Sulphuric acid is certainly an oxidizing agent and in virtue thereof removes hydrogen; but not in a solution whose concentration with respect to sulphuric acid is approximately only 0.82 per cent. The statement that nitrogen is the “base of all explosives” is another example of the methods of the promoters. As it is a well-known fact, however, that nitrogen itself is one of the least reactive of gaseous elements, little confidence can be placed in such remarks as “Nitrogen which is energy itself.” Another mystifying term used in the formula is “Ac. Butanol-Dioic,” which is a true chemical name, certainly, but it is one by which few physicians will recognize simple malic acid, an ordinary vegetable acid widely distributed in ripe fruits, such as apples and pears, and possessing the properties simply of a relatively weak organic acid. To describe it as exercising any potent influence “in the oxidation of the phosphorus as lecithin in the cell”--especially in the extremely low concentration in which it is stated to exist in Alleotone--is simply an absurd juggling with words. It is not much to be wondered at that the public should be taken in by pseudoscientific “literature”; but it is not only strange, it is discreditable to our profession, that among its members should be found any to accept such rubbish as the above quoted “literature” as information worth acting on--yet such there are, judging from the testimonials.--(_Abstracted from The Journal A. M. A., Feb. 1, 1908._) The Commercial Value of Adverse Criticism For skilful attempts to convert a “knock” into a “boost,” commend us to the discredited nostrum exploiter. The federal Food and Drugs Act did much to bring out this amiable quality--possibly developed it. While somewhat ancient history, it is well to call to mind what happened when the excise authorities insisted either that the “patent medicine” booze, Peruna, have some medicine put in it, or else that its manufacturers should go into the saloon business. Hartman at once got out a new label stating that “for a number of years a multitude of grateful friends” had urged “that Peruna be given a slight laxative quality.” Thenceforth the innocents and near-innocents could get their perunaese jag only at the risk of a “bad quarter of an hour.” One of the latest attempts to wriggle out of an uncomfortable position, and at the same time make capital out of the wriggling, is seen in the advertising of Alleotone, a nostrum of the pseudoscientific type, which was shown up in The Journal of Feb. 1, 1908. The “formula” furnished is for the most part a jargon of misleading and mystifying nonsense and fulfils the same purpose as the voluble “patter” of the gentleman who is manipulating three shells and a pea at the county fair.