Am.  Jour.  Pharm, 
July,  1 918. 
Editorial. 
Ml 
in  these  matters  and  faithfully  discharge  their  full  measure  of  obli- 
gation. 
It  is  not  too  early  now  for  the  drug  trade  interests  to  look  for- 
ward to  the  period  of  reconstruction  and  to  arrange  in  anticipation 
for  the  services  which  they  will  be  able  to  render  as  patriotic  citizens 
and  also  to  consider  the  lines  of  constructive  operations  that  will 
redound  with  the  greatest  benefits  to  the  special  branches  of  com- 
merce with  which  they  are  concerned. 
The  timely  paper  by  Mr.  Douglas  C.  McMurtrie  published  in 
this  number  of  the  Journal  presents  plainly  and  forcefully  to  our 
readers  an  important  war  problem  that  necessarily  must  receive  the 
early  consideration  of  the  loyal  commercial  interests  as  well  as  of 
the  federal  authorities.  In  the  very  near  future  we  will  have  many 
returned  warriors  who,  by  reason  of  wounds  or  disease  contracted 
in  the  army,  will  be  incapacitated  for  military  service. 
The  reestablishment  of  these  in  useful  employments  in  civil  life 
will  soon  be  an  imminent  problem.  The  rehabilitation  of  the  crippled 
soldier  as  a  producing  factor  able  to  contribute  something  toward 
the  assets  of  the  nation  rather  than  to  permit  of  his  becoming  a 
public  burden,  a  national  liability,  will  require  in  many  cases  a  care- 
ful consideration  and  a  wise  adjustment  of  the  concomitant  condi- 
tions. Profuse  sympathy  or  open-hearted  and  open-handed  charity 
will  not  solve  the  problem.  The  development  of  the  spirit  of  self 
reliance,  the  inculcation  of  the  principles  that  lead  to  moral,  mentai 
and  physical  independence  will  be  far  more  essential.  The  influence 
of  example,  the  cheering  assistance  of  the  "  Big  Brother  "  toward  a 
fresh  upward  start  in  life  is  going  to  be  the  potent  force. 
We  foresee  that  the  drug  trade  will  be  able  to  provide  very  many 
avenues  for  the  employment  of  worthy  veterans  in  accordance  with 
their  individual  ability,  prior  education  or  adaptability  to  reeducation 
to  new  vocations.  Very  few  of  the  industries  open  such  a  variety 
of  opportunities  for  the  employment,  even  of  crippled  soldiers,  as 
do  the  various  branches  of  the  drug  trade.  Not  only  can  places 
be  found  for  many  whose  age  and  education  will  permit  them  to 
equip  for  a  future  career  as  pharmacists,  chemists  and  laboratory 
assistants,  but  there  are  numberless  avenues  open  in  our  drug  trade 
industries  for  the  employment  of  less  highly  specialized  men. 
Among  the  possibilities  in  the  wholesale,  and  manufacturing 
branches,  for  the  employment  of  such  crippled  soldiers  we  may  men- 
tion the  need  for  watchmen,  porters,  order  fillers,  checkers,  packers, 
