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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Herald, 1957-01-31, Page 7"Relaxing" Pills Can Kill You! A while ago in an Edmonton, Alta„ court James E. Short, for- mer DEW line • pilot, blamed sleeping pills for loss of his pilot's licence, his driver's li- eence, a near -nervous break- down and the blackouts, he had suffered while 'driving his car. "The law must go after that pill and have it removed from the market," he said. "It's ter- rible; it's ruined me." Arrested after his ear was seen weaving down a road, bouncing off curbs, Short was fined $10 for carless driving, But the most important result of the trial was that the sleep- ing pill in quesion was put on Canada's "prescription only" list. Pilladdiction, or pillcoholism,. has become a threat to the na- tional health in Canada, second only to alcoholism, and more serious than addiction to nar- cotics. It involves sleeping pills; bar- biturates; "happy" pills and pepup pills or "bennies", like benzedrine. The Department of Health and Welfare at Ottawa, aware of the' growing problem of pill - addiction among Canadians, ad- mits it has no idea of its actual extent. • Most medical doctors are' in- creasingly aware of the dangers in over -prescribing sleeping, pep -up, tranquillizer pills, and barbiturates. Certainly, the doc- tors and manufacturers of the pills themselves, can not be blamed. Yet few Canadians realize the tiny white pills they take, to induce sleep, relax, or pep themselves up, can lead to broken health, failure in busi- ness life; an emotional crack- up — and sometimes death. Here are the few available facts about pilladdiction in Can- ada: Canadians are consuming more han 18 tons of bar- biturates, sleeping and tranquil- izer pills each year — enough to put every man, woman, and child in Canada asleep every dight for one week. These pills and tablets kill more people each year than any poison. In Ontario, an estimated one-tenth of cases admitted to Snental hospitals are pilladdicts. There are four times as many pilladdicts as opiate addicts, and one third as many pilladdicts as alcoholics. Some of the most authorita- tive information on the prob- lem comes from Dr. Robert Gordon Bell, head of the Bell Clinic in Willowdale, Ont. (a Toronto suburb), and a leading Canadian medical authority on addictions. "One tenth of my patients," says Dr. Bell, "have pill prob- lems. There is true addiction, and it is one of the most difficult addictions to treat clinically." Dr. Bell has seen three cases of addiction to pep -up tablets, which contain caffeine, codeine, phenacetin, and acetylsalicylic acid, and can be bought with- out prescription for minor pains. In its issue of October, 1955, the Canadian Services Medical Journal tells of a. 60 -year-old war veteran, who went from a barbiturate to another non- prescription pill for relief, and ate up to 100 a day. This pilladdict saw "little men" running around the ceil- ing of his room when he had a "pill jag" on. Ile once irnag- ined the fire department came in through his window and put him in a coffin -like black box. He found that one or two bot- tles of beer "soothed him down" after the terrifying hallucina- tions brought on by pilladdic- tion. Pepup pills become popular during the last war, when flyers on long, hazardous night mis- sions used . them to stay awake and alert, Probably partly due to these same night bombing runs, Adolph Hitler was well- known for his addiction to "bennies". He ate them constantly and worked all night. Following a crackdown by U.S. and Canadian health au- thorities, pep -up pills sold over the drugstore counter without prescription were weakened, and these milder "bennies" are still used by many students cramming for examinations. The problem with these is that their strength increases in proportion to the number taken. No pills, in fact, that are sold without prescription, are dan- gerous in the dosage recom- mended by the manufacturer — nor are stronger pills danger- ous, anger .ous, as prescribed by your doc- tor, providing he is aware of the dangers of over -prescription. One of the sides to the prob- lem is the easy availability of lliany potentially dangerous types of pills. Some types of sleeping and tranquilizer pills are available without prescrip- tion -- sold over the counter in drug stores. A normal person can become a pilladdict in either of these ways: By taking pills to overcome some ailment, and developing a dependence on them, or a lik- ing for their effect. Not long ago, an Oshawa, Ont., man was convicted of forg- ing a doctor's name to a pre- scription for barbiturates. The doctor testified in court that the man had been an alcoholic and had been treated with barbitu- rate