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
“Despite the fact that heroin, which is universally recognized
as an invaluable respiratory sedative, is a conspicuous element
of Glyco-Heroin, Smith, the other constituents, henbane, ammonia
hypophosphite, balsam tolu and white pine bark are factors of no
less importance; indeed, it is through the concerted action of
its several ingredients that the preparation proves so notably
beneficial in the class of affections in which it is indicated.
The constantly increasing popularity of the preparation in the
treatment of respiratory affections is the best adducible evidence
of its value in such disorders.”
The absurdity of this assertion will be appreciated on comparing the
nature, quantities and activities of the several ingredients. Thus,
while heroin, a potent habit-forming drug, is present in unusually
large proportions, tolu, an innocuous or comparatively harmless
product, is said to be represented by 1/4 grain, a relatively small
quantity, hardly sufficient to impart even a distinctive taste or
flavor. Ammonium hypophosphite, in the amount said to be present, may
be considered to be practically useless, while the dose of hyoscyamus,
an additional narcotic, is fairly large. The white pine bark present
is probably as active as would be a corresponding amount of white pine
shavings or of turpentine sufficient to give the preparation a slight
odor. The vehicle, glycerin, is claimed to be “notably advantageous,”
but not a word occurs in the discussion by the manufacturer in regard
to the presence of alcohol, which is certainly quite as active
medicinally as the balsam of tolu and contributes fully as much to the
flavor or taste of the preparation as does the white pine bark.
In prominent type on the outer label of the trade package we are told
that the preparation is intended for the treatment of “COUGH, ASTHMA,
PHTHISIS, PNEUMONIA, BRONCHITIS, LARYNGITIS, WHOOPING-COUGH AND KINDRED
INFECTIONS.” In much smaller type: “Glyco-Heroin (Smith) is distinctly
a product designed expressly for the use of physicians.” The circular
included with the trade package, however, bears statements which would
tend to encourage self-drugging by the layman, and in view of the
manner in which the preparation is exploited are undoubtedly intended
to do so. For instance:
“_Bronchitis._--In the acute form of bronchitis, Glyco-Heroin
(Smith) acts most happily. It tends to diminish the congestion and
inflammation of the lining of the air passages, relieves the pain
and institutes repair....
“_Phthisis._--In the treatment of the cough of phthisis,
Glyco-Heroin (Smith) is used with the most gratifying results.
It checks the night sweats, acts favorably upon the reflexes,
increases expectoration and induces refreshing sleep.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 1 of 2 — John Shaqi
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