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
It is evident, then, that both the specimen of Pix Cresol obtained
directly from the manufacturers and also the one purchased more
recently from the Chicago agent, contain as an essential constituent
Chinosol of the composition sold formerly. The substance now sold under
the name Chinosol and described in New and Nonofficial Remedies is pure
oxyquinolin sulphate, and as the exploiters of Pix Cresol probably
obtain their supply of oxyquinolin sulphate from the Chinosol Company,
the sole American agents for Chinosol, it is to be expected that Pix
Cresol should change in composition. It is probable that the analysis
referred to the laboratory deals with a more recent specimen than the
two examined in the Association laboratory.
Editorial Note: In view of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry’s
findings, viz., that chinosol is a powerful antiseptic but a feeble
germicide and considering that Pix Cresol contains but 21 per cent.
oxyquinolin sulphate, the absurdity of the following claims made for
Pix Cresol require no further comment:
“Pix Cresol is an Absolutely Sure and Yet Perfectly Safe, Never
Failing Destroyer of Pus (_Staph. Pyogenes Aureus._)”
“It is germicidal, bactericidal, bacillicidal. It is certain as a
micro-organism destroyer. It destroys absolutely.”
“Ridding the blood of germs, it aids in rendering it replete with
oxygen----.”
“It kills the germs.”
“No organism that is causative of morbid processes can withstand
it.”
“It destroys micro-organisms of all kinds. It destroys them
absolutely.”
“The germ’s tenacity of life does not avail against its action as
germicide.”
“It destroys the spores and toxins utterly.”
A further estimate of the pseudo-chemical company, bearing the name
of this “strongest, safest, least expensive medical antiseptic,
disinfectant and deodorizer known” may be gained by a cursory glance at
some of its “specialties”:
“Maizinin compound, Positive Chill and Malaria Specific” the firm says,
“prepares the parasites for execution by the leukocytes.” It is said to
contain arsenic, while the name implies the presence of some plant drug.
“Psora, the Syphilis Specific,” is a shot-gun mixture said to be
“the scientific combination of the soluble Triple Iodids with the
active principles of Echinacea, Cascara amagra, Berberis aquif., and
Phytolacca rad.,” and is claimed to make “the syphilitic lesions
disappear and fail to return.”
“Rectoids--Cones for the treatment of all rectal trouble,” are said to
be “a combination of Rectin (Pix) compounded from Buckeye, Collinsonia,
Hamamelis, Belladonna, Pix Cresol.”
“Tablets for the Female--Pix Cresol Uterettes,” it is said, “for
sanitary purposes may be continued forever ...”
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