OF-CALIFO/?^ ^AE-UNIVER% 
 
 ^UNIYEMjfc. ^lOS-ANCEL^. 
 
 ^ '**' V 
 
 <rjTO$(n^ tySBlWHtiP 
 
 ^\\E-UNIVER% vvlOS-ANCElfj> 
 
 S?i ^^^ t/^v^$ 
 
 i I
 
 
 rZ 13 
 
 1 1 
 
 i o 
 
 AOS-ANCElfr, 
 
 % 
 
 5 = 
 
 r ^r 
 
 L.OF-CAL! 
 
 fc 
 
 I 3 
 
 ,\\\E UNIVERS^ 
 
 
 
 I I 
 
 lOS-ANCEtfj> 
 
 r* 
 
 5 
 
 =3 2 
 ? -x 
 
 AV\E-l'NIVERS/A. 
 i **JP^< 
 
 .^ ^ft\rtiNss\\^
 
 MORE 
 
 SECRET REMEDIES. 
 
 WHAT THEY COST & WHAT THEY CONTAIN 
 
 BASED ON ANALYSES MADE FOE THE 
 
 BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, 
 
 SECRET REMEDIES SECOND SERIES. 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, 
 
 429, STRAND, W.C. 
 
 1912. 
 
 COPYRIGHT.
 
 771 
 
 TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 CHAPTER I. Remedies for Rheumatism, Gout and Neuralgia ... 1 
 
 ,, II. Preparations for Eczema and other Skin Affections 30 
 
 ' ,, III. Nerve Tonics and " Elixirs of Life " 44 
 
 ,. IV. Medicines for Coughs, Consumption, Catarrh etc. ... 71 
 
 ,, V. ,, Indigestion, Constipation, etf. ... 87 
 
 VI. Kidney Medicines 102 
 
 ., VII. Obesity Cures, and a "Flesh Producer" 112 
 
 ,, VIII. Medicines for Alcoholism and for the Tobacco Habit 128 
 
 IX. Soothing Syrups for Infants 147 
 
 ,, X. Medicines for Epilepsy 152 
 
 XI. The " Tremol Treatment " for Bad Legs 167 
 
 ,, XII. The " Crimson Cross Remedies " 178 
 
 ,. XIII. Medicines for Amenorrhoea, etc. 184 
 
 XIV. Wallace's Specific Remedies "An Absolute System 
 
 of Medicine" 210 
 
 ,, XV. Preparations for the Hair 222 
 
 ,, XVI. Some Miscellaneous Medicines ... 231 
 
 ,, X VII. Unqualified Practice through the Post 241 
 
 ,, XVIII. The Advertising of Proprietary Medicines 252 
 
 ,, XIX. The "Expert " behind the Proprietary Medicine ... 256 
 
 ,, XX. Some Echoes of Volume 1 259 
 
 INDEX . 265
 
 PKEFACE. 
 
 The publication by the British Medical Association 
 under the title ' ' Secret Remedies : What they Cost and 
 What they Contain " of the results of a series of analyses 
 of some of the most advertised of the many proprietary 
 medicines put forward for the cure of disease, has perhaps 
 done more than anything else to open the eyes of the public, 
 the authorities, and the Legislature to the true facts in regard 
 to the nature of such articles and of the enormous traffic 
 that goes on in them. At the time of the publication of 
 this second volume, a public inquiry into the matter by a 
 Parliamentary Committee has just been opened, with a view 
 to deciding on what alterations of the law are necessary or 
 desirable. The present state of the law in regard to the 
 matter, and of its administration, undoubtedly leave room 
 for much amendment. But the surest enemy of quackery 
 in this department is increased publicity in regard to the 
 facts, and the recognition by the public of the great disparity 
 that exists in many cases between the actual composition 
 of many nostrums on the one hand, and the extravagant 
 claims that are made for their curative powers on the other. 
 As a further contribution to a general enlightenment on the 
 subject, the British Medical Association publishes in the 
 present volume the results of a further series of analyses of 
 proprietary medicines which have been carried out for the 
 purpose, together with extracts from the statements of the 
 proprietors of the medicines. The number of those at 
 present existing is so vast that it is only possible to deal with 
 comparatively a few, and these have been selected, as a rule, 
 as being some of the most widely advertised or the most 
 largely sold.
 
 It will be recognised at once that there is a very wide 
 variation in the degree of exaggeration in the claims put 
 forward. In a few cases a small minority the advertise- 
 ments appear to consist of very little but an indication of the 
 disorders for which the medicine is recommended. At the 
 other end of the scale there are nostrums put forward with 
 the greatest assurance for even the most serious disorders, 
 including consumption, smallpox, cancer, etc., etc., and in 
 many cases one and the same article is asserted to be a cure 
 for almost every disease to which the human body is liable. 
 As a rule, the more extravagant the claims made, the more 
 surely does the composition of the article, as revealed by 
 analysis, show it to be of little or no value, if not even harm- 
 ful, for the diseases named. Between these extremes, of 
 the modest proprietary medicine more or less of the nature 
 of a harmless domestic medicine on the one hand, and the 
 most fraudulent quackery on the other, are to be found all 
 gradations. The medicines described in this book have not 
 been chosen as inclining more in one direction than the 
 other, but include the various grades. From the facts 
 stated the reader will be able to draw his own conclusions; 
 it has not been necessary, as a rule, to express opinions on 
 the articles described, a juxtaposition of the claims made and 
 the facts shown by analysis being sufficient. 
 
 The analyses here published have been made with 
 the greatest care during the last few years. Since it 
 is open to the maker of a proprietary medicine to 
 alter its composition at any time without warning 
 (and very great alterations have been proved in some 
 cases), it is, of course, possible that some of those 
 described may have been altered since the analyses 
 were made, though there is no reason to suppose that such 
 has been the case. It is desirable to repeat here the caution 
 that was expressed in the first volume : most of the active 
 substances employed in medicine can be detected with 
 
 i
 
 certainty, even in complex mixtures, by sufficiently pains- 
 taking work on the part of the analyst ; but this is not the 
 case with preparations of some organic drugs, usually of 
 vegetable origin, that have never been fully investigated, 
 and especially with mixtures of the extracts of several 
 vegetable drugs; in such cases analysis can only give 
 approximate results, and constituents having no well- 
 defined characters may escape detection. Since the maker 
 of a secret medicine is in no wise limited to the Pharma- 
 copoeia or to drugs in ordinary use, but may employ, for 
 example, a mixture of extracts of a dozen plants, none of 
 which possesses any medicinal virtue or is recognised as a 
 drug, it is no matter fo" surprise if all the constituents of a 
 nostrum cannot be named as the result of analysis. But 
 if it is remembered that the active ingredients of most sub- 
 stances having medicinal properties possess well-defined 
 characters by means of which they can be identified, it will 
 be seen that the limitations of the powers of analysis here 
 referred to are of comparatively little importance in regard 
 to exposing the essential nature of a given medicine, or 
 substance put forward as such. 
 
 The figures given in this book as the " estimated cost of 
 ingredients " of the various articles refer only to the 
 ingredients, the cost prices being taken from a wholesale 
 druggist's list; nothing is allowed for the cost of making 
 up the ingredients into the form in which they are sold, or 
 for bottles, boxes, packages, etc. Where the results of 
 analysis are not sufficiently definite for the cost of 
 ingredients to be estimated with reasonable fairness, the 
 figure is omitted. 
 
 Dr. F. Zernik, of Berlin, has continued the publication 
 in the Deutsche Medicinische Wochenschrift of the 
 results of his analyses of various nostrums sold in 
 Germany, and some of his results are here included.
 
 MORE 
 SECRET REMEDIES, 
 
 WHAT THEY COST AND WHAT THEY CONTAIN. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 REMEDIES FOR GOUT, RHEUMATISM, AND 
 NEURALGIA. 
 
 The medicines described in this chapter include some of 
 those most widely advertised for the treatment of these 
 complaints. They show a great variety in the methods of 
 treating them, including as they do powders, pills, tablets, 
 drops, and mixtures to be taken ; liniments to be applied 
 externally (one of these being also taken internally), paint, 
 ointment, and plasters to be stuck on to the soles of the 
 feet. The medicaments employed also vary much, but for 
 the most part consist of articles in common use. The adver- 
 tisements are in several respects instructive ; for example, 
 there is undoubtedly a prejudice among the more ignorant 
 section of the public in favour of drugs coming from other 
 and less civilised countries where they have been discovered 
 by " natives," or introduced in some other way than through 
 careful experimenting, and some of the statements made 
 are clearly intended to turn such prejudices to account. Thus 
 in one case it is stated that the discoverer " went back to 
 the heart of Nature in an endeavour to wrest from it the 
 secret of an ideal liniment. In the course of his searches 
 he was favourably impressed with the healing properties of 
 many herbs used by native tribes," etc. ; in another, " this 
 wonderful preparation is the discovery of a Hindu doctor 
 in the Himalayan Mountains." In their varied forms of 
 appeals to " Nature " some of the advertisers do not hesi- 
 tate to ascribe high intelligence to the medicines or to parts 
 of the body other than the brain. Thus one states that
 
 No one can reasonably deny an instinctive knowledge anc 
 a physical power exerted in the stomach by a conscious 
 principle which selects and rejects, and which in its natural 
 purity may be ranked as a nerve of sense " ; another that 
 " Immediately the liniment has been applied it sets out upon 
 its message of discovery and healing, travelling with light- 
 ning rapidity to the seat of the trouble " ; yet another calls 
 his ^reparation " A subtle extract from the vegetable king 
 dom, the hidden fire or life of plants and flowers, the ' Quin 
 essence of Life.' ' 
 
 Among these articles, as in most other groups of nostrum 
 the claims made by rival proprietors are mutually exclusive 
 those dealt with in this chapter include the following : 
 " Greatest and latest discovery in medicine .... 
 there is nothing known in medicine which will compare 
 with it"; "the only efficient remedy ever discovered for 
 these disorders"; "the finest cure for these complaints," 
 curing "when all other remedies fail"; "we guarantee 
 magic foot drafts to cure any case of rheumatism " ; "it is 
 the one remedy that achieves a complete and permanent 
 cure "; "the most effective scientific remedy." Obviously, 
 such claims cannot all be true. 
 
 Most advertisers of proprietary medicines seem unable to 
 resist dragging in references to the medical profession into 
 their advertisements. There are two principal ways in 
 which this is done : the one is to claim to be receiving the 
 support and recommendations of medical men, and the other 
 is to vilify and slander them as rogues and fools, or both. 
 These two methods are both illustrated here; the former 
 includes " highly endorsed by the leading medical profes- 
 sion " and "physicians are already using them in their 
 regular practice, and recommending them"; the latter is 
 exemplified by " certain medical men have done their best 
 by tongue and pen to persuade the public that Box's Golden 
 Fire is poisonous .... Those who raise the cry of
 
 f ' poison ' are wholesale traffickers in the same it is their 
 stock-in-trade ; poisons bring grist to their mills, while the 
 poor victims who swallow them perish by thousands." It 
 is hardly necessary to remark that statements of the former 
 kind are as a rule just as baseless as those of the latter. 
 
 One preparation described below Bengue's Balsam 
 ^cannot be properly described as a " secret remedy," since 
 -the principal constituents are mentioned on the label; 
 Seeing, however, that it is advertised in somewhat the same 
 
 /ay as others, it is useful to include it here. 
 , 
 
 DR. HOFFMAN'S RHEUMATIC POWDERS. 
 
 These powders are supplied by " The International Chemical 
 Co.," from an address in London. They are advertised in the 
 following terms : 
 
 Greatest and latest discovery in medicine. 
 Dr. Hoffman's Celebrated Rheumatic Powders. 
 
 Great German Rheumatic Cure. 
 
 Will cure permanently all forms of Rheumatism, Gout, Neuralgia, Sciatica, 
 Excess of Uric Acid, etc. 
 
 Highly endorsed by the leading Medical Profession, Analytical and Con- 
 sulting Chemists, and general public in all parts of the world. Contain 
 absolutely no injurious drugs, poison, or any kind of Narcotic. Its 
 manufacture is based on scientific principles. 
 
 Relief ia felt after the First Dose. 
 
 There is nothing known in medicine which will compare with it. 
 A circular enclosed in the package contained statements similar 
 to the above, accompanied by a so-called " analysis " in the 
 following terms : 
 
 I hereby certify that " Dr. Hoffman's Rheumatic Powders " have been 
 tested in these laboratories, the data obtained being of a most satisfactory 
 character, and indicating them to be judicious and skilful preparations 
 that are well suited for the purposes for which they are designed. They 
 are valuable powders for rheumatism, gout, and kindred complaints. These 
 powders are free from narcotics, poisons, or undesirable constituents, but 
 are powerful uric acid solvents. I consider them to 'be perfectly safe, 
 reliable, and effective medicines. 
 
 This recommendation, or testimonial, bears the name of an 
 individual who has made himself conspicuous by giving such 
 puffs under the guise of analyses ; hie name ifi followed by a long 
 paragraph setting forth his title to speak with authority, com- 
 mencing with " Ph.D.," and concluding with " Ph.D., etc.," 
 
 A2
 
 but with no mention of the university which conferred this dupli- 
 cate degree. Such distinctions as " author of . . . . The 
 Physiology of the Invertebrate,' ' Respiratory Proteids,' etc. 
 Analytical Chemist, Assayer and Chemical Engineer, 
 Consulting Chemist, and Expert Adviser to Foreign Govern- 
 ments, Corporations, Collieries, Companies, Pharmaceu- 
 tical and Chemical Manufacturers; .... Bacteriological 
 and Agricultural Expert," are no doubt intended to display his 
 ability to pronounce with authority on the merits of powders for 
 rheumatism or on any other subject whatever. 
 
 The powders are supplied in boxes at Is. l^d. and 2s. 9d. A 
 Is. IJd. box was found to contain 12 powders. The directions 
 
 Take one powder every three or four hours; place on the tongue, and 
 wash it down with a draught of water. 
 
 It would appear that the amount taken at one time is not 
 regarded as of great importance, as the powders in one box varied 
 in weight from 11.3 to 20.8 grains, the average of the 12 being 
 15.8 grains. Analysis showed the powder to have the following 
 composition : 
 
 Acetyl-salicylic acid 66.4 per cent. 
 
 Phenacetin 11.4 
 
 Caffeine 1.3 ,, 
 
 Sugar .' 20.1 
 
 Moisture 0.8 
 
 Acetyl-salicylic acid is also known by the shortened name of the 
 B.P. Codex, acetosalic acid, and by the trade names Aspirin, 
 Xaxa, etc. The estimated cost of the materials for 12 powders 
 is Id. 
 
 EADE'S GOUT AND RHEUMATIC PILLS. 
 
 These pills are supplied by a firm in London. In an advertise- 
 ment it is stated that they 
 
 instantly relieve and rapidly cure the worst form of gout, rheumatism, 
 rheumatic gout, pains in the head, face, and limbs. 
 
 The extracts which follow are from a circular enclosed in the 
 package with the pills: 
 
 They are specially recommended to the afflicted, with confidence arising 
 from experience, as one of the valuable results of the improved state of
 
 medical science, and the only efficient remedy ever discovered for these 
 disorders. 
 
 The never-failing effect* of Eade's Gout and Rheumatic Pills in curing 
 these distressingly painful diseases have secured to them a celebrity un- 
 equalled by any medicine of past or present times. They not only give 
 relief in a few hours where the patient has been driven to madness by 
 the horrible, excruciating tortures of this disease, but restore to perfect 
 health in an inconceivably short space of time in most cases giving relief 
 from the intolerable pain in one or two hours ; one bottle will frequently 
 carry off the attack in two or three days, even when the patient has kept 
 his bed for as many weeks, and sometimes months. 
 
 These Pills have repeatedly succeeded after all the usual internal and 
 external remedies have failed ; and it is their peculiar property that 
 the first dose completely arrests the frequent tendency of those diseasea 
 to attack some vital part while, if attacked, the symptoms are immediately 
 and effectually removed. 
 
 The pills are supplied in bottles at Is. Hd. and 2s. 9d. ; a 
 Is. ld. bottle was found to contain 18 pills, and a 2s. 9d. 
 bottle 60 pills. The directions are: " Take one pill three times 
 a day, and two at bedtime ; fo delicate females and weak 
 persons, one pill night and morning." 
 
 The pills were not coated, as ordinarily understood, but had 
 a thin irregular layer of adherent powder, which proved to be 
 carbonate of magnesia ; the average weight of one pill was 
 5.4 grains. Analysis showed the presence of aloes, powdered 
 colchicum corm, and extractive, with cane sugar, glucose, gum 
 and dextrin, various characters indicating that the sugars were 
 added in the form of treacle ; the amount of colchicine was 
 determined (and the alkaloid identified) and was found to be 
 considerably more than would be proper to the amount of corm 
 present, and this fact and the presence of an extract pointed 
 to extract of colchicum being present as well as the corm. The 
 amounts of the different constituents were determined as accu- 
 rately as possible ; the amount of aloes, not being determinable 
 with any exactness, was arrived at by comparing the pills by 
 various tests with a mass of known composition. The formula 
 was found to be approximately as follows : 
 
 Barbadoes aloes lOpercent. 
 
 Extract of colchicum 18 
 
 Powdered colchicum corm 35 
 
 Treacle 27 
 
 Gum and dextrin ....: 10 
 
 Estimated cost of materials for 18 pills, |d. ; for 60 pills, 2|d.
 
 URICURA DROPS AND LINIMENT. 
 
 These preparations, also known as Hammond's Specifics, are 
 made by a firm in Glamorganshire. An advertisement in- 
 quires : 
 
 Have you tried to eliminate the cause of Rheumatism, Gout, Lumbago, 
 and Sciatica? Uricura Drops will do this for you, being the finest cure 
 for these complaints. 
 
 The price of each is Is. IJd. A bottle of the drops contained 
 half a fluid ounce, and of the liniment 4 fluid ounces. On the 
 package of the former appears : 
 
 N.B. In conjunction with the drops it is strongly recommended to use 
 Uricura Liniment. 
 
 And on the package of the liniment : 
 
 N.B. It is strongly recommended that for Rheumatiem, Lumbago, ai.d 
 Sciatica, Uricura Drops be taken in conjunction with the Liniment. 
 
 In a circular enclosed in each package it is stated that : 
 
 " Uricura " Liniment and Drops (Hammond's Specifics) Cure Rheuma- 
 tism, Gout, Sciatica, Lumbago and Neuralgia When All other Remedies 
 fail. 
 
 These invaluable preparations have permanently cured many bad cases 
 of from One to Twenty Years' standing. They give immediate relief, 
 and effect a Cure quickly if Regularly and Persistently used as 
 directed. . . . 
 
 For Colds ; n the Cheet, Sore Throat, and Swollen Glands, nothing 
 better than the Liniment can be used. 
 
 Athletes and others will find the Liniment a most efficacious remedy for 
 Sprains, Bruises, Stiffness and Cramp. It has been used with remark- 
 able results by leading Football Players. 
 
 Uricura Drops. The directions are: 
 
 Dose. Four Drops on sugar, night and morning. Increase two drops 
 each day up to 10, and then reduce two drops each day. 
 
 Analysis showed the liquid to contain oil of turpentine, 
 terebene, and oil of amber ; no other ingredient could be 
 detected. The proportions of the constituents were ascertained 
 as nearly as possible by analytical methods and checked by 
 aMttpsrieon with made-up mixtures. The approximate formula 
 arrived at was : 
 
 Oil of amber 5 percent. 
 
 Terebene 47.5 
 
 Oil of turpentine 47.5 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients of half a fluid ounce, Jd.
 
 Uricura Liniment. The directions are: 
 To be gently rubbed in for 10 to 15 minutes, night and morning. 
 
 The liniment consisted of a partly separated emulsion, which 
 was found to contain oil of turpentine, acetic acid, ammonia, 
 alcohol, egg-substance (as emulsifying agent), and water; a 
 trace (under 0.01 per cent.) of alkaloid was found, but this did 
 not possess any properties by which it could be identified, and 
 may have consisted of bases derived from the egg. The acetic 
 acid and ammonia of course combine, but the former was in 
 excess and the liniment moderately acid, about one-fourth of the 
 acetic acid being in the free state. The quantities of the 
 different ingredients were determined (the egg-substance only 
 approximately) and the formula arrived at was as follows : 
 
 Oil of turpentine 42 parts (by measure) 
 
 Acetic acid (B.P.) 10 
 
 Strong solution of ammonia 2.3 ,, 
 
 Alcohol 9.0 
 
 Egg-substance 2.0 
 
 Alkaloid (?) 0.01 
 
 Water, to 100 
 
 In estimating the cost of ingredients, the alkaloid is 
 neglected ; if the alcohol present were added in the form of 
 rectified spirit, the cost of the ingredients for 4 fluid ounces 
 would be about Hd. ; but if, as is more likely, " non-mineralised 
 methylated spirit " were used, the different odour and other 
 characters would be covered by the other ingredients, and the 
 cost would be about fd. 
 
 CHAMELEON OIL. 
 
 This is made by a limited company giving an address in 
 London. It is advertised as " The Only Perfect Liniment," 
 but the directions show that it is intended to be taken internally 
 as well as applied externally. Besides being recommended for 
 human patients, it is described as " The Best Veterinary 
 Medicine Known." 
 
 It is stated on the package that: 
 
 Chameleon Oil Eelieves and Cures Rheumatism, Sciatica, Lumbago, 
 Neuritis, Neuralgia, Toothache, Headache, Earache, Backache, Colds, 
 Sore Throats, Sprains and Strains, Stiff and Swollen Joints, Chilblain*, 
 Chapped Hands, Insect Bitee, etc., etc.
 
 A pamphlet enclosed in the package gives further particulars ; 
 paragraphs headed " The Story of its Birth " and " Discovery 
 of an Ideal Liniment " do not actually give much information, 
 but the references to the heart of Nature and herbs used by 
 native tribes seem to indicate a method of discovery common 
 to a very large number of nostrums. The following are extracts 
 from these paragraphs: 
 
 When a Eoman Scholar coined the word " Liniment " which, literally 
 translated, means "to anoint," he had in mind the germ idea of what 
 a perfect liniment should be. In his day the physician anointed his 
 patient with a healing balm which had the magical effect of curing mus- 
 cular trouble without the aid of that tiresome modern invention massage. 
 Such a thing was totally unnecessary with the Romans, who possessed a 
 supreme knowledge of the curative action of simple herbs upon the 
 human frame. . . . But the priceless secret of that painless balm was lost, 
 and so it happens, at the present day, when an embrocation or a liniment 
 is mentioned one instantly conceives of some crude preparation which 
 must be rubbed into the skin violently. 
 
 ... it was left to Dr. Chas. F. Roberts to bring the word back to its 
 original meaning, as being an ointment whose sole method of action would 
 consist of simply anointing the affected part, and thus painlessly effecting 
 the cure. The task he had set himself was to produce an external appli- 
 cation which, to the two other virtues of being " soothing and pain- 
 killing " should add a third, and the most important of all, " a healing 
 power." As an advanced medical man he realised that the ideal of the 
 healing art should be to relieve human pain by natural means. And so, 
 like the ancient physician, he went back to the heart of Nature in an 
 endeavour to wrest from it the secret of an ideal liniment. In the 
 course of his searches he was favourably impressed with the healing 
 properties of many herbs used by native tribes, because being a rational 
 person he believed, like the late Rev. Charles Spurgeon, that there was 
 a deal to be gained from the use of "sanctified commoneense," which, 
 after all, is the sum of a man's own tried and trusted experience. Armed 
 with this knowledge, which he further tested by very careful laboratory 
 research, his industry was at length rewarded in finding a perfect liniment 
 with the treble merit of being " healing, soothing, and pain-killing," the 
 result of which is embodied in Chameleon Oil Liniment. 
 
 The action of Chameleon Oil is simplicity itself. Immediately the 
 Liniment has been applied it sets out upon its message of discovery and 
 healing, travelling with lightning rapidity to the seat of the trouble. 
 This found, it restores to the affected part all that pristine freshness which 
 pain and suffering has caused it to lose, quickens the action of the blood, 
 and renews the patient's vitality. ... The principle of Chameleon Oil 
 Liniment ma? be summed up in a few words it releases those healing 
 power, which nature itwlf hw set in th. human body in order 'o overcome 
 the conrtant wastage aad ravagaa of disoaie. 
 
 The general directions are: 
 Shake Hie botklo thoiouftkly until the eonUnto hwome cream coboxw*
 
 Rub the Oil gently into the affected part (use plenty of the Oil) until 
 the pores of the skin refuse to take any more and sweating begins ; then 
 cover with a layer of wool, flannel, or other porous material, and fix with 
 a bandage. FOE STRONGER EFFECT, wash affected part with hot water and 
 apply Oil as above after drying. FOR VERT POWERFUL EFFECT, wash first 
 with very hot water, apply Oil as above after drying, and bandage with 
 flannel or absorbent cotton wool soaked in the Oil or solution of it. Keep 
 on bandage as long as possible ; note that if kept on too long it will raise 
 a blister. 
 
 Special directions are given for its use in various complaints. 
 The following will serve as a sample : 
 
 FOR COUGHS AND COLDS. FOR COLD ON THE CHEST. Rub the throat, 
 chest, and the back between the shoulder blades thoroughly with the Oil, 
 and while the skin is still moist apply a fold of warm flannel ; take 15 to 
 20 drops of the Oil in a little sweetened water, or gruel, at bedtime. FOR 
 CATARRH OR COLD IN THE HEAD. Mix one part of the Oil with eight parts 
 of warm water, gargle the throat, inhale the fumes up the nostrils, and a 
 few applications will cure. FOR CONTINUED COLDS. Rub the chest 
 thoroughly every night with the Oil, and cover with a piece of flannel. 
 Take 15 drops of the Oil in a wineglassful of water three times a day 
 between meals. 
 
 A Is. ld. bottle which was examined contained 3 fluid ounces, 
 and a 2s. 9d. bottle 9 fluid ounces. The liquid in the two 
 bottles differed in composition ; it consisted of an oily and an 
 aqueous layer, these being in the ratio of 1 to 1.66 in the one 
 case and 1 to 2 in the other. The figures given on the next 
 page refer to the mean composition of the two. 
 
 The oily layer consisted of a mixture of essential oils ; this was 
 submitted to fractional distillation, and the following were 
 recognised : Oils of turpentine, camphor, mustard, spearmint, 
 pimento, and cassia (or cinnamon). The aqueous layer con- 
 tained some alcohol, free ammonia in considerable quantity, 
 and a resin in combination with ammonia as a soluble resinate ; 
 some of the resin was extracted and examined, but its characters 
 did not agree with those of any single resin in ordinary use ; 
 various mixtures were made and compared with it, but complete 
 agreement in all characters was not arrived at, and it is not 
 possible to speak positively as to the nature of the resins present. 
 By making a mixture of balsam of tolu (4 parts) and storax 
 (1 p*rt), boiling with ammonia, and. filtering from th undis- 
 olved portion, a solution of ammonium reeinafcea was obtained 
 which agreed firly well with that present in the chameleon oil.
 
 10 
 
 The amounts of all the other constituents were determined 
 with ae much exactness as is possible with such a mixture, and 
 the following formula was arrived at: 
 
 Essential oil of mustard 0.75 part by measure 
 
 Essential oil of spearmint 0.45 
 
 Essential oil of pimento 1.5 parts by measure 
 
 Essential oil of cassia 1.5 ,, 
 
 Essential oil of camphor 15.0 ,, 
 
 Oil of turpentine 15.0 
 
 Alcohol (90 per cent.) 7.3 
 
 Strong solution of ammonia 8.0 
 
 Resins (as above) 1.6 
 
 Water, to 100.0 
 
 A mixture prepared by this formula agreed in physical and 
 chemical properties with the original, except in regard to some 
 minor characters of the resins. 
 
 Assuming the resins to be of the nature indicated, the esti- 
 mated cost of the ingredients for 3 fluid ounces is 3^ pence 
 if rectified spirit were used, and about 2jd. if non-mineralised 
 methylated spirit were used. 
 
 LEVASCO. 
 
 The address given on the package of this article is merely 
 " Levasoo Depot, Dover " ; it is described as " The Great Indian 
 Gout and Rheumatic Cure." 
 
 The following extracts are from a pamphlet contained in the 
 package : 
 
 Levasco. This wonderful preparation is the discovery of a Hindu 
 Doctor in the Himalayan Mountains, and if you but give it a trial yon 
 will find yourself Quickly freed from pain and anguish. 
 
 Levasco is for outward application only, is not an oil, and requires 
 no rubbing, it can be conveniently used at any time. Two or three 
 applications daily Cures the most Chronic cases. . . . 
 
 Levasco is not being advertised altogether as a business venture, but 
 partly from extreme gratitude of one who for many years was a great 
 sufferer. 
 
 Levasco has an exhilarating effect on every nerve and muscle similar 
 to a soothing electric current, which diffuses a gentle warmth, goes direct 
 to the pain centres, and gives immediate relief. 
 
 Levasco penetrates the skin, breaks up the Uric Acid, causing the blood 
 to flow freely, the pain then ceases. 
 
 Levasco will effect a permanent Cure after years of suffering if the direc- 
 tions are followed and persevered with. . . . 
 
 Levasco has a pleasant and invigorating odour, the relief is marvellous. 
 Sufferers will sometimes resort to ordinary remedies, and the continual 
 pouring of drugs into an already weakened system will snap the vitality, 
 and cause their lives to become a misery, which brings habitual users to 
 an early grave.
 
 11 
 
 Gout cured in a few hours. Apply Levasco upon the affected parts. . . . 
 The first application will give immediate relief. After a few hours' 
 treatment during which time Levasco should be applied as often as 
 possible your Gout will have entirely disappeared. 
 
 Levasco applied freely will cure Lumbago or Sciatica in one night. 
 
 Neuritis. Levasco rubbed upon the affected part gives immediate 
 relief, and after three or four applications the pain will be gone, but 
 do not cease using to effect the cure. You must continue to use for a 
 week or two two or three times daily, or when the pain is felt. This is 
 a most difficult complaint to cure, and some great authorities say it is 
 incurable, but we have evidence where perseverance and regular use of 
 Levasco has effected the cure. 
 
 No athlete should be without a bottle of Levasco. A little rubbed on 
 the limbs previous to and after any extra exertion ensures your fitness 
 for the next event. 
 
 Headache Cured in a few minutes. 
 
 Earache Cured in 2 minutes. 
 
 Toothache Cured in 2 minutes. 
 
 Great care should be taken that Levasco is not applied to wounds, cuts, 
 or embrasures (sic). 
 
 A Is. ld. bcttle was found to hold rather less than 1 fluid 
 ounce. Analysis eh owed the presence of oleo-resin of capsicum, 
 oils of rosemary and lavender, camphor, alcohol, and what 
 appeared to be a trace of soap. The quantities of the different 
 ingredients were determined as exactly as possible, and the 
 results indicated the following formula, and a mixture prepared 
 in accordance with it was practically indistinguishable from 
 the original : 
 
 Oleo-resin of capsicum 3 grains 
 
 Camphor 6 ,, 
 
 Oil of lavender 3 minims 
 
 Oil of rosemary 4 ,, 
 
 Soap grain 
 
 Alcohol (90 per cent.) to 1 fluid ounce 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients, d. if methylated spirit were 
 used; about 2Jd. if made with rectified spirit. 
 
 DYXOL. 
 
 This preparation is supplied by a firm in a small town near 
 London. It is stated on the package that: 
 
 Dyxol cures Neuralgia., Toothache, CoM in the Head, Headache, 
 Stiff-neck, Lumbago, Rheumatism, etc., etc. 
 
 Further particulars are given in a circular enclosed with the 
 bottle, from which the following extracts are taken : 
 
 This is a simple Preparation of great value for the removal of all kinds
 
 12 
 
 of Pain* Most of theee are caused by Congestion of the Blood in certain 
 of' the body. Relieve thia Congestion and you dnve away the 
 
 ha 3 the power, above all other known preparations, of almost 
 insttly dispersing congested blood. Ita efficacy in this direction can 
 be easily demonstrated. Bub one drop of Dyxol on the face, when in 
 leas than one minute, the spot will temporarily redden through the flow 
 of blood to tie surface. 
 
 In another advertisement the following statements occur: 
 
 Simply rub on or inhale Dyxol according to directions, and neuralgia 
 vanishes like magic. Muscular Rheumatism is epeedily relieved by 
 rubbing in a little Dyxol. Dyxol quickly removes the most obstinate 
 cold in the head and on the chest, and it is an excellent remedy for 
 Headache, Toothache, and Earache. Dyxol inhaled prevents influenza. 
 
 A Is. ld. bottle contained 2 fluid drachms. The general 
 directions are : 
 
 No rubbing is necessary. Apply one or two drops to the part affected. 
 When using, fan away the vapour which arises. This will prevent dis- 
 comfort to the eyes. To produce a milder action add a small quantity 
 of Dyxol to an equal quantity of pure Olive OiL 
 
 Analysis showed the principal constituent to be volatile oil of 
 mustard, others being oils of pimento and nutmeg, liquid 
 paraffin (heavy and light), and a fixed oil; the latter appeared 
 to be cottonseed oil, but the quantity was too small for positive 
 identification. The results of quantitative analysis indicated 
 the following formula, and a mixture prepared in accordance 
 with it was practically indistinguishable from the original : 
 
 Essential oil of mustard .................. 20 per cent, by volume. 
 
 Essential oil of nutmeg ..................... 20 
 
 Essential oil of pimento ..................... 4 
 
 Cottonseed oil ................................. 6 
 
 Liquid paraffin, yellow ..................... 17 ,, 
 
 Kerosene ....................................... 33 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients for oz., 2d. 
 
 POND'S ARTHRITICUS. 
 
 This preparation is supplied by a firm in London. It is stated 
 on the label that it 
 
 cures Gout, Rheumatism, Rheumatic Gout, Lumbago, Sciatica, and all 
 Rheumatic Affections. ... It contains no drugs, no colchicum. 
 Arthriticua neutralises all Gouty and Rheumatic Acidity in the Stomach, 
 Liver and Bowels; removes the offending matter from the System, the 
 Blood is purified, the Liver and Kidneys are relieved, the Joints become 
 lupple, and there is a general freedom from pain. The Skin, participating 
 IB the improvement, loaea any Gouty Eczma wnioh may exist, and 
 MBumes a healthy appearance.
 
 13 
 
 
 A pamphlet enclosed in the package bears the title: 
 
 Gout and Goutiness. Their cause, treatment, cure, and prevention. 
 By Geo. P. Pond, M.P.S., Surgeon- Chiropodist. In practice since 
 1857. 
 
 The degree of enlightenment to be obtained from this treatise 
 may be judged from the following extractor 
 
 No food or drink is gouty; yet, no alcoholic drink can be said to be 
 good for gout; that is, anti-gout; it is the quantity and quality which 
 are so. ... 
 
 No one can reasonably 6Vny an instinctive knowledge and a physical 
 power exerted in the stomach by a conscious principle which selects and 
 rejects, and which in its natural purity may be ranked as a nerve of 
 sense. . . . 
 
 Air, again, is as necessary with every mouthful in the process of 
 digestion as the gastric juice itself ; it mixes with the saliva which pours 
 out of four different glands of different kinds and forms a powerful solvent 
 for the food. . . . 
 
 Water, like air, is nourishing. . . . 
 
 Cold is death, warmth is life. Cold is, perhaps, the greatest cause of 
 disease. ... Of all supposed remedies to strengthen the body, cold baths 
 in cold weather are the most dangerous. 
 
 Several other preparations from the same maker are recom- 
 mended in the pamphlet. 
 
 The price of " Arthriticus " is 2s. 6d. per package; this was 
 found to contain a bottle holding nearly 13 fluid ounces of 
 liquid and 16 powders. The directions are: 
 
 One of the Powders to be taken with every dose, mixed thus : In a 
 tumbler pour a wineglassful of water, mix with it a sixteenth part of the 
 Arthriticus, then add one of the Powders and drink immediately, while 
 effervescing. 
 
