Smyrna times., 1930-02-12

certain elements of food as a
source of energy and thus act as a
foodstuff. 1t has been proved
scientifically that alcohol is oxi-
dized, its oxidation must yield a
large supply of heat energy or cal
aries. One ounce of alcohol yields
about 210 calories. AS an aid to
and promoter of digestion, no ply
sician of experience or judgement
can deny the effect of medical al
cohol on a tagging appetite and
digestion, particularly in the case
of the aged and infirm. While it
is not a cure-all Gall few medicines
are) it is of inestimable value.
Lastly, 1t Is A Poison: Physicians
know better than any other class
of men or women the evils result
ing from liquor improperly used as
a beverage, particularly the infer
ior quality supplied under present
conditions. The evils growing out
of its improper use as a beverage
have nothing to do with the bene-
fits to be derived from it's proper
use as a medicine and furnish no
reason for depriving physician of
the right to prescribe it in the
treatment of diseases. The ply
sician is allowed to prescribe NOR
phine, cocaine, etc, which are
deadly and habit forming drugs,
though valuable in combating dis
ease. Why, then, deny him the
right to prescribe liquor, which is
equally useful?
Physicians Know Best
Prescribing for the needs of the
sick is peculiarly within the pro-
vince of a physician and not
proper function either of legisla-
lures or courts. Any law which
circumscribes and limits the judg-
ment of a physician in the treat
ment of disease or alleviating pain
is on a par with fanaticism which
would determine any scientific fact
by act of law. Do you not believe
SA1clI ply o4OAc144oy as q OOdS VI ll4CAlf
are just as eager not only for the
health of our people, but also for
their moral and social we'll being
Repeal or modify the Klair law
and make its provisions agree
with the Volstead Act in the treat
ment of physicians. 1t is creating
disrespect for the law in general
You cannot make people good by
law, but you are putting good peo-
pie in danger of their lives by de-
priving them of a medicine of rec
ognized value. Is there a man or
woman who, having faith in their
physician and being told by him
that their child might be saved by
using whisky or brandy, would re-
fuse to give it Do you suppose
any conscientious physician who
honestly believes in the value of
medicinal alcohol will disobey his
conference and his scientific judg
ment in favor of an unjust law?
What piece of absurdity it is to
place YOUR illb III lI6 HdHuS VI
your physician in whose honesty
and integrity you must believe and
then brand him as potential
bootlegger by denying him the
right to prescribe valuable med
icine. The Eighteenth Amendment
was in plain language directed at
alcohol as a beverage, not as a
medicine. The Klair Law denies
him even the use of medicinal al
coho1 as a medicine, and places
him in the position of law break
er if he tries to obtain it for his
patients. Pierre S. DUPONT, whose
name stands for education, is en-
deavoring to obtain an honest ex-
preston of opinion from the citi-
zens of Delaware in regard to this
most unjust law, because the
ideals of American citizenship de-
mand that the voter shall be edu-
Gated on the questions which come
before the electorate. This ques-
tion of the Klair law must be agi-
tated and settled in the interests
of the voters education