drugs to overcome his ad- diction. He developed a new ad- diction to the barbiturate drugs that had been used to cure him. A Monreal woman complain- ed to her doctor she was highly strung and worries were play- ing havoc with her nerves. He prescribed tranquilizers. They. gave her such a pleasant sense of relaxation, she clung to them, even when she had to double 'and finally triple her initial dosage, to get the same results. Finally, she began getting pre- scription from two or three doc- tors; she ended up saving her pills for weeks to go on a real "binge". "Most addicts," says Dr. J. D. Armstrong, psychiatrist at Tor- onto's Brookside Clinic, "are people unable to face life's problems. They need help to meet difficulties in their work, in family relationships. They find that 'crutch' in pills. "Most pilladicts are bored women, whose„ families have grown up and no longer need them; tired women; women who long for a social life they can't have." * * * There is no simple solution to the growing problem of . pill - addiction among Canadians. To begin with, the pills are a use- ful, necessary part of medical care, properly prescribed and ATE SKATE, FELT REALLY WHEELY skating champ — is two-year-old shop. Vickie; according to her sk faster than human pupils of the -- Skating chimp if not a Vickie Lyn, resident of a pet ating instructor, is progressing same age TO THE CABLES UP BY MORITZ — Newly inaugurated cable car line, above, is Switzerland's highest climbing. It leads from the railway station at Bernina -Hauser, near St. Moritz, to the Diavolezza, at a height of 9,000 feet. The cable car cabin .can carry 50 passengers, takes 11 minutes for the trip. taken as directed. It would be senseless to eliminate the good they accomplish because of the dangers in their, misuse. Dr. Bell and Dr. Anderson say. a thorough study should be made to determine the extent of the problem in Canada; and that clinics should be establish- ed to treat the pilladdict. Dr. Bell, at his clinic, has seen the final results of "tranquil- izers" administered without competent supervision. "Pilladdicts are more diffi- cult to treat than alcholics," says he — describing them as stupified zombies. "They can't ' immediately be cut off the drug, without the likelihood of con- vulsions or delirium tremens. Some addicts are so bad, they can't walk past a drugstore window, says Dr. Bell, without stopping and staring in fascina- tion — like an alcoholic in front of a shelf of liquor. — By Fred Edge in "Liberty" Magazine. Real Revolution In Rubber -Making Although many usable sub- stitutes for rubber have been made in recent years it is not un - synthetically. Now it has been able to make "natural" rubber synthetically. Now ithas been done by Firestone Rubber scien- tists. According to a report in the Scientific American the in- gredients of the synthetic con- sist of isoprene, a liquid that can be derived from a number of substances, and the metal, lith- ium. Upon being heated to 104 degrees Fahrenheit in the pres- ence of lithium, isoprene is changed from liquid to natural rubber. Like many other dicoveries this one was built on earlier studies. Back in 1879 a French- man named G. Bouchardat heat- ed natural rubber to a high temperature and obtained a vo- latile liquid called isoprene. He conceived the idea that isoprene might be a chemical building stone of rubber, which indeed it turned out to be. Between 1909 and 1912 isoprene was synthes- ized in Germany and used as the basis for synthetic rubber pro- duction. Since then an immense variety of "elastomers" have been synthesized, some with qualities that far surpass natural rubber in special applications. Some substitutes have tensile strength of 11,000 pounds per square inch compared with 4,500 in natural rubber. One remarkable synthetic rub- ber that promises to revolution- ize the tire industry is made from a chemical called polyurethane. Itschief use at present is as foam rubber for upholstery, mattres- ses and insulation. With further development this rubber will make excellent tire treads giving 100,000 miles wear, outlasting most cars. It will be available in any color because carbon black, essential for adding toughness to natural rubber, will not be required. Tires made of it may even not require fabric. Considering this and other developments it seems more and more likely that the man and the jacked -up car by the side of the road will .b e c o m e a rarer and rarer sight There was a time Within the memory of many when 'a trip to the country was sure to call for at least one tire change, perhaps more. Tires are getting tougher and tougher with the promise that soon the jack will be outmoded equip- ment in any car. Hartford Courant. Whaling Days Scrimshaw may sound