Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-09
MORGAN DEFENDS
MEDICINAL LIQUOR
American Association Head
Says Doctors Require
Liberty of Action.

Although he has never personally be-
lieyed in the use of whisky for medical
purposes, DR.. william Gerry Morgan,
president of the American Medical
Association, explained today why he is
waging a. determined war against all
restrictions on the use of alcohol in
medical practice.
DR.. Morgan, one of Washington's
most distinguished physicians, was
is seeking to further any personal OBJ
jective. In an interview at his Office
he outlined his position:
II intend to lay before the American
people the question of the right of a
physician to practice his profession in
keeping with the dictates of his con-
science" he said.
The physician is a highly trained
specialist in the art of curing human
ills. A majority of the doctors in this
country believe that the use of alcohol
in certain cases is an essential feature
Of their medical practice. Why should
they be denied by law the right to prac-
tice IN keeping with their teachings and
their honest belief?
Difficulty of Position.
Suppose, for example, that a man
is seriously i'll with pneumonia, and a
physician is called in. This doctor hap
pens TO be one of the many who believe
that whisky is absolutely necessary for
the preservation of his patients life
during certain stages of the disease.
What must he do? Under the law he
can prescribe one pint of whisky in 10
days for single patient. If he believes
that more is needed he must write his
prescription for other persons in order
to secure enough alcohol for the pa
tient-certainly most humiliating
position in which to be placed.
"AS I see it, the question narrows
down to this: When persons life
Is in danger whose opinion as to the
proper medical treatment should pre-
vail--the physician or the legislator, the
medical specialist or the lawmaker?"
DR.. Morgan is determined to carry
his fight to Congress this Fall, when
he hopes to secure the repeal Of the
law to which he objects.
II intend to talk as much as possible
and to as many people as possible in
an effort to line up public sentiment
behind me fer strong fight in Con-
gress this Fall" he declared.
On Own Initiative.
Elm doing this on my own initiative,
the association having decided to refrain
from any active campaign for fear of
cISdLllB Ill lIIlJItSSlOll Illdb LilC dOIIOAo
of the country are allied with wet in
terestS. Personally, however, have no
such fear. 1t is my sincere belief that
the American public will understand
that I am fighting for principle and
not in any sense endeavoring to pro-
mote some personal interest"
DR.. Morgan said that as yet no COM
nittee had been organized, but that he
believed he had the support Of major
ity of the country's physicians.
He said he has discussed the matter
with many doctors, and does not believe
the privilege would be abused If the re-
strictions on the use of medicinal alcohol
were removed.
IT have found cases where consci-
entious doctors have been careless in
the matter of writing whisky prescrip-
tons" he said, but they have always
responded favorably when shown that
such practice is injurious to their own
interests.
mo doubt there would be a small
number of physicians who would delib-
erately take advantage of a removal Of
the present restrictions for personal
gain. but believe their cases could be
effectively dealt with by the other
members of the profession"
DR.. Morgan once more emphasized
the fact that he does not use whisky in
his own practice.
But" he said, II do believe that I,
as physician. should have an unre-
stricted right TO prescribe liquor should
| an occasion arise when I deem 1t nee
essary for patients good"