Amklvch  ms™' }      A  Synopsis  of  H.  R.  No.  6282.  131 
It  is  not  within  the  province  of  this  article  to  discuss  the  physio- 
logical methods  employed  in  standardization  or  the  ingenious  side- 
chain  theory  which  Ehrlich  evolved  to  explain  the  probable  action 
of  the  antitoxins  in  producing  immunity.  Suffice  to  say  that  the  dis- 
covery of  ricin  paved  the  way  for  some  of  the  most  wonderful  prod- 
ucts used  in  medicine  to-day.  It  is  only  necessary  to  consider  the  tre- 
mendous number  of  lives  which  have  been  saved  by  the  timely  use  of 
antidiphtheria  serum,  and  particularly  antitetanus  serum  in  the 
present  campaign,  to  fully  appreciate  its  importance. 
A  SYNOPSIS  OF  H.  R.  NO.  6282.1 
An  act  to  provide  for  the  registration  of,  with  collectors  of 
internal  revenue,  and  to  impose  a  special  tax  upon  all  persons  who 
produce,  import,  manufacture,  compound,  deal  in,  dispense,  sell,  dis- 
tribute, or  give  away  opium  or  coca  leaves,  their  salts,  derivatives,  or 
preparations,  and  for  other  purposes. 
Commonly  known  as  The  Harrison  Bill. 
And  Internal-Revenue  Regulations  No.  35  for  its  enforcement. 
In  effect  March  1,  19 15. 
An  act  of  especial  interest  to  physicians,  pharmacists,  veterina- 
rians, dentists,  and  all  who  have  occasion  to  possess,  sell,  dispense,  or 
to  prescribe  such  medicines. 
Historical. 
The  United  States,  through  its  delegates  appointed  by  the  Depart- 
ment of  State,  has  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  several  International 
Conferences  that  have  been  held  at  Shanghai,  China,  and  at  The 
Hague  for  the  purpose  of  suppressing  improper  traffic  in  habit- 
forming  drugs.  These  delegates  committed  the  American  nation  to 
the  adoption  of  legislation  that  would  eradicate  this  evil  in  the  United 
States  and  demonstrate  the  earnestness  and  sincerity  of  the  American 
people  in  this  international  movement. 
In  a  special  message  to  Congress  in  1910,  President  Taft  advo- 
cated a  national  law  directed  against  this  evil  and  based  on  the  power 
granted  by  the  Constitution  to  Congress  to  control  interstate  com- 
merce. .  Dr.  Hamilton  Wright,  who  had  been  a  delegate  from  the 
United  States  to  these  conferences,  was  likewise  very  zealous  and 
energetic  in  his  demands  for  a  stringent  federal  anti-narcotic  law. 
1  Prepared  by  George  M.  Beringer,  A.M.,  Ph.M.,  Camden,  N.  J. 
