Drugs classed as similar are by no means alike in action; laxatives, tonics, carminatives, diuretics are combined with distinct advantage, economy of dose, enhanced effect, potency not obtainable with the single drug. Your sweeping arbitrary conclusions that complex mixtures of remedial agents are from every point of view inimical to therapeutic progress is not, it seems to us, sustained by fact and experience. There is therapeutic progress in the considerate use and observation of combinations as well as in the use of a single drug. Indeed, in the production of a synthetic chemical substance as a therapeutic agent, the combination of potent and dissimilar elements is worked out to mitigate and correct an objectionable side effect, and promote desirable action. As for ourselves, at the very outset in our line of work we quite voluntarily declared our principles and our intentions as opposed to incompatible and therefore unstable or inert combinations of the enzymes; and against the “unnecessary multiplication of preparations”--see Fairchild’s Hand-Book of the Digestive Ferments. Is not this after all the crux of the whole matter--does a combination contain the ingredients stated, does it possess the demonstrable properties which are to be attributed to it in consequence of this composition; and if for a certain purpose, is it well designed therefor? Carminzym presents certain agents of well known properties, not in the least of incompatible or antagonistic action, but indeed especially suitable for the particular purpose designed; its efficacy not to be measured and judged by theory or opinion as to the efficiency of a certain dosage of a particular drug by itself. That the doses as contained are minimal and effective is distinctly advantageous. The alkaline carbonates are in Carminzym in stated quantities; the physician adjusts the dosage to the individual patient and with obvious evidence of the efficiency of the adjustment. As we understand it, the employment of alkaline carbonates is not based on purely chemic considerations--a definite known quantity of acid of the gastric juice is to be neutralized; the whole literature and practice dealing with the alkaline carbonates show them to be accredited with a much wider field of use and repute in gastro-intestinal disorders. The pancreatic extract in Carminzym is designed to be diffusible in the stomach, the tablet is preferable to be crushed in the mouth before swallowing, and we believe the pancreatic extract to be an effective constituent as administered in Carminzym. You comment as follows: