GOVERNMENT: Rub-

Popular loss leader of U. S. department stores, drugstores, filling stations, etc. is rubbing alcohol. Long a favorite beverage of bums and other submarginal drinkers,

“rub” has sold as low as 5¢ a pint. Of 3,257,096 gallons consumed in the U. S. last year, Government officials refused to estimate how much was taken internally, but estimates by States run from 10% to 75%. Technically therapeutic, rubbing alcohol is exempt from the $4.25-per-gal. Federal alcohol tax.

Year or so ago the Internal Revenue Bureau’s Alcohol Tax Unit tried to limit “rub” to its lawful use by loading it with intestinal irritants. There were no com plaints from drinkers, but doctors pro tested that the alcohol was now unfit for many external uses. Month ago the tax unit tried again. Its ruling, effective last week: from now on no one but registered pharmacists may sell “rub.”