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
Comment:--While the name gives the impression that ozone or some
similar substance is an essential constituent of Glycozone, or else
that the preparation is a compound or derivative of ozone, and while
the earlier advertisements stated that Glycozone was “glycerine
combined with ozone,” the examination made by the Council shows that
there is no basis of fact for such inferences.
In the advertisements the “chemical formula” C_{3}H_{6}O_{4} +
C_{3}H_{8}O_{3} appears under the word Glycozone. From the Council’s
report it is apparent that C_{3}H_{6}O_{4} stands for glyceric acid
and the C_{3}H_{8}O_{3} for glycerin, and that these, therefore,
indicate the chief constituents of Glycozone. Few, doubtless, would
recognize the first formula as being that of a glyceric acid, a product
practically unknown in medicine, nor would many associate glycerin with
the second. The evident intent is that physicians should accept the
formula as a badge of respectability.
According to the label on a trade package, Glycozone is “prepared
only by Charles Marchand, chemist,” and is {“}an absolute cure for
dyspepsia, catarrh of the stomach, ulcer of the stomach, heart-burn,”
etc. The label further reads: “This remedy is positively harmless.
By destroying the microbian element in the stomach it prevents the
fermentation of food and stimulates digestion.” An examination of
medical literature fails to reveal any basis for these claims. While
glycerin possesses some antiseptic properties, it is evident that
the glycerin which constitutes 90 per cent. of this remedy is not
the agent that gives the glycozone such phenomenal virtues. General
literature contains nothing that would indicate that glyceric acid
in any quantity, with or without glycerin, possesses these miraculous
properties. If by “microbian element” is meant microbic organisms, the
statement is without foundation. There is nothing in this product which
possesses these bactericidal powers.
The circular which accompanied a trade package envelops the preparation
in an air of mystery. Derivation from, or close relation to, ozone and
hydrogen peroxid is vaguely hinted at, without definite assertion.
Thus, the chief therapeutic properties of glycozone and hydrozone are
compared as follows:
“Hydrozone instantly destroys the microbian element, leaving the
tissues beneath in a healthy condition.”
“Glycozone acts more slowly, but not less certain as a stimulant to
healthy granulations.”
[Illustration: Much-reduced photographic reproduction of one of the
older Glycozone advertisements. Attention is directed to the false
claim that this nostrum is “glycerin combined with ozone.”]
There is no similarity between the action of hydrozone, which is a
hydrogen peroxid preparation, and glycozone, which consists of a
mixture of glycerin and glyceric acid. The representation is false
and misleading. The following statement, also, is an unwarranted
exaggeration of the facts:
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