The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 1 of 2Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry (American Medical Association)
Science
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 1 of 2
Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry (American Medical Association)
Patent medicines
From the above findings we conclude that Tyree’s antiseptic powder is
a mixture of boric acid and dried zinc sulphate and antiseptic bodies,
such as menthol, salicylic acid and carbolic acid, eucalyptol, etc.
From this it can be readily seen that the label, which is supposed
to set forth the composition of Tyree’s antiseptic powder, is not in
accord with the facts. The powder does not contain either borate of
sodium or alum, and the presence of glycerin could not be established.
The antiseptic agents, exclusive of the boric acid, are present only in
small amounts.
The report of another analysis concludes as follows:
It evidently contains less than the amount stated of the principles of
thyme, eucalyptus, wintergreen and mint. It also contains a very small
amount indeed of carbolic acid, much less than that stated. We have
been unable to identify certainly the presence of glycerin, and it is
doubtful if it be present.
From the result of the analysis we feel confident that the preparation
is to all intents and purposes a mixture of boric acid and sulphate of
zinc.
The carbolic acid, thyme, eucalyptus, wintergreen, etc., if present,
are present only in sufficient amount to give the compound a
satisfactory odor.
In view of the fact that J. S. Tyree has given wide publicity to
a formula which the preceding report has shown to be a deliberate
misrepresentation of facts, it is recommended that the article be
refused recognition by the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry, and
that this report be published in The Journal of the American Medical
Association.
The recommendation of the subcommittee was adopted by the Council in
accordance with which the report is published.
W. A. Puckner, Secretary.
Mr. Tyree, in a letter to Dr. Simmons (which he states he writes at
the request of Dr. Kebler of the Drug Laboratory of the Department
of Agriculture, though he is under no moral or financial obligation
to do so), says that it has been his intention to inform the medical
profession of his reasons for changing the formula of Tyree’s
Antiseptic Powder from an alum and borax base to a boracic acid and
zinc base. He states that this change was made at the suggestion
of prominent physicians connected with hospital clinics on nose
and throat, venereal and other conditions and that he has had in
contemplation the omission from the label of the various conditions to
which the preparation is applicable.
Mr. Tyree, it will be seen, assumes the right to sell to physicians a
preparation with a descriptive formula which he acknowledges is false,
and he presumes to use his own pleasure as to the time when he will
inform them of its true composition.
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