Secret remedies : $b What they cost and what they containBritish Medical Association
Science
Secret remedies : $b What they cost and what they contain
British Medical Association
Patent medicines
For Catarrh.—Pour one-half teaspoonful in the palm of
the hand, close one nostril with the finger, and inhale
the liquid through the open nostril with sufficient
force to carry the spray down into the throat. Inhale
another half teaspoonful through the other nostril
in the same way; it is not advisable to swallow the
Catarrh Cure—however, it is perfectly harmless if you
chance to do so. Use night and morning and in extreme
cases three times a day.
Analysis showed the composition of the liquid to be:
Phenol (carbolic acid) 0·4 part.
Sodium chloride (common salt) 3.3 parts.
Water to 100 fluid parts.
The traces of impurities usually present in common salt were also found.
The estimated cost of the ingredients in 2½ fluid ounces is
one-thirtieth of a farthing.
VAN VLECK’S CATARRH BALM.
This balm is supplied by an American Company having an address in
London. The price charged is 4s. 6d. for a package containing 1⅛ oz.
In an accompanying circular it is stated that:
This preparation is perfectly harmless, readily
absorbed, and through its healing, soothing action
affords immediate relief and quickly cures Catarrh of
the Nose and Head, Catarrhal Deafness, Hay Fever, Cold
in the Head, La Grippe, Tonsillitis, Sore Throat and
all inflamed, irritated conditions of the nose and
throat.
The “Balm” was an ointment, contained in a collapsible tube. The
directions on the label are:
First clear your head out thoroughly by blowing your
nose, then squeeze out from the tube a piece of Dr.
Van Vleck’s Catarrh Balm about the size of a pea, on
the end of the finger, and rub it well up into each
nostril, hold the other nostril and snuff it up until
you can feel it all the way up through the air passages
in your head. For severe Catarrh in the Head and Cold
in the Head also rub thoroughly over the outside of
the nose and across the forehead and on the sides of
the head just below the temples. For Catarrhal Sore
Throat and Tonsillitis rub thoroughly on the outside of
the throat and swallow at bedtime a small piece about
the size of a pea. Do not get it into the eyes. This
preparation is perfectly harmless, readily absorbed,
and through its healing, antiseptic, soothing action
affords immediate relief.
The substance consisted of soft paraffin containing a small quantity
of phenol and about 2 per cent. of a mixture of volatile oils. Oils
of eucalyptus, pumilio pine, and yellow sandal-wood were recognized,
and the respective proportions of these were estimated by comparing
mixtures of known composition with the original. The results obtained
gave the following formula
Phenol 0·6 part.
Sandal-wood oil 0·5 ”
Oil of pumilio pine 0·7 ”
” eucalyptus 1.2 parts.
Soft paraffin to 100
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