Medicine: United Jakers

A year and a half ago a strange affliction appeared, first in the Midwest, then in every part of the country. People found their feet, hands, necks becoming paralyzed. Victims, their consciences uneasy, called the palsy “Jake paralysis.” Medical research confirmed their suspicions. Everyone afflicted was a drinker of Jamaica ginger, as an intoxicant or a medicine (TIME, March 24, 1930). Followed a frenzied search by the Government for the specific cause. Chemists eventually revealed the poison as the phosphoric acid ester of tricresol. Its inclusion in the beverage was a manufacturers’ accident. Manufacturers were indicted (TIME, July 28, 1930).

Medicine soon reported that cure was extremely difficult. The poison had degenerated certain nerves. In many cases, where the ginger-drinking had been small, the victims recovered control of their heads and hands. But recovery from the foot paralysis has been rare. Victims raged. The Government was to blame, they reasoned. The pure-food laws if properly enforced would have protected them.

One Mack Hunter Partridge, 48, an interior decorator of Oklahoma City, conceived a United Jamaica Ginger Paralysis Victims organization. Last week his organization had some 30.000 members. Each had donated $1 or so for a fight fund. The fight is to be against the Federal Food & Drug Administration. U. S. Senators . and Representatives are being influenced to investigate the Food & Drug

Administration, to prosecute for criminal negligence Director Walter Gilbert Campbell & aides.