 It is ordered to be taken night and morning for gravel and 
 affections of the kidneys and bladder, and all abnormal con- 
 ditions of the' urine; twice or thrice daily for rheumatism, 
 sciatica, lumbago, etc. ; and similarly in other cases. 
 
 The powders varied in weight from 10.9 grains to 17.4 grains, 
 the average being 14.2 grains; they consisted of tartaric acid. 
 Analysis showed the mixture to have the following composition : 
 
 In one dose, 
 approximately. 
 
 Lithium citrate 1.4 parts 5.0 grains 
 
 Potassium citrate 0.9 part 3.0 
 
 Sodium citrate 0.2 0.7 grain 
 
 Sodium salicylate 1.5 parts 5.3 grains 
 
 Potassium bromide 1.6 ,, 5.6 
 
 Potassium bicarbonate 8.0 28.0 
 
 Glycerine 5.1 18.0 
 
 Chloroform water, about 10 ,, by measure 
 
 Water, to 100
 
 14 
 
 On mixing a doee of the liquid with one powder, the resulting 
 draught would be alkaline even with the heaviest powder; the 
 alkalinity would of course be greater when the lighter powders 
 were used. 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients for mixture and powders, 2$d. 
 
 MAGIC FOOT DRAFTS. 
 
 This is the name by which plasters, to be applied to the soles 
 of the feet for the cure of rheumatism, are supplied by the 
 Magic Foot Draft Company, London, the price being 4s. 6d. 
 per pair. In addition to the numerous advertisements of the 
 article by name, others have appeared recently, offering in the 
 name of R. A. Oliver to send "my Celebrated External 
 Treatment [for Rheumatism] . . . to try free" to anyone 
 sending his name and address. On sending a name and address 
 a pair of the " Foot Drafts " was received (differing from those 
 sold in the ordinary way by bearing no revenue stamp), together 
 with a long letter and a printed sheet of testimonials. The letter 
 states : 
 
 the Drafts cannot be purchased for less than 4s. 6d. per pair anywhere, 
 and you can see that we could not afford to send them on approval if 
 they did not really cure. 
 
 To introduce our great discovery most favourably to you, and through 
 you to your friends, we are going to make this extraordinary inducement : 
 Give this pair of Drafts a careful trial ; if the results give you faith in 
 our wonderful absorption method, as they must, we shall be pleased to 
 send you three more pairs of our Foot Drafts on receipt of 11s., and as 
 we make no charge for the first pair to all those who accept this offer, this 
 will make four pairs (18s. worth) of Magic Foot Drafts for only 11s. 
 . . . We have found by careful study of this disease, based on years 
 of experience, that this number of Drafts will effect a cure in nine out of 
 ten patients, because it nearly always takes all the power of the first two 
 pairs to open up the clogged pores and start the removal of all poisonous 
 acid urates. It is the third and fourth pair that invariably bring that 
 sense of relief and freedom from pain that every poor sufferer is looking 
 for. 
 
 This was followed at short intervals by other letters pressing 
 for money to be sent. In the second it is stated : 
 
 We take a sincere interest in your case [no case had been even mentioned 
 in sending for the " cure "], and we are going to cure you. Now that the 
 cure has been started, every day's delay makes it more difficult for the 
 Drafts to do their work, and we trust that we shall hear from you by 
 return post.
 
 15 
 
 From the third letter : 
 
 We prefer to think that the promise you made us two weeks ago has 
 escaped your memory. 
 
 [Of course no sort of promise had been made.] 
 
 From the fourth : 
 
 We think that we are justified in asking to hear from you, for we have 
 spent some considerable time and money in your case ; frankly, because 
 we were interested in it. . . According to our terms, which you 
 accepted when writing for the first pair of Drafts, we must have by return 
 either 4s. 6d. (for which another pair of drafts will be sent) or your state- 
 ment on honour that you received no benefit. . . . We guarantee to 
 cure you. 
 
 The letters quoted freely from alleged testimonials, and 
 further printed sheets of these were also sent. On one of these 
 is printed in large capitals: " We guarantee Magic Foot Drafts 
 to cure any case of rheumatism ! ' ' 
 
 Curious discrepancies are shown by some of the testimonials. 
 Thus in the advertisement, referred to above, in which the 
 name " Foot Drafts" is carefully avoided, we read: 
 
 A marvellous cure has been effected in the case of Mr. James Bodman, 
 8, The Mount, Frome. Mr. Bodman writes : "I have suffered from 
 Rheumatism for the past seven years, and was almost a hopeless wreck. I 
 tried all sorts of remedies and doctors, but to no avail, and was sinking 
 fast when I tried your treatment. I am glad to say that it has cured all 
 my sufferings, and I have had no aches or pains since. I may add that I 
 am 72 years old, and feel as supple in my joints as a young man. 
 
 The following is printed on one of the sheets mentioned 
 above : 
 
 8, The Mount, Frome, 
 
 The Magic Foot Draft Co., 1st Feb., /09. 
 
 Shoe Lane, B.C. 
 
 Dear Sir, I received your letter of recent date, and am pleased to give 
 you the following account of my case of Rheumatism. I have suffered 
 from this complaint for the past seven years, and was almost a hopeless 
 wreck. I could neither dress nor undress without help. I could get no 
 rest in bed or up, and my life was a perfect misery. I tried all sorts of 
 remedies, too numerous to mention, which did not give me the least 
 comfort. I also saw a doctor, who stated that he could not cure me. He, 
 however, gave me something to relieve the pain for a couple of nights, but 
 then I became even worse than before. At last I gave up all hopes of ever 
 getting better ; in fact, I felt I was fast sinking, until a kind friend called 
 to inquire after me. She said it grieved her to see me walk about such 
 a pitiful sight, and asked if I would try Magic Foot Drafts, as she had 
 received such good results from them. I consented, and she wrote to you 
 for me. I only used three pairs, which cured me of all my sufferings, and 
 I have had no achee or pains or any other complaint since. I may add 
 that I am in my 72nd year, and feel as lissom in all my joints as a
 
 16 
 
 yonng man. I cannot estimate the value of your Magic Foot Drafts *6 
 sufferers from Rheumatism. I have highly recommended them to several 
 sufferers since my cure. I scarcely ever go out without someone asking 
 me how I got so well. It makes me feel almost like an agent of the Magic 
 Foot Draft Co. Please send me another of your books, so that I may 
 bring your treatment more directly before my friends and acquaintances. 
 Again thanking you, 
 
 I remain, yours faithfully, 
 
 JAMES BODMAN. 
 
 Yet again, in one of the letters from the Magic Foot Draft 
 Co., already quoted from, dated " June 2nd/ 10," it is stated 
 that: 
 
 Mr. James Bodman, of 8, The Mount, Frome, Somerset, has just written 
 ns regarding the result of three pairs of Drafts. " I have suffered from 
 Rheumatism for the past seven years, and was almost a hopeless wreck, 
 as I could not rest in bed nor when I was up, so that my life was a perfect 
 misery. I tried various remedies, and also saw a doctor, who, while he 
 could not cure me, gave me something to relieve the pain for a couple of 
 nights, but I became worse after this. I had given up all hope when a 
 friend who caPed to see me, stated that she had received wonderful results 
 from Magic Foot Drafts, and asked for permission to send for a pair for 
 me. I am now delighted to tell you that after wearing three pairs of 
 Drafts, I have not an ache or pain, and I am completely cured of ah my 
 sufferings. I am in my 72nd year, and I feel as supple now in all my joints 
 as a young man. I cannot estimate the value of your Magic Foot Drafts, 
 and I can never thank you enough for the benefit they have given me." 
 
 This had been " just received " on June 2nd, 1910. The 
 phraseology has not changed much in the interval of sixteen 
 months ; but as the gentleman is still in his 72nd year, evi- 
 dently time stands still with him ; curiously, though, in the 
 letter first quoted, which appeared in a newspaper advertise- 
 ment on May 18th, 1910, he is already 72 years old. 
 
 One wonders how Mr. Bodman was induced to send three 
 variants of his letter, one of them obligingly omitting any 
 reference to Foot Drafts by name and substituting ' ' your treat- 
 ment. ' ' 
 
 The same differences are shown in other letters ; in one place 
 is a letter over the name of J. W. Ludell, ascribing two cures to 
 Magic Foot Drafte, while in the advertisement in which the 
 latter name is not used he is represented as saying that one 
 cure was due to " your Antiseptic Plasters " and the other to 
 "your treatment"; two variants are given in different places 
 of a letter from Mr. J. Bull, in one of which he says: " I am 
 thankful to think I tried the Foot Drafte, for they are worth 
 double what you charge for them," and in the other: " I am 
 thankful that I tried your Foot Drafte, for they are worth a 
 good many times th money that I paid." All thie appears to
 
 17 
 
 suggest either that the writers of the testimonials are very 
 obliging in supplying varying readings of them, or else that 
 the advertiser alters them according to his fancy j unless 
 indeed, they are entirely manufactured. 
 
 A booklet which is also sent, entitled " Rheumatism, Its 
 Cause and Cure," contains various plain and coloured pictures 
 professing to represent nerves, arteries, etc., of the leg and 
 foot, and gives an account of how the " Drafts " are supposed 
 to act; the following extract will suffice: 
 
 The rheumatic sufferer faces this situation : His or her system has 
 become more or less clogged with rheumatic poisons lithic acid, uric acid, 
 lactic acid, or any other toxin, as the case may be. This poison may 
 be either driven out or drawn out. Certain agents salicylic acid, for 
 example will sometimes accomplish the former result ; but the system 
 will then contain a poison worse than the rheumatism. In fact, remedies 
 which are strong enough to be effective against rheumatism almost in- 
 variably ruin the digestive organs. Magic Foot Drafts, as the name 
 implies, draws the poisons out through the pores of the tender skin on the 
 bottom of the feet. The Drafts absorb this poison. A pair should be 
 worn only sdx days, as they become filled with the waste matter from 
 the body and need renewing in that length of time, if the case is a bad 
 one. . . . Physicians are already using them in their regular practice, 
 and recommending them. 
 
 The " drafts " consisted of plasters spread on a sort of 
 jaconet backing, of oblong shape and measuring about 5 in. by 
 3| in. ; the darker central portion measured about 3f in. by 
 2^ in. The margin was coated with about 10 grains of sticky 
 material, which had the physical and chemical characters of 
 " Venice turpentine " ; the darker portion, or the plaster itself, 
 weighed about 80 grains, and was found to be a mixture of 
 Stockholm tar and the powdered rhizome of white hellebore 
 (Veratrum album); determination of their proportions showed 
 the formula to be, approximately : 
 
 Powdered white hellebore 40 per cent. 
 
 Stockholm tar 60 
 
 No other ingredients could be detected. 
 Estimated cost of ingredients for one pair d. 
 
 CELMO, 
 
 This preparation is supplied by the Celmo Company, London. 
 It is in the form of tablets, of which a 2s. 9d. bottle contained
 
 18 
 
 thirty-six. In a booklet contained in the package the tablets 
 are described as : 
 
 Specific for all uric acid ailments, viz. : Gout, Rheumatism, Rheumatic 
 Gout, Lumbago, Gouty Dyspepsia, Sciatica, Eczema, Neuritis, Gouty 
 Eczema, Suppressed Gout, etc. 
 
 Other extracts are : 
 
 In order to effect a cure the first requisite is to remove the cause. This 
 can only be accomplished by administering a remedy which has the power 
 of dissolving uric acid, and which will also restore the normal alkalinity 
 of the blood so as to prevent fresh depositions. This remedy we present 
 in " Celmo " Tablets. It is the One remedy that achieves a complete and 
 permanent cure, and is the only medicine in the world that has a direct 
 and combined action on the Kidneys, Liver, Stomach, Bladder, Bowels, 
 and Digestive Organs. . . . 
 
 We find, in the large majority of casee, from five to eight bottles, 
 4s. 6d. size, sufficient. The tablets must be taken with absolute regularity, 
 and there should be no interval whatever between the bottles. It is 
 always advisable to state your ailment and order of us direct. We then 
 can change the dose as and when required to expedite a cure. 
 
 A eo-called " analysis " is published, which is as follows: 
 
 I have made a careful Chemical examination of the above-described 
 sample of Compressed Tablets known as " Celmo," and from my results 
 I am able to certify that they are absolutely free from Arsenic, Mercury, 
 Opium, Digitalis, and Colchicum. 
 
 I find that these tablets have been prepared from pure drugs of the best 
 possible quality, and contain nothing of an injurious nature whatsoever. 
 The formula from which they are made has been submitted to me, and 
 I am of opinion that it is an excellent one in every way, and one which 
 is not capable of improvement. 
 
 After reading in the booklet quoted from that Celmo ie "the 
 One remedy," and " the only medicine in the world that," 
 etc., it is somewhat surprising to read, in another circular also 
 enclosed in the package, that: 
 
 Every intelligent person is aware it is impossible to prepare any one 
 medicine for Rheumatism, Gout, etc., to suit every system. We over- 
 come this difficulty by supplying "Celmo" Tablets in two forms, both 
 for Uric Acid ailments. 
 
 It further appears that there is also a " Celmo No. 2 " for 
 indigestion, etc. (described in Chapter V.), "Celmo Laxa- 
 tive," " Celmo Ointment," and " Celmo Liniment."
 
 19 
 
 The directions are: 
 
 In commencing treatment, take two tablets with half an ordinary glass 
 of water just before or after each of the three meals, making six tablets 
 per day. In very severe cases three tablets can be taken at a dose 
 until pain is relieved, then two as above. A child's dose, one-half to 
 one tablet at times stated. 
 
 The tablets had an average weight of 5 grains. They had 
 a slight smell of oil of juniper, but the amount present was 
 far too small to be determined, and can only be described as a 
 trace. Analysis showed the presence of acetyl-salicylic acid 
 (commonly known as aspirin), powdered charcoal, maltose, 
 glucose, and dextrin (these three being evidently present as 
 malt extract, used for binding the powders together), magne- 
 sium silicate, alkaloid, extractive, and the mineral constituents 
 commonly found in vegetable extracts ; a slight trace of a pun- 
 gent substance resembling capsicum oleo-resin was also present. 
 Ordinary talc is magnesium silicate, but the mineral of that 
 composition here present did not have the physical properties 
 of ordinary talc ; it is, of course, quite inert, talc being com- 
 monly added to tablets as a lubricant to facilitate their produc- 
 tion by a machine. The alkaloid and extractive did not show 
 any characters by which they could be certainly identified; the 
 alkaloid did not agree, in its behaviour to various tests, with 
 any of the alkaloids in ordinary medicinal use. 
 
 The proportions of the various constituents were determined 
 as accurately as practicable, and indicated the following for- 
 mula : 
 
 Acetyl-salicylic acid 35.5 per cent. 
 
 Powdered charcoal, about 8.0 
 
 Malt extract, dry 18.0 
 
 Magnesium silicate 14.5 
 
 Other mineral constituents 2.8 
 
 Water 12.3 
 
 Alkaloid 0.5 
 
 Extractive, about 8.0 
 
 Oleo-resin of capsicum trace. 
 
 Oil of juniper ,, 
 
 DR. BENGUE'S BALSAM. 
 
 This preparation, made by a firm giving addresses in Paris 
 and London, differs from most of those dealt with here in the 
 important respect that the principal constituents are stated on 
 
 B 2
 
 20 
 
 the label, and it , therefore, not altogether a " secret remedy." 
 It is included in this series, since it is advertised to the publi 
 "A wonderful Remedy for Rheumatism, Gout, Neuralgia." 
 In a circular enclosed in the package it is stated that: 
 The following is an enumeration of the different diseases in which Dr. 
 Bengue's Balsam has proved to be the most effective scientific remedy. 
 Acute or Chronic Rheumatism ; 
 
 Spread the Balsam on the affected 
 part and cover up carefully with 
 
 cotton wool. After two or three 
 applications the parts affected 
 should be cleansed with warm 
 water so as to facilitate the absorp- 
 tion of the Balsam when the next 
 dressing of the Balsam is applied. 
 
 Gout; 
 
 Various forms of Neuralgia, 
 Facial, Intercostal, Lumbar 
 Ovarian, Sciatical; 
 
 Locomotor Ataxy; 
 
 Various forms of Hyperaesthesia ; 
 
 Saturnine Colics; 
 
 Nephritic Colics; 
 
 Peritonitis 
 
 Gastralgia ; 
 
 Torticollis; Zona, 
 
 The "Balsam" is supplied in collapsible tubes j a 2s. 
 
 package contained 11 oz. On the label, following the 
 
 name, are the words " Menthol, Methyl^Salicylate, Lanolin/' 
 
 and these three substances were found to be present. Analysis 
 
 showed the composition to be: 
 
 Menthol ISpercent. 
 
 Methyl salicylate 20 
 
 Lanoline, anhydrous 54 ,, 
 
 A fat, apparently lard 8 ,, 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients, l^d. 
 
 BOX'S PILLS AND GOLDEN FIRE. 
 
 These preparations are supplied from an address in a south 
 coast town. The " Golden Fire " is more especially recom- 
 mended for rheumatism, but it is stated that " in severe cas?s 
 of Rheumatism, etc., Box's Pills should be taken in conjunc- 
 tion with the ' Golden Fire,' " and the two are associated In 
 many of the statements made. The following specimen ex- 
 tracts are from circulars enclosed in the packages, and other 
 advertisements : 
 
 Box's Golden Fire is a New Discovery for the removal of diseases, 
 being an Electric Fluid of Intense Power in rapidly attenuating, dissolving, 
 and removing obstructions in any part of the system. 
 
 Box's Golden Fire, which is used internally and externally, is a subtle 
 extract from the vegetable kingdom, the hidden fire or life of plants 
 and flowers, the " Quint-essence of Life ! " Call it, if you please, " Bottled 
 Fire ! " " Bottled Health ! " " Bottled Life ! "
 
 21 
 
 This Great Remedy and its accompaniment are sure cures for rheu- 
 matism, diphtheria, etc. 
 
 In some advertisements the medicines are described as " The 
 Giant Remedy," and it is explained that 
 
 The Giants have declared war against unbelief, and are determined to 
 push the battle to the gate. The Giants ask for no quarter nor will they 
 show any, therefore one of the contending parties must be wiped out. The 
 Giants in fight are a noble race and are of ancient origin. Their fathera 
 lived in Eden, and their seed, rising upon the wings of the wind, ulti- 
 mately spread over the whole earth. 
 
 They have lived since the days of creation in the fields, without a 
 covering, sipping the dew and drinking in the sunshine and the rain. 
 
 When in their prime they were translated to 
 
 where they sleep. And when the proprietor of the Giant Remedy calls 
 them they awake, and, springing upon the foe, they quickly overwhelm 
 and annihilate him, and joyfully hand back the captive to his friends in 
 perfect health. Their origin is Divine. As you now see them so they 
 came from the hands of their Creator, filled with the nectar of health and 
 life from root to leaf. 
 
 In a circular dealing more especially with the pills directions 
 are given for their use for costiveness, bad taste in the mouth, 
 heart disease, corpulency, sick headache, wind 'and swelling 
 after meals, toothache, influenza, inflammation of brain, 
 stomach, bowels, lungs, kidneys, etc., fevers, sore throats, 
 diphtheria, and tumours. One of the "testimonials" is 
 headed, in large letters, "-Cancer Cured." The full direc- 
 tions in the case of influenza will serve as a sample: 
 
 Take as directed on the label. Also make a strong tea of Elder Blossom 
 and Peppermint Herb, and drink a pint at bedtime. Repeat the tea at 
 bedtime for two or three nights, if necessary. It seldom requires repeat- 
 ing. This will save when on the brink of death. 
 
 The thrilling nature of some of the testimonials may i>e 
 judged by an extract: 
 
 My brother-in-law had his leg jammed in South Africa between rocks, 
 just above the ankle. He came home, and feared he would be a cripple 
 for life. I advised him to get your Pills and "Golden Fire," which he 
 did, and after 6 days a spot came out under the heel as Black As Your 
 Hat. He has since left for America Quite Cured. 
 
 Another circular states : 
 
 As certain medical men have done their best by tongue and pen to 
 persuade the public that Box's Golden Fire is poisonous, the said Golden 
 Fire in consequence has 'been submitted to a rigid Chemical Analysis. Tfie 
 following Report from the Eminent Analyst will effectually sew up the 
 lying lips.
 
 22 
 
 Then follows the report, which is in the usual style of such 
 " analyses," and states that the " Golden Fire " was found to 
 consist of "certain carefully selected and powerful, but per- 
 fectly innocent, ingredients, which combined (as in the mix- 
 ture) may be taken internally or applied externally without fear 
 or hesitation." 
 
 The circular continues: 
 
 Those who raise the cry of " Poison " are wholesale traffickers in the 
 same it is their stock-in-trade : Poisons bring grist to their mills, while 
 the poor victims who swallow them perish by thousands. 
 
 The directions for use are : 
 
 For Rheumatism, Lumbago, Gout, Neuralgia, Sprains, Chest Affections, 
 Asthma, Bronchitis, Swellings, Tumours, Enlarged Joints, etc., the 
 Golden Fire should be rubbed in briskly three or four times a day; and 
 in extreme cases a piece of flannel should be saturated with the Golden 
 Fire and applied after each application. 
 
 For Sore Throat, Quinsy, and Diphtheria, rub in several times a day; 
 and to one tablespoonful of Golden Fire add one tablespoonful of water 
 and gargle every two hours. 
 
 For the above, Golden Fire should be taken internally three times a day, 
 in a little water, beginning with six drops and increasing a few drops 
 each dose until a teaspoonf ul is reached, and continue until well. 
 
 For toothache, apply Golden Fire to the Tooth and rub it well into 
 the gums. For Neuralgia, Bruises, Sprains, etc., rub it briskly over the 
 seat of pain. For Polypus, apply with a camel-hair brush, and rub in on 
 the outside twice a day. 
 
 A Is. l|d. bottle of the "Golden Fire" contained nearly 
 2 fluid ounces of liquid. Analysis showed this to contain 
 acetic acid, sodium chloride, volatile oils, a little alcohol, 
 starch, dextrin, extractive, and the pungent principle of cap- 
 sicum. The mixture of essential oils appeared to consist of 
 oils of camphor, eucalyptus, rosemary, and amber. After 
 determining the quantities of the other ingredients, the amount 
 left to be described as starch, dextrin, and extractive was about 
 7 per cent, of the liquid; this part possessed no characters by 
 which its source could be determined, but the liquid contained 
 solid particles which appeared to be due to defective straining, 
 and microscopical examination of these showed them unmistak- 
 ably to consist of barley, lobelia, and capsicum, and the liquil 
 appears, therefore, to be a decoction of these, with the addition 
 of the other ingredients named. The pungency was just 
 similar to that of an aqueous decoction of capsicum ; the pro- 
 portions of barley and lobelia could not be determined; the
 
 23 
 
 amounts of the other substances found are given in the follow- 
 ing formula : 
 
 Oil of amber 0.16 per cent. 
 
 Oil of rosemary 0.16 
 
 Oil of eucalyptus 0.32 
 
 Oil of camphor (essential) 1.3 
 
 Sodium chloride 6.4 
 
 Glacial acetic acid 6.4 
 
 Alcohol 1.0 
 
 Decoction of capsicum. 
 
 Decoction of barley. 
 
 Decoction of lobelia. 
 
 It is hardly necessary to point out that lobelia is a dangerous 
 drug to be administered and taken by ignorant people. 
 
 A Is. Ifd. box of the pills contained fifty-three of various 
 sizes and shapes, roughly coated with talc, and having an aver- 
 age weight of 2i grains each. The directions on the label are, 
 " Dose Two pills morning and evening, after meals." Analysis 
 showed the presence of powdered capsicum in considerable quan- 
 tity, this drug forming, in fact, so large a proportion of the 
 pill, that the recognition of other ingredients was a difficult 
 matter ; microscopic examination showed also powdered gentian, 
 and a flour which did not agree perfectly in character with any 
 ordinary flour, though having a considerable resemblance to 
 barley flour ; small quantities of soap and aloes appeared to 
 be present, and a trace of an essential oil or other aromatic 
 substance which was not identified. The following formula 
 gave a pill substantially agreeing in characters with the pill 
 under examination : 
 
 Powdered capricum 35 parts. 
 
 Powdered gentian 15 
 
 Flour 15 
 
 Aloee 20 
 
 Soap 5 
 
 Water to 100 
 
 BOWDEN'S INDIAN BALM. 
 
 This article is supplied by a firm in the West of England at 
 prices from 7|d. to 10s. A tin priced 2s. 9d. was found to 
 contain about 4 oz. 
 
 It is described on the package as 
 
 For all Inflammations, M'uscular Complaints, Skin Diseases, etc., as 
 Inflamed Eyes, Neuralgia, Face-ache, Bronchitis, Rheumatism, Eczema, 
 Ringworm, Cuts, Stings, Wounds, Scalds, Burns, Strains, Piles, Chil- 
 blains, Chaps, etc.
 
 Circulars enclosed in the package also contained recommenda- 
 tions of the use of the Balm for colds, congested nostrils, 
 catarrh, whooping-cough and croup, lumbago, stiff-neck, erysi 
 pelas, bedsores, irritation after fever or vaccination, eruption, 
 abscesses, boils, ulcers, itching at the anus, sores, sprains, 
 bruises, mumps, abrasions, stings of mosquitos and other in- 
 sects, sunburn, sore and tender feet, inflammation of the bowels, 
 cancerous sores, asthma, coughs and chest complaints, sore 
 throats, whitlow, corns and warts. 
 
 It is further stated that : 
 
 This Preparation contains no less than seventeen ingredients, including 
 Valuable Balsams, Extracts, Essences, Indian Oils, etc., and so is a 
 veritable little Medicine Chest in itself. Few other remedies will be 
 required where it is kept at hand and used habitually. 
 
 The most delicate Lady or Child, as well as the strongest Athlete, 
 will find the Indian Balm to be a treasure. It can be used with perfect 
 safety upon an open wound, be placed upon the Eyeball for Inflammation, 
 or be used internally for Complaints of Throat and Chest. It will draw 
 out every particle of injurious matter before healing any Ulcer or Sore, 
 thus preventing a return of the trouble. Prompt application to Wound, 
 Scald, or Burn is the best preventive of Blood Poisoning. 
 
 Lengthy directions are given for ite use in a variety of cases ; 
 the following will suffice as examples : 
 
 Ophthalmia and Inflammation of the Eye. Eub the Indian Balm round 
 the Eyes two or three times a day. In acute cases apply inside the 
 lids. 
 
 Inflammation of the Gums, Toothache, and Faceacbe. Well rub the 
 Balm on the Gums and Face. When the Tooth is hollow the Balm can 
 be inserted on cotton wadding. 
 
 Inflammation of the Bowels and Pain in the Small of the Back. 
 Foment the parts with hot water, and briskly rub with Balm (10 to 15 
 minutes at a time) till relieved. 
 
 It would appear to be equally efficacious when administered 
 internally, for we read : 
 
 Sufferers from Asthma, Croup, Bronchitis, and all Throat or Chest 
 Complaints find the soothing and healing effects of Indian Balm, when 
 taken internally on lump sugar, to be immediate and remarkable. It also 
 enables patients to get rid of injurious phlegm. Public Speakers and 
 o efation ""* '*" ^ E&lm P 1 ** 8 *" 1 to * and effectual in 
 
 The " Balm " consisted of a brownish-yellow ointment 
 Analysis showed the presence of about 7 per cent, of volatile 
 oil, in which oil of eucalyptus predominated, and a fatty basis. 
 The oil did not contain as much cineol as an ordinary good 
 specimen of eucalyptus oil, and some evidence was obtained of
 
 25 
 
 the presence of essential oil of camphor, terebene, and oil of 
 lemon. The solid basis contained, besides fatty constituents, 
 a very small amount of ammonia, and a little of a resinous 
 substance ; the latter was not ordinary resin, but showed no 
 distinctive characters sufficing for its identification. It may 
 have been derived from balsam of Peru, or some similar ingre- 
 dient, but comparison of its properties pointed to the proba- 
 bility of a mixture of balsamic substances. The statement that 
 seventeen ingredients are present may be true, for the essen- 
 tial ingredients are a fatty basis, a mixture of volatile oils, and 
 resinous material, and each one of these can easily be made of 
 an almost unlimited number of ingredients mixed together ; no 
 other active substance was found. An ointment prepared from 
 the following formula, which is based on the analytical results 
 obtained with the " balm," strongly resembled the latter, and 
 only differed from it in minor points : 
 
 Lard 35 per cent. 
 
 Cocoanut oil 35 
 
 Tallow 10 
 
 Rape oil 5 
 
 Lanoline, anhydrous 4.5 ,, 
 
 Balsam of Peru 1 ,, 
 
 Oil of eucalyptus 5 
 
 Terebene 1.5 
 
 Essential oil of camphor 1.5 
 
 Essential oil of lemon 0.5 
 
 Solution of ammonia 1 ,, 
 
 Annatto colouring a sufficiency. 
 
 BATH SALTS FOR RHEUMATISM. 
 
 Recently certain " bath salts " have been largely advertised 
 for the treatment of complaints of this kind by means of baths. 
 We give here the results of analysis of some of the principal 
 articles of this kind. 
 
 OZONIA. 
 
 This is supplied by a firm in Dublin, in a packet, price Is., 
 containing about 13 oz. The package contained a descriptive 
 leaflet, from which the following extracts are taken : 
 
 The introduction of Ozonia marks a new era in the treatment of Rheu- 
 matism, Gout, and allied complaints. This remarkable preparation is used 
 in the bathing water, where it reaches the source of the trouble through
 
 26 
 
 the pores of the skin. The whole body is treated at once, and not the least 
 trouble is entailed to the sufferer. The system is thoroughly cleansed 
 the poisonous uric acid is neutralised, and the patient is reinvigorated. The 
 method is new, tut it has hundreds of wonderful cures to its credit already 
 so try one packet, and judge by results. . . 
 
 The Bath Cure. Bathe in it that's all. 
 
 There are many complaints which are acknowledged to have one root 
 cause. The cause of Rheumatism, Sciatica, Lunabago, and Gout is the 
 presence of too much uric acid in the Wood. The problem oi how to remove 
 this poison has hitherto proved unsolvable, but now Ozonia has been proved 
 to be the proper means. The worst cases of uric acid 'troubles yield to the 
 soothing medicated -waters of Ozonia. . . . 
 
 " Ozone," the health-giving principle of Fresh Sea Breezes, is liberated 
 
 in the "Ozonia" 'bath, and has a marvellous exhilarating effect on the 
 
 patient; this, combined with the stimulating effect of the other constituents 
 
 of the bath, induces a feeling of bodily well-being which is most gratifying. 
 
 How to use " Ozonia." 
 
 Dissolve one packet m an ordinary bath of hot water, and immerse the 
 body in it, keeping the face and back of the neck sponged. 
 
 Remain in the bath at least 15 or 20 minutes, even longer if desired. 
 
 The best time for taking the Bath is before going to 'bed, but this is 
 not imperative. 
 
 Number of Baths to be taken. In severe cases a bath every second night 
 is advised, but when the acute symptoms have disappeared, a bath once 
 or twice a week is sufficient ; in most cases, a series of 12 baths will be 
 found to effect a perfect cure. 
 
 If -total immersion is not feasible, stuping with a hot solution (a table- 
 spoonful of " Ozonia '" to a gallon of water) is very beneficial, but com- 
 plete immersion gives best results. 
 
 Analysis showed the composition of the salt to be : 
 
 Sodium carbonate, reckoned as anhydrous 77.00 per cent. 
 
 Water 22-30 per cent. 
 
 Chloride, reckoned as sodium chloride 0.46 per cent. 
 
 Potassium salt a trace. 
 
 In view of the statement, quoted above, that ozone is libe- 
 rated in the bath, special search was made for any ingredient, 
 such as percarbonate, perborate, or peroxide, which could yield 
 oxygen, but no trace was found of any such substance. Com- 
 mercial sodium carbonate commonly contains a little chloride, 
 such as the quantity found. 
 
 ANTURIC BATH SALTS. 
 
 This preparation is supplied by a limited company in London. 
 A tin, price Is. 6d., contained about 4J oz. It is described 
 on the package as : 
 
 For Gout, Rheumatism, Sciatica.
 
 27 
 
 Directions. Dissolve the contemn ol one tin in a bath full of hot water. 
 Take two baths weekly for six weeks. The water should be as hot as can 
 be comfortably borne. In severe cases the contents of two tins may be 
 used for one bath. 
 
 If it is inconvenient to use a full bath, or for local affections fomenta- 
 tions may be used ; for this purpose dissolve a tablespoonful of the Anturic 
 Salts in a gallon of hot water, and bathe the part affected. 
 
 After the cure an occasional bath is desirable. 
 
 Analysis showed the salt to consist of : 
 
 Sodium carbonate, reckoned as anhydrous 96.86 per cent. 
 
 Water 2.70 
 
 C hlor id e trace 
 
 Potassium salt ,, 
 
 Perfume 
 
 EHEUMSOL BATH SALTS. 
 
 This is supplied from an address near London. A tin, price Is., 
 contained about 5 oz. It ?'s described on the tin as : 
 
 Uric Acid Solvent. For Rheumatism, Gout, etc. 
 
 Directions for use. Add the contents of this tin to a full-sized bath of 
 hot water. For a smaller bath less in proportion. A bath should be 
 taken every third night for a month. 
 
 Analysis showed the salt to consist of : 
 
 Sodium carbonate, reckoned as anhydrous ... 87.96 per cent. 
 
 Water 11.18 
 
 Chloride considerable trace 
 
 Potassium salt trace 
 
 Exsiccated sodium carbonate (B.P.) is practically anhydrous, 
 and is priced in a wholesale druggist's list at 7d. per Ib. One 
 pound of anhydrous sodium carbonate of commercial quality 
 represents about 2| Ib. of common washing soda crystals. 
 
 SOME GERMAN NOSTRUMS. 
 
 Dr. F. Zernik, of Berlin, has continued the publication in 
 the Deutsche Medicinische Wochenschrift of the results of his 
 examination of various German nostrums. The following notes 
 refer to preparations advertised for rheumatism. 
 
 Dr. liichter's Orudon Essence preparation has been introduced at the 
 " Hof-Apotheke " (a pharmacy holding the right of using the affix 
 " Court ") in Elbing as a remedy for rheumatic and analogous affections.
 
 28 
 
 The directions for use are that the essence should be taken m doses of 
 from 4 to 6 teaspoonfuls according to the severity of the case, diluted in 
 a tumblerful of sugar water. It is claimed that it contains a new 
 chemical substance namely, ammonium iodatum salicyl. solubl. as well 
 as other ingredients which the medical profession has found to be most 
 useful during the past decades. Among these is mentioned " diaethyl- 
 diamin," aromatic extract and brandy (cognac). It is sold in bottles, con- 
 taining 135 c.cm., at 6s. the bottle. The fluid, which is dark brown and 
 bitter, was found to contain ammonium salicylate and iodide, but not a 
 trace of the "new " chemical substance, which Zernik points out has long 
 been recognised in chemistry, piperazin, which is diaethylen-diamin and 
 not diaethyl-diamin, as well as alcohol and some extractives and per- 
 fumes, the nature of which could not be identified. Orudon Salt is sup- 
 posed to act well in the same conditions as the essence. A bottle of this 
 powder costs 5s. 6d., and is stated by the manufacturers to contain basic 
 citrate of urea (an imaginary chemical substance !), magnesium, sodium, 
 lithium carbonate, citric acid, sodium sulphate, and extract of almonds. 
 The analysis proved it to be a mixture of about 10 per cent, tkeobromine- 
 sodio-salicylate, 10 per cent, sodium sulphate, 4 per cent, urea, 16 per cent, 
 magnesium citrate, 4 per cent, sodium citrate, 2 per cent, lithium citrate, 
 and fully 40 per cent, oiteic acid, together with a bitter extract. No trace 
 of a substance which could correspond to the alleged basic citrate of urea 
 was found. 
 
