The New York herald., 1921-02-07
Drug Associations Join
With Dry Agents i'll an
Attack on Wildcat Nos
trum Makers.
BIG PROFITS REVEALED
Hundreds of New TOnics on
Market, Put Up Only for
Beverages, Enjoy Large
Sale.
MADE BY EX-LIQUOR MEN
100000 Gallons of Alcohol
Are Withdrawn Monthly for
Manufacture: Only 300,-
900 a Year Ago.

WV ~ SoA <A3Os
Prohibition enforcement agents and
the leading drug associations OF the
country have begun war on the
patent medicine, hair tonic and per-
fume bootIegger, who has been reap
ing golden harvest since the adj
vent of national prohibition. The
manufacture of these commodities had
been more or less overlooked in the
fight to clamp down the whiskey lid.
with the result that it has grown into
an industry which last year consumed
nearly 39000,000 gallons of grain alco-
hol. anNincrease Of more than 800 per
cent. over the consumption of pre-
war days.
An investigation just completed by
Government agents and the drug asso-
Citations shows that the patent medi-
cine, hair tonic or perfumery bottle
rapidly is taking its place in the ice
chest as the quantity of private
stock" decreases. During the last year.
the investigation has revealed, hun
dreds of new tonics and elixirs appeared
on the market, whose only excuse for
manufacture was to relieve the thirst
OF an arid nation.
The dry edict specifically declares
\. that alcohol used in the manufacture
OF these concoctions must be medi-
Gated. The bootIegger has discovered.
the agents say, that one can medicate
alcohol and still corcoct paiatnble
drink Which may have no more inju-
rious effect upon the individual con-
Stunning it than would a mild cathartic.
yFor formulas the bootlegger did not
have to go any further than the pure
food and drugs act.
5000 Permits I'm 1920.
More than 5000 permits were issued
during 1920 for the manufacture OF pat
ent medicines and toilet concoctions
having a high alcoholic content. officials
OF the prohibition enforcement service
state The most popular coneoction has
proved 10 be wine of pepsin." in which
tho al3ohoiic content has ranged from
TO 80 pei cent!
A largk number of formulas were
named extract of this or that in which
the alcoholic content ran as high as so
per cent. Prepared bitters also were re-
sorted TO and the agents have found the
latter on sale in grocery and delicates-
sen stores in the various large cities
throughout the country, particularly in
The East.
Government officials have been oogni-
zant for months of the activities of the
patent medicine bootlegger, but it was
thought advisable 20 direct attention
nrst to the illicit whislsey seller Now
hat the activities OF the latter have been
greatly reduced and the Goeernment has
sealed virtually all the whiskcy ware
houses. the Officials are descending upon
the fnedicated booze dispenser who had
nperated with comparative freedom dur
ing the thirteen months Of national pro-
sibition.
Permits for the manufacture Of pat
ent medicines, tonics and toilet prepara-
lions were TO have expired on December
81 last but the lack of an adequate
force to handle the applications for re-
newal caused the time of expiration to
be extended to an indefinite date. Since
December however. the Government
AGENTS have been examining the appli-
ratjons az the rate OF 400 week, about
90 per cent OF which have been re-
iectcd.
Suspicious Of New Formulas.
an new formulas arc looked az With
eyes OF suspicion. The concoctions are
submitted to the closest analysis. and
physicians Of unquestioned reputation
are consulted TO make sure trey have a
medicinal value which Il would he an
Injustice 70 prevent the public from hav-
ing But the great majority OF the ap-
plicationa arc for the old and estab-
lished formulas. Tho agents cite as
among the most fagrant Instances the
receipt from Chicago of eighty applica-
tions for permission 10 manufacture
wine OF pepsin and jamaica ginger.
The proprietary medicine manufac-
turcrs OF the country entered the hght
against the tonic bootleggcr because his
activities were giving their business
what literally might bo termed BLACK
eye" Through the Proprietary Associa-
ton. Of which more than zoo are mcn-
bers. and which has its headquarters IN
Chicago. the manufacturers began an
investigation. which has resulted. Il is
said. in obtaining 1000 affidavits Grim
inally duplicating a large number of
persons In the manufacture OF wildcat
medicines. The greater part Of these
persons. the investigation has shown.
formerly were engaged in the distilling
of whiskey and the brewing Of bee.
We have started a campaign TO fiVLt
these booze medicines, and we will not
ofA h1
nfc IN Jail" Il. F. Kemp. general repre-
sentative OF the Proprietary Association,
said "Our association has pledged its
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