like the name of a Scotland Yard detec- tive or a character in a Dickens novel, but it is neither. It is the lost art of making pictures on a sperm whale's teeth or lower jawbone, or of carving useful or merely decorative ob- jects from these. The activity is often referred to as "scrim- shandering." Where the words came from, nobody knows . . . During the second dog -watch of the cruises that sometimes. lasted two or three years, the tars were given leisure to sing chanteys, to jig, spin yarns, do their mending, play dominoes or chess, get out their fiddles or flutes, or open their jack-knives and do some scrimshaw carving or engraving. The long lonely voyage brought forth a crop of objects carved in the round — spoons, jagging wheels for . cut- ting pie crusts, imitation chairs and lengths of rope . cane - heads, walking sticks, doll beds, miniature whales and vessels, chessmen, dominoes, toys, and vases. Or they "scratched" on the surface of the teeth or lower jawbone, pictures inspired by thrilling whaling scenes, Godey fashion illustrations, historic and patriotic engravings, and also memories of their homes, vil- lages and families. They copied, or else they depended solely on memory, imagination or ob- servation for inspiration. That some of them must have learned a trick or two about carving from coastal China and from Pacific Island aboriginals seems not unlikely. Carving and etch- ing bone, horn, ivory and ebony was nothing new. Horns were carved by soldiers of the War of 1812 — well before whaling tars adopted the scrimshaw hobby. Esquimaux and other ancient aboriginal tribes had for long been doing such primitive carving and "illustration.' Yet, the American whaling scrim- shaw crop is quite a separate and readily distinguished mani- festation. — From "Pictorial Folk Art New England to Cali- fornia," by Alice Ford. SILLY QUESTION A small boy was dolefully practicing his piano lesson when a salesman knocked on the door. "Son, is your mother home?" "What do you think?" an- swered the boy. TOSCANINI DIES -- Arturo Tos- canini, world renowned sym- phony and opera conductor, died in his sleep at his home in New York at theage of 89.. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING AGENTS WANTED GO INTO BUSINESS for yourself. Sell exclusive heuseware products and ap- pliances wanted by every householder. These items are not sold in stores. There is no competition, Profits up to 500% Write immediately for free color catalogue with retail prices, shown. Separate confidential wholesale price will be included. Murray Sales 3822 St. Lawrence Montreal. BABY CHICKS APPROVED chicks 13f. Pullets 20t, You can see the difference in our generic chicks from all others; if not, can us, return them and get your money back, Newmarket Elatchery, Newmarket, Ont. MAKE more money, quicker, with Bray Chicks. Specialists in the hatch- ing field Pullets, dayold, started broilers, Breeds and crosses, -to stand up to all markets. Get complete in- formation prieelist Bray Hatchery, 120 John N., Hamilton. QUALITY counts at all times. When egg andbroiler prices are low, quality is a life saver, We hatch only Top Quality Special breeds for maximum egg production or broiler production. Our Tops for eggs .Ames In -Cross Series 400, Tweddle Lay -More Series T-100 T-110, T-120, T-130. For broilers 1st generation Indian River Cross, Arbor Acres White Rocks. Also special tur- key breeds. TWEDDLE CHICK HATCHERIES LTD. FERGUS ONTARIO BOOKS READ "Sinsation Of A Sintury" by David O. Wilderness. For mature en- tertainment. $3.75 postpaid, Pageant Press, Box B, 130 W. 42nd, New York, New York. FARM MACHINERY FOR SALE ALFALFA Meal business and machine, 160 }I P. Cummins Diesel. Morley Hammermill and Papec Cutter mount- ed on International truck, all in good condition. For partic-•lars write Roy Whitwell & Son, (Hanford Station, R.R.1, Ontario. OLIVER Cletracs, several in good order with blades and loaders. Any reason- able offer. P. Tilley, Blackwood Hodge, 10 Suntract Road, Toronto 15. (Inter- section of 401 at Jane). Evenings BAld- win 1-9146. 'FREE FARMER CHAIN SAWS using Popular Power Products Engine, Til- lotson Carburetors, F. M. Starters, Model AL with Oregon Chain 20" $215. Model ALP with Oregon Chain 20" . . . $230. Also the outstanding performer with the exceptionally long life engine P.M. Model 19-A Write for name of nearest dealer, GROH FARM & INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT LTD., BOX 55. ELMIRA, ONTARIO. FOR SALE A SMALL BUSINESS for Sale concern- ing florist trade. 