Wartime Medicine Chest

U.S. citizens are buying more proprietary medicines (drugs sold without prescription) than ever before. Last week drug companies, Government officials and medical men were unable to explain the swelling demand for arnica, eyewash, ipecac and milk of magnesia.

Most doubted that the doctor shortage was yet severe enough to require an increase in home medication. Some laid increased sales to the rise in buying power. But no one knew yet whether people were dosing themselves more or only stocking their bathroom shelves.

Sample post-Pearl Harbor sales increases :

> Sal Hepatica is up about 40%, Vick's Vaporub, 25-35%.

> Demands for cough drops show that they could go up 100%, but sales are kept down by the sugar shortage. > First-aid equipment sales are up 67.1% (80% bought by women). Coastal States, according to Drug Topics, have bought more than interior States, suggesting that the gauze-buying is a blitz-preparedness move.

> Sales of the Modern Home Medical Adviser ($2.49), an encyclopedia on what to do until the doctor comes, compiled by A.M.A. Journal Editor Morris Fishbein, are up 150% according to Publishers Doubleday Doran.

In view of the doctor shortage, many drug advertisements and newspaper editorials last week suggested conserving doctors' valuable time. Some A.M.A. pointers on where to draw the line: In case of abdominal pain, laxatives should be avoided and if the pain lasts more than four hours, a doctor should be called; if a child sniffles, he probably has only a cold and it is nothing to worry about; if he has a sore throat, fever or delirium, a doctor should be summoned.

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