Evening star., 1939-06-17
Of Stars, Men
And Atoms
Notebook Of Science Progress
In Field, Laboratory
And Study
By Thomas r. Henri.

BY Thomas r. Henry.
Literally thousands Of American col.
lege students-just now caught In the
maelstrom Of senior proms. fraternity
binges and final exams-are laying in
supplies Of q relatively new drug,
benzedrine sulphate, and perhaps paw.
ing the way to nervous breakdowns.
1t is primarily . keeping awake"
drug. 1t has lately been introduced in
medicine as possible remedy for obesity,
chronic alcoholism and certain depres-
sions found among the insane. Benze-
drine sulphate first gained publicity as
an "anti-suicide drug" because Of its al
legged propensity to break up extreme
depressed states
The drug has acquired popular repu-
tation as a mobilizer of mental energies
which may be the same thing as say
ing that 1t temporarily increases intelli-
gence-but physicians are almost unani-
nous In the belief that those who, use 1t
for this purpose are attempting the i'm
possible task of lifting themselves by
their own bootstraps.
At any rate, the benzedrine sulphate
cult, which has spread like wildnre In
the last two years, is causing consider
able concern to college authorities, the
American Medical Association and the
Federal Pure Food and Drug Admins
tration. Nobody knows enough about
Ty-Y1n tn vrytt
reservations, and actually the chief OBJ
stacle placed against its indiscriminate
sale to date has been the warning of the
manufacturers to druggists to be care
ful. They are afraid that, sooner or
later, there will be an explosion of some
sort, the blame for which will rest on
their doorsteps.
The drug is powerful stimulant of
the nervous system. It raises the blood
pressure and makes the heart beat faster.
Physiologically, its effects are almost the
opposite OF alcohol, which stimulates,
paradoxically enough, because 1t inhibits
the stimulatory cells of the brain. The
two, In fact, tend to balance each other.
One of the dangers of benzedrine is that
1t allegedly enables one to drink lot
more alcohol before passing out. Benze-
drine cocktail parties have been reported.
In the South, it is reported, the drug is
mixed with soft drinks at drugstore
fountains.
Most medical authorities agree that
the drug is potentially dangerous with
some Of its dangers still to be revealed,
and that it should never be used without
the advice Of a physician.
Psychiatrists are not greatly worried
about 1t. Not single case Of mental or
nervous breakdown due to the drug, In
spite Of its widespread use, ever has come
Into his institution, says DR.. Winfred
Oberholzer, superintendent of ST. Eliza
beths Hospital. the great Federal insti-
tuition for the insane in Washington.
The physicians there. he said, look upon
1t as valuable medicine with a quite
limited usage
There is some difference Of opinion
as to the habit-forming qualities of
benzedrine sulphate.
1T depends on what you mean by
habit forming" says DR.. Oberholzer
Most OF the drugs described as habit
forming are so only because they are
used by habit-forming people who are
seeking some means of escape from their
troubles. Very few drugs are habit
forming in the sense that opium and
Its derivatives are habit forming. Per-
sonally doubt even whether alcohol is.
"Benzedrine sulphate is probably less
harmful than few drinks of brandy.
But the euphoria is quite transitory. l.!
should be emphasized first that this drug
is no substitute for good physical and
mental hygiene. Good substitutes don't
come in bottles. Those who take 1t be-
fore examinations could get the same
effects, more cheaply and more perma-
nently. by catching up on their Sleep"
The Public Health Service refuses to
pass Judgment on benzedrine sulphate
until more is known about the drug.
But all are agreed that its indiscrimi-
nate use, without medical advice, as q
substitute for sleep, is bad, and that the
effects even might be fatal for person
IN poor physical condition with high
blood pressure and weak heart.
by all odds, never take benzedrine
sulphate without physicians prescrip-
tion," said DR.. Wallace M. Yater, pro-
fessor Of medicine at Georgetown Uni
versity, who experimental two years ago
on the effects of the drug on medical
students before their final examinations.
The Department of Agricultures Pure
Food and Drug Administration now is
collecting reports from physicians all
over the United States with view to
restricting sales of benzedrine sulphate
to physicians prescriptions if 1.-The dan
gers are found to outweigh the benefits"
THE citizens Of the country" said a
spokesman for the administration,
should be protected from paternalistic
interference unless we are sure that the
product is actually harmful within the
meaning of the law. There are great
many reports Of its use by students.
There are also reports Of its wild and
indiscriminate use, in total disregard of