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Sent Post Free on Receipt of Price PRICE $3.00 PER JAR POST'S REMEDIES 2865 St. Clair Avenue East TORONTO OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEN AND WOMEN SELF Voice Culture, at your home. Complete Ten (10) Point Master Method for Singers and Speakers. Easy prac- tice Free Lists. Maxim Brasil, 365 Golden Gate, San Francisco, California, USA. NEW club for amateur songwriters. Original exciting plan for sincere composers only. Be prepared. Sur- prising news awaits you. Station A Box 548,, Champaign, ninols. FREE Mali from all over the World. Write for free details. B. McKellar, 9689 King George, R.R. 4, New West- minster, B.C., Canada. FREE Sample, Polyethylene sheet. Thousand uses, waterproof, windproof. Lets in light, keeps out weather. Write: Hove. Sexton Buliding, Minne- apolis 15, Minn. YOUNG farmer, increase your income, raise Nutria for fur, 90oz feed already on farm, Write: Circle A Nutria Ranch, 196 Meadowsweet Ave., Toronto 14. BIG money for Lodges, C 1 u b s, Churches, selling Aulomalic needle threader! Every woman wants one, $1.00 brings sample and details. Brown Studios Fountain City, Indiana. BE A HAIRDRESSER JOIN CANADA'S LEADING SCHOOL Great Opportunity Learn Hairdressing Pleasant dignified profession; good wages. Thousands of successful Marvel Graduates America's Greatest System Illustrated catalog Free Write or Call MARVEL HAIRDRESSING SCHOOLS 358 Bloor St. W., Toronto Branches: 44 King St., Hamilton 72 Rideau St., Ottawa Life is like playing a violin solo in public and learning the instrument as one goes on.— Samuel Butler. Mako your WILL to -day, yourself. Pull— easy - to -understand• directions enclosed with each BAIL WILL FOAM, Used by over 1,000 000 people, Sold for over 30 years by stationers and dept. stores. Only 25e, or if unobtainable Inrally send 304 for postage paid Bag 'Form. "Ne Testate Toe Smolt" ger Legal Will Form Tromp-iny 1 Hanneferal Si Toranle OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEN AND WOMEN I AM Looking for a Party with $2,001 to go into a very lucrative field of Wholesale Merchandising. Wonder ful opportunity. Box 154 123 Eighteenti St„ New Toronto PATENTS FETHERS'TONHAUGH 8rCompany Patent Attorneys. Established 1890 600 University Ave,. Toronto Paten( all countries PERSONAI, $1,00 TRIAL offer. Twenty-five deluxt personal requirements, Latest eatalogot included. The Medico Agency, Box 22. Terminal "Q" Toronto Ont. AUTHORS invited . submit MSS all types (including Poems) for book pub lication. Reasonable terms. Stockwel) Ltd., Ilfracombe, England. (estd. 1898) SALESMAN WANTED SALESMAN wanted. If you are cal/ lag on farmers or if you can sell farmers chicks or turkey poults corn: municate with us. We are looking for a live wire salesman to sell top qual- ity chicks for eggproduction, for broilers and for dual purpose, also turkey poults. Liberal commission paid. Feed dealers, farmers or any- one selling farmers make ideal chick salesmen. Send for full details. Boa No. 153, 123 Eighteenth St., New Tor- onto, 'Ont. SWINE WE attended the Landrace annual meeting held in Columbia, Missouri, Jan 5th and talked with some of the largest and best swine men in the United States, and are more convinced than ever that the pure bred Landrace is the bacon hog of the future. Wean- ing sows and boars, four month old sows and boars, serviceable boars, guaranteed in pig sows for immediate delivery, all from imported stock. Catalogue.'" FERGUS LANDRACE SWINE FARM FERrUS ONTARIO WANTED WANTED — Steam Traction Engine — state make, condition, price. Box 155, 123 Eighteenth Street, New Toronto, Ontario. MERRY MENAGERIE 1.24 )"When you wake up you'll love race—understand? Love mice!" FOR SALE MILL, DWELLINGS AND MACHINE FOR JOINTING AND GLUING MILL WASTE AND CULL LUMBER INTO WIDE BOARDS AND CORES. For Particulars write to Box 280 Cobourg, Ont. Phone FR. 2-7545 CALLING ARMCHAIR TRAVELLERS( TRAVEL around fabulous New York City via exciting monthly travefetter that was meant for the tourist -at -heart, Dramatic, entertaining! Famous high lights — United Nations, Broadway! headline -making events — Easter Par- ade Mad Bomber. SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY RATES 6 months, $1.00 — One year 51.75 TOUR NEW YORK CITY BY MAIL c/o Samuels, 8102 - 20th Avenue, Brooklyn 14, New York ITCH STOPPED IN A JIFFY or money hock Very first use of soothing, cooling liquid D.D.D. Prescription positively relieves raw red itch—caused by eczema, rashes, scalp irritation, chafing—other itch troubles. Greaseless, stainless. 39 trial bottle must satisfy or money back. Don't suffer. Ask your druggist for D. D. D. PRESCRIPTION. YOU CAN When kidneys Nil to ramous excess acids and wastes, back- ache, tired feeling, disturbed rest often follow, Dodd's .Kidney Pills stimu• late kidneys to normal duty. You feel better—sleep bolter, work better. Get Dodd's at any drug store. You can depend on Dodd's. ISSUE 5 -- 1957