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
Two separate packages of the tablets were obtained for analysis at an
interval of several weeks; in the first supply the tablets were of a
dirty white colour and contained no dye, but in the second they were
bright yellow, and contained a yellow dye, which appeared to be one
of the coal-tar colours; the other ingredients were the same as those
found on the first occasion. The average weight of one tablet was 0·9
grain, and they were found to contain 87 per cent. of sugar, 2·4 per
cent. of moisture, and O·5 per cent. of ash; about three-quarters
of the remainder was starch, principally potato starch, but with a
little maize. The residual 2 or 3 per cent. was a gelatinous substance
which showed no marked reactions or characters, and exhibited only
traces of cell tissue when examined microscopically. Analysis of the
ash showed it to contain sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium
chloride, sulphate, and phosphate; these are the constant constituents
of the ash of extract of _Fucus vesiculosus_; an aqueous extract of the
tablets contained a small quantity of mucilage similar to that yielded
by the same drug. By taking some _Fucus vesiculosus_ in the wet state,
pounding it to a pulp and boiling it, a material was obtained agreeing
with the gelatinous substance from the tablets, and there appeared no
ground for doubting the identity of the two. Careful search was made
for alkaloids and other substances in small quantity, but without any
being found. The formula thus became:
_Fucus vesiculosus_, in pulp 3 per cent. (dry weight).
Starch 7 ”
Sugar 87 ”
Water 3 ”
Yellow dye q.s.
The estimated cost of the ingredients (66 tablets) is one-fortieth of a
penny.
HARGREAVE’S REDUCING WAFERS.
This preparation is supplied from an address in London in boxes price
1s. 1½d., containing 21.
The following extracts are taken from a circular enclosed with the box;
the circular contained also a number of testimonials, with directions,
etc.
Purely vegetable. Contain nothing harmful. Can be
taken at any time with perfect safety. Dose: Three
wafers daily. One after Breakfast, Dinner and Supper.
If Supper is not taken, one after Tea instead. May be
dissolved on the tongue or taken as pills. No change in
diet necessary.
The supply sent herewith lasts one week, in which time
the Fat commences to get less. In most cases, however,
to complete a cure takes about seven weeks, therefore
clients should now send for the further six weeks’
treatment.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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