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
It should be noted that when the preparations were submitted each ounce
of the preparation was claimed to contain 9 grains of iodin, while
in the subsequent letter the company declares that they contain only
3-2/3 grains to the ounce. If it be assumed that the unit intended
is the avoirdupois ounce, the preparation should contain 2.06 per
cent. of iodin according to the first statement and 0.84 per cent. of
iodin according to the second statement. While the dark color of the
preparations suggested the presence of appreciable amounts of free
iodin, the A. M. A. Chemical Laboratory reported that an examination of
the specimens submitted by the Medical Supply Company showed that “No.
1” and “No. 2” each contained but 0.033 per cent. of free iodin; hence
both preparations are in conflict with Rule 1.
For both preparations the labels suggest their use for the treatment
of “septic wounds, burns, pustular processes of all varieties, and
especially bronchial troubles.” This constitutes a conflict with Rule
4. Regarding No. 1 the advertising circular included with the trade
package asserts:
“Its merits have been practically demonstrated in the following
conditions. We invite your especial attention to its use in
diseases of the thoracic cavity, especially Bronchitis and
Pneumonia, Rheumatism, Lumbago, Migraine, Neuralgia, Orchitis,
Balanitis, enlarged glands or any disturbance of the lymphatic
system, anti-galactagogue, or wherever analgesic action is
required.”
“No. 2” is said to be especially adapted to the needs of the surgeon,
it “can be applied in any wound either aseptic or infected.” It is
asserted that the usual method of preparing patients for operation may
be discarded and that patients may be operated on after application of
this ointment:
“... We have no other preparation to-day which serves the purpose
of L. O. Compound in operative and post operative treatment.
“It is a powerful antiseptic and germicide combining anesthetic,
analgesic and alterative properties.”
After attempting to discredit the approved methods of preparing the
field for surgical operations, the advertising circular continues:
“Method of today: A liberal amount of L. O. Compound No. 2 is
applied to the intended area of operation, massage thoroughly until
absorption is complete. Patient is ready for operation ...”
Both products are in conflict with Rule 6. Further, as the names of
these pharmaceutical mixtures are not descriptive of their composition,
they also conflict with Rule 8.
The use of complex mixtures such as these is irrational and leads to
misplaced confidence on the part of the physician; particularly when,
as in this case, neither the label nor the advertising matter gives the
necessary information regarding the composition of the preparations
further than that, in accordance with the requirements of the Federal
Food and Drugs Act, the amount of chloral is declared (Rule 10).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account