The Washington times., 1924-02-21
On
SERlJMS
URGED
Editor Of Hearst's Magazine
Would Protect Public
Against Fake Cures.

Federal protection for human
life equal to that accorded to hogs
and cattle in the general use of
serum and vaccines was urged to-
day by Norman Hapgood, editor
of Hearst's International Maya
zine, appearing at a hearing be-
Tore the subcommittee Of the House
District Committee, which is con-
sidering the Rathbone bill to CEN
sor advertisements Of all serums
and vaccines.
Fake Advertising Attacked.
Denouncing advertisements of
some serums and vaccines pro.
claiming them to conquer tuber-
culosis" and to do other equally
improbable things, Mr.. Hapgood de-
clared that the use Of vaccines in
the treatment Of a disease, the
cause OF which has not been dis
covered, lis worse than silly"
And vet. there are a number Of
such Diseases" he said, ''for which
manufacturers are advertising and
selling such vaccines as curative
remedies"
Mr.. Hapgood cited a statement of
the American Medical Association
to the effect that when doctors
used vaccine in treating such dis.
eases, instead of employing the
proper treatment, they are actually
endangering the lives Of their
patients by Withholding proper
treatment.
Animals Are Protected.
A regulation Of the Bureau Of
Animal Industry requires strict
censorship Of all advertisements
dealing with vaccines and serums
to be used in the treatment Of
diseases in animals.
Concerted opposition to the bill
was displayed at the beginning of the
hearing when representatives Of
several large drug manufacturing
houses vigorously questioned state
ments made by Mr.. Hapgood.
Much Of the opposition, however,
later appeared to have resulted from
a misunderstanding of the pro-
visions of the measure. It was
pointed out by Congressman Rath-
bone Of Illinois, sponsor of the
measure, that there is no intention
Of prohibiting the sale Of serums or
vaccines.
safeguard the public health by dis
tributtng information as to what
has been approved or disapproved
INA DNrh -
Congressman Rathbone explained
further that the bill limits only
advertisements and other forms Of
public circulation Of alleged but i'm
possible cures.
Following the clearing up of this
point, 1t was decided by the sub
committee, composed of Congress.
men Mcleod, Of Michigan, chair
man; Kunz Of Illinois, and Rathbone
to call before the subcommitte
officials Of the Public Health Serv.
ice and prominent members of the
medical profession throughout the
United States.
Following the hearing this morn
ing Mr.. Hapgood explained that
the bill Is not directed at certain
reputable manufacturers who APP
peared at the hearing, and voiced
certain objections.
"These reputable manufacturers"
he said, "state that IL the medical
profession, as represented by the
American Medical Association. ap.
proves this bill or some modifica-
ton Of it, they would have no OBJ.
lection to 1t.
Among those who appeared in OPP
position to the bill were Walter s.
Penfield, representing the Sherman
Laboratories, Of Detroit: DR.. John
F. Anderson, vice president and
director of research Of the r. r.
Squibbs & Son, Of New Bruins.
wick. N. j.. and John Reichel, rep.
resenting the II. X. Milford Labora.
tories. Of New YORK. the Cililand
Continued On, Page 4 Column q