The repudiation, by the manufacturers, of the more absurd claims made for Ingluvin, shows the need of maintaining an attitude of healthy skepticism toward the advertised therapeutic virtues of proprietary preparations. If a physician is disposed to use digestive ferments, he should give preference to the official preparations, and ferments from other sources should be required to stand the exact tests which demonstrate the worthlessness of so many preparations on the market.--(_From The Journal A. M. A., July 11, 1908._) INTESTINAL ANTISEPTIC W-A Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry The Council voted that Intestinal Antiseptic W-A be refused recognition, and that the publication of the following report be authorized. W. A. Puckner, Secretary. The Abbott Alkaloidal Company advertises “Intestinal Antiseptic W-A” as “... A scientifically blended and physiologically adjusted mixture, of the pure sulphocarbolates of calcium, sodium and zinc, grs. 5, with bismuth subsalicylate, gr. 1-4 and aromatics.” This formula is in conflict with Rule 1 in that it does not state in what proportion the sulphocarbolates are present. The name “Intestinal Antiseptic W-A” is in conflict with Rules 4 and 8, since it is therapeutically suggestive. The preparation is in conflict with Rules 6 and 10, in that exaggerated claims are made for it, no evidence being submitted to prove the superior value of the mixture. The most serious of these conflicts consists in the exaggerated and misleading therapeutic claims. The advertisements say: “This combination has no equal as an antiseptic and inhibitive agent in typhoid fever, diarrhea, dysentery,” etc. “Numerous cleverly devised and scientifically constructed intestinal antiseptics have been introduced to the profession, but not one of them has ever rivaled for one moment these salts in popularity.” “... we are convinced that no small share of the credit for the reduction of the death rate in infantile diarrheas is due to the widespread application of this general method of treatment, associated of course with the calomel clean-out and the regulation of diet, now known to be essential.” “But the use of the sulphocarbolates is not restricted to diseases of the alimentary canal, although in the summer diarrheas, gastric fermentation, intestinal indigestion, typhoid fever, dysentery--indeed in all alimentary disturbances--it is the one essential remedy. It is also indicated in practically all infectious diseases.” “Typhoid Fever (in this disease the W-A Intestinal Antiseptic is of great value; used early, with the proper synergistic cleanout, it will often cut short the disease).”