Ether Seizure

While five pharmaceutical associations met at Rapid City, S. Dak., last fortnight and tried to dodge the ergot controversy raised by Pharmacologist Henry Hurd Rusby and Drug-Importer Howard W. Ambruster (TIME, April 15), members were vexed to learn that Eastern newspapers had scare-headed an ordinary Federal food-&-drug seizure of 500 cans of ether in Boston, 400 in Providence, R. I. The seizures were similar to those which food-&-drug men constantly make. Ether is made from alcohol and sulphuric acid. Carelessly made it may contain harmful peroxides and aldehydes. Carefully made it may deteriorate with age or on exposure to light, heat or air. Consequently, manufacturers distribute it in small containers to ensure fresh supplies at wholesale houses and hospitals.

Boston's seizures were different from prior ones only in that Boston newspapers were specially informed. They scare-headed their reports and other coastal papers imitated them. Credit for the Federal action was claimed by Dr. Allan Winter Rowe of Massachusetts Homeopathic Hospital and by Importer Ambruster of ergot fame.