 /. Vollner's World-renowned Rheumatism Cotton-wool is, it is stated, 
 manufactured by W. Vollner, Hamburg, London, and New York. It 
 is claimed by the manufacturers that it produces five times as much 
 warmth as ordinary cotton-wool, being impregnated with the finest kinds 
 of resins. The packet costs Is. and contains 86 grams of a cotton-wool 
 sheet, measuring 1 cm. in thickness, 36 cm. in width, and 80 cm. in length. 
 On analysis Zernik found that the cotton-wool was ordinary raw cotton- 
 wool, which had been superficially singed on one side and which was not 
 even fat-freed. There was nothing else in the wonderful rheumatic wool. 
 
 Limosan is vaunted as a certain cure for rheumatism, gout, and 
 " stone." In one of the booklets accompanying the preparation testi- 
 monials galore were reproduced. It consists of white limosan tablets 
 and greyish-green laxative tablets; 30 of the former tablets contained 
 in a tube cost 6s., while 15 of the latter cost 6d. Several tubes are re- 
 quired for a course, since the patient is told to take 10 of the white and 
 
 4 or 5 of the laxative tablets daily. The composition is given as follows : 
 Aethylenimin, 1 gram; glycocol-para-phenyledin (basic), 4.5 grams; 
 lithium carbonate, 0.1 gram; salicylic salt, 1 gram; and acetic salt, 0.4 
 gram. The first-named ingredient is merely a synonym for piperazin' the 
 second name on the list is used instead of phenocoll, while the salicylic 
 salb has the same form as the substance usually known as salocoll. The 
 laxative tablets are stated to contain Tinavelly senna, rhamnus 
 purshianus, and frangula, of each 20 parts; liquorice root, rhizoma root, 
 Df each 10 parts; peppermint, marigold, and poplar tree leaf of each 
 
 5 parts. The action, therefore, would depend on the senna cascara 
 sagrada, and frangula. The manufacturers have, it is stated, repeatedly 
 been punished in courts of law for the puffing nature of the advertise- 
 ments of these limosan preparations.
 
 Professor Tissander's cure for rheumatism, gout, and sciatica is stated 
 by Zernik to be sent for 4. 6d. by " The Sabalek Syndicate," of London. 
 Quoting from a letter received from this firm, the " cure " is said to be 
 composed of a number of reagents which act against uric acid. These 
 reagents, together with a kidney stimulant and a blood purifier, are com- 
 bined by " Professor " Tissander in a very concentrated form. It is 
 pleasant to take, and does not produce any deleterious effects of any 
 kind. The examination revealed that the tablets contained sulphur, salts 
 (chiefly alkali phosphates), and an emodin-containing vegetable powder 
 (rhubarb, senna). Zernik concludes by saying : " This composition indi- 
 cates sufficiently in how far the preparation can possess the action 
 ascribed to it."
 
 CHAPTEE II. 
 
 PBEPABATIONS FOB ECZEMA AND OTHEB SKIN 
 AFFECTIONS. 
 
 A selection from the numerous proprietary articles adver- 
 tised for the cure of skin diseases, including ointments, 
 lotions, dusting powders, and medicines to be taken in- 
 ternally, is described in this chapter. It will be seen from 
 the extracts from advertisements which are given that the 
 claims made for the respective preparations are to a large 
 extent contradictory and mutually destructive, as, for ex- 
 ample, " sulpholine lotion is the only external skin remedy," 
 '' eczema and all skin ailments are completely cured by sul- 
 pholine lotion," and, on the other hand, " the potent ingre- 
 dients of a remedy, which are necessary to the successful 
 cure of eczema, cannot be contained in the form of a liquid. 
 Lotions, besides containing mercury, must necessarily con- 
 tain some alcohol or water, which are irritants and should be 
 rigidly avoided." (The apparent implication that all lotions 
 contain mercury is novel and surprising.) It is not always 
 even necessary to take statements 'from rival makers in 
 order to find contradictions ; statements made by one firm 
 in different parts of their advertisements are sometimes quite 
 inconsistent, as in the case described below where on one 
 page it is stated that ' ' there is not one among the many 
 healing extracts used which is not highly lauded by skin 
 specialists the world over," and on the next page of the same 
 pamphlet ' ' several of the medicaments used in the oint- 
 ments and blood tablets are very rare and not in use in Great 
 Britain, and do not form any part of the British doctor's
 
 31 
 
 medical outfit." One of the commonest inconsistencies, of 
 course, is that between the extravagant prospects of speedy 
 cure held out to attract in the first place, and the far more 
 guarded statements made when the patient has paid for the 
 article and is beginning to find out for himself what its 
 curative powers amount to. The first preparation men- 
 tioned below furnishes an example of this ; in a Press adver- 
 tisement readers are assured that "just a drop or two of 
 D.D.D., the Guaranteed cure for Eczema and all Skin 
 Diseases, applied to the burning skin, and that torturing, 
 endless, nerve-racking itching is at an end " ; not only does 
 D.D.D. stop all irritation and pain immediately we 
 guarantee it but the cures that invariably follow are per- 
 manent," while in a pamphlet supplied with this very article 
 it is stated that ' ' the person fortunate enough to become 
 familiar with D.D.D. Prescription in the early stages of 
 his disease may commit the error of being impatient of cure. 
 . The eruption may have appeared only on a few 
 spots of his body, but this is evidence that the disease germ 
 is lodged in his skin. The germs will grow and multiply 
 and spread ; ... it may take some time to dislodge the 
 germs from his skin. . . . Is it not worth careful study , 
 a few months' patience, to be rid of that horrible malady? " 
 A limited company, which uses the name of "Dr. Cas- 
 sell," sends a list of questions to be answered and endeavours 
 to persuade sufferers that it deals with them just as a quali- 
 fied practitioner would do: "When you consult a doctor, 
 he first inquires into the causes leading up to your trouble, 
 then carefully examines all the symptoms and indications. 
 Upon the results he forms his diagnosis, which in turn 
 suggests the treatment. We do exactly the same when you 
 return the examination form filled up." The trifling omis- 
 sions of the years of study, training, and experience requisite 
 for a medical qualification, and of personal examination of 
 the patient, are treated as of no consequence; naturally, 
 some illuminating diagnoses may be looked for under such
 
 32 
 
 circumstances, as in the case described, where having re- 
 ceived the answer " Eczema " to .the question " What are 
 you suffering from? " and after " carefully studying " the 
 answers to this and other questions, the company gravely 
 informs the patient " You are suffering from a severe and 
 disagreeable form of eczema." 
 
 D.D.D. 
 
 The preparation sold under this name is supplied by a firm 
 in London at 2s. 3d. and 4s. 6d. per bottle; a 2s. 3d. bottle 
 was found to contain 2.1 fluid ounces. 
 
 A Press advertisement is headed : 
 
 Peoriasis, Dry and Wet ECZEMA, and all skin diseases cured by 
 D.D.D., the new liquid remedy, which gives instant relief, and a positive 
 cure when everything else has failed. 
 
 and the following claims are made: 
 
 Just a drop or two of D.D.D. , the Guaranteed Cure for Eczema and all 
 Skin Diseases, applied to the burning skin, and that torturing, endless, 
 nerve-racking itching is at an end. . . . Not only does D.D.D. stop 
 all irritation and pain immediately we guarantee it but the cures that 
 invariably follow are permanent the disease never returns. 
 
 The following are extracts from a pamphlet enclosed in the 
 package, entitled " Cause and Cure of Skin Diseases " : 
 
 D.D.D. is no ordinary patent medicine, but the prescription of the skin 
 specialist, Dr. D. D. Dennis, who used the compound now known as 
 D.D.D. successfully for years on all patients suffering with skin diseases. 
 On urgent advice of his patients, Dr. Dennis was prevailed upon to have 
 the compound put up as a proprietary article for sale through drug stores. 
 
 In spite of the "guarantee" quoted above that D.D.D. 
 stops all irritation and pain immediately, a caution is given 
 against discouragement : 
 
 Occasionally in bringing the disease to the surface, D.D.D. will spread 
 the eruption temporarily over a much larger area. THIS is NOT A SIGN 
 
 THAT THE MALADY IS GROWING MOKE SERIOUS, BUT ON THE CONTRAEY IT 
 SHOWS THAT THE DISEASE IS BEING UPROOTED. 
 
 It appears that more patience may be required, even when 
 the sufferer is only " in the early stages," than the advertise- 
 ment quoted might have led him to suppose: 
 
 The person fortunate enough to become familiar with D.D.D. Prescrip- 
 tion in the early stages of his disease may commit the error of being
 
 impatient of cure. . . . The eruption may have appeared only on a 
 few spots of his body, but this is evidence that the disease germ is lodged 
 in his skin. The germs will grow and multiply and spread ; ... it 
 may take some time to dislodge the germs from his skin. . . . Is it 
 not worth careful study, a few months' patience, to be rid of that horrible 
 malady? 
 
 " The germs " are, of course, freely utilized to give an air 
 of scientific knowledge : 
 
 The reader familiar with the deeper questions of medical science knows 
 that there is still some dispute among the best authorities on the germ 
 theories, but it is pretty we 1 ! understood now, largely as a result of Dr. 
 Dennis's discoveries, that eczema is purely and simply a germ disease 
 caused by germs that lodge in the skin. According to the germ theory, 
 there must be several species of eczema germs, causing the several diseases 
 known as eczema, psoriasis, ringworm, dandruff, etc. The germs are all 
 of the same type, and produce ailments with varying symptoms, all 
 eczematous. The germs live only in the skin, feeding on the oily 
 ingredients of the epidermis. 
 
 It might be interesting to know where " Dr. Dennis' dis- 
 coveries " were published. 
 
 D.D.D. is put up in two forme, called " D.D.D. Ordinary " 
 and "D.D.D. Strong"; the "Ordinary" was taken for 
 analysis. The directions for this are: 
 
 The remedy may be applied in various ways ; it is best, however, to 
 rub the skin as little as possible while making the application ; hence we 
 recommend it to be applied by saturating a piece of absorbent cotton with 
 D.D.D. and dabbing this gently on the parts affected, or applying it with 
 a small camel hair brush, so that the pores will absorb the remedy. 
 
 Analysis showed the liquid to be composed as follows : 
 
 Salicylic acid 0.75 part 
 
 Phenol 1.18 parts 
 
 Methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen) 1.00 part 
 
 Glycerin 9.28 parts 
 
 Alcohol 65.10 parts by measure 
 
 Water, to 100 parts by measure 
 
 It had a slight yellow colour, which may have been due to a 
 trace of colouring matter, or may have been developed from the 
 oil of wintergreen. 
 
 The alcohol is by far the most costly ingredient, and the esti- 
 mated cost of ingredients for 2.1 fluid ounces is 3|d. 
 
 c
 
 34 
 HOMOCEA. 
 
 This preparation is made by a limited company in London. 
 A Is. l$d. tin contained about f ounce, and a 2s. 9d. tin about 
 2 ounces. It is recommended for a very large number of 
 disorders, as is shown by the following extracts from a circular 
 enclosed in the package : 
 
 Homocea . . . Ointmen/fe ... is far and away the best remedy 
 known for Open Wounds, Sores, Cuts, Ulcers, Bad Legs, Burns, Scalds, 
 Chaps, Wasp, Bee, and Insect Stings, Earache, Inflamed Spots, Skin or 
 Flesh Troubles of all sorts, Broken Chilblains, etc. In treating any of the 
 above lay Homocea lightly with the finger, or spread some on clean rags 
 or lint and apply to the parts affected. For Bruises, Blotches, Chaps, 
 Chilblains (unbroken), Eruptions, Swellings, Mumps, Croup, Sore Eyes, 
 Bashes, Ringworm, Jelly Fish Stings, Sunburns, etc., etc., smear or gently 
 rub in Homocea where required. 
 
 For Piles (bleeding or blind) Homocea stands alone amongst remedies. 
 It affords immediate relief at all times, and in many cases absolutely 
 cures 
 
 For Internal Piles the insertion of Homocea Suppositories is recom- 
 mended. 
 
 Cold in the Head is cured by putting Homocea up the nostrils and 
 rubbing the bridge of the nose well with the Ointment at night. 
 
 Soft Corns and Bunions are cured by applying Homocea as a pad, to 
 be kept on day and night. 
 
 Eczema (in many forms), Hay Fever, Prickly Heat Jigger, and Veldt 
 Sores, Warts, etc., cured by Homocea. 
 
 Homocea will cure the Bites and Stings of Mosquito, Gnats, Sand Flies, 
 and, better still, will prevent these pests from attacking you, if the face, 
 neck, hands, and other exposed parts of the body are smeared with the 
 Ointment. 
 
 It is impossible to bring within the compass of a short circular all that 
 Homocea in its various forms will do, but we claim, without fear of 
 contradiction, that there are few of the ordinary everyday ailments inci- 
 dental to the human frame that Homocea, if promptly and properly 
 applied, will not immediately alleviate and cure. 
 
 The efficacy of Homocea is easily and unanswerably explained. It kills 
 inflammation immediately it comes in contact with it, and you can readily 
 understand why pain vanishes and wounds heal so quickly. 
 
 Analysis showed the presence of eucalyptus oil in consider- 
 able proportion, with beeswax, a soft fat, and a very small 
 quantity of ammonia; evidence was also obtained of a small 
 proportion of another essential oil, apparently oil of lemon, 
 though, as essential oils are complex in composition, it is not 
 possible to speak positively on this point. Other medicinal 
 ingredients were found to be absent. The quantities of the
 
 35 
 
 ingredients found were determined as accurately as possible, 
 and the results gave the following formula : 
 
 Oil of eucalyptus 25 per cent. 
 
 Oil of lemon 0.2 
 
 Beeswax 25 ,, 
 
 Fat 49 
 
 Solution of ammonia 0.8 
 
 The characters of the fat agreed with those of a mixture 
 of lard and oocoanut oil in about equal parts. An ointment 
 prepared according to this formula was practically indistin- 
 guishable from the original. 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients for 2|- ounces (2s. 9d. tin), 2jd. 
 
 ECZOLINE TREATMENT. 
 
 This " treatment " is supplied by a firm at Swindon, and 
 consists of ointment, tablets, and soap; the two former were 
 taken for examination. 
 
 An advertisement contains the following somewhat discon- 
 nected expressions : 
 
 A wonderful Remedy. Eczema, Rashes, Pimples, Spots, Sores, Ring- 
 worm, Chaps, Chilblains, Rough Skin, Bad Legs. Stops all irritation at 
 once. Cured by the Eczoline Treatment. Worth its weight in gold. 
 
 Eczoline Ointment. A Is. l^d. box contained about 1 ounce. 
 On the box it is described as 
 
 A positive cure for Eczema, and good for all skin diseases. 
 
 Analysis showed the presence of zinc oxide, sulphur (flowers), 
 glycerin, a little water, and a fat which agreed well in its char- 
 acters with lard, with a trace of oil of lemon ; no other consti- 
 tuents were found. The quantities of the respective ingredients 
 were determined, and the results gave the following formula: 
 
 Flowers of sulphur 39 per cent. 
 
 Zinc oxide 3.7 ,, 
 
 Glycerin 13.5 ,, 
 
 Lard 39.8 
 
 Water 4 
 
 Oil of lemon a trace 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients for 1 ounce, d. 
 
 Eczoline Tablets. A Is. l|d. box contained 43 sugar-coated 
 tablets, having an average weight, without the coating, of 5'2 
 grains each. These are described on the label as 
 
 For Cooling, Purifying, and Strengthening the Blood. Dose One or 
 two Tablets three times a day after meals.
 
 36 
 
 Analysis showed the tablets, from which the coating 'had been 
 removed to consist of 
 
 Ferrous sulphate 16.5 per cent. 
 
 Sulphur (precipitated) 56 ,, 
 
 Talc 3 - 4 
 
 Starch 7.3 
 
 Extractive 16.8 
 
 The extractive was bitter, and showed the reactions of ex- 
 tract of cascara sagrada, but it was not bitter enough or dark 
 enough to consist only of this extract, and appeared to be a 
 mixture of cascara sagrada, and an inert extract, the former 
 constituting about 5 per cent, of the substance of the tablets. 
 
 Taking the whole of the extract as being of the same price 
 as extract of cascara sagrada, the estimated cost of the ingre- 
 dients for 43 tablets is |d. 
 
 DR. CASSELL'S MEDICINES. 
 
 These are supplied by a limited company in a town in Lan- 
 cashire. This firm is described on its notepaper as " Sole 
 Agents for Great Britain, India, Africa, Australia, and all 
 European Countries for Dr. Cassell's Specialities," and the 
 " Specialities" appear to be really of American origin. The , 
 form of advertisement which appears to be most in favour is a 
 small announcement of 
 
 An indispensable illustrated book written by an expert, dealing in a clear, 
 common-sense way with a safe and speedy home cure of Skin Diseases of 
 all kinds, with special chapters on Diseased Blood, Ulcers, Bad Legs, and 
 " The Woman Beautiful," 
 
 to be sent free on application. A request for a copy of this 
 brought a pamphlet of 31 pages, together with a " self-exami- 
 nation form," and a letter urging that the form should be 
 filled up and returned. In a further circular the following 
 statement is made with regard to the mode of procedure : 
 
 When you consult a doctor he first inquires into the causes leading up 
 to your trouble, then carefully examines all the symptoms and indications. 
 Upon the results he forms his diagnosis, which in turn suggests the treat- 
 ment. 
 
 We do exactly the same when you return the examination form filled 
 up : we carefully examine it, and from the answers you give to the questions 
 we are able at once to select for you, from the numerous Ointments, 
 Powders, Mixtures, and Medicated Tablets manufactured for this Company 
 from the formulas of that world-famed specialist, Dr. Cassell, a treatment 
 perfect in every detail with the requirements of your case.
 
 37 
 
 It is further stated that: 
 
 There is not one among the many healing extracts used which is not 
 highly lauded by skin specialists the world over. 
 
 Which seems rather inconsistent with the statement on the next 
 page that: 
 
 Several of the medicaments used in the Ointments and Blood Tablets 
 are very rare and not in use in Great Britain, and do not form any part 
 of the British doctors' medical outfit, yet are of such incalculable value 
 as to constitute the basic strength and great healing virtue of the treat- 
 ment. 
 
 The "self-examination form" was as follows; the words in 
 italics are the answers which were filled in : 
 
 QUESTIONS. 
 
 Date 19 
 
 Name in full 
 
 Address in full 
 
 Age. ST. Sex Male. 
 
 Occupation. Groom-Gardener. Stout or thin? Medium. 
 
 Married or single? Single. How long suffered? About two years. 
 
 Are you able to work? Yes. If not, how long have you beero dis- 
 abled. 
 
 What are you suffering from? Eczema. 
 
 What .was your previous health ? Good. 
 
 Where are you affected? Arms worst; also neck and shoulders. 
 
 What do doctors call your trouble? / don't know. 
 
 Have you been treated for it ? Not by doctors. If so, how ? I have 
 used some lotions. 
 
 Have you attended any hospital? No. 
 
 Is your general health good ? Yes. 
 
 Are you constipated? No. 
 
 Have you indigestion? No. 
 
 Do you stand much? Yes. 
 
 Are you in contact with much heat? No. 
 
 Do you perspire freely? Yes. 
 
 Are your hands much in soap and water ? No. 
 
 Do you use muoh soda? No. 
 
 Does your employment entail contact with gritty or irritating material, 
 and if so, what? No. 
 
 Have you much itching? Yea. 
 
 Have you a scaly eruption? No. 
 
 Is the part red or inflamed? Yes. 
 
 Is there any discharge ? Sometimes. If so, what colour is it, and does 
 it smell? Like water. 
 
 Have you any bleeding from the part? No. 
 
 Have you any pain? Yes. 
 
 Is your trouble inclined to spread? Yes. 
 
 Do you suffer from varicose veins? No.
 
 38 
 
 Do little blisters form? No. 
 
 Did the trouble start with a pimple? No. 
 
 Have you any rash ? No. If so, where ? No. 
 
 Have you a sore throat? No. 
 
 Have you recently had measles or any fever? No. 
 
 Have you ever suffered from any specific blood disease? No. If so, 
 what? 
 
 What is your usual diet? Porridge, bread and butter, coffee, meat and 
 'potatoes, beer, cheese. 
 
 Do you eat much oatmeal, shellfish, or tinned food ? A good deal of 
 oatmeal porridge. 
 
 Are you a teetotaler? No, but very moderate. 
 
 Are you worse more at one season than another ? No. 
 
 What is your own opinion as to the cause ? I don't know. 
 
 Here fill in any other details you may think of use. 
 
 As the question, "What are you suffering from?" was an- 
 swered by the word " eczema," it was not altogether surprising 
 to be told in the letter which was received in reply : 
 
 Your Examination Form has been duly received and carefully studied. 
 You are suffering from a severe and disagreeable form of eczema. 
 
 The letter proceeds with a warning that it is 
 
 inadvisable to use ordinary salves, lotions, etc., indiscriminately, as 
 you will readily realise that what will suit one person will not necessarily 
 suit another, and many doctors don't appear to reconise [sic] the fact 
 that the complaint should be treated both locally and constitutionally, 
 therefore their treatment often proves ineffective. We make a special 
 point of treating every case entirely upon its merits, and yours is one 
 in which Dr. Cassell's combined treatment will produce speediest and 
 most brilliant results. 
 
 It appears, however, that even these ' ' speediest and most 
 brilliant results" are not very speedy, as a further paragraph 
 states : 
 
 Although it may take a few months to effect a permanent cure, we are 
 quite confident, if you make up your mind to have yourself properly 
 treated now, it will save much suffering and expense in the future. 
 
 The letter further intimated that the treatment would con- 
 sist of a dusting powder, tablets to be taken internally, and an 
 ointment, and that the charge would be 12s. 6d. 
 
 As no reply was sent at once, this was followed about a week 
 later with another letter, offering to send the medicines for 
 9s. 6d., and containing the statement: 
 
 We are quite safe in guaranteeing a cure in your case provided you make 
 up your mind to persevere for a reasonable length of time.
 
 39 
 
 The sum required was then sent, and the articles named 
 were received. The powder, in a pill-box, weighed a little 
 lees than 1 ounce ; the bottle of tablets contained 90, of average 
 weight 6 grains; and the pot of ointment contained just over 
 1 ounce. They were accompanied by an intimation that a 
 further supply would cost 9s. 6d., and the following directions : 
 
 Ointment. Wash the hands thoroughly clean in hot -water and apply a 
 little of the Ointment to the affected parts every night on retiring. It is 
 not necessary to use a great quantity, the chief thing being to have it 
 evenly distributed on the parts requiring treatment. 
 
 Powder. A small portion should be dusted on with a piece of clean lint 
 every morning on arising. 
 
 Tablets. One to be swallowed whole in water "three times daily, between 
 meals. 
 
 Cassell's Dusting Powder. This was labelled " Antiseptic 
 Dusting Powder No. 2." Analysis showed it to contain boric 
 acid, talc, maize starch, and powdered slippery elm bark. The 
 proportions of the first two ingredients were determined and 
 the other two estimated as accurately as possible, and the for- 
 mula given below was obtained. A powder prepared in accord- 
 ance with this formula agreed in all respects with the original, 
 except that the latter had a faint perfume and a creamy tint; 
 the traces of colouring matter and perfume were far too minute 
 to be identified. 
 
 Powdered talc 60 per cent. 
 
 Powdered boric acid 20 
 
 Powdered maize starch 17 ,, 
 
 Powdered slippery elm bark 3 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients for 1 ounce, d. 
 
 Cassell's Blood Cleansing Tablets. The label was marked 
 " Price 4s. 6d. a bottle," and, as stated above, the bottle con- 
 tained 90 tablets of about 6 grains each. 
 
 Analysis showed the tablets to contain : 
 
 Phenolphthalein 0.75 per cent. 
 
 Potassium iodide 1.25 ,, 
 
 Sugar 81 
 
 Talc, approximately 11 M 
 
 Calcium carbonate and sulphate, approxi- 
 mately 2 
 
 Water 1 ,, 
 
 Extractive 3 
 
 The extractive showed no distinctive characters by which it 
 could be identified : the tablets had a faint anise-like odourj
 
 40 
 
 no alkaloid or other active principle was found. The dose of 
 phenolphthalein in one tablet is 0.045 grain, the usual dose 
 being 1 to 8 grains ; the dose of potassium iodide in one tablet 
 is 0.075 grain, the official dose being 5 to 20 grains. 
 
 If the extract present is taken as being of the same price 
 as extract of taraxacum, the estimated cost of the ingredients 
 for 90 tablets is |d. 
 
 Cassett's Ointment. This was labelled "Ointment No. 2," 
 and the pot contained just over 1 ounce. Analysis showed it 
 to contain oils of wintergreen and eucalyptus, lanoline, a fat 
 or oil, soft paraffin, boric acid, a small quantity of alkali, and 
 a powdered vegetable tissue. The latter appeared to consist 
 chiefly of a bark; it was carefully compared with a number of 
 powdered drugs, but was not found to agree with any drug in 
 ordinary use ; it showed a good deal of resemblance to powdered 
 krameria root, and agreed exactly with it in the colour changes 
 caused by various reagents, and while not identical with either 
 of the species of krameria compared with it, the resemblance 
 suggested that it might be from a nearly related plant. The 
 proportions of the different constituents were determined as 
 closely as possible, and the following formula was arrived at : 
 
 Boric acid 8 per cent. 
 
 Borax 2 
 
 Oil of eucalyptus 2 
 
 Oil of wintergreen 3 
 
 Anhydrous lanoline 4 
 
 Oil (? olive) 8 
 
 Soft paraffin 63 
 
 Powdered drug 7 
 
 Water 3 
 
 An ointment prepared in accordance with this formula, witi 
 krameria root as the drug, closely resembled the original. 
 
 SULPHOLINE LOTION. 
 
 This lotion is prepared by a limited company in London. A 
 Is. bottle contained 2 fluid ounces. This preparation is adver- 
 tised in the following terms: 
 
 Eczema and all skin ailments are completely cured by Sulpholine Lotion, 
 which directly attacks all forms of Eczema, Eruptions, Pimples, Acne, 
 Spots, Blackheads, or Disfiguring Rashes, leaving the skin in the soft, clear, 
 supple, attractive condition designed by Nature.
 
 41 
 
 And in a pamphlet enclosed in the package it is further 
 stated that 
 
 Sulpholine Lotion is the only external skin remedy. 
 
 There is no phase of Eczema, chronic or acute, red, dry, scaly, or pustu- 
 lar (moist), psoriasis, pityriasis, impetigo, prickly heat, tetter, salt-rheum, 
 or even superficial scorbutic ulcerations, but Sulpholine will grapple with, 
 and in most cases completely eradicate, leaving the skin its natural, clear, 
 smooth, pliable surface. 
 
 The directions on the label are: 
 
 To be damped on with a handkerchief or piece of cotton wool, and 
 allowed to dry. One application of the Lotion should be at bedtime. 
 
 Analysis showed it to contain : 
 
 Sulphur, precipitated 3 parts 
 
 Zinc oxide 2.1 
 
 Calcium sulphate 0.6 part. 
 
 Glycerin 9 parts. 
 
 Strong rose water, to 100 parts by measure. 
 
 The rose water is by far the most expensive ingredignt, and 
 the estimated cost of ingredients for 2 fluid ounces is l|d. 
 
 CADUM. 
 
 Supplied by Omega, Limited. A Is. Ifd. tin contained just 
 over 1 oz. 
 
 This is described in a circular enclosed in the package as : 
 
 The New Medical Discovery for the Treatment of Eczema, Psoriasis. 
 Ringworm, Acne, Pimples, Blackheads, Itch, Facial Eruptions, Salt Rheum, 
 Shingles, Herpes, Hives, Prickly Heat, Boils, Rash, Itching Piles, Cuts, 
 Sores, Burns, Chafing, Sunburn, Scabies and other Skin Troubles. 
 
 Its origin is thus described: 
 
 The discovery of Cadum, the wonderful new skin remedy, was not the 
 result of mere chance or accident, but of patient, painstaking investiga- 
 tions, extending over a long period, by an eminent chemist who became pos- 
 sessed of the conviction that the old method of taking internal remedies 
 to cure external diseases was erroneous. After a careful study of all the 
 best-known products, it was discovered that an extract from a particular 
 part of a well-known treo possessed superior antiseptic and curative pro- 
 perties, and exerted a powerful, beneficial effect on the skin tissues. It 
 was, however, found that this valuable vegetable extract possessing such 
 desirable qualities was difficult to compound with other ingredients neces- 
 sary to present it in a form convenient to use. After further investigations 
 and experiments, a method of special treatment was devised by which
 
 42 
 
 this seemingly insurmountable difficulty was overcome, resulting in a 
 unique combination of ingredients, possessing to a marked degree valuable 
 therapeutic properties, the like of which has never before been produced. 
 
 Directions are given for the use of this preparation in some 
 thirty affections of the skin. 
 
 Analysis showed the presence of zinc oxide, sulphur, boric 
 and salicylic acids, oil of cade, and a paraffin basis. The pro- 
 portions of the several ingredients were determined as accu- 
 rately as possible; since oil of cade is variable in composition, 
 and there is no direct means of determining its quantity in such 
 a mixture, this was estimated from a number of comparisons 
 with known mixtures, and the figure given is certainly not far 
 from exact. The formula arrived at is : 
 
 Zinc oxide 11.3 per cent. 
 
 Flowers of sulphur 8.0 
 
 Boric Acid 3-1 
 
 Salicylic acid 0.8 
 
 Oilofcade 7 
 
 Hard paraffin 10 ,, 
 
 Soft paraffin 60 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients for 1 ounce, Jd. 
 
 POSLAM. 
 
 This is supplied by the Emergency Laboratories, New York. 
 A 2s. 3d. tin contained ounce. 
 
 It is described in a circular enclosed in the package as 
 
 The Newest Medical Discovery for the treatment of Eczema and all 
 other skin affections. 
 
 Some further extracts from this circular are as follows : 
 
 It is a singular fact that, notwithstanding the great strides that have 
 been made in medicine for the past decade or two, skin diseases, and 
 particularly eczema the worst of them are about as little understood 
 by the medical profession to-day as they were a generation back. 
 
 Eczema is one of the most prevalent diseases, and statistics shows that 
 at least 50 per cent, of humanity have it in some form or other. It may 
 be that physicians have failed to give this trouble the proper amount of 
 study because, not being a fatal disease, they have considered it unim- 
 portant enough to wilfully neglect its thorough diagnosis. 
 
 Another reason may be that the advertised preparations for eczema 
 
 have been so exploited as to convey wrong impressions about the disease, 
 
 bmg ,t to causes most ridiculous, and harping on tha erroneous idea
 
 43 
 
 that it is a blood troublej only curable by internal remedies. Doctors, in 
 the absence of any recognised specific for the disease, have given either 
 internal remedies or ordered the use of special soaps, both of which 
 courses siiow that the average medical man is helpless to combat the 
 growing trouble of skin diseases. . . . 
 
 LOTIONS AND INEFFECTUAL " REMEDIES." The potent in- 
 gredients of a remedy, which are necessary to the successful cure of 
 eczema, cannot be contained in the form of a liquid. Lotions, besides con- 
 taining mercury, must necessarily contain some alcohol or water, which are 
 irritants and should be rigidly avoided. . . . 
 
 There is no need of an extended course of treatment in the cure of 
 eczema. If the remedy is the right one, its effects will be apparent im- 
 mediately, and the progress of its work may be noted daily. 
 
 POSLAM, THE CUBE. The success of Poslam in the cure of eczema 
 and all kindred skin diseases, has been absolute since its first introduction 
 to the public and the medical profession. It is entirely different from 
 anything yet used, and as a remedial agent in skin diseases, may be said 
 to be positively infallible in its action. Hitherto there has been a common 
 base to all ointments and salves that were supposed to be " remedies " for 
 eczema. Poslam has a base of its own, and contains no grease, poisons, 
 mercury, or any other harmful constituent. 
 
 The general directions are: 
 
 Apply Poslam twice daily, night and morning, directly to the parts 
 affected. 
 
 Do not rub or irritate, but apply gently. 
 
 Analysis showed the presence of zinc oxide, sulphur, starch, 
 salicylic acid, oil of birch tar, oil of cade, lanoline, and soft 
 paraffin. Since oil of birch tar and oil of cade are both very 
 complex bodies of variable composition, it is not possible to 
 determine exactly the quantities present in such a mixture ; 
 it is even possible that some samples of oil of birch tar might 
 possess the properties observed, without the presence of oil of 
 cade, and the latter is given in the formula with this reserva- 
 tion. The various ingredients were determined or estimated 
 as exactly as possible, and the following formula was arrived at : 
 
 Zinc oxide 
 Flowers of sulphur 
 Maize starch 
 Salicylic acid 
 Oil of cade 
 
 12 per 
 
 sent. 
 
 . . . 8 
 
 18 
 
 1 5 
 
 1.5 
 
 Oil of birch tar 
 
 8 
 
 Anhydrous lanoline 
 Soft paraffin ... 
 
 255 
 
 . 25.5 , 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients of ounce, |d.
 
 CHAPTEK III. 
 
 NERVE TONICS AND " ELIXIRS OF LIFE." 
 A very large class of proprietary medicines consists of 
 those advertised as nerve tonics and restoratives of lost 
 vitality, and a number of these are described in the present 
 chapter. Some of them are conspicuously advertised in the 
 newspapers, and are sold through retailers in the ordinary 
 way ; while in other cases the interest of those likely to 
 become purchasers is usually aroused by a small advertise- 
 ment with a bold headline to catch the eye such as " Lost 
 Manhood Restored "in which a free book is offered, to be 
 sent by post on application. The applicant is not only urged 
 by the contents of the book which is sent to place himself at 
 once under the advertiser's treatment, but this advice is 
 further pressed on him by letters at intervals. Medicines 
 of this kind are not usually sold through retailers, but only 
 direct from the advertiser to the consumer. The latter is 
 often supplied with a list of questions to be answered, and 
 to judge from the examples described when he has 
 answered them, and paid the one or two guineas demanded, 
 he is likely to be told that his is a complicated case requiring 
 additional treatment, for which, of course, further payment 
 is to be made. In some cases references occur to ' ' our con- 
 sulting physician," or "our specialist," etc. In regard to 
 specialists of this anonymous kind, some facts elicited at a 
 coroner's inquest, mentioned in chapter XIX., throw some 
 light on the probable value of such references. Obviously, 
 no real expert would consent to work under such conditions 
 as those indicated ; but even if that difficulty could be got
 
 45 
 
 over, no satisfactory diagnosis could be made in the manner 
 pretended, and the paying of a fee for advice in such circum- 
 stances is a very different thing from paying for the atten- 
 tion and skill of an expert who really investigates his cases. 
 
 In regard to the nerve tonics supplied through retailers, 
 it will be seen that some of these consist of a few simple and 
 commonplace drugs, the cost of which is almost negligible 
 compared to the price charged. Others, which have only 
 recently appeared on the market, appear to be based at 
 least in regard to the wording of the advertisements on the 
 orchitic fluid suggested by the late Dr. Brown- Sequard, and 
 a good deal of play is made with a few terms having a 
 scientific appearance, but serving as, for example, "the 
 red corpuscles or phagocytes," and "a vital extract 
 (CaHsNi) " only to display to anyone understanding them 
 the ignorance of the advertiser. The last of the articles 
 dealt with has been very extensively advertised as a " brain 
 and nerve food " ; our advertisement shows that the daily 
 dose of this preparation, costing ninepence, represents about 
 a teaspoonful of beaten-up egg and a wineglassful of skim 
 milk. 
 
 PHOSFERINE. 
 
 This widely-advertised preparation is supplied at Is. l^d. and 
 2s. 9d. by a limited company in London. A Is. l|d. bottle 
 was found to contain 2 fluid drachms, and a 2s. 9d. bottle just 
 over 1 fluid ounce. 
 
