The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 1 of 2Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry (American Medical Association)
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The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 1 of 2
Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry (American Medical Association)
Patent medicines
Rule 8: The non-informing name “Cypridol” for a mercuric iodid
preparation is bound to lead to its use without consideration of the
fact that a potent mercury preparation is being used, requiring a
careful adjustment of dosage, a consideration of the needs of the
individual case, a correct diagnosis, etc. While the advertising
propaganda argues that “physicians recognize the advantage of
prescribing this solution of mercuric iodide in an aseptic oil under
the name of ‘Cypridol,’ because it does not betray to the laity the
fact that mercury is being used,” not only the physician but also the
patient has a right to know, and ought to know, the potent character of
the remedy which is being administered.
It is recommended that Cypridol be refused recognition and that
publication of this report be authorized.--(_From The Journal A. M. A.,
Dec. 19, 1914._)
CYSTOGEN, CYSTOGEN APERIENT AND CYSTOGEN-LITHIA[L]
Abstract of Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
[L] For the unabridged report of the Council’s action on Cystogen,
Cystogen Aperient and Cystogen-Lithia, see Reports Council Pharm. and
Chem., 1914, p. 66.
Cystogen is the therapeutically suggestive name applied to
hexamethylenamin by the Cystogen Chemical Company. While investigation
has shown that hexamethylenamin yields formaldehyd only in the presence
of an acid and consequently can produce an antiseptic effect only in
the gastric juice and in the urine, it is claimed that Cystogen is
an “intestinal antiseptic” and that it “bears its disinfectant and
antitoxic qualities into well-nigh every important bodily cavity.”
As the sale of a simple drug even with the aid of the most extravagant
claims probably did not offer sufficient opportunity for an extensive
proprietary propaganda, the Cystogen Company has put out two other
preparations, Cystogen Aperient and Cystogen-Lithia, and finds it an
easy matter by means of extravagant claims, unwarranted assertions and
pseudo-scientific arguments to recommend the use of one or another, or
often all three, in a well-nigh endless number of diseases.
As the continued patronage of the medical profession cannot be relied
on for proprietaries of this sort, the Cystogen Chemical Company takes
good care that every Cystogen prescription is likely to spread the
Cystogen gospel among the people. The Council has directed publication
of its report on the Cystogen products to call attention to the way
in which a simple drug of established value may be made the basis of
an extensive proprietary propaganda. A conservative discussion of
the action of hexamethylenamin appears in the Council’s publication,
“Useful Drugs.” The Council therefore refused recognition to Cystogen,
Cystogen Aperient and Cystogen-Lithia.--(_From The Journal A. M. A.,
Dec. 12, 1914._)
CYSTO-SEDATIVE
Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
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