THE ALUMNI JOURNAL 113 



^^"oulcl the same persons hesitate to write a prescription for Par- 

 agoric or other of the proscribed articles? We again doubt it. 



Then again, would not such a mother, if actually compelled to 

 first obtain a prescription, endeavor to obtain a much larger c[uan- 

 tity.of the article than she is now in the habit of purchasing, thus 

 obviating the necessity of frequently obtaining a new prescription. 



It is our firm belief that more than an ordinance, promulgated 

 over night, will be required to cause the general public to refrain 

 from the use of these preparations. A campaign of education 

 would be required, among such as are to be made acquainted with 

 the dangers surrounding the use of these preparations. 



We venture to say that the illegitimate use of such preparation 

 will not, in the least degree, be interfered with by this ordinance.' 

 On the other hand, the legitimate use of them will be seriously in- 

 terfered with, and purchasers hampered. 



Then again, supposing it were possible to cut off the supply of 

 Paregoric in cases where it is suspected that it is to be used for 

 purpose of "doping" a child, would not such a mother look for 

 other means to accomplish the same end. W^ould she not be able 

 to obtain alcohol or alcoholic liquids in any quantity, or would she 

 have any difficulty in obtaining bromides, or other sleep producing 

 drugs ? 



It was suggested that perhaps the ordinance would interfere with 

 the obtaining of Paregoric by persons addicted to its use, such 

 as drug clerks. This suggestion comes from one in public life wdio 

 claims to have known of cases where such practice prevailed. Here 

 again we mildly suggest that the clerk who drinks Paregoric will 

 have no difiiculty in obtaining same, ordinance or no ordinance. 



Meanwhile, however, we must remark that the Board of Health 

 und()ul)tedly lias the power to frame such, an ordinance, and to en- 

 force it strictly in all cases of violation. Likewise we would remark 

 that in our opinion the enforcement of the ordinance will l)e well 

 nigh impossible, not because the pharmacist is not law-abiding, but 

 because the public is not in sympathy with so drastic a measure. 

 If the Board of Health is right in its contentions, it will first have 

 to convince the pul)lic. Facts, when brought to the attention of 

 the public, may convince, an ordinance never will. 



The writer of this knows of a person who on this day, September 

 6th, took a trip, via trolley to Yonkers where the ordinance is not 



