[Editorial Comment.--Products like “Hydras” are the bane of scientific medicine. The physician who prescribes them could with just as much reason prescribe any of the various alcoholic “patent medicines” of the “women’s tonic” type. In fact, his patients would be running less risk of contracting the alcohol habit if he prescribed the “patent medicines,” as these nostrums usually have less alcohol than is contained in their “ethical” prototypes--and alcohol is the only really important drug in practically all of them. Whatever one may think of reputable pharmaceutical houses who put out products of the “Hydras” type, the fault really lies with the profession which tolerates such therapeutic monstrosities.]--(_From The Journal A. M. A., Oct. 7, 1916._) BROMIN-IODIN COMPOUND Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry “Bromin-Iodin Compound,” according to the Bromin-Iodin Chemical Company, San Diego, Calif., has the following “formula”: Iodin Gr. 1 Bromin Gr. 1/4 Phosphorus Gr. 1/100 Thymol Gr. 2/3 Menthol Gr. 2/3 Sterilized Oil Gr. 1 The only statement regarding its method of preparation is the line “Solution in Cod Liver Oil, Norwegian.” According to the promoters, “Bromin-Iodin” is: “A Powerful Anti-Tubercular Agent for Hypodermic Use in Pulmonary and Laryngeal Tuberculosis. Useful in other forms of Tubercular Diseases, and in Non-Tubercular Pulmonary Diseases of a Sub-Acute or Chronic Nature.” The “formula,” in the form in which the manufacturers publish it, is either impossible or meaningless, according to the interpretation that may be given. It is impossible if it is intended to indicate the actual composition of the product because that would mean that the oil is alleged to contain free or uncombined iodin, bromin and phosphorus. Both on theoretical grounds and also in the light of the findings of the Chemical Laboratory of the American Medical Association, it is not possible that all these constituents can be present in the free state. The formula is meaningless if it is intended to convey the idea, merely, that iodin, bromin, phosphorus, thymol, menthol and sterilized oil are combined to form “Bromin-Iodin.” In the absence of any details of the method of manufacture, it is futile to attempt to pass judgment on the actual composition of the preparation.