 Phosferine is described in an advertisement as 
 The Greatest of all Tonics. 
 
 A Proven Remedy for 
 
 Nervous Debility, Influenza, Indigestion, Sleeplessness, Exhaustion, 
 Neuralgia, Maternity Weakness, Premature Decay, Mental Exhaustion, 
 Loss of Appetite, Lassitude, Neuritis, Faintness, Brain Fag, Anaemia, 
 Backache, Rheumatism, Headache, Hysteria, Sciatica, and disorders con- 
 sequent upon a reduced state of the nervous system.
 
 46 
 
 In a circular enclosed in the package it is stated that 
 
 Phosferine is a potent strengthening medicine, withal gentle in its action 
 and perfectly harmless ; being akin to gastric juice, it rests and restores 
 the digestive organs and regulates the bowels to normal action. 
 
 The public cannot be too strongly warned against the many purging 
 medicines advertised for indigestion, etc., which are not only a fruitful 
 source of piles, but injure the coating of the stomach and sap the very 
 gastric juice Nature is straining herself to supply. 
 
 Unlike other tonic medicines, Phosferine does not injure the teeth or 
 upset the stomach and cause constipation ; on the contrary, it will be 
 found beneficial in these conditions. 
 
 Phosferine may be taken at all times with benefit ; there is no possible 
 objection to its continued use either as an appetiser or a general strengthen- 
 ing and nerve remedy. 
 
 Somewhat varying directions are given as to the quantity 
 to be taken for different ailments, the dose being stated as from 
 five to ten drops, to be taken from twice to four times a day. 
 
 Analysis showed the presence of alcohol, quinine, phosphoric 
 acid, and a little sulphuric acid; a trace of sodium salt was 
 found, but this was probably an accidental impurity in the 
 phosphoric acid; no other ingredient could be detected. Ex- 
 pressing the acids as the dilute acids of the British Pharma- 
 copoeia, and the quinine as the ordinary official sulphate, the 
 formula arrived at is 
 
 Quinine sulphate 0.67 part 
 
 Diluted sulphuric acid 2.5 parts by measure 
 
 Diluted phosphoric acid 54.6 ,, 
 
 Alcohol 8.1 
 
 Water, to 100 
 
 The estimated cost of the ingredients for 1 fluid ounce (2s. 9d. 
 bottle) is |d. 
 
 GUY'S TONIC. 
 
 This is a liquid prepared by a London firm; a bottle priced 
 Is. l|d. contained 6 fluid ounces. In a circular enclosed in the 
 package it is stated that : 
 
 Guy's Tonic is a rich Cordial prepared from Vegetable Tinctures and 
 other curative agents found in the British Pharmacopoeia. . . . Guy's 
 Tonic is not put forward as a Remedy for "all the ills to which flesh is 
 heir," for no such thing as a "Cure-all" exists. It is, however, confi- 
 dently recommended for the specific Ailments enumerated. . . . The 
 use of Guy's Tonic will be attended with the happiest results in : 
 
 1. Disorders of the Digestive System : Dyspepsia. Heartburn, Loss of 
 Appetite, Pain after Food, Flatulence or Wind, a sensation of Nausea
 
 47 
 
 (Sickness), Furred or white-coated Tongue, unpleasant Breath, disagree- 
 able Taste in the Mouth, Drowsiness after Eating, a feeling of weight or 
 discomfort in the Chest, palpitation of the Heart, shortness of Breath, 
 and Acidity of the Stomach. 
 
 2. Functional Derangements of the Liver : Sluggishness, Congestion, 
 Constipation, Biliousness, Despondency, Dizziness, Sallowness of the Com- 
 plexion, Blotches on the Skin, dull pains between the Shoulders, variable 
 Appetite, Headache, disturbed Sleep, Lassitude, and Irritability. 
 
 3. Disorders of the Blood : Anaemia, Emaciation, Paleness, Weariness, 
 and Disorders dependent upon a Vitiated or Impoverished condition of the 
 Vital Fluid. 
 
 4. Nervous Maladies : Neuralgia, Nervousness, Hysteria, Giddiness, 
 Alcoholism, disturbed Sleep, unpleasant Dreams, confused Thoughts, lack 
 of Confidence, Loss of Memory, Depression, Melancholy, Exhaustion, 
 Languor, and affections due to Malnutrition of the Brain and Spinal Cord. 
 
 5. General Diseases : Gout, Rheumatism, Rheumatic Gout, Lumbago, 
 and Disorders characterised by Perverted Nutrition and Lack of Vital 
 Force. 
 
 6. Convalescence from Acute Diseases: also in cases of recovery from 
 Influenza, Fevers, Bronchitis, and other exhausting Diseases, and in 
 General Debility and Prostration from whatever cause arising. 
 
 The dose is stated on the label to be : 
 
 For adults, one tablespoonful. Under 9 years, one dessertspoonful. 
 Under 2 years, one teaspoonful. 
 
 Analysis showed it to contain small quantities of hydro- 
 chloric and phosphoric acids, alcohol, bitter and aromatic sub- 
 stances and colouring matter, and a trace of chloroform. No 
 alkaloid was present; the bitter and aromatic substances pre- 
 sent in very small amount agreed well with those of the official 
 compound infusion of gentian ; the behaviour of the colouring 
 matter indicated that it was cochineal. The quantities of the 
 two acids and the alcohol were determined, and the amounts of 
 the other ingredients estimated by methods of comparison. The 
 following formula gives an exactly similar mixture : 
 
 Diluted hydrochloric acid 0.59 parts by measure 
 
 Diluted phosphoric acid 0.52 ,, 
 
 Alcohol 2.27 
 
 Compound infusion of gentian 40 ,, ., 
 
 Chloroform water 50 ,, ,, 
 
 Cochineal colouring a sufficiency 
 
 Water, to 100 parts by measure 
 
 The estimated cost of the ingredients of 6 fluid ounces is $d.
 
 VITAE ORE. 
 
 The article sold under this name is supplied by a limited 
 company in London, price 4s. 6d. per package. 
 
 An offer to send a package, containing sufficient for one 
 month, to be paid for only if benefit is received, is largely 
 advertised. The advertisement usually includes an illustration 
 of a man's head, said to represent " Prof. Theo. Noel," de- 
 scribed as " the well-known geologist." The following are 
 extracts from one of these advertisements : 
 
 I discovered by accident the dried residue of the greatest curative 
 spring in the world. It seemed worth while to try whether this, when 
 redissolved, would have mineral spring virtues. The results astonished 
 me and those who experienced them. The spring was a marvel far ex- 
 ceeding anything that Homburg, Harrogate, Aix, Bath, or any other spa 
 can show. Some untraceable element defying the chemist's analysis is it 
 Radium? enters into the rock. Whatever the element may be, its effect 
 can be distinctly felt when the drink made from this deposit, which I 
 call Vitae Ore, or "life-rock," is taken as a beverage. Those who use 
 it say that it gives a degree of buoyant, cheerful energy, which they never, 
 perhaps, experienced before. 
 
 Everyone knows a few people with health and vigour to spare the men 
 whose breezy personality carries all before it, so that no one can resist 
 them ; the women whose warm bloom and feminine grace capture all hearts. 
 Well, Vitae Ore will give these things to ALL, if used as I will tell you 
 how to use it. No artificial drug enters into it. No artificial drug can 
 rival its effects. 
 
 Whether you are well or ill strong or weak Vitae Ore will give you 
 
 new life. Under its influence Nature herself cures 
 
 Rheumatism Dropsy Constipation 
 
 Sciatica Catarrh Nervous 
 
 Gout Indigestion Exhaustion 
 
 Ancemia 
 
 and all Liver, Blood, and Stomach Diseases. . . . 
 
 Its effect in giving new vigour and nerve-force to people of mere ordinary 
 health, turning them into noticeably and radiantly strong men and women, 
 makes it worth using in every case. . . . 
 
 How to use Vitae Ore. 
 
 Vitae Ore comes to you as a 'box of powder. You simply 
 dissolve it in a pint of cold water, and of this mixture drink 
 a teaspoonful in a half-tumbler of water three times a day, and 
 at bedtime, for a month. In a few days, a week, or later, according to 
 your present condition, you will begin to notice greater strength, better 
 digestion, higher spirits, a clearer complexion, a healthier appetite. These 
 are the effects of the new vitality in Vitae Ore.
 
 A 4s. 6d. package contained 137 grains of the substance; 
 analysis showed it to contain a slightly basic but soluble iron 
 sulphate, magnesium sulphate, and combined water; the quan- 
 tity of each constituent was determined and found to be as 
 follows : 
 
 Ferric oxysulphate, calculated as anhydrous 47.57 per cent. 
 
 Magnesium sulphate, calculated as anhydrous ... 15.89 ,, 
 Water, in combination 36.54 ,, 
 
 No other substance was detected. The iron, magnesium, 
 sulphate, and water were all determined separately, and, as 
 the figures add up to 100.00 per cent., not much is left for 
 "some untraceable element defying the chemist's analysis." 
 If the directions, quoted above, are followed, each dose would 
 contain : 
 
 Iron oxysulphate, anhydrous 0.47 grain. 
 
 Magnesium sulphate, anhydrous 0.15 ,, 
 
 The estimated cost of the ingredients contained in one pack- 
 age is about one-eighth of a penny. 
 
 COCAPHOS. 
 
 This preparation is supplied by a firm in London. A box 
 priced 4s. 6d. contained 94 tablets. 
 
 The following extracts are from an advertisement in a maga- 
 zine-: 
 
 Gavin's " Cocaphos " Puts New Life Into You. . . . You cannot 
 do your work if you are in a nervous state ; the worry and stress of modern 
 life tells on the best of constitutions. Many fly to stimulants and find 
 temporary relief, but as there is always reaction, they find it necessary 
 to continue taking them, and thus a bad habit is formed. When you feel 
 run down and need energy and go the finest thing to take to brace you up 
 and allow you to make the most of your opportunities, to remove that tired 
 feeling, and to build up your nervous system is " COCAPHOS." This is 
 composed of the finest ingredients for the purpose, acknowledged bj the 
 Medical Profession to be a fine recuperative tonic. 
 
 The dose is given on the label as " One tablet after each 
 meal."
 
 50 
 
 The tablets were sugar-coated, and coloured red externally ; 
 after removal of the coating the average weight was 3.9 grains. 
 Analysis showed the presence of: 
 
 In one tablet. 
 
 Iron hypophosphite 20 per cent. ... 0.78 grain. 
 
 Quinine sulphate 2.8 ... 0.10 
 
 Extract (probably damiana) about 50 ... 2 grains. 
 
 Sugar 
 
 Talc 11 
 
 The extract agreed in characters and tests with extract of 
 damiana; it was not possible to determine exactly how much 
 was present. The name of the article appears to imply that a 
 preparation of coca is present; no evidence was obtained of 
 any, but a small proportion of extract of coca, if present, could 
 not be identified in the presence of the extract of damiana. 
 
 The estimated cost of ingredients for 94 tablets is 8Jd. The 
 most costly ingredient is the extract of damiana, which is also 
 the least certain in quantity; probably the figure given is a 
 liberal estimate. 
 
 DAMAROIDS. 
 
 The tablets sold under the name " Damaroids " are supplied 
 by a limited company in London at 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d. per box. 
 A 2s. 9d. box contained 36 tablets. 
 
 "Damaroids" are thus described in an advertisement: 
 
 They are a Safe and Sure Cure of General Weakness, Physical Decay, 
 and Loss of Nerve Power, Varicocele, etc., etc. They are a Unique and 
 Wonderful Specific for men. Effectually Restore Lost Vitality and 
 Stamina, counteract result of late hours, etc. " Damaroids " is The True 
 Nervo-Spinal Tonic, the Safest and most effective medicine yet introduced 
 for nervous and all exhausting diseases. 
 
 They have cured thousands of cases and they Do cure. 
 
 On the label they are described as : 
 
 A Safe and Sure Remedy for General Weakness, Spinal Exhaustion, 
 Neurasthenia, Physical Decay, and Loss of Nerve Power. 
 
 Directions : One to be swallowed three times a day, after meals. 
 
 The tablets were sugar-coated and coloured red externally ; 
 after removal of the coating they had an average weight of 
 3.9 grains. They exactly resembled the tablets just described
 
 51 
 
 as " Cocaphos " and showed the same composition, with some 
 difference in the proportions of the ingredients. The figures 
 arrived at are: 
 
 In one tablet. 
 
 Iron hypophosphite 14.2 per cent. ... 0.55 grain. 
 
 Quinine sulphate 3.4 ,, ... 0.13 
 
 Extract (probably damiana) about 50 ,, ... 2 grains. 
 
 Sugar 
 
 Talc 16 
 
 The same remarks apply here as in the preceding case, and 
 the cost would be approximately the same, about 3d. for the 
 ingredients of 36 tablets. 
 
 INVIGOROIDS. 
 
 The tablets sold under the name Invigoroids are supplied 
 from an address in Yorkshire at 2s. 9d. per box containing 54 
 tablets. 
 
 They are thus described in a circular : 
 
 Invigoroids are a pure and powerful nerve and organic tonic and food, 
 designed to replace (at a reasonable price) the highly priced and pernicious 
 remedies that are so common. With results much more beneficial and yet 
 with no evil after-effects, Invigoroids are worth their weight in gold to 
 suffering, sorrowful men, and are regularly prescribed by leading 
 specialists. Invigoroids create blood, nerve force and energy. Fill weak 
 and worn-out men with healthy life and rampant vigour. Make existence 
 a perfect pleasure, and render the system disease-proof and capable of 
 sustaining prolonged exertion in any form. 
 
 The only Cure for Impotence in Men. . . . 
 
 We Speak to You If your complaint is amongst the following : Back 
 Pains, Brain Fag, Dejection, General Weakness, Head Pains, Hysteria, 
 Impotence, Loss of Flesh, Lost Vitality, Nerve Paralysis, Nervous 
 Debility, Senile Decay, Unnatural Forebodings, Weakness of Generative 
 Organs, etc. 
 
 In a newspaper advertisement it is stated that : 
 Invigoroids contain free phosphorus (nerve and brain food) and rare 
 herbal blood and flesh-forming specifics. 
 
 The directions on the label were : ' ' Take one three times 
 daily." The label was printed, " Take two, twice or three 
 times daily," but this was altered in ink, not very clearly, tx> 
 the preceding. 
 
 The tablets were sugar-coated and coloured red externally ; 
 after removal of the coating they had an average weight of
 
 2 8 grains. Analysis showed the presence of asafcetida, ferrous 
 carbonate, zinc phosphide, strychnine, brucine, and sugar of 
 milk. The alkaloids were probably added in the form of ex- 
 tract of nux vomica, and the amount of this is calculated from 
 the proportion of alkaloids found ; the asafcetida was estimated 
 from the proportion of resin found. The results of tests for 
 the zinc phosphide were somewhat obscured by the other sub- 
 stances present; the amount was calculated from the propor- 
 tion of zinc found. The ferrous carbonate is calculated as the 
 official saccharated carbonate. The formula so arrived' at is : 
 
 In One Tablet. 
 
 Extract of nux vomica 1-0 per cent. ... 0.028 grain. 
 
 Zinc phosphide 2.4 ... 0.067 
 
 Saccharated carbonate of iron ... 18.0 ,, ... 0.50 
 
 Asafcetida 9-0 :.. 0.25 
 
 Sugar of milk. 
 
 The package was not labelled " Poison," although it would 
 appear to come within the schedule of the Poisons and Phar- 
 macy Act. 
 
 The estimated cost of the ingredients for fifty-four tablets 
 
 DR. MORGAN'S RADIO-VIMETTES. 
 
 This preparation is supplied by a limited company in London 
 at 2s. 9d. per box, containing 20 pills. They are advertised 
 in the following terms : 
 
 Proved by thousands to be unsurpassed in restoring lost vitality and 
 strength in all cases of Debility, Nervous Exhaustion, Lost Vitality, 
 Varicocele, and all Diseases of the Blood, Nerves, and Brain. Not a quack 
 remedy, but compounded from the Private prescription of a celebrated 
 Doctor. 
 
 A supply was obtained by post, and a few days later a letter 
 was received from the makers as follows : 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 We sent you a week ago a course of Dr. Morgan's " Radio- 
 Vimettes," and as in every case in which these are snt, we take, not 
 merely an interest to sell the Vimettes, but a genuine interest in your 
 ailment and its cure, we are writing now to know just what benefit has 
 accrued from the course of treatment you have had. 
 
 If your case is a mild one we have no doubt that by this time your nerves 
 are strengthened, your energy restored and your general vitality and 
 health renewed, and it only remains for us to say how glad we are that the 
 Vimettes have once more vindicated their claim to supremacy.
 
 53 
 
 If, on the other hand, you had not regarded the first signs of disease and 
 wrote us only when nature positively demanded relief from suffering we 
 know that you cannot possibly be ENTIRELY CURED, and if such is your 
 ailment, our interest in its eradication still continues firm. For all such 
 ailments our primary desire is to relieve, and should you still be suffering 
 we beg you to let us know AT ONCE, not merely saying " I am not cured," 
 but by writing a quiet, friendly letter saying just how you feel, giving 
 particulars of your case, the cause and the result. Direct this to " The 
 Specialist " marked " Private," and it will then be read only by him, 
 regarded by him as most strictly confidential and, if desired, returned to 
 you. Enclose a stamp for return postage and you will then obtain full 
 advice on your case FREE OF ALL CHARGE, and we sincerely trust that by so 
 writing health, strength, and vitality may be yours again. 
 
 A leaflet was enclosed on " Special Courses of Radio -Vimette 
 Treatment," from which it appears that there are three such 
 courses, referred to as: "No. 1. Neurasthenic; No. 2. 
 Urinary; No. 3. Impotence." 
 
 The Courses of Treatment in each case enumerated above are put up in 
 two forms, the supply being sufficient approximately for one month's 
 treatment. 
 
 No. 1. SPECIAL STRENGTH for mild cases, 11s. per Course, Carriage Paid. 
 
 No. 2. CONCENTRATED for severe cases and cases of long standing, 21s. 
 per Course, Carriage Paid. 
 
 The best advice of the Specialist is at the services of every Patient free 
 of all charge, and in every case correspondence is treated in the strictest 
 confidence. 
 
 A list of questions to be answered was also sent. 
 
 The dose is given, in a circular of " General Directions," as 
 follows : 
 
 The Ordinary Strength Radio-Vimettes will be found sufficiently power- 
 ful for all mild cases of Nerve trouble, such as NERVOUS DYSPEPSIA, 
 HEADACHES, etc. 
 
 For these troubles One Radio-Vimette should be taken night and 
 morning after meals. 
 
 The pills were ovoid in shape, sugar-coated, and coloured 
 purple externally. After removal of the coating they had an 
 average weight of 3.7 grains. Analysis showed the presence of 
 free phosphorus, reduced iron, quinine sulphate, and excipient. 
 The amounts found were : 
 
 In One Pill. 
 
 Reduced iron : 70 per cent. ... 2.6 grains. 
 
 Quinine sulphate 11.8 ,, ... 0.44 grain. 
 
 Phosphorus 0.13 ... 0.005 
 
 The estimated cost of the ingredients for twenty pills is d.
 
 54 
 GORDON'S VITAL SEXUALINE RESTORATIVE. 
 
 This preparation and a number of others are supplied by a 
 firm in a Yorkshire town. The price of this " restorative " is 
 22s. per bottle, holding 21 fluid ounces. 
 
 The usual advertisement is of a pamphlet called " Strength, 
 How Lost, How Regained," which is thus referred to: 
 
 Interesting and instructive remarks to young and middle-aged men on 
 " How to Preserve Strength and Eetain the Powers." A Brief Treatise 
 on Nervous Exhaustion, Loss of Strength, and Debiltiy in Men. This 
 book not only contains valuable remarks on how to preserve Strength and 
 retain the Powers to an advanced age, but points out the beet means of 
 restoring Exhausted Vitality, Poverty of Nerve Force, Mental Depression, 
 and will especially interest those who wish to create Vitality, increase 
 Nerve Stamina, renew the Vital Forces, or fit themselves for business, 
 study, or marriage. 
 
 The pamphlet is further entitled : 
 
 " A Confidential Treatise on Nervous Exhaustion, Spermatorrhoea, Vari- 
 cocele, Generative Weakness, Debility, Special Diseases and Urinary 
 Derangements in Men, THEIR CAUSE AND CURE, By Concentrated Herbal 
 Remedies. A Popular, Practical, and Moral Exposition of Some of the 
 Fundamental Problems of Sociology. By Charles Gordon, P.M.B." 
 
 " P.M.B.," it may be noted, does not represent any known 
 medical qualification, but is of unknown signification, and is 
 probably intended to suggest to the ignorant some sort of 
 medical degree. 
 
 It is a booklet of 43 pages, with sections on Onanism, Sper- 
 matorrhoea, Marriage, Varicocele, Impotence, Gonorrhoea, 
 Gleet, Syphilis, etc. An " advice form " was also sent, con- 
 taining a list of questions to be answered by those desiring 
 medicine. 
 
 A price list gives the prices of the following : Vital Sexualine 
 Restorative (described as '" for Onanism, Night Emissions, 
 Seminal Losses, Waste of Vitality, Brain Fag, Depression, 
 General Weakness, Loss of Energy, Nervous Debility, Sperma- 
 torrhoea, and Varicocele "), Viro-Erectile Elixir, Anti- Syphilitic 
 Mixture, Bubo Compound, Gleet Compound, Gonorrhceal Mix- 
 ture, and Gravolene, all at 22s. per bottle, and Gentiana Tonic 
 and Varixolene Liniment, at 11s. per bottle. 
 
 On the label of the " Vital Sexualine " it is called: 
 The Great Nerve Restorative, Brain Fertilizer, and Vital Tonic. Feeds, 
 Strengthens, and Sustains the Nerves, prevents Losses and waste of
 
 55 
 
 Vitality, Creates Nervous Fluid, Brain Matter and Nerve lorce. 
 Brightens the intellect, improves the memory and mental faculties, restores 
 strength, and promotes a renewal of life in the entire system. A proven 
 remedy for all weakened conditions of the system dependent upon the 
 deficiency of the vital forces. 
 
 Permanently Cures Neurasthenia, Nervous Breakdown, Brain Fag, 
 Depression, Loss of Energy, Sleeplessness, Nervous Headache, Melan- 
 cholia, Trembling, Poverty of Nerve Force, Nervous Prostration, General 
 Weakness, Loss of Strength, Exhausted Vitality, Premature Decay, Brain 
 Wreckage, Neuralgia, Nerve Tire, etc. 
 
 Dose. One small teaspoonful in a wineglassful of cold water three 
 times a day, immediately after meals. 
 
 The liquid was reddish-brown in colour, and syrupy. Analysis 
 showed it to contain : 
 
 In One Dose. 
 
 Iron hypophosphite 0.50 part ... 0.27 grains. 
 
 Calcium hypophosphite 0.50 ... 0.27 ,, 
 
 Sodium hypophosphite 0.60 ... 0.32 
 
 Potassium hypophosphite 0.14 ,, ... 0.07 ,, 
 
 Quinine sulphate 0.50 ... 0.27 
 
 Citric acid 0.90 ... 0.48 
 
 Sugar (approx.) 51 parts 
 
 Glycerine ,, 36 parts by measure 
 
 Colouring matter 
 
 Water to 100 
 
 Metallic hypophosphites are not generally considered to be 
 "concentrated herbal remedies." 
 
 The estimated cost of the ingredients for 21 fluid ounces is 
 10|d. 
 
 THE MARSTON TREATMENT. 
 
 This is supplied by a firm in London, and is advertised as 
 f ollowe : 
 
 EVERY MAN 
 
 Suffering from GENERAL and PHYSICAL DEBILITY should send for a 
 Valuable Pamphlet explaining how all Nervous and Organic Derangement 
 may be successfully treated without stomach medication. The method 
 is easy and pleasant, and will effect a perfect and permanent cure. Sent 
 in a plain sealed envelope post free 2 stamps. 
 
 Application to the address given brought a paper-covered 
 book of seventy-two pages, entitled A Treatise on the Modern 
 Treatment of Nervous Diseases and Exhaustion in Men by
 
 56 
 
 Local Absorption, the scope of which is indicated by the follow- 
 ing extracts : 
 
 The object of this treatise is to describe, in as clear and simple a 
 manner as possible, for the non-professional reader, the various diseases 
 and affection* resulting in the nervous and sexual systems from the indul- 
 gence of early pernicious habits, excessive venery, fast living, and other 
 irregularities, the product of our modern civilisation. . . . 
 
 In issuing this edition of our treatise on NERVOUS DISEASES, we desire 
 especially to point out that ours is not an empirical or secret treatment, 
 nor do we use merely one single preparation and designate it a cure-all 
 and panacea for every variety of disease. On the contrary, the Remedies 
 used are varied, and such as long experience in the treatment of Nervous 
 and Sexual ailments have proved to be the most valuable in their cure. 
 Our object is to prescribe the course necessary to be taken to ensure the 
 result expected or hoped for ; we claim no new or occult discoveries in 
 the domain of Medicine or Pharmacy, but we do claim that our method of 
 combining medicinal drugs, in the form of a suppository and applying 
 them directly to the immediate locality of the diseases described in this 
 treatise, is not only more successful in its results but is more effectual 
 and rational than purely stomach drugging for nervous Diseases allied 
 with sexual troubles. 
 
 The book was accompanied by various other papers, and a 
 letter from which the following extracts are taken : 
 
 If for any reason after a perusal of our book you are unable to select 
 the course of treatment necessary, you may give us a full and as clear a 
 statement as possible of your symptoms, and we will submit it to the 
 consulting physician, when such course as will meet the requirements of 
 your case will be prescribed. The treatment can be sent to you by post, 
 together with the necessary medical and hygienic advice suitable for your 
 case. 
 
 Should you still have any doubt as to the advantages of rectal treat- 
 ment in your case, possibly owing to some complication that does not 
 enter within the scope of our treatise, we shall be glad to hear from you, 
 and any letters will be treated in the fullest confidence. Consultation 
 personally or by letter free of charge. 
 
 In a subsequent letter the following occurs: 
 
 We are well aware that there are firms in existence which treat ner- 
 vous debility on similar lines to our own, but we again emphatically claim 
 and challenge all rivals to contradict the fact, viz., that we are the 
 oldest established advertising medical business, and that we were the first 
 to originate the Rectal Method for the cure of Nervous and Sexual 
 Diseases. 
 
 From the papers sent it appears that five kinds of treatment 
 are supplied, as follows : 
 
 Graded Course for the cure of Seminal Losses, Spermatorrhoea, etc.
 
 57 
 
 Impotence Course for the cure of Impotence, Loss of Sexual Vigour, 
 Erectile Power, etc. 
 
 Urinary and Prostatic Course for all troubles of the Prostate Gland, 
 Bladder, Kidneys, etc. 
 
 Developing Course fox Atrophy or Wasting and Shrinkage of the 
 Organs, etc. 
 
 Neurasthenic or Nervine Tonic Course for General Weakness, Debility, 
 Loss of Memory, Sleeplessness, Melancholy, Despondency, Depression, 
 Neuralgia, Brain Exhaustion, and all those conditions arising from 
 Debility asociated with Nervous Diseases. 
 
 The price of the treatment is the same in all cases, namely, 
 1 Is. for one month's treatment, and 2 2s. for three months' 
 treatment, of any course. 
 
 In a third letter it was stated that 
 
 To convince you of our confidence in our Treatment to effect your cure, 
 we will send you a three months' course of treatment upon receipt of One- 
 Half the Regular Price, namely, 21s., and you need not pay the balance 
 of 21s. unless you are perfectly satisfied with the results. 
 
 A guinea was accordingly sent for a three months' supply of 
 the Nervine Tonic Course ; this elicited a request for answers to 
 the printed questions that were sent, and a sample of urine, for 
 "our Consulting Physician." The question paper was there- 
 fore filled in with particulars of an imaginary case of nocturnal 
 emissions, and sent with a sample of normal healthy urine to 
 which some glycerine and water had been added. Three boxes 
 of suppositories were received, with a letter, of which the 
 principal parts were as follows : 
 
 We have your favour with answers to questions and sample of urine 
 enclosed, and our Consulting Physician has submitted the latter to a 
 careful examination, and we are pleased to inform you that it was found 
 to be of normal specific gravity, and showed no evidence of any organic 
 kidney disease, but an examination of fche urinary debris, together with 
 the statements made in the diagnosis form discloses sufficient evidence 
 to convince us that your nerve and sexual system is very much below 
 par, and in order to bring about your complete restoration to sexual health 
 and strength it will be necessary for you to undergo the treatment our 
 Consulting Physician has prescribed in your case. . . . 
 
 You will therefore see that it is absolutely necessary in your case for 
 you to undergo, in addition to the Tonic Course which you ordered in 
 your previous letter, a three months' treatment of the Graded Course 
 to permanently check all losses either at stool, in your urine, or by nightly 
 emissions, and by this means a reinvigoration of the exhausted seminal 
 secreting organs will be gradually effected. This course could be used 
 every night whilst you are using the Tonic Course every morning . . .
 
 58 
 
 we forward you herewith a three months' treatment of the Tonic Course. 
 . . . Use from box No. 1 the first month, box No. 2 the second month, 
 and box No. 3 the third month. ... If you would like to follow our 
 advice and use the Graded Course at night and will remit the reduced 
 fee of 21s. for the same, the further remedy will be at once prepared 
 and sent you. . . . 
 
 Each box contained 29 suppositories, or 87 in all, having an 
 average weight of 16| grains. All three kinds were found to be 
 similar in composition ; they differed a little in the proportions 
 of the ingredients, but, as the drugs are not soluble in the fat, 
 suppositories of such a composition, if prepared by melting and 
 pouring into moulds, would show such differences in strength 
 as those found, unless prepared in very small quantities and 
 with extreme care. The composition shown by analysis was : 
 
 
 No 
 
 . 1. 
 
 No 
 
 . 2. 
 
 No 
 
 3. 
 
 
 Per 
 Cent. 
 
 Grains 
 in One. 
 
 Per 
 
 Cent. 
 
 Grains 
 in One. 
 
 Per 
 Cent. 
 
 Grains 
 in One. 
 
 Calcium hypophosphite 
 Powdered gentian and pow- 
 dered cinchona bark 
 Oil of tbaobroma 
 
 C-4 
 
 2-1 
 97'5 
 
 0-07 
 0-35 
 
 0-3 
 
 3-7 
 
 96 '0 
 
 0-05 
 0-61 
 
 0-3 
 
 2-7 
 97'0 
 
 0-05 
 
 0-45 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The two vegetable drugs could not, of course, be determined 
 separately ; they appeared to be present in something like equal 
 quantities. 
 
 The estimated cost of the ingredients for the eighty-seven 
 suppositories (ordinary charge 42s.) is 5d. 
 
 MURRAY'S COMBINED TREATMENT. 
 
 This " treatment," which has so great a resemblance in many 
 respects to the preceding as to suggest that it can hardly be 
 merely accidental, is supplied by another London firm. 
 
 It is advertised as follows: 
 
 BOON TO MAN. 
 
 All Men suffering from Nervous Exhaustion, Physical Debility, and all 
 Allied Troubles, should send for my Illustrated Book, fully describing 
 Symptoms, together with most modern scientific method of cure, including 
 hundreds of testimonials of complete cures. No Trusses. No Electricity. 
 Sent sealed Post free two stamps. 
 
 On application to the address given two paper books and a 
 small pamphlet were sent. The first entitled The Combined
 
 Stomach and Rectal Treatment for the Permanent Cure of 
 Nervous Debility and Sexual Diseases, including Sper- 
 matorrhoea, Impotence, and other Disorders, resulting from these 
 Conditions, is a booklet of eighty-four pages, from which some 
 extracts are given below ; the second is a booklet of forty pages, 
 entitled Varicocele: Its Symptoms and Cure; and the pamphlet, 
 of eight pages, is entitled A Treatise on Venereal Diseases 
 Gonorrhoea, Gleet, Stricture, etc. 
 
 The "Treatment" is thus explained: 
 
 The present therapeutic methods of treating Nervous Debility may be 
 described as three distinct systems, viz. : Treatment by the Stomach 
 alone, Treatment by Local Absorption, through the means of the Rectum 
 or opening of the lower bowel, and >tihe Murray system of combined Rectal 
 and Stomach Treatment. 
 
 The two former methods used separately Have proved of considerable 
 advantage in removing some of the distressing symptoms of this disease, 
 but the successful cure of Nervous Debility, needless to say, depends upon 
 the cure and removal of every symptom associated with the disease. . . . 
 This result is effected by "Murray's Treatment," which has received the 
 appellation " Combined " from its peculiar means of administration. It 
 comprises two forms of treatment. The first consisting of prescribed 
 remedies taken by means of the stomach. . . . The second form 
 . . . . is that of a Rectal Suppository. 
 
 The books were accompanied by various papers and a letter 
 of the usual type, which was followed at intervals by others, 
 in one of which it was stated that: 
 
 It is always the earnest endeavour of my Consulting Physician to carry 
 out to a successful issue the many cases that come under our care, and I 
 am glad to say that the results 'have in no way contradicted my claims as 
 to this satisfactory issue. 
 
 In all cases that are submitted to my opinion, it is honestly given after 
 consulting -with my Physician, and in no case do we encourage or give 
 hopes of a successful cure in those chronic cases which sometimes do not 
 yield to treatment. 
 
 From the book it appears that five "courses " are supplied 
 namely : 
 
 The Nervine Tonic and Brain Food Course. 
 The Seminal Course. 
 The Impotence Course. 
 The Genito-Urinary Course. 
 The Atrophy Course. 
 
 From a long and varied experience in the treatment of Nervous Debility 
 my Physician and myself find it very requisite that three months' treat- 
 ment should be prescribed in order to bring about a thorough and complete 
 cure. 
 
 The fee for a three months' Treatment is 2 2s. 
 The fee for a month's Treatment is 1 Is.
 
 60 
 
 No order having been sent, a further letter was received, 
 containing the following offer : 
 
 . - . . . I shall be most happy to make such reduction in the cost of 
 the treatment as I hope will adapt itself to youi means ; and to show you 
 the confidence I 'have in the value and benefits of my method of cure, I 
 am willing to meet you in the matter of payment, and would suggest your 
 paying me, say, 20s. for a three months' course, and the balance of 22s. 
 I shall only expect or look for, provided that you are perfectly satisfied 
 with the results obtained from its use. 
 
 Twenty shillings was then sent for the " Nervine Course," and 
 brought a request for answers to the questions on a sheet 
 forwarded, and a sample of urine. The questions were answered 
 in the same way as for the Marston Treatment (above), and a 
 sample of the same mixture of urine, glycerine, and water was 
 sent. Not only was the result the same, that is, a discovery 
 that an additional course at an additional fee was necessary, 
 but it was conveyed in very similar words: 
 
 It is evident that your case is more complicated than your first letter 
 indicated, and from the full particulars to hand, together with result of 
 examination of urine, your case needs in addition to the Nervine Tonic 
 Course a Special Seminal Course to permanently check all seminal losses, 
 whether at stool, in the urine, nightly or otherwise, and it will strengthen 
 the now weakened seminal secreting ducts. This extra Course would have 
 to be used in the morning, and in conjunction with the night Course they 
 will act in harmony with each other and attack every symptom of your 
 case. ... I shall be pleased to let you have this extra Course on the 
 same reduced terms, viz., 20s., and upon receipt of this amount it will 
 immediately be prepared and sent you with full directions, and I trust 
 you will see your way clear to order the same at once so that they may be 
 used conjointly. 
 
 The preparations sent consisted of three boxes of gelatine 
 perles (called " gelatinoids ") marked " No. 1," " No. 2," and 
 " No. 3," each box containing 10, and three boxes of supposi- 
 tories, similarly marked, each containing 30. It was explained 
 that: 
 
 I am only sending you the first month's gelatinoids, as it may be neces- 
 sary to modify these next month. 
 
