Phenolphthalein—a chemical body sold sometimes under the trade names purgen, laxoin, laxatol, laxen, etc.—appears as an ingredient in two of the nostrums, and formamine (hexamethylene-tetramine)—which goes also by many names, urotropine, cystamin, cystogen, metramine, and vesalvine among others—in one, the preparation containing the latter is said to have been devised as the result of an accident in the laboratory, in which a piece of fat became changed into oil without the rupture of the fat cells, a statement which suggests that the advertiser thinks that fat in the human body is solid like tallow or lard. ANTIPON. This preparation is sold by a Company with offices in London. The bottle in which it is sent out holds a little over 6½ fluid ounces and costs 2s. 6d. It bears no label, but has the word “Antipon” blown in the glass. A circular enclosed with the bottle gives a number of rules on the subject of dietary, together with statements as to the merits of the article, from which the following extracts are taken: As a really permanent cure for corpulence, combining remarkable fat-reducing properties with tonic principles of the highest quality, “Antipon” is justly regarded by the most competent authorities as one of the most valuable discoveries in modern therapeutics, solving once and for all the vexed question of the radical cure of obesity without harmful after-effects. “Antipon” absolutely and definitely replaces all the weakening and frequently dangerous processes, systems and medicines which have hitherto done duty as remedies for the disease of obesity. It provides the medical practitioner and the public with a powerful and entirely harmless specific not hitherto within their reach. Within a day and a night of taking the first dose there will be a reduction of weight varying from 8 oz. to 3lb., in extreme cases even more. The subsequent daily decrease will be persistent until normal weight and dimensions are attained, when the doses may be discontinued. Directions for Use.—Take two dessertspoonfuls in half a wineglassful of water, immediately after meals. N.B.—After taking dose, cork the bottle securely. Analysis showed the liquid to be a solution of citric acid in water, of the strength of 39·3 grains in a fluid ounce; a red colouring substance was also present, and O·4 per cent. of alcohol, the latter being doubtless introduced with the colouring. The red colour could be perfectly matched with cochineal, but the behaviour towards alkalies and other reagents showed differences; cochineal, with the addition of a little methyl orange, however, showed in most respects a similar behaviour. The estimated cost of ingredients for 6½ fluid ounces is 1⅓d. RUSSELL’S ANTI-CORPULENT PREPARATION.