The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-02-11
American Physicians
Vindicate Congress in
Passing Volstead Law

The Journal of the American Med
ical Association has just published the
results Of nn inquiry, during the
course of which they received express
sions Of opinion from 3l,115 ply
sicians in regard to the medicinal use
Of whisky, beer and wine.
The report Of this questionable is
a truly remarkable vindication of the
Volstead law insofar as it applies to
the medical profession.
The Volstead law allows the pre-
scription of whisky but restricts the
rumber of such prescriptions that
may be given in one month. A bare
81 per cent of these 81 ,115 physicians,
representing every state in the Union
and the District Of Columbia, believe
that whisky should be available for
medical purposes, and So per cent of
those replying believe that the num-
Der of such prescriptions should be
restricted.
On tho other hand, congress in its
prohibition legislation has refused to
allow the prescription of beer and
wine and in this particular also, med
ical opinion over the country supports
congress, for only 26 per cent of those
replying regard beer as a necessary
therapeutic agent: and the favorable
vote on wine was only 80 per cent.
Twelve per cent Of the physicians
giving their decisions favor the ab-
solute prohibition Of the prescribing
Of whisky, and there was q very de-
cided and general opinion among the
doctors that the prohibition law has
not caused suffering by its restrictions
upon the medical profession. Sew
enty-eight per cent of the physicians
replying declared that they had not
observed any such suffering in their
practice.
Tabulated by states the vote shows
10 states and the District of Columbia
favoring the use Of whisky, and 29
states opposed to it, while every sim
gle state returned negative vote
against beer and wine.
The Southern States voted IL to S
against whisky as medicine. The
western states were even more dry
in their sentiment, voting Is TO 4
against; while the east, with its
masses Of unassimilated immigration.
voted 10 to 3 In favor Of whisky All
of tho states comprising the extreme
eastern group, including New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, New York and the New
England states, favor the use of whis.
ky as medicine, while the rural dis
tricts were opposed to it.
Some Striking Statements.
One physician from Jersey City
wrote 81 have been in practice As
years. During all that time I have
seen the profession change in its atti-
tude toward alcohol, and feel myself
that there is no diseased condition but
what can be as well treated without it
as with it. The physician who lives
his 'toddy' likes to give it. The man
who does not care for 1t can treat eff
ficiently without it,
This one came from Oregon: II
live in dry state, and so have had
no opportunity to prescribe alcoholic
liquors, even had ! wished to do so.
However, I am not conscious of any
Lack of efficient therapeutic agents,
by reason of Oregon's dryness. In my
opinion. the only need for alcohol is
when a rapidly diffusible stimulant Is
called for, and even then I believe
every indication can be met by suit
able hypodermic injection"
"The careless use Of this drug by
physicians gives the laity the idea
that it is useful one, thereby perpet-
uating an ancient error" says q doc.
tor from South Carolina.
This Arizona physician speaks well:
"Since Arizona has gone dry the work
ing mans family Is much better off
and the doctors bills more promptly
paid While there is plenty Of bootleg
it is not nearly as bad as when the
state was wet. If prescribing whisky,
wine or beer were permitted in this
state, would be compelled to take
out permit in order to keep my
friends and thus retain their legiti-
mate practice. This would, Of course,
class me as second-rate bartender,
which have no desire to be-"
The following was sent from Della
ware: II am not prohibitionist. AL
coholic liquids are bad enough to
drink: worse for medicinal purposes.
Why should you want to prescribe al
cohol when you have access TO aro-
matte spirits Of ammonia, strychnine,
etc ?"
From Ohio: II am not q prohibit
ZIONIST. and never refused drink if
7 cared to but my opinion is that Ii
quor is hard enough on a we'll man and
it is absolutely foolish TO give it to a
sick one"
From Ohio also: "After many years
in the practice Of medicine I have de-
cided that tho transient effect Of al
coholic liquors In disease Is q detri-