 The general directions were to use a suppository 
 
 from box No. 1 first day, box No. 2 second day, and box No. 3 third day, 
 recommencing with box No. 1 again on fourth day, and so on in this order 
 day after day. The Stomach Gelatinoids are to be swallowed and in same 
 alternative order as Rectal Treatment. 
 
 The directions on the gelatinoids were ' ' Take one every morning 
 after breakfast."
 
 6.1 
 
 Gelatinoids No. 1. 
 
 Each contained 0.75 grain of quinine sulphate, partly 
 dehydrated, equivalent to 0.84 grain of the B. P. salt. No other 
 substance was present. 
 
 Gelatinoids No. 2. 
 
 The contents of one had an average weight of 1.35 grains, 
 and contained : 
 
 Ferrous phosphate (Pe 3 2P0 4 ,8H 2 0) , 26 per cent. 
 
 Quinine phosphate (Q 2 H 3 PO 4 ,8H.,O) 35 
 
 Strychnine. 
 
 Talc 11 
 
 Milk-sugar. 
 
 The strychnine was only a small proportion of the alkaloid, 
 and the amount of material available did not suffice for its 
 separate determination. 
 
 Gelatinoids No. 3. 
 
 The contents of one had an average weight of 1.66 grains, and 
 consisted of a brown extract agreeing in most characters and 
 tests with extract of damiana. No other ingredient could be 
 detected, but some other extract might have been present, as a 
 mixture of some vegetable extracts could not be separated with 
 suoh a small quantity as was available. 
 
 The estimated cost of the ingredients of the 30 gelatinoids 
 is l|d. 
 
 The Suppositories. 
 
 All the three kinds of suppositories had the same constituents, 
 only showing such email variations in the amounts as would 
 be inevitable in making a large quantity in the usual way; the 
 average weight was 16 grains. Analysis showed the presence of : 
 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 No. 3. 
 
 
 Per 
 
 Grains 
 
 Per 
 
 Grains 
 
 Per 
 
 Grains 
 
 
 cent. 
 
 in One. 
 
 cent. 
 
 in One. 
 
 cent. 
 
 in One. 
 
 Calcium hypophosphite 
 Powdered gentian and pow- 
 dered cinchona bark 
 
 4-05 
 3-90 
 
 0-7 
 06 
 
 3-54 
 4-30 
 
 0-6 
 0-7 
 
 3-70 
 5-30 
 
 0-6 
 
 0-9 
 
 Oil of theobroma 
 
 92-05 
 
 
 92-16 
 
 
 91-00 
 
 
 In the mixture of powdered gentian and cinchona, the former 
 appeared to constitute more than half. 
 
 The estimated cost of the ingredients for 90 suppositories is 
 5|d., and therefore of the entire " combined treatment " 6Jd.
 
 62 
 SEQTJARINE. 
 
 Sequarine is supplied by a firm in London, at the price of 
 8s. a bottle, holding 1 fluid ounce. It is advertised as " The 
 New Serum Cure," and both newspaper advertisements and 
 the descriptive pamphlet sent on application include what is 
 stated to be a portrait of " The Discoverer, Dr. Brown- Sequard, 
 F.R.S." It is stated in the pamphlet that: 
 
 Since the discovery of blood circulation by Harvey there has been no 
 greater addition to the forces of medical science than the strength pro- 
 ducing element discovered by Professor Brown-Sequard, F.R.C.P. (Lon- 
 don), L.L.D. (Cambridge). This element, which is the Serum-Sequarine, 
 has already become an indispensable aid to physicians. . . . The new 
 serum has been given various names, such as " Sequard Fluid " and 
 " Spermine," etc., but the regisitered and generally recognised name of 
 Professor Brown-Sequard's discovery is "Sequarine" a name derived 
 from that of the discoverer himself, thus : Sequar ine. 
 
 Since the general nature of the preparation is thus indicated, 
 it is not altogether a "secret" remedy; but from the way 
 in which it is advertised to the public, and the attempt to 
 identify Brown-Sequard's orchitic fluid (which, of course, is not 
 a serum) with the preparation supplied by this particular firm 
 under a registered trade name, it is fairly to be classed among 
 nostrums. 
 
 The following is an extract from a newspaper advertisement: 
 Nature and Action of the Serum. 
 
 According to leading physicians the nature of Sequarine and the manner 
 of action on the human organism in curing disease may be briefly sum- 
 marised as follows : 
 
 Within every animal body there exists a " power of disease resistance," 
 the principle of " natural immunity " ; this power resists Ithe entrance of 
 any disease into the body, and if it is of normal strength readily repels 
 the disease even after it has gained entrance. In treating disease doctors 
 are aided greatly by the principle of "natural immunity." The homoeo- 
 paths rely on it almost entirely and in a great many instances drugs 
 get the credit for a cure when vital resistance has really effected it. The 
 greatest scientists have always been baffled in their endeavours to discover 
 the element or force which is the basis of this peculiar power. In his 
 search for this element Professor Brown-Sequard discovered that there 
 exists in the blood infinitesimal quantities of a fluid which subsequently 
 proved to be the basis of the power of natural immunity from disease. 
 
 This fluid is the serum which has been named Sequarine in his honour.
 
 63 
 
 What Sequarine Cures. 
 
 Sequarine is a cure for any ailment or weakness brought about by lack 
 of nerve power or an accumulation of impurities in any part of the body. 
 
 The attempt to secure the prestige of the name of the late Dr. 
 Brown-Sequard, without stating precisely that he was in any way 
 responsible for the article now sold as Sequarine, is very obvious 
 in a circular letter sent with the pamphlet referred to above, 
 from which the following is an extract: 
 
 Since the introduction of Sequarine into England an ever-increasing 
 number of sufferers have taken this treatment with remarkable success. 
 The name of Dr. Brown-Sequard, L.L.D. (Cambridge), Fellow of the 
 Royal Society and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (London), is 
 a sufficient guarantee of its efficacy. 
 
 The directions on the label are: 
 
 Dose. Adults, 20-30 drops; children, 5-15 drops in half-a-glass of 
 water (soda-water or water which has been previously boiled preferred). 
 
 To be taken three times daily, half-an-hour before meals. 
 
 The liquid contained 35.8 per cent, by volume of alcohol, 
 and a sufficient trace of oil of peppermint to give a flavour ; 
 on evaporation it left 1.9 per cent, of solid residue, of which 
 0.6 was ash principally sodium and potassium phosphates. The 
 nitrogen present was 0.22 per cent., equivalent to 1.4 per cent, 
 of protein, but a small portion of it was present as ammonia, 
 perhaps formed by decomposition of nitrogenous organic 
 matter. The liquid was thus shown to be of the nature of an 
 animal extract, with alcohol ; definite constituents could not, of 
 course, be isolated. 
 
 NEUROVRIL. 
 
 The preparation known as Neurovril is supplied by the 
 Neurovril Company, London. The price is 21s. per bottle, 
 " sufficient for one month," or 7e. 6d. for a smaller bottle, 
 "sufficient for one week." The smaller bottle was found to 
 contain nearly 3 fluid ounces. An advertisement occupying the 
 space of a column in a London daily paper, is headed, in large 
 letters, 
 
 HAS THE ELIXIR OF LIFE BEEN DISCOVERED? 
 Amazing Results of Great Health Discovery announced To-day.
 
 64 
 
 And the first paragraphs are as follows: 
 
 There is announced to-day a mysterious serum, which, whilst according 
 relief in cases of severe illnesses, apparently, from the statements made, 
 actually introduces into the body not a mere stimulating force, but life 
 itself. Although the discovery has been made by a Continental scientist, 
 he has already sent (particulars 'to his confreres all over the world, and so 
 important do British scientists consider this matter, that they are making 
 every effort to place the information at once in the hands of those who 
 are ailing. 
 
 The amazing successes that have attended the application of this won- 
 derful new health discovery have aroused on all hands the question : 
 "Has the Elixir of Life at last been discovered?" 
 
 After much more of the same sort, it continues : 
 
 The new serum is a new food for use in cases of 
 Loss of Memory, Melancholia, 
 
 Headache, Irritability, 
 
 Exhaustion, Slackness, 
 
 Nervous Weakness, Nervous Prostration, 
 
 Brain Fag, Partial Paralysis. 
 
 It is a blood food for use in cases of 
 
 Ansemia, Impoverished Blood, 
 
 Rheumatism, Kidney Troubles, 
 
 Sciatica, Disordered Liver. 
 
 It is a physical food for use in cases of 
 
 Wasting Tissue, Thinness, 
 
 Lack of Muscular Vigour, Aged Appearance, 
 
 Weak Back, Premature Decline. 
 
 The wonderful result after even the first dose will be a delightful sen- 
 sation to those who have long lost the vigour of full manhood or woman- 
 hood. 
 
 A booklet is sent on application, from which the following 
 passages are quoted: 
 
 When it is said that old men and women are made young, that the 
 decrepit take on a new virility, that the yellow-hued cheeks assume the 
 roses of youth, and the worn out brain gains new power to think and 
 control action these are facts beyond all disputing. 
 
 The great new basic serum makes it possible to defy the approach of 
 age, and, better still, enables men and women to come back from the 
 realms of senile decay and continuous illnees to the vigour of perfect man 
 and womanhood. Tissue by tissue, new flesh, new energy-creating cells 
 are formed, and as the basic serum is absorbed into the system, through- 
 out the whole body is carried on a work of rejuvenation. 
 
 Realising the inutility of conducting investigation on stereotyped lines 
 elaborate search was made for a new idea, and in a most singular manner 
 the secret that proved the keynote of our scientist'* success was found 
 His work Involved ceaseless laboratory experiments through the realms 
 of organic chemistry and physiological science, and demanded abnormai 
 patience. . . .
 
 65 
 
 Further experiments proved that the new basic serum not only supplied 
 vitality and strength to the body, but could be prepared in such a way as 
 to prove an anti-toxin, a means of resisting and curing illness .... 
 
 To Bay that Neurovril contains protoplasmic life is no rash assertion ; 
 it is a perfectly true statement proven by exhaustive laboratory tests. 
 
 Teeming with millions of life centres, every drop of Neurovril intro- 
 duced into the body effects a wonderful change. The life centres 
 develop and give up their energy to the body 
 
 The following appears on the label : 
 
 Analysis of Active Principle : 
 
 75 per cent, phosphates, immediately assimilable. 
 
 20 ,, albumen, remarkable for creating virility. 
 
 2 ,, carbonate calcic. 
 
 3 water. Total = 100 per cent. 
 
 The directions are: 
 
 Take of Uhis Tonic, regularly, .half of a Neurovril glass (supplied with 
 this bottle) night and morning directly after meals. 
 
 " Half of a neurovril glass " is about 5 fluid drachms. Analysis 
 showed that 100 parts (by measure) of " neurovril " contained 
 18.9 parts (by measure) of alcohol, and gave 19.1 parts of 
 residue on evaporation, of which 18.1 parts consisted of sugar. 
 A trace of oil of cloves was present, giving a slight clove odour, 
 and a faint odour like that of an animal extract in a state of 
 incipient decomposition could also be detected. 
 
 The liquid was slightly turbid, and a trace of fatty substance 
 was present. No appreciable amount of "serum" or other 
 animal substance was present; only the slightest indication of a 
 trace of nitrogenous matter could be detected, this being of the 
 nature of an organic base, and the amount of phosphate was so 
 small that it was doubtful, even with a very delicate test, 
 whether any at all were present. The total ash was 0.03 per 
 cent., and it contained a little lime. The 1 part per 100 fluid 
 parts which was not sugar was probably chiefly glycerine, but a 
 small quantity of glycerine in presence of a large quantity of 
 sugar can hardly be positively identified by examining a reason- 
 able quantity of the material. 
 
 If the "active principle" contains, as stated on the label, 
 75 per cent, of phosphate and 20 per cent, of albumen, it fol- 
 lows from the analysis that only a minute trace of it is present 
 in the liquid, which is practically a mixture of simple syrup and 
 diluted alcohol.
 
 66 
 OSOGEN. 
 
 Osogen is Supplied by a firm in London at 2s. 9d., 7s. 9d., and 
 11s. a bottle. A bottle price 2s. 9d. was found to contain 
 1 fluid ounce, and a bottle price 11s. 5 fluid ounces. 
 
 An advertisement, occupying the space of a column in a 
 London daily paper, is headed : 
 
 MYSTERIOUS SERU-PHOS. Amazing Elemental Combination Startles 
 Scientists. More Effective than the most powerful Serum. 
 
 Some extracts from it are : 
 
 Scientific discussion is at present rife anent a mysterious new combina- 
 tion of organic elements. Some time ago Professor Brown-Sequard, 
 F.R.S., F.R.C.P. (formerly head of Queen Square Hospital, London), 
 discovered a serum (Sequard Fluid) which was used with success in 
 treating various ailments. Another eminent scientist has now discovered 
 that by combining this serum with organic reconstituent elements its 
 curative value is more than doubled. After Professor Brown-Sequard 
 announced his discovery to the Paris Biological Society, Professor Prince 
 Tarkanhov (St. Petersburg) and other scientists began experiments with 
 the serum, and hence the new remedy is a direct product of the labour 
 and learning of some of the greatest scientific men of their age. This 
 seru-phos combination (called Osogen) has been pronounced absolutely 
 certain in curative effect and more swift in a-ction (than the most powerful 
 Berum used alone. Scientists who investigated it were amazed by its 
 wonderful potency, and Physicians, both in London and on the Continent, 
 predict that Osogen will supersede many other forms of treatment 
 
 Osogen is not a secret remedy. It is a vital extract (C-jHsN,), com- 
 bined with organic reconstituent elements (glycerophosphates), all of 
 which are now recognised by the Medical Profession, and appear in 
 Pharmacopoeias throughout the world. One of the ingredients has been 
 called by famous scientists " More powerful than the interchange of 
 blood." The whole is almost an exact replica of the elements which 
 combine to form the human economy. The vital extract increases 
 disease-fighting corpuscles, another constituent forms nerve cells (espe- 
 cially cells of the Spinal Nerves), another forms tissue cells, etc. It* 
 action is restorative in every part of the body, and its use is especially 
 recommended in cases where the serum alone has not effected a thorough 
 cure. 
 
 In a small pamphlet enclosed in the package, " Osogen " is 
 described as 
 
 Serum and Glycerophosphates. A Natural Remedy for Neurasthenia, 
 Nervous Disorders, Brain Fag, General Debility, Araemia, Brigfhit's 
 Diaease, Influenza, Sciatica, Functional Weakness, Loss of Vital Power, 
 Indigestion, Dyspepsia, Rheumatism, Kidney Disease, Dropsy, Diabetes. 
 Asthma, Consumption, Locomotor Ataxy, and Paralysis.
 
 67 
 
 The directions on the label are : 
 
 20 to 30 drops in a wineglass of water after meals three times daily. 
 Children over six : 5 to 15 drops as above. 
 
 Analysis showed the liquid to contain glycerophosphates of 
 iron, magnesium, sodium and quinine, a little alcohol and a 
 trace of chloroform, with glycerine in large quantity. Not 
 more than a trace of nitrogenous matter was present in addition 
 to the quinine, showing that if the mixture contained any of 
 Brown-Sequard's Orchitic Fluid, the amount was very small. 
 Determination' of the quantities of the various ingredients gave 
 the following formula: 
 
 Quinine glycerophosphate 0.75 part 
 
 Iron glycerophosphate 2.14 parts 
 
 Magnesium glycerophosphate 0.77 part 
 
 Sodium glycerophosphate 0.90 ,, 
 
 Spirit of chloroform 3.8 parts by measure 
 
 Glycerine 73 
 
 Water to... ....100 
 
 DR. LECOY'S VIGOROIDS. 
 
 These consisted of sugar-coated tablets, coloured blue exter- 
 nally. After removing the coating, the tablets had an average 
 weight of 2.2 grains. The dose is stated to be two, three times 
 daily. 
 
 Analysis showed them to contain : 
 
 Ferrous phosphate. 
 
 Quinine. 
 
 Strychnine. 
 
 A vegetable extract. 
 
 Sugar. 
 
 Starch. 
 
 Talc. 
 
 The ferrous phosphate, calculated as Fe 3 (PO 4 ) 2 8BUO, from 
 the iron found, was 8.7 per cent., or 0.19 grain in each tablet. 
 The quinine and strychnine together amounted to 4.35 per cent., 
 or 0.09 grain in one tablet; the strychnine was clearly not more 
 than one- twentieth of the total alkaloid (= 0.005 grain in one 
 tablet), but it was not possible to determine the amount exactly 
 on the quantity available. The vegetable extract showed no 
 well-marked properties by which it could be identified; the 
 amount was small, the sugar constituting the largest part of the 
 tablet.
 
 ANTINEURASTHIN, A BRAIN AND NERVE FOOD. 
 
 Readers of daily or weekly papers or magazines who allow 
 their eyes occasionally to travel over the advertisement pages 
 of these journals can hardly fail to have seen somewhat fre- 
 quently a lengthy advertisement of a preparation called Dr. 
 Hartmann's Antineurasthin. The advertisement is usually 
 headed " The Twentieth Century Disease." This, it appears, is 
 neurasthenia, and the various stages of its manifestations are set 
 out in a sort of table, beginning with " Sensitiveness " and end- 
 ing with " Suicidal Tendency." Antineurasthin, referred to as 
 " this marvellous twentieth century brain and nerve food dis- 
 covery," is put forward as a specific for the cure of neurasthenia : 
 
 Dr. Hartrnann's discovery is one that should personally and very deeply 
 interest braii.- workers in all walks of life. Every day are heard and seen 
 all too serious evidences of the undue strain of their intense work on the 
 vital power of the body. And now, on the highest possible authority, it is 
 heralded that science has proved equal to the stern necessity which 
 demanded the discovery of " Antineurasthin," the brain and nerve food. 
 
 For greater convenience " Antineurasthin " is compressed into small 
 tablets, and although its beneficial effect on the brain and senses is so 
 immediate, yet there is none of the depressing reaction that follows the 
 administration of artificial drug stimulants, " Antineurasthin " being a 
 special brain and nerve nutrient, and not a brain and nerve drug-irritant. 
 No longer need the brain-worker struggle on under the cloud of fear of 
 failing powers of brain and body. He or she may, by including " Anti- 
 neurasthin " as an article vitally necessary in the daily dietary, build up 
 and maintain that perfect balance of mental and physical power which alone 
 can uphold health and happiness. 
 
 It appears that this article was sold in Germany before being 
 introduced here, and it was included in the series of proprietary 
 preparations analysed by Dr. Zernik. According to Zernik's 
 analysis, it consists of dry yolk of egg, milk sugar, a small 
 quantity of starch, dextrin, and an aromatic substance. 
 
 A detailed quantitative analysis of " Antineurasthin " as sold 
 in this country gave the results described below. A 4s. 6d. box 
 contained twenty-four tablets, having an average weight of 
 30i grains each. The directions are: 
 
 To be taken when and as required, particularly before or after great 
 exertions (bodily and mental) ; in all cases of nervous disorders and mental 
 affections, general debility, etc 
 
 Usual dose 3-4 tablets a day between meals. Antineurasthin contains no 
 injurious ingredients, and is therefore absolutely harmless to the most deli- 
 cate, even if taken in large quantities.
 
 Analysis showed the presence of : 
 
 Protein 
 
 
 Fat 
 
 
 Sugar of milk 
 
 32 8 per cent 
 
 Ash 
 
 
 Water 
 
 
 Gum 
 
 
 Aromatic substances ... 
 
 traces. 
 
 Potato starch (by difference) ..................... about 22.0 per cent. 
 
 The material of the tablets is nearly white, with yellow par- 
 ticles like dried egg-yolk distributed through it ; extraction with 
 appropriate solvents proved a fair trace of lecithin to be present ; 
 if the whole of the fat present were derived from egg-yolk it 
 would represent 3.8 per cent, of dried yolk, equivalent to 7.7 per 
 cent, of fresh liquid yolk in the tablets; this accounts for 1.3 
 out of the 26.4 per cent, of protein. Sulphur in organic com- 
 bination was found to be present to the extent of 0.09 per 
 cent. ; sulphur is practically absent from the yolk, but occurs 
 in the white of eggs, and the amount found corresponds to 
 5.4 per cent, of dried, or about 38.6 per cent, of liquid, egg- 
 albumen in the tablet; a further 5.1 out of the 26.4 per cent. 
 of protein is thus accounted for. This leaves 20 per cent, of 
 protein, and this stands in about the same ratio to 32.8 per cent. 
 of milk sugar, and about 5 per cent, of ash (deducting the ash of 
 the egg and gum),' as corresponds to the composition of a dried 
 separated milk. The ash consisted principally of calcium phoa- 
 phate, like the ash of milk. The aromatic substances appeared 
 to include a trace of vanilla and of some other substance that 
 could not be identified ; these are probably added to serve at the 
 same time as flavouring agents and preservatives. 
 
 The starch was seen by the microscope to be very abundant, 
 corresponding in appearance to the amount required by differ- 
 ence. On the above assumptions the composition of the tablets 
 would be approximately: 
 
 Dry yolk of egg ................................................ 3.8 per cent. 
 
 Dry white of egg .............................. ................. 5.4 per cent. 
 
 Dry separated milk .......................................... 57.8 per cent. 
 
 Gum ............................................................... 2.0 per cent. 
 
 Potato starch ................................................... 22.7 per cent 
 
 Moisture ......................................................... 8.3 per cent. 
 
 Aromatic substances .......................................... traces. 
 
 The daily dose of four tablets, or 122 grains, would, according 
 to this formula, contain the equivalent of 10 grains of yolk
 
 70 
 
 and 43 grains of white of egg (not dried); the ratio between 
 these is about the same as exists in an average egg, and the 
 two may be put together and regarded as about a teaspoonful 
 of fresh egg; in addition, the daily dose would represent about 
 2 oz., or a quarter of a tumblerful, of separated milk, and a 
 little starch. 
 
 A GERMAN NOSTRUM. 
 According to Dr. Zernik : 
 
 Dr. J. Schafert's physiological nutrient (nerve) salts for neurasthenia 
 is a preparation made in Barmen. The prospectus states that it is com- 
 posed of glycerine phosphate compound with certain physiological salts, 
 which act on the formation of the red blood corpuscles and improve the 
 circulation generally ; 100 grams of the salts p'i*, up in a glass vessel costs 
 4s. It consists of 40 parts of glycerine phosphate of calcium, 30 parts of 
 glycerine phosphate of sodium, and 20 parts of sodium chloride with a 
 trace of iron.
 
 CHAPTEE IV. 
 
 MEDICINES FOE COUGHS, CONSUMPTION, 
 CATAEEH, ETC. 
 
 The medicines described in this chapter include both old 
 and new nostrums, and vary from simple pills and lozenges 
 to more or less complex " treatments." The claims 
 advanced for them also vary considerably, but are in most 
 cases very wide. A pill containing ipecacuanha only is put 
 forward, not merely as sometimes useful for coughs, but as 
 " The Best Eemedy to Cure all Coughs, Colds, Asthmas, 
 etc." A lozenge containing cubeb and liquorice is similarly 
 described as " the best article before the public for Coughs, 
 Colds, Bronchitis, Asthma, Catarrh, the Hacking Cough in 
 Consumption, and numerous affections of the throat." 
 These, however, are modest claims compared to some of the 
 others. A lozenge, in which the only medicinal agent found 
 in any considerable quantity was extract of liquorice, is not 
 only put forward for most of the above disorders and others 
 allied to them, but also for " many cases of Headache, 
 Flatulence, and Indigestion." A liquid which is said to be 
 " the best-known remedy for Colds, Influenza, Sore Throat, 
 etc. ," is also described as a valuable remedy for, among other 
 things, diarrhoea, disordered stomach, bad circulation of the 
 blood, and quinsy. The " treatments " are more especially 
 put forward for catarrh, but here, too, the net is cast rather 
 wide; in one case, asthma, whooping cough, croup and con- 
 sumption are among the diseases for which it is put forward 
 as a cure, while in another the comprehensive, if awkward, 
 description of those to whom it is recommended is ' ' all who 
 wish to quickly cure Catarrh, Asthma, Adenoids, Polypi, 
 or other Nose-breathing, Chest or Lung, and Voice or Hear- 
 ing or Throat Bronchial Trouble." Needless to say, theii
 
 72 
 
 claims are mutually exclusive ; one of them, an inhalation 
 "treatment," claims to be "the only treatment through 
 which the diseased parts of the head, throat, and lungs can 
 be reached"; while the proprietor of another modestly 
 says: " I assert, without fear of contradiction, that mine is 
 the only apparatus which sends the medicated vapour over 
 every membrane that air can reach, and I also assert with 
 equal firmness that there are no preparations for similar 
 object which can compare in effectiveness with those sup- 
 plied by me." Two of the treatments are supplied at some- 
 what high prices; and, although no exact estimate is given 
 of the cost of the ingredients, it is evident that it is quite out 
 of proportion to the amounts charged for them. 
 
 FENNINGS' LUNG-HEALERS. 
 
 The article advertised under this name is in the form of small 
 pills, and is supplied by a firm in the Isle of Wight at Is. IJd. a 
 box, containing thirty pills. 
 
 The pills are advertised as "The Best Kemedy to Cure all 
 Coughs, Colds, Asthmas, etc." The following quotations are 
 from a circular enclosed in the package : 
 
 Directions for taking Fennings' Lung-Healers. The Certain Remedy to 
 cure all Colds, Coughs, Bronchitis, Influenza, Incipient Consumption, The 
 Coughs of Measles and Scarlet Fever, Asthmas, and other complaints of 
 the Lungs. 
 
 The Dose is the same for all ages. 
 
 These Lung-Healers, although so beneficial in curing Inflammation, 
 quelling Fevers, and eradicating the virus of disease, are perfectly harm- 
 less and innocent, and can with equal safety be given to the most tender 
 infant as well as to the f ullgrown person. 
 
 To Cure Colds, Coughs, or Asthma. One of these Lung-Healers should 
 be given to the infant, or person, in jam, or by itself, every morning or 
 evening. 
 
 For Bronchitis, Influenza, Incipient Consumption, the Cough of Measles. 
 of Scarlatina, or Scarlet Fever, give one of the Lung-Healers, in jam, or 
 by itself, three times a day. ... If, when freely taking of these 
 Lung-Healers, the child or person should perchance become sick^ it need 
 not be heeded, or reckoned as a bad symptom, for sickness often proves of 
 great benefit in a complaint, and advantageously assists in lessening all 
 Fevers and Inflammations.
 
 73 
 
 The average weight of one pill was 0.22 grain. ChemicaJ 
 analysis and microscopical examination showed that practically 
 the whole of the material consisted of ipecacuanha; the amount 
 of alkaloid present was 1.8 per cent., which is a little below 
 the average for ipecacuanha, and the alkaloid extracted pos- 
 sessed the characters of ipecacuanha alkaloid. Careful search 
 for other ingredients, and comparison with powdered ipeca- 
 cuanha, showed nothing else to be present but the trace of 
 excipient used to bind the powder into pills. Estimated cost 
 of ingredients for thirty pills is id. 
 
 PEPS. 
 
 These much-advertised lozenges are supplied by a firm in a 
 Yorkshire town in boxes at Is. ld. and 2s. 9d. per box. A 
 2s. 9d. box was found to contain ninety -eight lozenges. The 
 name of the article appears to be derived from the initial letters 
 of " Pine extract pastilles." The nature of the claims made is 
 shown by the following extracts from a booklet issued by the 
 makers : 
 
 In the course of scientific research singular freedom from bronchial 
 disease was noticed among the dwellers amidst the rich pine forests of 
 Europe. The great healing power of the odours and balsams of the pine 
 tree was also observed ; and at last a striking connection between the two 
 facts made itself apparent. . . . 
 
 A study of the peculiar property of pine balsams led to their great 
 medicinal value becoming more fully recognised, and the idea was evolved 
 of capturing and storing up these rich essences in some form convenient 
 for the great masses who are not able to spend winter in the far-famed 
 forest resorts. It was practically a matter of finding how to transfer to our 
 crowded homes all the real benefits of the pine woods, so that those victims 
 of bronchitis, consumption, asthma, colds and other throat and chest affec- 
 tions, who could not go to pine woods, should have the pine woods and the 
 rich pine air brought to them into the very rooms in which they dwell. 
 
 A novel tablet, containing the richest pine extracts that is, with all 
 the best pine essences and odours held captive in them was eventually 
 perfected ; and these tablets, or Peps, as they are called, undoubtedly 
 supply a long-felt want in the family medicine cupboard. The need is one 
 that has never yet been properly met by any of the cough mixtures, 
 lozenges, jujubes, and gums, which no medical attendant can con- 
 scientiously recommend, chiefly through the pernicious drug habits they 
 encourage and their sheer inability to grant real, lasting relief. " A Pine 
 Forest in every Home " aptly and pithily describes this new remedy. . . 
 
 As a Household Medicine they are of unequalled service in cases of 
 Colds, Coughs, Bronchitis, Sore or Relaxed Throat, Huskiness. Loss of 
 Voice, Asthma, Influenza, Pneumonia, Pleurisy, the Hacking Cough of
 
 74 
 
 Consumption, Lung Weakness, Children's Colds, Whooping Cough, Croup, 
 Chill or Tightness of the Chest, that old Breathing Difficulty, as well aa 
 for many cases of Headache, Flatulence and Indigestion. For Clergymen, 
 Lawyers, Teachers, and all Public Speakers, they are an invaluable boon. 
 
 The lozenges had an average weight of 21 grains. The taste 
 and odour did not suggest pine oil, but peppermint with a trace 
 of anise, and on distilling out the oils it was evident that the 
 principal one present was oil of peppermint, but the quantity 
 was far too small to be determined quantitatively. Resinous 
 matter was only present to the extent of 0.7 per cent., and this 
 did not show the characters of pine resin. No alkaloid was 
 found, showing the absence of preparations of both opium and 
 ipecacuanha. Extract of liquorice was present in rather con- 
 siderable quantity, as was proved by extraction of the glycyr- 
 rhizin. Sugars constituted about 75 per cent, of the tablet, but 
 a little of this would be derived from the extract of liquorice; 
 probably 70 per cent, would about represent the sugar added ae 
 such. Talc was present to the extent of about 4 per cent., and 
 was doubtless added as a lubricant to aid in making the lozenges 
 by compression. No other ingredient was found beyond those 
 named ; some sort of pine extract might have been present if it 
 were free from resin or oil, but in that case it could not be 
 expected to possess much medicinal value. 
 
 The results of the analysis may be thus summarised : 
 
 Sugar about 70 per cent. 
 
 Extract of liquorice about 25 
 
 Resinous matter 0.7 
 
 Oil of peppermint trace. 
 
 Oil of anise ,, 
 
 Talc ... ... about 4 
 
 BROWN'S BRONCHIAL TROCHES. 
 
 These are supplied by a firm in Boston, U.S.A. A Is. l^d. 
 box was found to contain forty-eight lozenges. 
 
 In a circular enclosed in the package it is stated that : 
 
 " Brown's Bronchial Troches " or Cough Lozenges, allay irritation which 
 induces coughing, giving instant relief in Consumptive, Bronchial, and 
 Asthmatic complaints. 
 
 "BROWN'S BRONCHIAL TROCHES" were first introduced in the year 
 1850. It has been proved that they are the best article before the public 
 for Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, Asthma, Catarrh, the Hacking Cough of 
 Consumption, and numerous affections of the Throat, giving immediate 
 relief. . . .
 
 75 
 
 The Trochee are efficacious for children with Whooping Cough, or other 
 affections of the chest, having a soothing influence, assisting expectoration, 
 and preventing the accumulation of phlegm, which causes the sense of 
 suffocation so common with this disorder. 
 
 There are no particular directions to be observed in the use of the 
 Bronchial Troches. One or two should be allowed to dissolve slowly in 
 the mouth, repeating when necessary. We have seen instances of their 
 good effects in cases of inflammation of the Bronchial Tubes and the hoarse- 
 ness of children. 
 
 The lozenges had an average weight of 11.3 grains. Chemical 
 analysis and microscopical examination showed the presence of 
 powdered cubeb (about 6 per cent.), extract of liquorice in small 
 quantity, gum, and sugar (about 70 per cent.). No other sub- 
 stance was found; if a little extract of cubeb were present as 
 well as the powdered drug, it could not have been detected with 
 certainty. 
 
 DR. WHITE'S KOMPO. 
 
 This is supplied by a firm in Yorkshire in bottles at Is. l|d. 
 and 2s. 9d. A 2s. 9d. bottle was found to contain 11 fluid 
 ounces. 
 
 It is stated in an advertisement that : 
 
 Dr. White's " Kompo " is the best-known remedy for Colds, Influenza, 
 Sore Throat* , etc. 
 
 with other similar statements. But a wider application is 
 claimed on the label, in the following words : 
 
 A Valuable Remedy for Colds, Influenza, Diarrhoaa, Pains in the 
 Stomach and Bowels, Disordered Stomach, Headache, Cold Feet, Cold 
 Sweats, Bad Circulation of the Blood, Sore Throat, Quinsy, etc. 
 
 As a Pure Stimulant it is far better than Brandy, or any other Intoxi- 
 cating Drink. 
 
 The dose is given as 
 
 One or two teaspoonfuls in a cupful of warm water, well sweetened, 
 several times a day. 
 
 The bottle contained a brown, somewhat turbid liquid, smell- 
 ing of cloves and cinnamon. Analysis showed it to contain 6.42 
 per cent, by volume of alcohol, and only 2.4 per cent, of solid 
 matter; this consisted largely of a tannic acid resembling that 
 of red gum. No alkaloid was present, but constituents of 
 capsicum, cinnamon, and cloves were recognised, and a small 
 proportion (0.07 per cent.) of salicylic acid was found. The
 
 76 
 
 following formula gave a mixture scarcely distinguishable from 
 the original by either physical or chemical means : 
 
 Eucalyptus gum (red gum) 1.5 part. 
 
 Caustic soda 0.08 ,, 
 
 Oil of cinnamon (or cassia) 0.25 ,, 
 
 Oil of cloves 0.25 
 
 Tincture of capsicum 7.5 parts. 
 
 Salicylic acid 0.07 part. 
 
 Rectified spirit 1.5 
 
 Decoction of cinnamon and cloves to 100 parts by measure. 
 
 The decoction was made by boiling 5 parts each of cloves and 
 cinnamon with 200 of water until the volume was reduced by 
 half, straining and adjusting the volume to 100 by measure. 
 
 The caustic soda in the above formula was used to darken the 
 colour of the red gum. A similar result may be obtained by 
 adding a very little burnt sugar, and there were some indica- 
 tions of the presence of this in the original. 
 
 The estimated cost of the ingredients for 11 fluid ounces is 
 about 6d. 
 
 GLYKALINE. 
 
 This is a liquid supplied by a London firm of L-Mnoeopathic 
 chemists. A Is. ld. bottle was found to contain about 1| fluid 
 drachms. It is described in an advertisement as : 
 
 A Sure Cure for all Coughs, Colds, Catarrhs, Hay Fever, Influenza, 
 Asthma, Bronchitis, etc. Rapid and reliable in its effects. Checks a slight, 
 cold with one dose. Cures a severe cold in 24 hours. 
 
 And in a circular enclosed in the package it is stated that : 
 
 There is no medicine to equal it for promptly relieving those distressing 
 colds where there is a constant flow of a thin watery discharge from the 
 nose, accompanied by continual sneezing, throbbing of the head, and smart- 
 ing pains in the eyes, etc. a few hours sufficing to overcome al] these 
 unpleasant systems. 
 
 The dose is given on the label as: 
 
 Three drops every hour in a tablespoonful of water until relieved, then 
 every two or three hours until quite well. Children under five years, a 
 third of the above quantity. 
 
 Analysis showed the liquid to contain 35 per cent, by volume 
 of alcohol, but only 0.15 per cent, of solid matter. This con- 
 sisted partly of potassium iodide and partly of organic matter. 
 Not the slightest trace of any alkaloid could be found.
 
