The Bulletin. 47 



Great as may be the crimes of an adult against himself or herself, they are 

 not to he coniiSared to the uiif()rs,'ival)le culpaljility of the person who gives 

 the "hahy killers" (U. S. Bulletin) to defenseless little children. From Mrs. 

 Winslow's Soothing Syrup lo Victor's Infant Relief, they one and all contain 

 mm-phine, codein, heroin, opium, chloroform, or cannabis indica. They soothe 

 only because they contain dope, which deadens the brain, and sometimes the 

 baby sleeps never to awaken. The child who is given a soothing syrup is 

 being prepared to become a cigarette fiend or, more likely, a doi)e fiend. There 

 is a notable case on record where a mother gave soothing syrup to two of her 

 children in infancy ; tlien. learning of its danger, she abandoned its use. 

 These children in middle life became neurotics, spirit and drug takers. Three 

 children born later and given no drugs grew up strong and healthy. The 

 American Medical Association in its Journal asks, "How many neurotics, 

 fiends and criminals may not 'Mrs.' Winslow' be sponsor for?" 



"But," might well be asked, "why do not the newspapers publish this?" 

 Because over .$40,000,000 are paid to the press every year for advertising, more 

 than $1,000 to each daily, weekly, and monthly in the United States. One 

 firm, the Lydia E. Pinkham Company, pays $1,200,000 a year and Dr. Pierce 

 and the Peruna Company pay even more. 



More than that — across the face of every patent medicine advertising con- 

 tract are the words in red ink. "Tt is agreed in case any law or laws, either 

 State or National, harmful to the interests of the patent medicine companies 

 are enacted, that this contract may be canceled by them from date of such 

 enactment." A shrewd scheme to muzzle the newspapers. So silenced are 

 they that when on several occasions legislation against patent medicines was 

 being discussed, the papers omitted for the day "the news of the House." 

 Immediately, your indignation arises against these papers. They may be to 

 blame, but if so, we are doubly guilty. Why are we not more alive to the 

 enemies of our household? There are sources of information other than the 

 papers. 



There exist a few publications that are honest enough to speak the truth, 

 and among them we are proud to say is our own Progressive Farmer. Govern- 

 ment Bulletins, the Ladies' Home Journal. Collier's, and other magazines have 

 warned us well if we would but read the warning. Physicians realize the 

 evil, but their hands are tied, because if they warned us we would misjudge 

 their motives. 



The solution of the whole problem, then, is Education. When we give our 

 boys and our girls such common-sense lessons in practical pliysiology as they 

 should have, they will grow up alert to the body's enemies. They wnll know- 

 that any medicine can act on the body only by being carried by the blood 

 through the body to the living protoplasm of the cells, and that it is reckless 

 indeed to take in among them without the advice of a physician anything 

 whose action they do not understand. 



We Americans are shrewd enough when it comes to buying a horse or a 

 cord of wood, but when it comes to buying back that most priceless possession 

 in all the world — healtli — we are gullible indeed, believing the statements of 

 shysters, promoters, frauds, with absolutely no credentials to honesty other 

 than their own doubtful word in some well-paid publication. 



Many patent medicine advertisements are not fit reading for young people, 

 sounding as tliey do the depths of all that is suggestive. Some of them 

 would bring a blush to the cheek of a roue. It is time we considei'ed these 

 things and encouraged the papers that endeavor to sacrifice for the truth, 

 debarring all others. Particularly have we reached the time when we should 

 demand of our religious papers clean, true advertisements — which patent 

 medicine ones certainly are not. They should stand for decency and for the 

 welfare of the home at any cost. You can afford to do without a religious 

 journal until the editors comprehend that you care more for truth and prin- 

 ciple than for their prosperity. 



When that day comes in which the intelligence of the people is greater than 

 the unscrupulousness of patent medicine manufacturers, then will they cease 

 to be chronicles of disgusting symptoms. Legislation against them will be 

 sure and swift, for our legislators are of our choosing. 



