The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 2 of 2Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry (American Medical Association)
Science
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 2 of 2
Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry (American Medical Association)
Patent medicines
40 PER CENT. GLUTEN BISCUIT
Referee
Water 8.50
Ash 1.48
Protein (N × 5.7) 41.15
Fiber 0.08
Carbohydrates 47.81
Fat 0.98
Starch 36.98
No analysis is supplied by the company, but this may be called properly
a “40 per cent. Gluten Biscuit.” The company claims, however, that this
is “Best for Diabetics,” which is not true.
Here, as in the case of “40 per cent. Gluten Flour,” the company’s
label attributes to “Dr. Wm. Osler in ‘Practice of Medicine,’” the
following quotation: “Of Gluten Foods, many are very unpalatable,
others are frauds. A Good Gluten Flour is made by the Battle Creek
Sanatarium Co., Mich.” I have no way of knowing to which gluten flour
of the company Dr. Osler had reference. The “Pure Gluten Meal” might be
called properly a “good gluten flour,” but this “40 per cent. Gluten
Flour” is no better, and no worse, than the average gluten flour on the
market. The quotation from Osler gives an entirely false impression.
40 PER CENT. GLUTEN FLOUR
Referee Company
Water 8.62 5-10
Ash 0.89 0.5-1
Protein (N × 5.7) 33.63 40-45
Fiber 0.08 1-3
Carbohydrates 55.35 40-45
Fat 1.43 0.2-0.5
Starch 48.04 ...
My analysis shows 6.37 per cent. less protein than the company’s
minimum, and 10.35 more carbohydrates than their maximum. In past years
I have found the protein in this brand to range from 35.0 to 42.9 per
cent. (using the factor 5.7). It is true that the manufacturer does
not state what protein factor is used in his reported analysis, but as
in four other brands 5.7 is used, it is fair to assume that the same
factor applies to this as well. At least such should be the case, as
otherwise the manufacturer’s analyses would be meaningless. Even using
the factor 6.25 this later sample contains only 36.88 per cent. of
protein.
The following statement, in my judgment, as applied to a food
containing over 48 per cent. of starch, does not hold water: “This
food is of special service in cases of Glycosuria and in the milder
forms of Diabetes.” With this brand as with “40 per cent. Gluten
Biscuit” the manufacturer again uses the misleading quotation from
Osler.
40 PER CENT. GLUTEN MEAL
Referee Company
Water 7.30 5-10
Ash 1.36 1-2
Protein (N × 5.7) 41.55 40-45
Fiber 0.10 1-2
Carbohydrates 48.58 40-45
Fat 1.11 0.2-0.5
Starch 36.59 40-45
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