 77 
 
 Each dose would contain approximately 1-350 grain of potas- 
 sium iodide, with a trace of organic matter, which may be 
 derived from some drug. 
 
 The cost of the preparation is practically that of the alcohol 
 which it contains, or about |d. for the contents of the bottle. 
 
 LIQUFRUTA MEDICA. 
 
 The preparation sold under this name is supplied from '' The 
 Liqufruta Laboratory." There appear to be two varieties of 
 the medicine, the one being called simply " Liqufruta," and 
 described on the label as " cure for consumption cough, whooping 
 and every other cough," while the other is called " Liqufruta 
 Medica," and is described on the label as " The Great Consump- 
 tion Cure." The price of the latter is 2s. 9d., and the bottle 
 was found to contain 12A fluid ounces. 
 
 Other particulars given on the label are as follows : 
 
 Liqufruta Medica the Only Safe Cure for Pulmonary Consumption, 
 Chronic Asthma, Bronchitis, Catarrh. 
 
 Certain of the germicidal constituents contained in this remedy are other- 
 wise unobtainable throughout the world. 
 
 Guaranteed free of poison, laudanum, copper solution, cocaine, morphia, 
 opium, chloral, calomel, paregoric, narcotics, or preservatives. . . . 
 
 Liqufruta Medica heals the chest, lungs, and throat, arrests the inflam- 
 mation, loosens the phlegm, and effectually destroys the bacilli of con- 
 sumption, etc., which no other medicine can reach. Whilst the cough will 
 be eased at once, the expectoration will be more profuse for a short time. 
 
 Directions. One dessertspoonful every two hours ; in severe cases every 
 hour, and also during the night whenever cough is troublesome ; take a 
 dose when getting into bed and the moment of awakening in the morning. 
 When symptoms moderate and pronounced benefit has been obtained the 
 doses may be administered with one and a-haif to two hours' interval if 
 desired. 
 
 The mixture was found to be a dark brown, rat, 
 liquid, smelling like a mixture of garlic or onion and 
 mint. On distilling, a trace of volatile oil was obtain* 
 distillate closely resembling the liquid obtained by di ^ 
 onion and a trace of oil of peppermint with water; 100 parts 
 by measure of the mixture contained 10.05 parts of solids; of 
 these, 2.05 parts were of mucilaginous or pectinous nature, 
 3.44 parts were glucose, and 2.28 parts were cane sugar. A 
 decoction of onion was found to contain a mucilaginous sub- 
 stance somewhat similar to that obtained from the mixture.
 
 78 
 
 The liquid was acid, and on evaporation and ignition yielded 
 an ash which was alkaline, the acidity before and the alkalinity 
 after ignition being approximately equivalent. This is charac- 
 teristic of acid salts containing an alkali-metal and an organic 
 acid, such as potassium bitartrate. The ash contained a con- 
 siderable proportion of potassium, but in the presence of the 
 sugars and vegetable extractive the small quantity of tartaric 
 acid could not be identified ; the acidity and alkalinity indicated 
 0.4 part (in 100 fluid parts) of potassium bitartrate, accounting 
 for 0.16 part of ash; the total ash was 0.4 part, and the other 
 constituents were such as are found in the ash of most vegetable 
 extracts. 
 
 Alkaloidal matter was present in very small quantity, the 
 amount being about 0.01 per cent. ; this consisted of two (or 
 more) alkaloids, neither of which gave the reactions of any of 
 the ordinary medicinal alkaloids. The other constituents con- 
 sisted of tannin, a trace of resin, and extractive. The original 
 liquid had a very slightly pungent taste, such as would be given 
 by a trace of a preparation of capsicum or ginger. 
 
 The results of the analysis thus showed: 
 
 Oil of peppermint 
 
 Oil of onion, or garlic [traces 
 
 Alkaloids I 
 
 Potassium bitartrate 0.4 part 
 
 Glucose 3.44 parta 
 
 Cane sugar 2.28 
 
 Mucilaginous matter 2.05 
 
 Tannin ,. 
 
 Exfcractive [together 1.9 
 
 Besin ) 
 
 Water ^ to 100 parts by measure 
 
 No alcohol was present, and no metallic salts beyond the traces 
 ordinarily accompanying plant extracts. 
 
 "Examination of the plain Liqufruta (for cough) did not show 
 any important differences between it and " Liqufruta Medica." 
 
 HYOMEI. 
 
 The preparation sold under the name Hyomei is supplied by 
 a firm in London. The price of an " outfit " is 2s. 6d., and this 
 consists of an inhaler (consisting of a vulcanite tube), \ fluid
 
 79 
 
 ounce of inhalant, with pieces of gauze and a dropper ; a 3s. 9d. 
 " refill " of the inhalant alone was found to contain 2 fluid 
 
 Hyomei has been widely advertised in the Press for some time 
 past, advertisements 'in the daily newspapers usually occupying 
 a column or so. The following is the first paragraph of one of 
 these: 
 
 Mr. K. T. Booth, who issues the following announcement, is the world- 
 famous temperance orator, who some years ago, in co-operation with such 
 friends and co-workers as the late Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, Rev. F. B. Meyer, 
 and the late Rev. Newman Hall, Archdeacon Wilberforce, Lord Mount 
 Temple, and others, founded the Blue Ribbon Army, which ultimately 
 led a million to temperance. This glorious work was cut short by acute 
 catarrh and threatened consumption, which sent him, by the order of 
 the late Sir Andrew Clark, health-seeking to Australia. There he made 
 his great discovery of Hyomei (pronounced Hi-o-me), which not only 
 cured him, but has since cured multitudes of other sufferers. Hyomei is 
 an inhalant which, being a powerful germicide, cures by just breathing it. 
 
 In a booklet enclosed in the package it is thus described : 
 
 Hyomei, the new Australian Dry-Air Treatment for the Cure of 
 Asthma, Bronchitis, Catarrh, Catarrhal Deafness, Coughs, Rose Colds, 
 Whooping Cough, Colds, Croup and Consumption. 
 
 The only Natural Method of Cure. 
 
 The First and only Treatment for all Diseases of the Air Passages and 
 Lungs ever Endorsed by the Medical Profession. . . . 
 
 What " Hyomei " Is. 
 
 Hyomei is a vegetable compound the result of recent scientific research. 
 It is a powerful germicide, and absolute destroyer of the germs which 
 cause diseases of the respiratory organs. 
 
 Hyomei is a cure given by a new method the only treatment through 
 which the diseased parts of the head, throat, and lungs can be reached. 
 
 What " Hyomei " Does. 
 
 Hyomei cures all diseases of the ir passages. Cures them by just 
 breathing; cures them through the air you breathe, impregnated with 
 Nature's own antiseptic. No douches, sprays, atomizers, or stomach 
 medicines are used. It at once kills the bacilli of catarrh, bronchitis, con- 
 sumption, asthma, and hay fever, bringing a complete cure that can be 
 obtained in no other way. 
 
 Another circular enclosed in the package is in the form of 
 a letter, beginning " Dear Friend." From the heading of the 
 paper it appears that the company are the proprietors of 
 "Hyomei," "Hyomei Balm, the wonderful ointment," 
 " Hyomei Skin Soap, a medicated toilet soap," and " Hyomei
 
 80 
 
 Catarmel, for catarrh and catarrhal deafness." The letter 
 invites correspondence, as follows : 
 
 . . if you are a sufferer from any breathing trouble or from any 
 form of skin trouble I can help you. That is why I here invite you to 
 write me personally a letter telling me of your ailment, how long you have 
 had it, and what you have done so far to cure it. Then I will consider 
 your case from the particulars you give me, and if suitable for my treat- 
 ment, will, without charging you any fee, send you a letter telling you 
 what you must do to get your cure, and at the same time will send 
 you sufficient of what I recommend <to give you a trial treatment, free. 
 
 " Hyomei " is a liquid smelling strongly of eucalyptus oil. 
 Analysis showed the presence of eucalyptol, which is the chief 
 constituent of this oil, together with alcohol and liquid paraffin. 
 Since many essential oils possess common constituents, and for 
 the separation of the constituents of one oil, and still more of 
 a mixture, it is necessary to work on a large quantity of the 
 material, a full and precise analysis of the mixture in question 
 was not practicable. It was submitted to fractional distillation 
 in vacuo, and the various fractions were tested and compared 
 with the corresponding fractions of mixtures made up to imitate 
 the original. It was concluded that the alcohol and liquid 
 paraffin formed each about 10 per cent, of the whole, and a 
 determination of the amount of eucalyptol showed nearly all 
 the remaining 80 per cent, to be oil of eucalyptus. A small 
 quantity (under 0.2 per cent.) of solid matter, not resinous, 
 was obtained on distilling the Hyomei, and this could not be 
 identified, but agreed in some respects with the solid obtained 
 in a corresponding way from a mixture containing a little wood 
 tar. A small proportion of creosote was also indicated. 
 
 THE RHYCOL TREATMENT. 
 
 This is supplied by a firm in London. The price of an 
 "outfit" is 17s. 6d. The advertisements of the preparations 
 sold under this name are mostly very lengthy, and application 
 to the address given led to the receipt of several circular letters 
 and a good deal of printed matter. A few extracts will 
 sufficiently indicate the nature of the statements made : 
 
 Free Information 'how to cure Catarrh and Noee-Breathing Difficulty. 
 Patient and Physician tell of how they found a cure. It is the hearty 
 desire of the discoverers of the new cure that all who suffer from the 
 above complaints should wnite for a gratis copy of the book they ihave 
 just published, under the title of " Rhycol Respiratory Re-Education:
 
 81 
 
 The Physiological Cure for Catarrh, Adenoids. Polypi, and other Nose- 
 Breathing Difficulties, Catarrhal Deafness and Head Noises, Loss of 
 Sense of Smell or Taste, Coated Tongue, Bad Breath, Asthma, Bronchitis, 
 and Weak Chest and Lungs." 
 
 The cure is remarkable, inasmuch as it calls for no sprays or injec- 
 tions, no powders to be snuffed no lozenges or tablets to suck no opera- 
 tions, and no painful cauterizing (burning) of the inflamed mucous 
 membrane. . . . 
 
 The joint authors of the discovery as the result of a fruitless quest 
 for relief and cure were led to experiment along the line of the " First 
 Cause " the ncee and its respiratory functions. 
 
 The layman it was who made the first enlightening discovery. A 
 singer, he discovered How the nose could be freed. . . . 
 
 Upon this first-step discovery has been built the new " Rhycol " cure, 
 the details of which are given fully (and illustrated) in the book. . . . 
 
 In the book is explained how to stop 
 
 Nasty Dropping in the Throat, Catarrhal Deafness, 
 
 Head Stuffiness, Gurgling in Ears, 
 
 Nose Stuffiness, Bad Breath, 
 
 Throat Dryness, Snapping Noise in Ears, 
 
 Loss of Smell, Voice Troubles, 
 
 Spitting of Thick Phlegm, Hay-Fever, 
 
 Discharge from the Nose, Physical and Mental Dulnes* 
 
 Loss of Taste, or Offensive Taste in arising from Respiratory Ineffi 
 
 Mouth ciency. 
 
 Catarrhal (Coated) Tongue, 
 
 ... all who wish ito quickly cure Catarrh, Asthma, Adenoids, Polypi, or 
 other Nose-Breathing, Chest or Lung, and Voice or Hearing, or Throat 
 Bronchial Trouble should send for a copy. 
 
 The " outfit " consisted of two " inspirators," 56 tampons, a 
 collapsible tube of lubricant, and a bottle of " Rhycol Anti- 
 septic Solution." 
 
 The " inspirators" were small celluloid sheik, open at both 
 ends and along one side, to be placed in the nostrils to form a 
 lining. They were marked "R" and "L" respectively, and 
 the sides int-ended to lie against the septum and the outer wall 
 respectively were shaped rather differently; it was not easy, 
 however, to feel quite such enthusiasm about their beauty, as is 
 shown in the description which accompanied the outfit : 
 
 The Inspirators . . . are hand-modelled and made by one of the most 
 skilful Anatomical Instrument Makers in the world. They are con- 
 structed on perfect anatomical principles, and from a material that is 
 not only completely Aseptic in itself, but which cannot be in any way 
 contaminated or infected by noxious or morbific matters, and is entirely 
 
 F
 
 82 
 
 unaffected by oxidation. The inner side that part inclined to the 
 middle septum of the nose is exquisitely modelled, so as to adapt 
 itself perfectly to all the sinuosities and flexuations of the central carti- 
 lages and, by a most skilful conformation, the current of air on each 
 inspiration is most favourably directed through the spongy nasal passages 
 to the air-openings (nares) at the upper and back of the pharynx. 
 
 Sine the "inspirators" are supplied to fit (or otherwise) a 
 strange pair of 'nostrils, the " exquisite hand-modelling " of one 
 of the most skilful anatomical instrument makers in the world 
 appears to be rather wasted. Possibly it is referred to as some 
 justification of the price of 7s. 6d., which is charged for these 
 without the remainder of the outfit, but to a disinterested eye 
 they appear likely to have cost at most a few pence per pair. 
 It may be remarked that each of the articles constituting the 
 outfit, even including the box, is elaborately described in a 
 similar laudatory strain. 
 
 The tampons were small cylinders of cotton-wool, medicated 
 with a substance having a fragrant and rather terebinthinate 
 odour. The instructions are to place an " inspirator " in each 
 nostril and a tampon in each " inspirator," so that air is drawn 
 into the nose through the tampons. They are to be kept in- 
 position for about a quarter of an hour the first time, gradually 
 increasing the time until they can be worn all night. On 
 extraction with a suitable solvent the tampons yielded a small 
 quantity of a volatile oil, the average quantity being ^ 
 minim. This had the odour of a mixture of oil of eucalyptus 
 and essential oil of camphor with a little terebene and a trace of 
 oil of wintergreen, but the total quantity was far too small for 
 analysis. The price of the tampons alone is 8s. 
 
 The tube of Rhycol lubricant, which is priced Is., contained 
 one-third of an ounce of soft paraffin with the addition of a very 
 small quantity of carbolic acid. It is directed to be applied 
 to the inspirators to facilitate their introduction into the 
 nostrils. 
 
 The Rhycol Antiseptic is to be added in small quantity to 
 water, to make a liquid in which the inspirators are to be laid, 
 after washing, when not in use. The bottle contained li fluid 
 drachms of the antiseptic, which was a solution of formaldehyde. 
 Thus the actual medicament supplied for the 17s. 6d. consists 
 of some 6 drops or so of essential oils, distributed on a number 
 of small wads of cotton wool, the other articles being merely 
 accessories to facilitate the inhalation of this oil.
 
 S3 
 
 THE COLMAN METHOD. 
 
 Under the name " The Colman Method " various medicaments 
 and apparatus are supplied by Erasmus Colman, London. 
 
 The following are extracts from an advertisement headed : 
 Dangerous Catarrh ! or, Chronic Cold in the Head. 
 
 It is a fearful mistake to neglect catarrh. It is quite certain to develop 
 into something -worse. It will not cure itself. 
 
 I, Erasmus Colman, declare that I have a perfect and speedy cure for 
 nasal and throat catarrh. It is a system of vapourised medication, com- 
 plemented by other highly effective therapeutic aids. It is a home treat 
 ment, occupying but a moment or .two of one's time daily. The benefit 
 becomes obvious from the first hour. The healing of the diseased condi- 
 tion is gradual, yet speedy and certain. There is nothing complex about 
 it. Anybody can easily understand it. It is a pleasant form of cure. It 
 is permanent. 
 
 I offer a perfectly genuine system of treatment. You cannot obtain it 
 anywhere else, because it is the result of years of study and active experi- 
 ence, coupled with extraordinary ability in this particular line of ailment. 
 
 Any sufferer, regardless of his or her position, can obtain my treatment 
 upon simple and easy terms by confiding in me. I know that I have the 
 complete cure for catarrh and its consequent ills, including asthma, deaf- 
 ness, etc. I want to cure every man, woman, and child that suffers. 
 
 In a booklet which is sent to inquirers, entitled Book of 
 Information concerning My System, etc., many statements are 
 made in which the modesty of the above claims of " extra- 
 ordinary ability " and " the complete cure " are quite equalled : 
 
 I assert, without fear of contradiction, that mine is the only apparatus 
 which sends the medicated vapour over every membrane that air can reach, 
 and I also assert with equal firmness that there are no preparations for a 
 similar object which can compare in effectiveness with those supplied by 
 me. . . . It is seldom that a sufferer who applies to me for treatment 
 does not mention that he has paid out a considerable sum to doctors, and 
 lias never succeeded in getting more than temporary relief. After treating 
 a sufferer until a patient's patience (excuse pun) is exhausted, he, the 
 medical man, usually advises a change of climate or method of living. 
 This is sometimes practically impossible, and can only be adopted at 
 serious and, perhaps, total sacrifice of one's opportunity for supporting hU 
 family. He is, therefore, a true martyr remains where he is, and bears 
 the distress of his asthmatic attacks. I want all such persons to come or 
 write to me. I assert, upon my word of honour, that I have the true cure, 
 and being the genuine it is the most inexpensive that money can buy. 
 
 Such statements about the medical profession are, of course, 
 commonly met with in the utterances of nostrum vendors. It 
 
 F 2
 
 is not always, however, that contempt for " ethics " is so plainly 
 expressed as in the following: 
 
 Because of a narrow-minded custom, which, like other relics of barbarism, 
 will ultimately be swept away by modern ideas, the practitioners of 
 medicine are bound together by a sort of mysterious girdle, outside of 
 which they dare not step. If they do they are boycotted by their fellows. 
 One of the rules of the medical fraternity is that they may not advertise in 
 the newspapers. They must keep their light hidden under a bushel, and, 
 no matter how skilful they are, they are almost hopelessly smothered by 
 that large, heavy blanket called " ethics." . . . It is a cruel and 
 erstwhile stupid form of "protection"- medical ethics. If a registered 
 medical man dares to advertise, his name is soon struck from the register. 
 My nature is independent I am frank, straightforward, outspoken, and 
 honest. I may be considered as outclassed by medical men, who choose to 
 remain fettered by the barbaric bonds of so-called etiquette; but I know 
 that I am near to the hearts of iny patients, whose shower of letters by 
 every post represents a.n unparalleled outpouring of sincere gratitude. 
 This is the reason why I stand aloof from medical societies and their old- 
 fashioned rules of etiquette. I advertise I cure and tftie world is the 
 better for it. 
 
 Since medical societies consist of qualified medical prac- 
 titioners, it is just possible that the fact of his not possessing a 
 qualification may be another reason for this gentleman " stand- 
 ing aloof." 
 
 " Patient's Report Forms," with a long list of questions to 
 be answered, were sent to be filled up and returned. One of 
 these has a space headed : 
 
 Particulars of Previous Treatment. 
 
 (Patients should here state what doctors have said about case, and give 
 particulars of treatment previously followed.) 
 
 However, on applying for a " treatment " and sending the 
 money, without any particulars of any case, the articles described 
 below were supplied. The price charged was 14s. 6d., but it 
 appears that a larger amount is usually asked at first. 
 
 The "outfit" sent comprised: 
 
 An atomiser, for producing a spray, with indiarubber ball. 
 A " nasal irrigator," consisting of a bent glass cylinder for 
 pouring liquid into the nostrils. 
 
 Two boxes of " Nebular Tablets," together containing 41. 
 A box of " Gargle Tablets," containing 21. 
 A. bottle of " Atomising Fluid," containing 1 fluid ounce. 
 A box of pearl-coated pills, containing 21.
 
 85 
 
 Lengthy directions were enclosed, which may be summarised 
 as follows: Every morning: One Nebular Tablet is to be dis- 
 solved in two tablespoonfuls of warm water and the liquid passed 
 into the nose through one nostril by means of the nasal irrigator 
 until the nasal cavity is full, retained for two minutes, and run 
 out ; this is then repeated through the other nostril ; then, after 
 gently blowing the nose, the atomising fluid is applied through 
 each nostril by means of the atomiser. Every evening : Repeat 
 the above treatment, then dissolve one Gargle Tablet in two 
 tablespoonfuls of cold water and gargle the throat with the 
 solution. Take one of the pills daily, after the midday meal. 
 
 The nebular tablets had an average weight of 20 grains. 
 Analysis showed tliem to consist of 
 
 Sodium chloride 28.3 per cent. 
 
 Borax, slightly dehydrated, equivalent to 
 
 crystalline borax 28.7 ,, ,, 
 
 Sodium bicarbonate 29.5 ,, ,, 
 
 Sugar 12.3 ,, ,, 
 
 Talc 3.1 ,, 
 
 Oil of wintergreen sufficient to impart a 
 
 fairly strong smell. 
 
 The atomising liquid was shown by analysis to consist of 
 liquid paraffin, with small quantities of menthol and oil of 
 cinnamon (far too small to be determined quantitatively). 
 Traces of other essential oils may have been present. 
 
 The gargle tablets had an average weight of 20 grains. 
 Analysis showed them to contain : 
 
 Borax, equivalent to crystalline borax ... 4.6 per cent. 
 
 Sodium bicarbonate 87.0 ,, ,, 
 
 Sugar 4.0 ,, ,, 
 
 Talc 2.1 ,, ,, 
 
 Powdered vegetable drug about 1.5 ,, ,, 
 
 They had a faint terebinthinate odour, such as might be given 
 by a trace of turpentine. The histological characters of the 
 powdered drug, and the properties and behaviour of the trace 
 of alkaloid extracted from it, agreed with those of powdered 
 hydrastis rhizome. 
 
 The pills, being only subsidiary to the other articles, were not 
 fully analysed. They had an average weight of about grain, 
 and contained aloin ; indications of the presence of jalap resin 
 and podop'hyllin were also obtained.
 
 The following extracts from " Truth Cautionary List for 
 1912," with reference to the advertiser of the "treatment" 
 just described, require no comment: 
 
 "Oolman, Erasmus, Gray's Inn Road, London, W.C. Under this name 
 Edward Marr poses as a ' catarrh specialist," and sells an appliance for 
 spraying the nostrils. Asks 15s. at first, but in ' follow-up letters ' 
 gradually reduces the price to 7s. 6d. for a three weeks' trial." 
 
 " Aural Remedies Co., Cravennhouse, Kingsway, London, W.C. One 
 of the numerous aliases of the aural quack Edward Marr, who also 
 exploits the deaf as 'Professor Keith Harvey.' Tfliis concern is run on 
 the lines of the late Drouet Institute. It had for ' consulting specialist ' 
 the notorious H. H. Crippen, who was executed in November, 1910, for 
 tiie murder of his wife. Testimonials given to the Auiral Remedies Co. 
 have been used for advertising purposies by E. Colman and by Elmer 
 Shirley." 
 
 A GERMAN NOSTRUM. 
 
 According to Dr. Zernik : 
 
 Victoria Asthma Drops are put up by the " Victoria Apotheke " in 
 Berlin, and are supposed to be taken in doses of from 25 to 30 drops during 
 an attack every half-hour, and 25 drops regularly three times a day as a 
 preventive. The bottle contains a brownish-yellow fluid, which was found 
 to consist of tincture of lobelia, tincture of opium, liquor ammonii anisatus, 
 acetic ether, and potassium iodate.
 
 CHAPTEE V. 
 
 MEDICINES FOR INDIGESTION, CONSTIPATION, ETC. 
 
 The present chapter includes the results obtained on 
 examining a number of the most widely advertised pills and 
 other proprietary preparations put forward as remedies for 
 indigestion or as general aperients. The majority of these 
 are in the form of pills, which show much similarity in their 
 composition ; aloes or aloin is a constituent of all of them, 
 and is accompanied by one or more of a small series of drugs 
 io regular use, comprising colocynth, jalap, rhubarb, podo- 
 phyllin, ginger, capsicum, cardamoms, soap, and oils of 
 peppermint, and cinnamon. The secrecy of the formula in 
 these cases does not apparently conceal any facts which 
 \vould be damaging to the sale of the articles if revealed ; 
 but this is, of course, no argument in favour of secrecy. 
 Two others of the articles here described, both in the form 
 of tablets, and put forward especially for indigestion, were 
 found to contain pepsin and diastase, with a small dose of a 
 vegetable bitter aperient; the dose of both the digestive 
 ferments was small, the diastatic action of the tablets being 
 so slight as to be practically negligible. The lengths of 
 mendacity to which advertisers may go when the real com- 
 position of their wares is unknown is well illustrated by 
 another nostrum dealt with in this chapter, which is stated 
 to be composed of the active principles of rare herbs growing 
 on the Himalaya mountains, and to have the magical pro- 
 perty, when swallowed, of seeking out any organ or portion 
 of the body which is in an unhealthy state and proceeding 
 to cure it. It is further asserted, with the emphasis of
 
 italics, that " it cures in one dose." The booklet in which 
 this pretended treasure is puffed shows the most gross ignor- 
 ance on the part of the writer, who gravely asserts that 
 ' beetles, spider's web, crab's eyes, tiger's tongue, 
 rhinoceros's horn, and other repulsive objects form part of 
 the materia medica now in vogue with the medical profes- 
 sion," and that " all organic substances defy detection by 
 any means known to chemical science," with much more 
 preposterous nonsense of the same sort. Analysis, how- 
 ever, showed the powder to consist of potato flour, and no 
 other substance could be detected in it. 
 
 In the examination of pills or tablets containing mixtures 
 of such substances as aloes or extract of aloes, extract of 
 colocynth, resins of jalap, scammony, or podophyllin, oils 
 of peppermint, clove, or cinnamon, with powdered drugs 
 like ginger, capsicum, cardamoms, colocynth, rhubarb (all 
 yielding extracts as soon as the pills are treated with sol- 
 vents), and the whole probably massed with the aid of 
 syrup, glucose, liquorice powder, etc., the difficulties to be 
 encountered by the analyst are far greater than in many of 
 the combinations that are dealt with in other chapters ; 
 and it is not possible as the result of any reasonable and 
 practicable amount of investigation to assign a quantitative 
 formula for any such combination of articles which are 
 themselves variable, and it may easily happen that some 
 constituents will escape detection, or will be impossible of 
 identification. It is, therefore, better to avoid naming any 
 quantities of the different ingredients found, even when the 
 quantitative determinations (which have been made in 
 every case) have left very little doubt as to the amount of 
 some particular substance present in a given combination. 
 And it must be remembered that with several of the pills 
 other ingredients than those named may have been present 
 in small quantity and escaped detection, though it may 
 fairly be said that this does not apply to powerful or very 
 important ingredients.
 
 S3 
 
 MER-SYREN. 
 
 This consists of powders which are supplied at 2s. 9d. per box 
 of twenty by Mer-Syren, Ltd., London. There are several 
 indications that the claims made for this article have undergone 
 progressive evolution. The earliest advertisement of it which is 
 before us is a handbill apparently issued three or four years ago, 
 which commences thus : 
 
 " They that go down to the sea in ships " and Suffer from the distressing 
 Malady of Sea-sickness will find a Safe and Sure Preventive and Antidote in 
 Mersyren. 
 
 Mersyren is a never-failing Rapid Remedy. 
 
 Mersyren is not a Drug. 
 
 The name at the foot being: 
 
 The Mersyren Syndicate, London, E.G., and Singapore Dispensary, 
 
 Singapore. 
 
 A little later a lengthy advertisement in a weekly paper is 
 headed : 
 Try this "quick cure" for Biliousness and Indigestion Free of Cost. 
 
 The following extracts are from what follows the heading : 
 
 Digestive troubles are the curse of the present generation. And drug 
 remedies for digestive ailments are almost a bigger curse still. . . . 
 
 Here is a way (and a free, way) by which you can absolutely cure your 
 Digestive trouble by a remedy which is neither a drug nor a purgative. 
 Here is a way by which you can absolutely cure : 
 Biliousness, Indigestion, 
 
 Sick Headache, Liver Trouble, 
 
 Dyspepsia, and other 
 
 Gastritis, Digestive Disorders. 
 
 Free of Charge. 
 
 Here is a perfect natural remedy which will be freely sent to every reader 
 who writes for it, and which will quickly, almost instantaneously, cure 
 your trouble and enable you to regain that good health, those unburdened 
 spirits, to which, perhaps, you have 'been a stranger for so very long. 
 You have heard of " Mer-Syren," of course ! 
 
 You have heard of it as a non-drug, non-purging remedy for Stomach and 
 Liver Trouble. 
 
 But perhaps you have not as yet quite realised what a wonderful remedy 
 it is. ... 
 
 " Mer-Syren " is a tasteless powder. It is pleasant to take, and swift and 
 sure in action. It is neither a drug nor an aperient. And it cures in one 
 dose.
 
 90 
 
 A little later again appears a whole-page advertisement in a 
 London daily ; the heading of the first two columns is 
 " Remarkable New Book on Health 
 
 by Dr. Pearson. 
 
 ' How the Body Cures Itself.' " 
 and the remainder is headed: 
 
 "The '10 Minute Mer-Syren Health Lessons." 1 
 
 The first part is devoted to a description of the book, and a 
 summary of its twenty so-called chapters. The following ex- 
 tracts will suffice as a specimen: 
 
 Originally published at 2s. 6d., a popular Second Edition is now being 
 given free to all who will put to the practical test of personal trial the 
 Author's " 10 Minute Health Lessons." . . . 
 
 The book tells what every good Doctor knows, but is, for many reasons, 
 unable to tell his patients. 
 
 The whole book as written in straightforwardly candid appreciation of 
 the fact that the Layman Needs and Desires Health Knowledge of this 
 vital kind. . . . 
 
 " Mer-Syren " is the name of a tasteless powder derived from a herb 
 which powerfully aids the health-reparative power of the body. 
 
 It is not a pill not a purgative not weakening not stomach-upsetting 
 but just a " Mer-Syren 10-Minute Health-Lesson " to that part of your 
 body which needs it. ... 
 
 .... first of all, get and read Dr. Pearson's book, How the Body Cures 
 Itself (by means of the "Mer-Syren 10-Minute Health-Lessons"). . . . 
 
 The book itself is free. 
 
 You have only to get a 2s. 9d. packet of 20 "Mer-Syren 10-Minute 
 Health-Lesson " Powders. 
 
 The " book " is unquestionably the piece de resistance of all 
 this advertising. It is a paper-covered pamphlet of 63 pages, 
 each of the " chapters " referred to in the advertisement occupy- 
 ing an average space of less than three pages. It is described 
 as 
 
 By Dr. Pearson, Author of 
 
 " The Liver in Health and Disease," 
 
 " What to Eat and What to Avoid," 
 
 " The Abuse of Phosphorus," 
 
 " The Etiology of Cholera," 
 
 etc., etc. 
 (Late Principal 'Medical Officer, North Bhangulpore, India). 
 
 Reference to the volume of maps in the Encyclopedia 
 Britannica failed to discover any place named Bhangulpore or 
 North Bhangulpore in India.
 
 91 
 
 The knowledge possessed by this " Late Principal Medical 
 Officer," who curiously omits to give his initials, or his degrees 
 or qualifications justifying the prefix " Dr.," may be judged 
 from the following extracts : 
 
 This pamphlet has been compiled for the benefit of the myriads of 
 afflicted in every part of the globe, who, after trying the ordinary means 
 of cure at present obtaining to no purpose, are casting about to discover 
 a method of treatment for disease which shall cure their ailments and 
 rf store them to their former healthy condition. . . . 
 
 This remedy Mer-Syren the direct outcome of many years' careful and 
 painstaking study on the part of a few men who may be said to have 
 devoted their whole lives to investigations as to the Cause and Cure of 
 Disease is assuredly one of the greatest boons ever conferred upon suffering 
 humanity. 
 
 The plain fact is that, as regards the nature of disease, the Medical 
 Profession is pretty much where Harvey left it nearly three centuries 
 ago, whilst the means of cure are little better than those employed by 
 Celsus or Galen, and diseases are arranged in a few haphazard groups, as 
 motley and incongruous in their composition and disposition as the various 
 sections of, say, a political party. 
 
 We are, therefore, driven to accept the dictum of Hippocrates: " All 
 diseases spring from one cause, and the types of all diseases are the same." 
 This common origin of all diseases is to be found in that condition, which, 
 for want of a better definition, we shall call " Debility of the Cells," either 
 partial or general. Systems and theories may follow each other like the 
 waves of the sea, but the trend of medical opinion is setting in this direc- 
 tion, and, to the opinion expressed by the Father of Medicine, all Schools 
 of Medicine must come at last. . . . 
 
 The Mineral Acids, Nitric, Hydrochloric and Sulphuric, and Mineral Oils 
 (Petroleum) are in everyday use as remedies, whilst many of the Earths are 
 diverted from the uses for which they were intended by the Creator, and 
 forced into the human stomach. Animal substances, many of the most 
 repulsive nature and origin, are almost universally used by Medical Men 
 the world over .... beetles, spider's web, crab's eyes, tiger's 'tongue, 
 rhinoceros' horn, and other repulsive objects form part of the Materia 
 Medica now in vogue with the Medical Profession. . . . 
 
 The old Blue Pill and Black Draught of our forefathers has given place 
 to various Salines and the waters of many Spas in the treatment of Bilious 
 affections, but all to no purpose, the discovery of Mer-Syren ushered in a 
 new era in the History of Medicine ; rot only so far as the Liver was con- 
 cerned, but also in the case of many other affections regarding the treat- 
 ment of which medical men of every school confessed themselves to be 
 nonplussed. . . . Under its specific and benign yet effective operation the 
 powers of Nature have been reinforced and strengthened so that she has 
 been enabled to quickly relieve herself from the incubus of disease, and, 
 phoenix-like, arise from her ashes renewed, invigorated, and endowed with 
 all her pristine vitality. 
 
 This is the sober opinion gleaned from an experience of one versed in 
 medicine for a period of nearly forty years. . . .
 
 92 
 
 Mer-Syren is composed of the active principles of certain rare plants 
 which flourish in the valleys situated on the southern slopes of the Hima- 
 laya, between the immense gorge separating Nepaul from Bhutan on the 
 East, and Almorah on the North-West the very names of which are 
 unknown to Western Science, and are therefore not included in any Phar- 
 macopoeia extant. Mer-Syren, therefore, cannot be imitated either in 
 Europe or the two Americas. Nevertheless, purchasers should protect them- 
 selves by observing that the name of the Mer-Syren Company appears on 
 every box, and that the place of origin is clearly stated thereon. The 
 alkaloids upon which its extraordinary and startling effects depend cannot 
 be determined by analysis, as all organic substances defy detection by any 
 means known to chemical science. . . . 
 
 There are, in fact, no diseased states or conditions in which the use of 
 Mer-Syren does not produce beneficial results. 
 
 Thus the ' ' powder derived from a herb ' ' of the newspaper 
 advertisement has become the " active principles of certain rare 
 plants " in the book, just as the syndicate has become the 
 limited company, and the remedy for sea-sickness has become 
 the cure-all : 
 
 for Mer-Syren possesses the wonderful property ol permeating every part 
 of the organism with the same good influences. Moreover, although its 
 gentle stimulating and strengthening powers are felt throughout the entire 
 organism, yet its specific healing actions are principally directed to any part 
 labouring under diseased or disordered action. By virtue of its unique 
 and specific properties, Mer-Syren immediately operates upon any organ or 
 tissue whose functions may be in any way deranged, or whose structures 
 may be breaking down in consequerce of disease. And all structures in 
 either of the two just-named abnormal conditions will instantly respond to 
 the gentle action of Mer-Syren, when every other form of treatment pro- 
 duces no effect whatever 
 
 The directions supplied with the powders were as follows : 
 
 For Indigestion and Dyspepsia : Upon rising place two Powders dry upoi: 
 the tongue and wash down with a draught of hot water. For Bilious 
 Headaches : Take one Powder, or two if the attack be very severe, and 
 wash down with cold water. 
 
 In chronic cases it is obvious that in order to effect a complete recovery 
 the Powders should be taken regularly until cured. 
 
