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
Mr. Tyree does not state when he changed the formula. We do not know
whether it was a year ago, five years ago or ten years ago, but we do
know that the package which was used in making the first analysis was
purchased as early as last February, and the first chemist’s report
was submitted to the Council March 5, 1906. On April 4 Mr. Tyree was
notified by the Council that the composition of Tyree’s Antiseptic
Powder did not correspond to the formula published by him.
Whether or not Mr. Tyree is justified in offering our profession a
preparation as composed chiefly of borax and alum when in reality it is
chiefly composed of boric acid and zinc sulphate, we leave physicians
to judge.
Discrepancies Between Facts and Claims--Unfortunate
Attempts of Mr. Tyree at Explanation
A report from the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry on Tyree’s
Antiseptic Powder appeared in The Journal, Oct. 20, 1906. This showed
that the preparation, advertised as a “scientific combination of
borate of sodium, alumen, carbolic acid, glycerin and the crystallized
principles of thyme, eucalyptus, gaultheria and mentha, in the form
of a powder.” was essentially a mixture of boric acid and sulphate
of zinc--approximately four-fifths of the former to one-fifth of
the latter. “The carbolic acid, thyme, eucalyptus, wintergreen,
etc., if present, are present only in sufficient amount to give
the compound a satisfactory odor.” As will be remembered, in the
correspondence published at that time, Mr. Tyree attempted to explain
the discrepancies between his statements and the proved facts by
intimating that he had recently changed the formula, and that it was
his intention “on or about the first of February to state to the
medical profession his reasons for changing the formula,” and that
the change had been made “a short time ago, at the suggestion of
several prominent gentlemen.” Since that time, through circulars and
other advertisements, Mr. Tyree has attempted to explain the matter
in various ways. In his latest circular letter he seems to make a
deliberate attempt to mislead our profession and to misrepresent
facts to a degree that makes it almost impossible to believe that the
circular came from a man who claims to be honorable.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account