the person for whom II 10
prescribed II necessary and will af-
ford relief to him from some known
| ailment.
| "The quantity to be prescribed II
thus placed In the sound discretion
! OF the physician, and they should
(; use extraordinary care not to
abuse the right given them, and the
Director. should guard this matter
most carefully to the effect that
the said privilege be not abused by
my physician.-
! The decision Of Com misstoner kraD-
er was construed In many ofhclal
quarters today as the opening wedge
| OF light wines and beer in TITS coUn-
~ and do away entirely with whiskcy
and other distilled spirits.
GENERALLY COMMENDED.
The announcement concerning wines
comes only a few days after the vir-
tual closing OF all distilleries in the
country and II was hailed with favor
able commentator by physicians
Under the present regulations, II .
| physician thought a patient needed q
| tonic, he was in a quandary how TO
prescribe wines, which are considered
| by many medical men as superior as
a tonic to whiskey. Then, too, IL was
contended by many persons of fall
ing health and OF old age that they
did not want to drink whiskey, but
wanted some light wines such az
sherry and port. These wines were
almost impossible to obtain In any
legitimate manner, although some
bootleggers were vending port and
sherry of doubtful parentage at boot
leg prices, which in many cases were
above the reach OF the ordinary sick
person.
For many months reputable physi-
clans have besieged the pret ibitior
commissioner and internal rsVcuue
officials with the aim OF EeIting sof1e
decision that would aliew them 10
prescribe port and sherry IN qran-
titles that would bencnt patients. AZ
ONE fHYsICIAN's OPINION.
One physician who recsntiy made
suggestions to the Prohibition Bureau
said that pint OF wine at a time
would be source OF needless worry
to physicians, who usually prescribed
a glass of wine at certain intervals
OF the day. He contended that q
half gallon or o quart At 4 time would
be the proper procedure
More general use OF beer by physi-
clans IL expected 20 be the next con-
eession by the prohibition officials, by
persons who have followed the trend
OF decisions by the Prohibition Blu
reau and are convorsant with the
mess Of suggestions that have been
received from physicians asking that
beer be allowed to be dispensed ~
medicinal purposes.