 The powders had an average weight of 25| grains. Analysis 
 showed the material to consist principally of starch, with a 
 little broken vegetable tissue. Microscopical examination 
 showed the starch to be that of the potato, while the histological 
 elements of the tissue also agreed exactly with those of the 
 potato. Some raw potato was therefore dried without heat and 
 powdered, and the two powders compared in their behaviour to
 
 93 
 
 a large number of tests, qualitative and quantitative, and also 
 by means of the microscope. The potato which was prepared 
 as described became greyish in colour during the drying, whereas 
 che Mer-Syren powder was of a creamy colour; no other differ- 
 ence was found between them, and no other substance but potato 
 could be detected. 
 
 CICFA. 
 
 This medicine, which 'has had four different names, but 
 appears to be called Cicfa at present, is supplied at Is. 1^-d. and 
 2s. 9d. per package by a London limited company. A Is. ld. 
 package was found to contain 21 tablets, and a 2s. 9d. package 
 63. 
 
 The original name of these tablets appears to have been 
 " Tablones," but in consequence of legal action taken by 
 another firm, whose trade mark this word was considered to 
 resemble too closely, it was changed to " Cicfa." The deriva- 
 tion of this word is supplied by the phrase which occurs freely 
 in the advertisements, " Cures Indigestion, Constipation, Flatu- 
 lence, Acidity." Later, however, this word was dropped, 
 and the medicine advertised as " Mother's Advice " ; more 
 recently still it was advertised as " Tablenes," while now the 
 former name of Cicfa seems to have been re-adopted. 
 
 The preparation is advertised in the following terms : 
 
 .You may eat What you please when you please as your Indigestion, 
 Flatulence and Constipation are not merely Relieved but permanently 
 cured by " Mother's Advice " (Formerly called " Cicfa "). Purgatives 
 often relieve Indigestion and make you feel better for a few days. 
 "Mother's Advice" cures absolutely and permanently-, because while 
 purgatives simply remove the undigested food, " Mother's Adv-ice " 
 completely digests everything you eat. 
 
 WHY " CICFA " MUST CURE EVERY CASE. <, 
 
 All the tortures of Indigestion, the Acidity and Heartburn, with Teeth 
 on Edge, the Burning Spot behind the Left Shoulder Blade, with pains 
 shooting through towards the Heart, the Heart Palpitation, with Cold 
 Hands and Feet and General Weakness, the Flatulence and Pressure and 
 Discomfort, the rumbling and often excruciating Bowel pain, are all due 
 to your failure to digest your food, and three-quarters of it is due to 
 Failure To Digest Starchy Food Like Bread, Potatoes, Bananas, etc. ; but 
 you like to eat those, and you need them, and if you could digest them 
 you would have none of this pain, discomfort, and misery, and you would 
 have all the nourishment which comes from such food when well digested.
 
 94 
 
 You do not digest the food because you have not enough digestive juices 
 in the Stomach and Bowels. " Cicfa " contains just enough digestive 
 material to make sure that the albuminous food like meat, eggs, etc., will 
 be digested in your stomach, and just enough of that wonderful digestive 
 material Which Is Not Found In Any Other Proprietary Medicine which 
 digests all starchy food like bread, potatoes, bananas, etc. 
 
 DOSE. One with the early part of each meal three times daily. Severe 
 cases may take two with each meal for a short time, and then reduce the 
 dose as the cure .proceeds. 
 
 The tablete had a chocolate-coloured sugar coating; after 
 removal of this they had an average weight of 1.85 grains. 
 Analysis showed the presence of pepsin, diastase, reducing sugar 
 (apparently maltose), a bitter extract agreeing in characters 
 with extract of cascara sagrada, a small quantity of a pungent 
 substance which appeared to be oleo- resin of capsicum, together 
 with talc and a little starch, the last being probably derived 
 from the coating. The digestive power on egg-albumen and on 
 starch wae determined; the former corresponded to about 
 grain of pepsin of B.P. strength in each tablet; the material 
 digested about 1.4 times its own weight of starch in half an 
 hour at 40, which corresponds to a very small proportion of 
 diastase, but as commercial diastase varies much in strength, 
 no quantity can be specified as equivalent; from a comparison 
 of the bitterness and pungency of a mixture made up to imitate . 
 the tablets the amount of extract of cascara appeared to be 
 about grain in each, and of oleo-resin of capsicum about 
 grain. 
 
 CELMO NO. 2. 
 
 This is supplied by the same makers as Celmo, reported on in 
 Chapter I. It is recommended for "indigestion, gouty 
 dyspepsia, flatulence, etc., etc." 
 
 A bottle, price 2s. 9d., contained 30 tablets, of average weight 
 5.8 grains. The principal ingredients were found to be pepsin 
 and diastase. The amount of pepsin was found, by its digestive 
 action on albumen, to be equivalent to about 3 grains of r>epsin 
 (B.P.) in each tablet. The amount of diastase could only be 
 inferred from the diaetatic power of the mixture, but, as com- 
 mercial diastase is very variable in strength, no exact quantity 
 can be stated as the amount present; the diastatic power was 
 such that a tablet digested 1.9 times its weight of starch in 
 half an hour under the conditions of the test of the British
 
 95 
 
 Pharmaceutical Codex, so that about 100 tablets would be 
 required to have as much effect in the digestion of starch as an 
 average teaspoonful of a good active malt extract. Maltose was 
 also present, suggesting that the diastase may have been added 
 in the form of malt extract. 
 
 A small quantity of a bitter substance was present, which 
 agreed in its characters with Socotrine aloes, the amount being 
 about ^ grain in each tablet. Stearic acid and starch were 
 present in small quantity; these materials are commonly em- 
 ployed as accessories in tablet making. No evidence was found 
 of any other ingredients. 
 
 WHELFTON'S PURIFYING PJLLS. 
 
 Whelpton's Purifying Pills are supplied by a firm in London 
 at Is. l|d. per box containing 60 pills. 
 
 They are advertised in the following terms : 
 
 Indigestion is the primary cause of most of the ills to which we are 
 subject. Hence a medicine that stimulates the digestive organs will 
 relieve quite a number of complaints. Whelpton's Vegetable Purifying 
 Pills arouse the stomach to action, promote the flow of gastric juice, and 
 give tone to the whole system. Headache flies away. Biliousness, 
 Kidney Disorders, and Skin Complaints disappear, while cheerful spirits 
 and clear complexions follow in due course. . . . The occasional or 
 regular use of Whelpton's Pills, by assisting Nature to get rid of super- 
 fluous matter, relieves the congested condition of skin and kidneys, and 
 speedily restores the natural functions of these important organs. Whelp- 
 ton's Purifying Pills are thus a direct purifier of the blood. . . . Daily 
 doses of Whelpton's Purifying Pills will arouse the Liver to proper action, 
 and, by removing the cause of obstruction, speedily restore the general 
 health of the body. 
 
 These Pills may be taken at any time, but it is generally found most 
 convenient to take them at bed-time. In ordinary cases two will be a 
 sufficient dose, but three or four may sometimes be necessary according 
 to the age and strength of the patient or obstinacy of the complaint. 
 
 The pills had an average weight of 2 grains. Chemical and 
 microscopical examination showed the presence of aloes (appa- 
 rently Socotrine), powdered colocynth, ginger, and gentian, the 
 last-named ingredient being less positively indicated than the 
 others. No evidence of the presence of mercury or calomel was 
 obtained.
 
 96 
 
 CHAS. FORDE'S BILE BEANS. 
 
 These '' beans," which consist of ovoid, coated pills, are 
 supplied by a firm in London. A box, price Is. Ifd., was 
 found to contain 30 pills, and a 2s. 9d. box 90. 
 
 In a circular enclosed in the package they are described as 
 " absolutely unequalled " for biliousness and other complaints, 
 of which thirty-eight are named, including anaemia, piles, in- 
 fluenza, despondency, blackheads, rheumatism, etc. It is further 
 stated that: 
 
 Chas. Forde's also cure Fatty and Waxy Degeneration of the Liver, 
 "Hob-nailed" or "Gin-drinker's" Liver (Cirrhosis), and the host 
 of ailments having a common origin in impaired digestion, assimilation, 
 and secretion, and in defective working of the excretory organs. Chas. 
 Forde's are likewise of inestimable service in all the disorders peculiar to 
 women, while as a general aperient and tonic remedy they are unsurpassed. 
 
 Chas. Forde's bile beans do not contain a single particle of Mercury, 
 Bismuth, or other poisonous mineral substance, and are also devoid of 
 Aloes. . . . 
 
 As a General Aperient. Two to four beans as occasion may require. 
 
 As a Tonic. One bean after the midday meal, and one upon going 
 to bed. 
 
 The pills were coated with gelatine, the coating being coloured 
 black. The average weight after removal of the coating was 
 2.3 grains. 
 
 The statement that they are devoid of aloes appears to be 
 true only if it is taken to refer to aloes itself and not to pre- 
 parations of aloes, as tests showed very clear evidence of the 
 presence of aloin; other constituents shown by chemical and 
 microscopical examination were powdered cardamoms, oil of 
 peppermint, and wheat flour; some evidence was obtained of 
 extract of colocynth, but not sufficiently conclusive for its pre- 
 sence to be definitely asserted. No evidence of the presence of 
 mercury or calomel was obtained. 
 
 CARTER'S LITTLE LIVER PILLS. 
 
 These are supplied by a New York firm; they are largely 
 advertised and sold in Great Britain. A package, price Is. UcU 
 was found to contain 42. 
 
 They are described on the package as : 
 
 Purely Vegetable. For Headache. For Dizziness. For Biliousness. 
 For Torpid Liver. For Constipation. For Sallow Skin. For the 
 Complexion,
 
 97 
 
 and in a circular contained in the package as : 
 
 designed to act upon the Liver and Bile in such a manner as to secure all 
 the benefits of a prompt and active medicine, without any of the un- 
 pleasant effects which usually attend the use of ordinary liver remedies. 
 
 The pills were sugar-coated, and after removing the coating 
 had an average weight of ^ grain. Chemical and micro- 
 scopical examination gave evidence of the presence of aloes 
 (Barbados) or a preparation of aloes, podophyllin, powdered 
 liquorice root, and wheat starch, the last probably from the 
 coating. No other ingredient could be detected. 
 
 HOLLOWAY'S PILLS. 
 
 These are supplied by Thomas Holloway, London. A box, 
 price Is. lid., was found to contain 49 pills. 
 
 It ie stated in the advertisement that: 
 
 They have positively no equal for thoroughly cleansing the system and 
 putting the liver and kidneys in functional order, without pain or griping. 
 
 A pamphlet which was wrapped round the box is entitled : 
 A Key to Health ! ! ! The Hollowayian System of Medicine and its adap- 
 tation for the treatment of many Diseases incident to the human frame. 
 
 It appears from the pamphlet that ' ' the Hollowayian System 
 of Medicine ' ' might be summoned up in the words : Take Hollo- 
 way's Pills; apply Holloway's Ointment. Among the com- 
 plaints for which this "system" is prescribed are gout, rheu- 
 matism, sciatica, paralysis, liver complaints, asthma, inflam- 
 mation of the kidneys, bronchitis, quinsy, bad legs, bad breasts, 
 ulcers, wounds, sores, tumours, piles and fistulas, the turn of 
 life, floodings and the whites, obstruction of the menses, dropsies, 
 jaundice, youthful indiscretion, impotency, palpitation of thf 
 heart, debility, indigestion, constipation, gravel, stone, venereal 
 diseases, influenza, erysipelas, lepra blotches, scald heads and 
 ringworms, scrofula, ague, diarrhoea, etc. The dose recom- 
 mended in different cases varies from two pills a day to seven 
 pills night and morning. 
 
 The pills had an average weight of 1.4 grain. Chemical and 
 microscopical examination showed the presence of aloes (Bar- 
 bados), or a preparation of aloes, powdered ginger, and soap. 
 There was no evidence of the presence of mercury or calomel.
 
 98 
 
 PAGE WOODCOCK'S WIND PILLS. 
 
 These pille are supplied by Page Woodcock, Limited. The 
 price of a box containing 32 pills was Is. l^d. 
 
 They are thus described in a circular enclosed in the package : 
 The Most Effectual Medicine Yet Discovered for the Prevention and 
 Cure of Disease. . . . 
 
 In all cases of Indigestion, Liver Complaints, Biliousness, Constipation, 
 Palpitation, Debility, Anaemia, Irregularities, Bad Assimilation, Wind in 
 the Stomach and Bowels, Spasms, Heartburn, Giddiness, Disturbed 
 Slumbers, Piles, Toothache, Neuralgia, etc., they will, if taken in accord- 
 ance with the following directions, effect a positive and permanent cure in 
 the most stubborn and deep-rooted cases. 
 
 The directions in various cases are from three to nine pills to 
 be taken daily. 
 
 The pills were pearl-coated, and after removal of the coating 
 had an average weight of 1.6 grain. Chemical and microscopical 
 examination showed the presence of aloes (Barbados) or a pre- 
 paration of aloes, a little ginger, a little soap, a trace of 
 capsicum, and oils of peppermint and cinnamon; some other 
 vegetable tissue was also present, but it did not possess any 
 characters by which it could be identified. No mercury or 
 calomel was present. 
 
 SCOTT'S PILLS. 
 
 Scott's Pills are supplied by W. Lambert, London, in boxes, 
 price Is. l^d., containing 24 pills. A circular sent with the 
 pills is headed : 
 
 Bilious and Liver Complaints, Indigestion, Costiveness, Loss of Appetite, 
 Worms, Gout, Inflammations, Rheumatism, Lumbago, etc., effectually 
 removed by the use of Dr. Scott's Bilious and Liver Pills. . . Prepared 
 from tihe Recipe of Dr. Scott, of Bromley, Kent. 
 
 The recommendations for their employment include the 
 following : 
 
 The evil effects arising from intemperance will be prevented if recourse 
 is had to them after excess of eating or drinking. Preparatory to Sea or 
 Cold Bathing they are particularly necessary ; by taking a Pill or two for 
 a few nights previous the bowels will be cleansed from any crudities that 
 may adhere to them, and the body rendered in a proper state for the pre- 
 vention of many uncomfortable complaints. They are also the most excel- 
 lent alterative and cleanser of sallow complexions, caused by obstructions 
 of the Liver. To seafaring persons they are particularly recommended, as 
 the use of them will prevent many disorders incident to such a life, which
 
 99 
 
 frequently prove fatal. Pregnant women will find them a most efficacious 
 medicine in preventing Bilious Vomitings, Nervous Headaches, and other 
 complaints peculiar to their situation. . . . 
 
 Mr. Lambert wishes to impress on parents tne necessity of administering 
 these Pills to their children ; they will find them a most efficacious Medi- 
 cine for eradicating Worms, Fevers, Coughs, Inflammations, and all dis- 
 orders of the Stomach and Bowels ; the child will be strengthened, saved 
 from all sickness, and the parents themselves much trouble and uneasiness. 
 
 The pills had an average weight of 2.4 grains. Chemical and 
 microscopical examination indicated the presence of aloes (Soco- 
 trine) in rather small quantity, ginger, rhubarb, and soap. No 
 mercury or calomel was present. 
 
 KER-NAK. 
 
 Ker-Nak, or Ker-Nak Pills, are supplied by a company in 
 Leeds at Is. l|d. per package, containing 41 pills. They are 
 thus described in a circular accompanying the package : 
 
 Ker-Nak is a natural and valuable remedy which marks an important 
 step in advance of old-fashioned purges and drastic mineral pills. These 
 latter, with their mercury, bismuth, and other crude ingredients, only 
 irritate, inflame, and, in the end, seriously injure, the delicate linings of 
 the stomach and bowels. All such mineral drugs, doubtful in their 
 physiological action and paralysing and harmful in their eventual effect, 
 do not in any way, directly or indirectly, enter into the composition of 
 Ker-Nak, which, on the contrary, contains certain essences and oils, 
 the valuable constituents of fresh ripe fruit, together with valuable 
 vegetable extracts and internal disinfectants reputed for their purity and 
 medicinal worth. . . . The unapproachable excellence of Ker-Nak from a 
 medicinal or healing standpoint, as well as its greater suitability for 
 sickness contracted under present-day conditions . . . renders this natural 
 treatment, so invaluable in cases of : Constipation, Headache, Indiges- 
 tion . . . Sleeplessness, Neuralgia, Palpitation . . . Anaemia, and most 
 Female Ailments (in youth, motherhood, middle-age, and declining 
 years), Piles . . . Hysterics, Shortness of Breath . . . Rheumatic Affec- 
 tions, Influenza, and its after-effects. . . . 
 
 The lengthy circular concludes with a paragraph headed : 
 FREE ADVICE. 
 
 Any reader in need of sound advice upon his or her own ailment can 
 have, Free of Cost, the assistance of our fully qualified Medical Staff. 
 
 Describe in detail all the symptoms of your illness, say how long the 
 illness has lasted, and what you have been doing for it in the past ; 
 and have no hesitation in stating fully any matter which troubles you. 
 The medical staff will tell you frankly and in confidence what is the 
 best treatment for you to adopt. 
 
 G 2
 
 100 
 
 The directions on the package are : 
 
 Dose 1 to 3, or in severe cases, two doses of 2 each, one dose at night 
 and repeat after the next mid-day meal. 
 
 The pills were coated with orange-coloured pearl-coating; 
 after removing it they had an average weight of 1| grain. 
 Chemical and microscopical examination indicated the presence 
 of aloes (Barbados) or a preparation of aloes, a little soap, a 
 very little oleo-resin of capsicum, and a little vegetable tissue 
 which appeared to be marshmallow root (used as an excipient). 
 There was no evidence of the presence of mercury or calomel. 
 
 COCKLE'S PILLS. 
 
 The present maker's name of these is not given, but they are 
 described in the circulars which accompany them as being 
 " Prepared by the late James Cockle, Surgeon and Apothecary, 
 4, Great Ormond Street, London." A box, price Is. ld., was 
 found to contain 16 pills. It was also stated that : 
 
 These pills consist of a careful and peculiar admixture of the best and 
 mildest vegetable aperients, with the pure extract of the flowers of the 
 camomile. They will be found a most efficacious remedy for derange- 
 ment of the digestive organs, and for obstructions and torpid action of 
 the liver and bowels, which produce Indigestion and the several varieties 
 of Bilious and Liver Complaints . . . these Pills are not recommended 
 as containing any new or dangerously active ingredients ; on the contrary, 
 they are characterised by a remarkable simplicity of combination, and 
 whatever merit they may be found to possess depends as much upon 
 the selection of pure drugs and the unusual labour and attention bestowed 
 upon their subsequent preparation, as upon the acknowledged peculiarity 
 of their composition. They are not recommended as a panacea, nor are 
 they adapted to all complaints; but as a mild and efficacious aperient 
 and tonic in the various forms of Indigestion, with intestinal irregularity 
 admitting their uee, it will not, perhaps, be an exaggeration to state that 
 they have been resorted to under all systems of diet, changes of climate, 
 or atmospheric alternations, with an extraordinary degree of success, for 
 a period extending over more than half a century. 
 
 The directions vary from " One Pill to be taken an hour 
 before dinner " to " Two or three at any time." 
 
 The pills had an average weight of 4 grains. Chemical and 
 microscopical examination indicated the presence of aloes (Soco- 
 trine), a little soap, powdered colocynth, powdered jalap, and 
 another vegetable tissue which did not agree in characters with 
 any drug now in ordinary use, and which could not be identified. 
 No evidence of the presence of mercury or calomel was detected.
 
 101 
 
 BURGESS' LION PILLS. 
 
 The first volume of this book contained the results of analysis 
 of Burgess' Lion Ointment, and the Pills are a companion medi- 
 cine. A box, price Is. l|d., was found to contain 24 pills. In 
 a circular enclosed in the package it is stated that : . 
 
 The Pills act beneficially by imparting a healthy action to the Liver 
 and Digestive Organs, removing Obstructions and purifying the Blood, 
 completely renovating the health by expelling and preventing the recur- 
 rence of disease. When suffering from Headache, Giddiness, Pains in the 
 Back or Loins, Loss of Appetite, or a feeling of General Debility, these 
 Pills will be found most invaluable. 
 
 The directions on the label are " Two to be taken at bedtime." 
 The pills were pearl-coated ; after removal of the coating they 
 had an average weight of 4| grains. Chemical and micro- 
 scopical examination indicated the presence of ipecacuanha, 
 rhubarb, a little jalap, probably aloes (Socotrine), and oil of 
 peppermint, and soap. There was no evidence of the presence 
 of mercury or calomel. 
 
 HOOD'S VEGETABLE PILLS. 
 
 These are supplied by a limited company in London, in 
 bottles, price Is. l|d., containing 34 pills. 
 
 They are described" on the package as : 
 
 The great Liver Invigorator. A mild, efficient carthartic, purely vege- 
 table, unequalled as a family physic and after-dinner pill. A valuable 
 remedy for Liver Complaint, Constipation, Nausea, Billiousness, Head- 
 ache, Indigestion, Sour Stomach, Distress after Eating, Jaundice. 
 
 The directions, given in a circular enclosed in the package, 
 are : 
 
 For Biliousness Jaundice, Sick Headache, Constipation, Flatulence, 
 Dizziness, Nausea, and all Liver Troubles, and to Relieve or Prevent 
 Malaria and Influenza. For laxative effect, the usual dose is one, two, 
 or three pills taken at bedtime in a draught of water ; for purgative effect, 
 from three to six pills, taken in the same way. . . . 
 
 For Indigestion, Heartburn, Distress in the Stomach, Fulness after 
 Eating : The usual dose is one pill taken immediately after eating, in a 
 draught of water. 
 
 The pills were sugar-coated, and, after removal of the coating, 
 they had an average weight of | grain. Chemical and micro- 
 scopical examination showed the presence of aloes (Barbados) 
 or a preparation of aloes probably aloin, ginger, capsicum, 
 colocynth, soap, and probably a little jalap. There was no 
 evidence of the presence of mercury or calomel.
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 KIDNEY MEDICINES. 
 
 The secret remedies dealt with in this chapter comprise a 
 further selection from those advertised for the cure of back- 
 ache and kidney disorders. Several of those which were 
 described in the previous report on nostrums of this class 
 (Secret Remedies, p. 66) were pills, nearly all containing 
 potassium nitrate and oil of juniper. Of the four pills now 
 reported on, only one contains these ingredients; two con- 
 sist chiefly of soap and sodium carbonate, and the fourth 
 contains copaiba as the only active substance found ; this, 
 although advertised for backache and kidney troubles, ap- 
 pears to be principally put forward for gonorrhoea, gleet, 
 and similar disorders. Neither of the two liquids described 
 in the report appears to contain any very active substance ; 
 one of these, of American origin, and stated to contain more 
 effectual doses and more medicine in each dose than any 
 other remedy at the same price, proved to contain 10.5 
 per cent, of alcohol and 46.5 per cent, of sugars, with only 
 2.4 per cent, of vegetable extractive, which appeared to be 
 partly derived from cascara sagrada, a trace of oil of winter- 
 green giving an aromatic flavour to the whole. Needless to 
 say, the claims advanced for this combination do not show 
 more modesty than is displayed in other cases, including as 
 they do the assertions that it cures Bright 's disease, expels 
 gall stones, cures impotence, drives malarial poison out of 
 the system, is the best remedy for liver complaint, torpid
 
 103 
 
 liver, and biliousness, and possesses the rarest electric and 
 therapeutic properties in a very concentrated form. The 
 other liquid preparation appears to depend chiefly on mag- 
 nesium sulphate and potassium citrate, with a very little 
 sweet spirit of nitre and some vegetable extractive in which 
 no active substances were recognised. The extraordinary 
 carelessness with which the ingredients of nostrums may be 
 thrown together is shown by comparing the contents of dif- 
 ferent bottles ; one contained five times as much magnesium 
 sulphate as the other. This preparation is foisted upon the 
 public as an ingredient in a " prescription " which is pub- 
 lished in various papers in the guise of an item of informa- 
 tion ; readers are advised to take it only to ' ' chemists of 
 well-known standing," in order to avoid some other ingre- 
 dient being substituted for one of those named ; probably 
 chemists of well-known standing who received such a " pre- 
 scription " would take good care to inform the purchaser 
 that one of the ingredients was a secret nostrum and not a 
 recognised preparation of known composition like the others, 
 and our analysis may allow of a little further information 
 being now given. One of the pills reported on is one 
 'member of a series called "The Home Doctor Remedies," 
 which furnishes a good illustration of the advantage to the 
 proprietor of a nostrum in supplying directly to the public. 
 In this case the proprietor is a limited company though 
 using the name of an individual claiming to be " Specialists 
 in the Treatment and Cure of Rupture," and inviting every 
 one suffering from rupture to submit particulars and 
 measurements, etc., in order to be supplied with an appli- 
 ance and the application, shown in a previous report to be 
 a tincture of capsicum with certain essential oils, which is 
 to "cure" the rupture. In this way large numbers of 
 names and addresses are doubtless obtained, and the persons 
 applying are not only furnished with particulars of the rup- 
 ture "treatment," but also in due course with the par-
 
 104 
 
 ticulars of " The Home Doctor Remedies " for various 
 disorders, remedies said to have been evolved for the treat- 
 ment of complications interfering with the cure of rupture ; 
 they no doubt provide a remunerative subsidiary business. 
 The pamphlet describing them contains the statement " we 
 have no large advertising expenses, and are thus in a position 
 to exclude all but the very best quality of articles used in 
 their manufacture, and still supply the articles at a reason- 
 able price " ; how reasonable the price is may be seen by 
 comparing the estimated cost of the ingredients (about Jd.) 
 with the price charged for the pills (Is. 9d.). 
 
 HOLDEOYD'S GRAVEL PILLS. 
 
 These are supplied by a firm in the north of England in 
 boxes at Is. ld., containing twenty-five. 
 
 They are advertised as: 
 
 A positive cure for Gravel, Pains in the Back, Dropsy, Diseases of the 
 Kidneys, Gr>ut, Sciatica. 
 
 Some extracts from circulars enclosed in the package are: 
 Have you Pains in the Back, Between the Shoulders, In the Joints? 
 If so, don't go on suffering day after day when you can be quickly and 
 permanently cured by Holdroyd's Gravel Pills, which are guaranteed to 
 give Immediate Eelief in all cases of Gravel, Lumbago, Pains in Back, 
 Dropsy, Wind and Water Complaints, Rheumatism, Gleet, Kidney 
 Disease, Gout, Sciatica, etc. 
 
 They have never been known to fail and never can. They have cured 
 diseases after long years of suffering, when various remedies, hospitals, 
 and medical men have tried in vain. A steady perseverance 'with these 
 marvellous Pills has effected wonderful cures. 
 
 The directions are : 
 Two Pills three times a day, morning, afternoon, and night. 
 
 The pills were not regularly coated, but had a thick covering 
 of loosely adhering magnesia, more or less impregnated with 
 oil of anise and colouring matter from the pill. After removal 
 of this layer their average weight was 4.3 grains. Analysis 
 showed the presence of oil of anise, soap, sodium carbonate, and 
 powdered rhubarb. The proportions of the different ingredients
 
 105 
 
 were determined as nearly as possible, and the following formula 
 was arrived at: 
 
 Soap 40 per cent. 
 
 Dried sodium carbonate 20 
 
 Powdered rhubarb 20 
 
 Oil of anise 10 
 
 Syrup 10 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients for twenty-five pills $d. 
 
 DE. DE RODS' COMPOUND RENAL PILLS. 
 
 These pills are supplied by a firm in London at Is. l|d. per 
 box, containing fifteen pills. 
 
 They are advertised as follows: 
 
 Dr. De Roos' Compound Renal Pills have over Fifty years' reputation 
 as the most safe and speedy remedy for Pains in the Back, Gravel, Lum- 
 bago, Gout, Rheumatism, Weakness across the Loins, Sandy or other 
 deposits, Stone, Stricture, and Diseases of Kidneys and Urinary Organs 
 generally. 
 
 And in a pamphlet enclosed in the package it is stated that : 
 
 By their use alone many thousands are annually restored to health, 
 and the agonies of gout and rheumatism may now be considered a volun- 
 tary affliction, as no one need suffer these excruciating torments if they 
 will only have recourse to these Pills, which are confidently recommended 
 by the proprietor as the only real specific, and being entirely free from 
 colchicum, mercury, and other injurious ingredients, may be taken with 
 perfect safety by sufferers of either sex. For weakness across the loins, 
 sandy or other deposits, discharges, and diseases of the urinary organs 
 generally, they are altogether unrivalled. They correct acidity of the 
 stomach, promote the functions of the kidneys, thereby preventing stone in 
 the bladder, and many other serious disorders to which these important 
 organs are liable. Many complaints, long supposed to be nervous, often 
 arise solely from contamination of the blood with certain impurities which 
 should have been carried off by the kidneys. Several unsightly eruptions 
 of the skin and face also arise from the same cause, and may be as readily 
 removed by these Pills. 
 
 Varying directions are given for different cases, the dose vary- 
 ing from "one or two " to "two or more " to be taken either 
 every night, or every morning, or both night and morning. 
 
 The pills were not regularly coated, but had a thick covering 
 of powdered liquorice. After removing this, their average 
 weight was 4.5 grains. Analysis showed the presence of soap 
 (34.2 per cent., calculated as anhydrous), sodium carbonate 
 (19.7 per cent, of the dried salt), a resin (3.3 per cent.), and a
 
 106 
 
 small quantity of vegetable tissue with moisture and extractive. 
 The resin did not contain colophony, and did not show the char- 
 acteristic behaviour of galbanum, but may have been derived 
 from ammoniacum. It possessed no characters by which its 
 source could be determined. The vegetable tissue appeared to 
 be derived from a leaf, but could not be identified with any drug 
 in ordinary use. No other active ingredient was found. 
 
 RED CROSS PILLS. 
 
 Red Cross Pills are supplied by a limited company in Liver- 
 pool. A 2s. 9d. box was found to contain sixty-one pills. 
 
 An advertisement of the pills is as follows : 
 
 Red Cross Pills are the Wonder of the Day. Cure for Kidney, Bladder, 
 Backache, Gravel, and all discharge from any cause. 30 years' Reputa- 
 tion. Thousands of Testimonials. Send 2s. 9d. postal order. 
 
 A box of the pills was sent for, no reference being made to 
 the purpose for which they were required. They were received 
 by post with the following letter (the punctuation is unaltered) : 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 We thank you for your letter, Pills herewith. You will make better 
 progress if you do not touch any intoxicants drink Soda and Lime Juice 
 or a little Claret instead; at home plenty of Barley Water, if can help 
 you in any way, please write to us, and. we will do our best for you in 
 the way of advice. With our best wishes for a speedy cure. Yours truly. 
 
 The following is an extract from a pamphlet enclosed in the 
 package : 
 
 If you suffer from pains in the back and Lumbago, take the Red Cross 
 Pills ; thousands have been cured by their use. 
 
 If you suffer from Gravel, the Kidneys, and Inflamation of the Bladder, 
 take Red Cross Pills ; thousands have been cured by their use. 
 
 If you suffer from old standing ailments which are the curse of man- 
 hood, and which bring premature decay of Nervous and Physical Strength, 
 such as Strictures, Spermatorrhoe, Nocturnal Emissions, Prostate Affec- 
 tions, etc., etc., take the Red Cross Pills; thousands have been cured by 
 their use. 
 
 If you suffer from what is generally known to be red sand deposit in 
 the urine, or urine unclear and cloudy, take the Red Grose Pills ; thousands 
 are relieved every day by their use for the same complaints. 
 
 If you suffer from want of energy caused by old standing ailments 
 and impurity of the Blood, take the Red Cross Pills; thousands have been 
 cured by their use.
 
 107 
 
 If you suffer from Gonorrhcei, Gleek, or discharges of any description, 
 accidental, recent, or chronic cases, arising from any causes, take the 
 Red Cross Pills ; thousands have been cured by their use. 
 
 The Red Cross Pills are warranted to be purely vegetable and not to 
 contain a particle of mercury. 
 
 Directions are given in which the dose varies from two pills 
 twice a day to three pills three times a day. The pills were 
 sugar-coated, and coloured pink externally. After removal of 
 the coating they bad an average weight of 2.6 grains. Analysis 
 showed the presence of a resin (24.3 per cent.) which appeared to 
 be copaiba resin, a much smaller quantity of oil of copaiba, 
 magnesia (about 8 per cent.), with liquorice and starch; no 
 other active ingredients were found. The principal constituent 
 thus appears to be copaiba, from which most of the oil has been 
 removed to facilitate its preparation as a pill, the remainder 
 being apparently of the nature of excipient. Such pills sugar- 
 coated, can be obtained wholesale at less than Is. per gross. 
 
 THE HOME DOCTOR BACKACHE AND KIDNEY PILLS. 
 
 These pills belong to a series called " The Home Doctor 
 Remedies," supplied by a limited company in London, which 
 advertises largely a "treatment for rupture." In a previous 
 report (Secret Remedies, pp. 158-160) is published the result of 
 analysis of their " Developing Lymphol," supplied as part of 
 the treatment; the connection of this side of the business with 
 "The Home Doctor Remedies " is thus described in a pamphlet 
 sent to a person who had previously purchased an appliance for 
 rupture : 
 
 In successfully treating rupture it is necessary to take into consideration 
 the other physical disabilities of the patient as well as devoting attention 
 to the rupture, and as there are some diseases which directly, and others 
 indirectly, affect the cure of rupture, we have found it necessary to give 
 special attention to those which are most likely to delay a cure. 
 
 We are not general Patent Medicine dealers, but we are Specialists in 
 the Treatment and Cure of Rupture, and it is to the fact that we give the 
 closest attention to all the various conditions connected with each indi- 
 vidual case that we have 'been able to attain such remarkable success in 
 curing rupture. Whenever we find any complication that has any tendency 
 to delay the cure, we endeavour to overcome this complication, so that 
 the cure of the rupture may proceed without interruption. To that end 
 we have gradually evolved a series of medicines for these complications, 
 accepting none that had not been thoroughly tested and recommended by 
 the best authorities, or that could in any way be harmful to the patient.
 
 108 
 
 The ingredients of each of our formulas are practically all vegetable pro- 
 ducts, and the formulas themselves are recommended and used by medical 
 men of high standing. 
 
 We, ourselves, can strongly recommend these remedies, and patients can 
 use them with confidence, knowing that in them they have the very best 
 that actual experience can produce. 
 
 We supply these remedies at Prices which cannot be equalled where 
 results are considered. 
 
 There are six other " Home Doctor Remedies " besides the 
 Backache and Kidney Pills. The latter are thus referred to: 
 
 Our remedy for backache cannot be surpassed. In nearly every other 
 remedy used it is necessary to gradually increase the size of the dose, as 
 well as the frequency of it. With our remedy the same dose is taken at 
 all times and will give exactly the same results. It is absolutely harmless 
 and will at once relieve all disagreeable symptoms, and induce the kidneys 
 to perform their proper functions. 
 
 The price is Is. 9d. per bottle, post paid; a bottle was found 
 to contain fifty-three pills, ovoid in shape, and coated with 
 gelatine coloured black. After removal of the coating the 
 pills had an average weight of 3.3 grains. Analysis showed the 
 presence of potassium nitrate, powdered capsicum, a very little oil 
 of juniper, with soap, sugar, magnesia, starch, and gum. There 
 was no evidence that the extractive present came from anything 
 besides the capsicum, but a small quantity of some other extract 
 possessing no distinctive characters might 'have been present. 
 Che quantities of the different ingredients were determined as 
 nearly as possible, and the formula was found to be, 
 approximately : 
 
 Oil of juniper 3 per cent. 
 
 Potassium nitrate . 26 ,, 
 
 Magnesia 8 , 
 
 Powdered capsicum 20 ,. 
 
 Sugar 17 
 
 Soap I '.. 
 
 Starch, gum, moisture, etc., to 100. 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients for fifty-three pills about |d. 
 
 DR. KILMER'S SWAMP-ROOT. 
 
 This preparation is stated to be prepared only by a firm 
 giving a London address ; the package, however, bears the words, 
 "made in U.S.A." The price of the small-size bottle is 
 Is. ld., and this was found to contain just over 3 fluid ounces.
 
 109 
 
 An advertisement in an English periodical is headed : 
 
 Are your kidneys weak? Thousands of Men and Women have Kidney 
 Trouble and Never Suspect It. 
 
 And other statements which follow include : 
 
 Most people do not realise the alarming increase and remarkable preva- 
 lence of kidney disease. While kidney disorders are the most common 
 diseases that prevail, they are almost the last recognised by patients and 
 physicians, who content themselves with doctoring the effects, while the 
 original disease undermines the system. ... In taking Swamp-Root, 
 you afford natural help to Nature, for it is the most perfect healer and 
 gentle aid to the kidneys that has ever been discovered. 
 
 On the front page of a pamphlet enclosed in the package 
 appears the following: 
 
 How To Find Out. 
 
 Fill a bottle or common glass with urine and let it stand twenty-four 
 hours ; a sediment or settling indicates an unhealthy condition of the 
 kidneys. When urine stains linen it is evidence of kidney trouble. Too 
 frequent desire to urinate, scanty supply, pain or dull ache in the back, 
 is also convincing proof that the kidneys or bladder are out of order. 
 
 What To Do. 
 
 There is comfort in the knowledge so often expressed, that Dr. Kilmer's 
 Swamp-Root, the great kidney, liver, and bladder remedy, fulfils every 
 wish in quickly relieving pain in the back, kidneys, liver, bladder, and 
 every part of the urinary passage. 
 
 And on the package it is stated that : 
 
 This great specific cures Acute and Chronic Diseases of the Kidneys, 
 Liver, Bladder, or Urinary Organs, Kidney Complaint, and all Uric 
 Acid Troubles. Cures Bright's Disease. Dissolves, expels Gravel, Stone 
 in Bladder. It heals and cures Irritation, Inflammation, Ulceration, or 
 Catarrh of Bladder, Blood or Mucus in Urine, Retention of Urine, Pain 
 in Urinating, Frequent Calls, Highly Coloured Urine^ Brick Dust in 
 Urine, Stoppage of Urine, Thick, Sluggish, Scanty Urine. Builds up 
 a run down Constitution, and is the Best Remedy and most reliable for 
 Liver Complaint, Torpid Liver and Biliousness, Expels Gall Stones, 
 Diabetes, Dropsy. It cures Enlargement of Prostate Gland, Seminal 
 Weakness, Spermatorrhoea; Impotence, Generative Debility, and General 
 Languor. Drives Malarial Poison out of system. Gravel. It removes 
 the causes producing Nervousness, Sleeplessness, Headache, Neuralgia, 
 Slime Fever, Inward Heat and Thirst, and cures when all other remedies 
 have failed. It purifies the blood ! 
 
 The contents of thie bottle is a PURE MEDICINE, and contains more 
 effectual doses, and each dose contains MORE MEDICINE than any other 
 remedy at the same price.
 
 110 
 
 Contains the active medicinal properties of Swamp Roots, Field Herbs, 
 Sea Weeds, Native Balms and Balsams, possessing the rarest Electric 
 and Therapeutic properties in a very concentrated form. 
 
 The directions on the label are : 
 
 May Take one, two, or three teaspoonfuls before or after meals, and at 
 bedtime. Children less according to age. May commence with small 
 doses and increase to full dose or more, as the case would seem to require. 
 
 The liquid was brown in colour and turbid, giving a small 
 deposit on standing. Analysis showed that 100 parte by 
 measure contained 48.9 parts by weight of solid matter, of 
 which 46.5 parts consisted of sugars; 10.5 per cent, of alcohol 
 (by measure) was present, with a trace of oil of wintergreen. 
 The mineral constituents only amounted to 0.05 per cent., and 
 consisted of the elements usually found in vegetable drugs ; no 
 alkaloid was present. The extractive was bitter, and contained 
 emodin, agreeing in these respects with extract of cascara 
 sagrada. A liquid containing 2 parts of extract of cascara 
 sagrada and 0.5 parts of oil of wintergreen in 100 parts by 
 measure, together with sugar and alcohol in the proportions 
 found in the original, agreed well with it in regard to degree 
 of bitterness and the strength of the wintergreen flavour ; but 
 small quantities of extractives of " swamp roots, field herbs, sea 
 weeds," etc., if present, could not have been detected in pre- 
 sence of so large a proportion of sugar and the bitter substance. 
 Definite active constituents could, of course, have been found. 
 The sediment of the original mixture, when examined with the 
 microscope, showed traces of vegetable tissue in considerable 
 variety. 
 
 KAROX COMPOUND. 
 
 This is supplied by the Karox Manufacturing Company from 
 an address in the north of England, in bottles containing one 
 fluid ounce, price Is. l|d. 
 
 The method of advertising chiefly employed in this case is the 
 insertion in newspapers of small paragraphs having the appear- 
 ance of news paragraphs, and so worded as to appear to be 
 disinterested information supplied by the paper to its readers. 
 The following is an example of such a paragraph : 
 
 We have recently published a prescription for the relief and cure of 
 Kidney and Liver Diseases, Rheumatism, etc. We regret to learn from 
 some of our readers that in some cases the prescription has not been 
 accurately dispensed, one of the ingredients being apparently substituted 
 by other cheaper drugs for the sake of extra profit. As it is essential
 
 Ill 
 
 that the prescription should be dispensed accurately if the remedy is 
 to be beneficial, we desire to warn the readers of this paper against such 
 substitution, and would advise them to have the prescription dispensed 
 only by chemists of well-known standing, or purchase the ingredients 
 separately and mix them at home by shaking well in a bottle. The 
 correct prescription is Tincture of Buchu, 1 oz. ; Karox Compound, 1 oz. ; 
 Syrup of Lemons, 2 oz. Dose : One teaspoonful in a wineglass of water 
 three times daily after meals, and at bedtime. 
 
 On the wrapper of the package " Karox Compound " is 
 described as : 
 
 A Natural Remedy invaluable for promoting the regular action of the 
 Liver, Kidneys, Bowels, and Kindred Organs, purifying the blood and 
 building up the whole body. 
 
 Karox Compound is not a cure-all. 
 
 A large proportion of disease is the direct result of Sluggishness of the 
 Liver and Kidneys, and by gently stimulating these important organs it 
 cures Biliousness, Headaches, Constipation, Indigestion, Jaundice, Offen- 
 sive Breath, Skin Eruptions, Pains in the Back, Female Ailments, etc. 
 
 The contents of several bottles of this preparation were 
 examined, and were found to differ very considerably in com- 
 position. The ingredients found were magnesium sulphate, 
 potassium citrate, alcohol, spirit of nitrous ether, sugars, vege- 
 table extractive, and faint traces of alkaloid and formaldehyde. 
 The magnesium sulphate varied from 1.45 to 6.87 parts per 
 100 parts by measure, and the potassium citrate from 4.76 to 
 6.55; the sugars were about 8 per cent., and the alcohol in one 
 specimen was found to be 6 per cent, by volume. The liquid 
 smelt strongly of spirit of nitrous ether and gave qualitative 
 evidence of the presence of nitrite, but the amount was not 
 sufficient to give any nitric oxide when tested in a nitrometer. 
 The vegetable extractive was between 1 and 2 per cent., but 
 showed no characters indicative of its source. There was a 
 trace of sediment in the liquid, and microscopical examination 
 of this showed the presence of yeast or yeast-like cells and the 
 minute plants known as desmids.
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 OBESITY CUBES, AND A " FLESH PRODUCER." 
 
 A good many nostrums advertised for the treatment of 
 obesity were dealt with in the previous volume of this book, 
 and some of those described which were formerly advertised 
 extensively are now bat little in evidence, if, indeed, they 
 have not disappeared altogether; how far this may be due 
 to the exposure which was there made, we are unable to say. 
 But others have appeared on the market, and the extent to 
 which such preparations are advertised suggests either that 
 obesity is on the increase, or that people are becoming more 
 conscious of its disadvantages and, therefore, more ready to 
 lay out money on medicines promising to restore them to 
 normal weight. Somewhat curiously, while advertisements 
 of " cares " for obesity have increased, there have recently 
 appeared numerous and lengthy advertisements of an article 
 intended to cure the opposite condition, that of excessive 
 leanness. In the present chapter we give an account of some 
 nostrums for obesity not previously dealt with, and also of 
 the " flesh producer " just referred to. 
 
 It was shown by the analyses published in the former 
 volume that extract of bladderwrack was the basis of several 
 of the medicines described, and the same substance appears 
 in nearly all those now dealt with. Bladderwrack (Fucus 
 vesiculosus) is a common seaweed found on and around our 
 shores, and, in common with other seaweeds, it contains 
 considerable quantities of the salts occurring in sea-water, in 
 eluding a small quantity cf a compound of iodine ; the extract 
 was at one time credited with having some effect in reducing
 
 113 
 
 superfluous fat, but It does not appear to be used at all in 
 legitimate medicine now, and there is no official process for 
 preparing it. Since it contains no definite active consti- 
 tuent and is likely to be very variable in composition, it is 
 not possible to determine exactly the amount that is present 
 in a mixture with other substances. Another drug which 
 has been given for obesity is thyroid extract, or some other 
 preparation of the thyroid gland ; this appears to have been 
 present in one or two of the articles examined, but there is 
 the same difficulty in regard to determining the quantity of 
 it present in a mixture, or even identifying it beyond the pos- 
 sibility of question, as that just referred to in connection 
 with extract of bladderwrack. 
 
 It is not only in the composition of their wares that the 
 makers of these preparations show similarity of practice; 
 even the devices used in advertising and selling them have a 
 strong family likeness. The plan of giving away a free 
 sample and accompanying it with statements as to the im- 
 portance of following it up with a " full treatment " are 
 characteristic of nearly all the advertisers dealt with. It is, 
 moreover, quite in keeping with what we are accustomed to 
 find that each should advance the claim that his own pre- 
 paration, though found on examination to contain the same 
 drug as those of his rivals, is totally different from all others, 
 and that each should claim to be the discoverer of this won- 
 derful substance. The absurdity of the claims becomes more 
 striking when they are brought together. The first of the 
 nostrums described is put forward with the assertions, " I 
 know I have found a cure at last," " My method is unlike 
 any other." The next maker says that his pills " in any case 
 will do more to reduce corpulency than any other remedy 
 extant," and they " present a striking contrast to many so- 
 called remedies so freely offered at extravagant prices to the 
 public, some of which are useless and others dangerous." 
 A third calls his " the only safe and certain remedy," " the 
 most remarkable scientific discovery of the present age," and
 
 114 
 
 guarantees to cure ; and so on. Such vague titles as " spe- 
 cialist ' ' and ' ' certified chemist ' ' are so used as to imply 
 that they are qualifications; and the usual feature, exorbi- 
 tant price the mainspring of the whole business is, of 
 course, conspicuous, drugs costing a few pence being sup- 
 plied for various sums up to '2 Is. Id. One advertiser 
 appears to have hit on a little novelty with the claim that 
 " my remedy is a woman's cure for women only. Nobody 
 but a woman could have discovered it, and it is offered to 
 women only," while a certain amount of originality must 
 be allowed to the statement, emanating from 'the same 
 source, that, "what happens in these cases" (of heart 
 failure) "is fatty penetration of the heart, which leads of 
 syncope." 
 
 A. GORDON WALLACE'S "TREATMENT." 
 
 This is advertised by A. Gordon Wallace, London. It is 
 priced at one guinea for a month's " treatment," but as the 
 first fortnight's medicine is supplied free, the actual amount 
 to be paid for it is 10s. 6d. The following extracts from adver- 
 tisements will show the nature of the claims advanced : 
 
 ARE YOU TOO STOUT ? 
 
 Famous Obesity Specialist tells how everyone can lose Superfluous Flesh 
 and Improve their General Health. . . . 
 
 If you are one of the thousands of much-enduring men and women who 
 are unhealthily stout, or growing too stout, this article will bring new 
 hope to you. If your appearance is marred by a double chin, or an 
 ungainly bust, or a protruding abdomen, or any other disagreeable 
 evidence of Obesity, here is an offer that will help you to remove the 
 ugly defects in your physical appearance. If your health is threatened 
 as it must be by superfluous flesh, which generally carries in its train 
 gout, or rheumatism, or palpitation, or " fatty " 'heart, or some other 
 serious ailment, read and profit by this advice from a famous Obesity 
 Specialist. . . . 
 
 I do guarantee to reduce your weight safely and scientifically, and 
 strictly according to well-defined and recognised physiological laws, if 
 you will <x>nscientiously follow out my directions while you are taking a 
 course of my Treatment. 
 
 Medical men have, on their own admission, been so far baffled for A 
 REAL AND EFFECTIVE CURE that -will 'bring in its train no other injury 
 to the patient's system. I know I have found a cure at last. I know
 
 115 
 
 what it has done for thousands of others and I know it will do the same 
 for you. All you need do is to write to me to-day, and you will receive 
 my book, which will be of invaluable service to you, by return post, free 
 of charge. ... I will send securely and privately packed, to any 
 reader who forwards me 3d. for postage, a full-size fortnight's package of 
 my remedy free of charge. . . . You will not have to wait for weeks, 
 or even days, before deriving benefit. You will experience at once a 
 wonderful feeling of lightness and brightness ; you will be able to walk 
 longer distances without being fagged ; your heart will beat more 
 regularly ; and your breathing will be better. 
 
 The "fortnight's package" was accompanied by a letter, 
 of which the following is a part : 
 
 As a rule, One Month's Treatment is sufficient, though, of course, I 
 need scarcely say that in some cases the Treatment must extend to two 
 or even three months, in order to secure complete and permanent results. 
 My usual fee for an ordinary month's course is One Guinea (credit, of 
 course, being given for the cost of tihe free fortnight's trial treatment 
 enclosed), and on receipt therefore of P.O. for 10s. 6d., together with the 
 accompanying Consultation Form, fully filled up, I will at once formulate 
 and send you the directions and various preparations suited to your re- 
 quirements, thus enabling you to complete the full month's course at 
 half price without any interruption. 
 
 The second fortnight's treatment really begins the actual flesh-reducing 
 portion of my system following upon the elimination of the impurities 
 that are robbing you of your vital NERVE FORCE, and I would emphasise 
 the importance of this continuity of treatment to ensure a satisfactory 
 reduction of your superfluous flesh, and also generally improved health. 
 
 The "book" referred to was also sent; it is a small paper 
 booklet of about fifty pages, entitled "Obesity: Cause and 
 Treatment. By A. Gordon Wallace, Specialist." This curious 
 qualification is the only one that is mentioned on the title page ; 
 but on page 33 the following appears under the heading 
 
 In Plain Language. 
 
 It is apropos for me to here mention that I am a physician holding 
 diplomas by examination, and I have made the cause and treatment of 
 Obesity a special study. My methods of treatment are based en sound 
 physiological grounds, and not merely tentative or empirical. 
 
 This little treatise is not an essay such as I would deliver before a 
 medical society, but is a talk to the laity, therefore I purposely avoid the 
 use of technical language. I am to discu&s the subject here in as simple 
 a manner as I possibly can so that everything will be clearly understood. 
 
 I am confident that this method of stating the facts will be appreciated. 
 
 On other pages it is stated that 
 
 My method is unlike any other. I give my patients a true physiological 
 treatment that restores lost Nerve-Force, and Nature does the rest. 
 My Treatment allows you to eat what you like and drink what you like. 
 
 H 2
 
 116 
 
 The " fortnight's package " contained 54 sugar-coated tablets. 
 The directions on the label were " Two Tablets to be taken three 
 times daily between food." At this rate the " fortnight's " 
 supply would last nine days. 
 
 After removal of the coating, the tablets had an average 
 weight of 2.9 grains. Analysis showed them to consist of an 
 extract and a vegetable powder ; the extract agreed in characters 
 with extract of bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) which is the 
 basis of a great many of the nostrums for obesity ; although this 
 extract is not known to contain any definite active principle 
 which can be isolated and identified, its mineral constituents 
 differ so much from those of most vegetable extracts that a care- 
 ful examination of these, together with the characters of the 
 extract itself, enable it to be identified with practical, though 
 not absolute, certainty. The vegetable powder was found by 
 microscopic examination to consist of liquorice root, together 
 with a large proportion of the cells characteristic of powdered 
 nutshells, olive stones, etc. ; the cheapest liquorice powders in 
 the market are largely adulterated with powdered nutshells 
 and olive-stones, and this fact may perhaps account for the 
 presence of the tissues in question. The quantity of extract in 
 each tablet was about 2 grains. Similar tablets can be obtained 
 wholesale at about Is. a thousand. 
 
 Some further information with regard to this " famous 
 obesity specialist " appears in Chapter XIX. 
 
 DR. VINCENT'S ANTI-STOUT PILLS. 
 
 These pills are supplied by Dr. Vincent's Medicine Co., 
 London, at 2s., 4s. 6d., and 10s. per box. A 2s. box was found 
 to contain 38 pills. 
 
 In an advertisement of these pills it is stated that 
 One 2s. Box of Dr. Vincent's Anti-Stout Pills has in hundreds of in- 
 stances completely cured, and in any case will do more to reduce corpu- 
 lency than any other remedy extant. 
 
 Dr. Vincent's Anti-Stout Pills are small, harmless, pleasant to take, 
 and without change of diet will reduce superabundant flesh as much as 
 10 Ibs. in a week. 
 
 A printed circular and a circular letter were sent with the 
 pills, and the following are extracts from these : 
 
 Dr. Vincent's famous and most successful method for the elimination 
 of superabundant flesh is now well known throughout the English speaking
 
 117 
 
 world. . . . Where a fair trial has been given it has never been 
 known to fail. . . . The pills are purely vegetable, and present a 
 striking contrast to many so-called remedies so freely offered at extrava- 
 gant prices to the public, some of which are useless and others dangerous. 
 Every case is amenable to my treatment if two simple rules are fol 
 lowed. First, the treatment must be carried on with regularity, ar 
 second, without interruption. . . . Naturally you want to complt 
 your cure and I have a special offer to make you. The Ten Shilling Box 
 of Dr. Vincent's Treatment is usually sufficient for a complete and lasting 
 cure, and so as to encourage you to continue the process of reducing your 
 weight, I shall be pleased to send a Eegulation Full Size 10s. box for a 
 remittance of 8s. In other words, I allow you the 2s. you have paid for 
 the Trial box sent herewith off the price of the 10s. Treatment, if you 
 apply within 21 days of the date of this letter. 
 
 (The letter, however, was undated.) 
 
 The directions on the box are : ' ' Dose Two Pills every night, 
 also One Pill every morning." 
 
 The pills were coated with talc ; after removal of the coating 
 they had an average weight of 2.6 grains. Nearly half the 
 mass consisted of " extract " apparently a mixture, about 15 
 per cent, was resinous in nature, and the remainder consisted 
 chiefly of the tissues and cell contents of powdered vegetable 
 substances. The nature of these was investigated with the aid 
 of the microscope, and from the histological characters of the 
 powder, together with the results of tests applied to the pill, 
 evidence was obtained of the presence of 
 
 Jalap 
 
 Colocynth 
 
 Cloves 
 
 Aloes, or extract of aloes 
 
 Extract of Fucus vesiculosus 
 
 The last named could not be identified as fully as in the pre- 
 ceding case, owing to its being present in not very large propor- 
 tion in admixture with the other drugs named, but the evidence 
 for its presence appeared adequate. 
 
 It is not possible in such a mixture to give with any certain 
 near approximation the proportions in which the different in- 
 gredients were present. 
 
 PHATOLENE TABLETS. 
 
 " Phatolene " Tablets are sold by the Phatolene Co.. Ltd., 
 London, at 6d., 4s., and 10s. per box.
 
 118 
 
 An advertisement of these tablets is in the following terms : 
 Don't be fat when Phatolene Tablet* will cure you absolutely. Th 
 only safe and certain remedy. Registered by Government. Thousands 
 of Testimonials. Phatolene Tablets are guaranteed to cure you of stout- 
 ness without starvation, aperients, or interference with your ordinary 
 method of living. Phatolene Tablets are the most remarkable scientific 
 discovery of the present age. Phatolene Tablets are an aid to health, 
 make you look younger, and produce a charming figure. We are so con- 
 fident that Phatolene Tablets will reduce your weight daily that we offer 
 to send you a large trial box in return for a sixpenny postal order only. 
 
 The box which was sent bore no patent medicine stamps, and GO 
 presumably " registered by Government ' ' refers to the name 
 being registered as a trade-mark; it is clearly intended to sug- 
 gest much more than this. A letter sent with the " trial box " 
 
 was headed : 
 
 The Phatolene Co., Ltd. 
 
 (Sole Agents for the Discoverer of the " Phatolene " Remedy), 
 F. Lawrence, Manager and Certified Chemist. 
 
 It should be observed that "certified chemist " is not a legal 
 qualification, and may mean anything or nothing ; it is not to 
 be confused with " registered chemist and druggist " or " phar- 
 maceutical chemist." Some extracts from the letter are: 
 
 As a chemist of over 20 years' practice I have often been personally 
 consulted by my clients of both sexes in regard to obesity and local over- 
 fatness. But it is even more pleasure to me to come in touch with those 
 who prefer to do so under the Government-guarded secret service of His 
 Majesty's Post Office. . . . Ae a matter of fact I have to charge more 
 if people use up my time as well as their own in personal consultations. 
 And there is no necessity for this time-wasting or money-wasting, as I 
 know that my Phatolene discovery will succeed in your case as it has 
 done in others. . . . My One Week's Trial Supply is not sufficient, of 
 course, to overcome a bodily condition that may have been developing 
 for nearly a year. My Phatolene reduces all fat within the body at a 
 steady and safe rate, and one, two, or three months' supply is sufficient to 
 restore all but the unusually fat to their proper size, weight, and appear- 
 ance. 
 
 What quantity may I send you ? For your guidance I may point out 
 that my experience enables me to inform you that you will require the 
 following quantities according to these conditions. 
 
 If you have been fat or growing fat less than one year, you will require 
 one month's supply for 4s., post free. If fat or growing fat one year, 
 and not two years, you will require three months' supply for 10s., post free. 
 
 From a second letter : 
 
 To cure any ordinary case takes about 12 weeks, for if the reduction 
 is forced in a more violent way the stoutness is sure to return and thus 
 you gain only a temporary relief, and you should therefore take advantage 
 of our 12 weeks' treatment, which will cost you 10s. only.
 
 119 
 
 You are aware I have made a study of obesity, and you can naturally 
 understand I am interested in your case and shall be only too pleased at 
 all times to answer any questions on the subject, but please enclose 
 stamped directed envelope. 
 
 In a leaflet enclosed with the package occurs the following 
 impudent attempt to make it appear that the nostrum has the 
 support of medical practitioners and of the BRITISH MEDICAL 
 JOURNAL : 
 
 The Treatment of obesity should not be quick, but slow. To attempt 
 to reduce superfluous fat by violent or sudden means is dangerous, especi- 
 ally if the heart is at all weak, and this is why medical men invariably 
 recommend Phatolene Tablets. . . . Doctors cannot dispute the fact 
 that this preparation has for a long time had the reputation of reducing 
 corpulence. 
 
 The Practitioner says : " Taken three times a day reduced the fat of a 
 lad who had suddenly become corpulent." 
 
 The British Medical Journal: " Given to lessen fat with good results." 
 
 Again, the same Journal says : " Given with good results and does not 
 produce dyspepsia or diarrhoea. A lady lost 20 Ibs. in 9 weeks when 
 taking this, and a gentleman 8 Ibs. in 3 weeks without bad results." 
 
 It is scarcely necessary to say that neither the nostrum in 
 question nor any other has ever been referred to in the BRITISH 
 MEDICAL JOURNAL in the terms quoted. 
 
 The directions on the package are: 
 
 Dose. For the first week take one tablet three times a day, and after 
 wards increase the dose to three Tablets three times a day, one hour before 
 meals. Can be swallowed whole or allowed to dissolve in the mouth. 
 
 The " tablets " were really ovoid pills, coated with talc and 
 coloured brown externally. The " 6d. trial box " contained 
 twenty-one. After removal of the coating the pills had an 
 average weight of 2.7 grains. Analysis showed them to consist 
 of an extract agreeing in all respects with extract of bladder- 
 wrack (Fucus vesiculosus), together with about 10 per cent, of 
 powdered liquorice root. No other ingredient was found. 
 
 KELLOGG'S SAFE FAT REDUCER. 
 
 Kellogg's " Safe Fat Reducer " is an American preparation, 
 supplied by F. J. Kellogg, Michigan, U.S.A. It is also adver- 
 tised in Great Britain, and the following extracts are from an 
 advertisement appearing here : 
 
 4/- Box of my Safe Fat Eeducer Free. 
 
 I Want To Prove To You Before Your Own Eyes and At My Expense 
 That I Can Reduce You to Normal Weight Safely, Without Starvation 
 Liet or Tiresome Exercises.
 
 120 
 
 It Doesn't Matter What You Have Tried, Send for This Free 4/- Box 
 of my Safe Fat Keducer To-day. 
 
 My treatment ie prepared scientifically. It does not stop or hinder 
 digestion; on the contrary, it promotes proper digestion and assimilation of 
 food, which 99 fat people in a hundred haven't got. and that's why they 
 are fat. 
 
 On applying for a sample, it was sent accompanied by a cir- 
 cular letter, and this was followed by others at intervals. Some 
 extracts from these are here given : 
 
 Of course, I do not promise that this 4s. treatment alone is going to cure 
 you of all your fat, but I want to start you on the treatment without any 
 expense to you so that during the next few days it will put your system 
 in such a condition that the next treatment may produce results without 
 any waste of time. 
 
 You have a right to feel sure that Kellogg's Safe Fat Reducer is safe. 
 You can depend upon it that it is positively safe, and you need never fear 
 that it will reduce you too much. 
 
 Kellog's Safe Fat Reducer builds up tbe entire system from one of 
 fatty weakness to muscular strength, and the results have been that it 
 makes patients grow remarkably healthy as they continue the treatment. 
 
 Excess fat, I found, is the result of mal-assimilation of food. My 
 Kellogg Safe Fat Reducer stops this defect ; it prevents the stomach from 
 its unnatural tendency to produce fat; it makes the stomach "mill out" 
 the food into muscle fibre, bone, nerve tissues, brain pigment, and rich 
 blood instead of fat ; it resolves the unnatural fat you have and expels 
 it naturally and harmlessly through Nature's channels. 
 
 As a result there is no other treatment in the world like Kellogg's Safe 
 Fat Reducer. It does not interfere in the least with your business. You 
 don't have to diet yourself, but you can eat all you want. You don't have 
 to go through any tiresome exercise at all. All you have to do is to be 
 faithful to the treatment, take it according to directions and go about your 
 work as usual ; then you should be happy in feeling that the reduction will 
 be sure to come in a few days., that you will be healthier than ever before, 
 and more muscular, energetic, and athletic. A- loss of a pound a day is 
 nothing unusual, and will by no means hurt you. 
 
 Now that I have started you on the treatment, I want you to continue. 
 I will send you a full treatment of my Kellogg's Safe Fat Reducer for only 
 2 Is. Id. There is positively no doubt of the result. And I know you 
 will appreciate it when after a few days you will be able to note a distinct 
 relief from the heavy burden you are now carrying, and the terrible 
 dangers of apoplexy and paralysis, which threaten all fat people, are lifted 
 from your mind forever. 
 
 From the second letter : 
 
 I make each case an individual case, thus I have to have the enclosed 
 blank filled out, so that I may understand exactly the conditions, and thus 
 employ the means that will most rapidly, and at the same time safely 
 reduce your fat and make strong, healthy tissue and muscle. . . .
 
 121 
 
 The price of the treatment is but 2 Is. Id. Order it to-day, and be free 
 from your heavy weight in a few weeks. Don't stop to figure or argue with 
 yourself. I hope to receive your order by return mail, but if you cannot 
 order write me frankly what stands in your way of securing a reduction. 
 
 From the third : 
 
 I really cannot understand why you do not order my wonderful treat- 
 ment, and begin at once to reduce your fat that has so long been a bother 
 and annoyance to you. ... I have given much thought to your case 
 [no case had been even mentioned in sending for the sample] and I feel 
 sure if you still had any doubts of the splendid power of my remedy to 
 reduce you of fatness, you would have written me fully at once. As I have 
 not received any letter from you, I have concluded that you do not feel 
 that you can afford to take the treatment at present. I believe so 
 positively that I can reduce you, and I feel so sure that you would appre- 
 ciate fully the splendid reduction I will give you, that I am going to make 
 you a strictly confidential proposition, by which you can secure the treat- 
 ment you so much desire, and at the same time do me some good. 
 
 You certainly know a number of people in your vicinity who are annoyed 
 by fat, and who would be glad to know of my treatment, so if you will send 
 me 1 8d. and the names of six fat people I will send you a regular full 
 month's treatment. Remember I do not ask you to become my agent, and 
 I shall not refer to you in any way when I write to your friends or 
 acquaintances whose names you send me . . . if you have not got 
 the money by you, it seems to me that it would be no more than right to 
 go to some dear friend and ask a favour for a short time. Surely no one 
 could refuse you when it means your health and happiness. 
 
 The " trial box " sent contained 16 tablets and 6 " casca 
 beans," recommended as an aperient; the latter were not ex- 
 amined. The directions are " Eat one tablet before each meal 
 and one at bed-time, thoroughly masticating them before swal- 
 lowing." The tablets had an average weight of 70 grains 
 each; analysis showed them to contain starch, dextrin, a sugar 
 (glucose or maltose), protein, mineral salts, vegetable tissue, and 
 a small quantity of an organic compound containing iodine. 
 The proportions of the different constituents were determined as 
 far as practicable, and the figures obtained, together with 
 microscopical examination of the tissue, showed that the tablets 
 consisted principally of wheat flour from which much of the 
 starch had been removed, made into a coherent mass by means 
 of malt extract or glucose ; traces of the germ or embryo of the 
 wheat were found. All this is, of course, a vehicle for the 
 organic substance containing iodine ; both thyroid gland (or its 
 extract) and extract of bladderwrack are characterised by con- 
 taining iodine in combination in small quantity, and many 
 tests were employed to ascertain which was present; no other 
 evidence of extract of bladderwrack was obtained, but there
 
 122 
 
 was a good deal of evidence, not quite amounting to positive 
 proof, of the presence of a preparation of the thyroid gland. 
 It is impossible to state the quantity present in each tablet, 
 and it would convey no real information if it could be given, 
 as preparations of thyroid may differ so widely in their activity 
 and no standardisation has as yet been attempted. 
 
 " NORMAL " PILLS. 
 
 These are supplied by the Normal Powder Company, Beauty 
 Specialists, at 10s. 6d., a "trial box" being priced 6d. They 
 are advertised in the following terms : 
 
 Too Stout ! 
 
 Simply follow our instructions and we will guarantee a perfect cure. 
 Our treatment is in every way as scientific and complete as that for which a 
 London Specialist charges 21. 
 
 FREE OFFER ! 
 
 To prove 'the great value of our remedy we will send you a large trial box 
 14 days' supply Free on receipt of 6d. P.O. to cover cost of packing and 
 postage, etc. 
 
 The 6d. box was accompanied by a " chart, to be carefully 
 filled up," for particulars as to weight, measures, etc., and the 
 following to be signed by the purchaser : 
 
 I duly received your " free '' sample of the " Normal " Pills quite safely, 
 
 and since using them I have lost Ibs. in weight. I quite understand 
 
 that the cure cannot ibe completed without continuing the treatment for 
 some time, and in conjunction with the London Specialist's diet instruc- 
 tions, which I promise to faithfully follow out. Please send me per return, 
 carriage paid, in plain wrapper, a large box of the Pills and the instruc- 
 tions which cost you 21. I enclose you cheque or P.O. for 10s. 6d. as 
 requested. 
 
 The box, which bore no label, contained 83 pills, which were 
 coated with talc. After removal of the coating their average 
 weight was found to be 1.28 grains; analysis showed them to 
 consist of a mixture of extracts with vegetable powder. The 
 powder consisted partly of liquorice root, with a large propor- 
 tion of the tissues characteristic of ground nutshell, which, as 
 mentioned above, is a regular adulterant of the lowest grade of 
 liquorice powder ; the microscope also gave indications of traces 
 bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosos), such as are contained in 
 extract of this substance. Various tests indicated that the
 
 123 
 
 extracts present in the pill were those of cascara sagrada and 
 bladderwrack the proportions being approximately as follows: 
 
 Extract of cascara sagrada ^ grain 
 
 Extract of Fucus vesiculosus . ,, 
 
 Powdered liquorice (adulterated) ,, 
 
 Talc and moisture i ,, 
 
 in one pill. 
 
 MRS. SEYMOUR'S TREATMENT. 
 
 This is supplied by Mrs. M. Seymour (London), at 15s. 
 An advertisement of this preparation is headed " A woman's 
 offer to over-fat women " j some extracts from it are as follows: 
 
 I invite other ladies to participate in a discovery which reduced me 
 4 st. 8 Ibs. and got rid of my ugly double chin. . . . My remedy is a 
 woman's cure for women only. Nobody but a woman could have dis- 
 covered it, and it is offered to women only. ... I am presenting 5,000 
 free boxes of my cure and copies of my book, Obesity in Women. I 
 ask you to post the coupon below to me now and accept one of these 
 free packages. . . . 
 
 The passages which follow are frorn the " book " in question: 
 
 Every one of the cures I have made is a proof of the all-important 
 fact that obesity in women is a different ailment from corpulence in men. 
 It has an absolutely different origin. . . . There is no case of obesity in 
 which heart trouble has not been reckoned with. ... It is heart failure 
 that is responsible for 75 per cent, of cases which end fatally. What 
 happens in these cases is fatty penetration of the heart, which leads of 
 syncope. . . . 
 
 Obesity is always due to imperfect nutrition. The food which is eaten 
 makes fat instead of healthy tissue, muscle, bone, and nerve. Up to a 
 certain point the process of nutrition (whereby the food is transformed 
 into the constituents which make up the various parts of the body) is 
 practically the same in women as in men. Beyond that point it is 
 obviously an entirely different process, for the generative organs then 
 become involved. 
 
 Now the all-important secret which governs the whole subject of 
 obesity in women is this : Obesity is caused as the result of a species of 
 mal -elimination in those stages of the nutritive processes wherein the 
 organs peculiar to the sex are involved. In other words, the unhealthy, 
 fat-forming process is set up because of the imperfect disposal of those 
 nutrient elements with which the menstruous organs are concerned. 
 
 You are certain to have noticed how any marked stage or change in 
 the functions of the menses will influence fat formation. For instance, 
 girls who from childhood are inclined to fatness invariably become of 
 normal proportions on attaining puberty, while at least 70 per cent, of 
 the cases of obesity in women occur at the menopause, between the ages 
 of 40 and 50.
 
 124 
 
 Now there are changes connected with the organs under consideration 
 which occur without any outward or visible signs changes which induce 
 obesity. These are changes which result in the fat-loading of the blood, 
 and the depositing of fat in the different parts of the body as the blood 
 circulates. . . . Please remember that I treat women only. I have no 
 cure for corpulence in men. 
 
 The free sample which was sent with the book consisted of 
 nine capsules containing a dark extract of bitter taste. The 
 quantity in the sample was not sufficient for analysis. A 
 " symptom form " was received with the sample ; on sending for 
 a further supply, a letter was received asking for certain par- 
 ticulars, and the symptom form was accordingly filled up as 
 follows (the words in italics are the answers given) : 
 
 Age. 38. Weight. 13 st. 13. Height. 5 ft. 7 in. Waist. 33 in. 
 Bust. 42 in. Hips. 50 in. 
 
 How long have you been about this weight 1 Gradually increasing for 
 a year or two. What parts are fattest? Abdomen and bust. Consti 
 pated ? No. Have you backache or any kidney trouble ? No. Palpita- 
 tion? No. If married, how long? 14 years. How many children? 3. 
 Age of youngest ? 5. Any sediment or peculiarity about the urine, etc. ? 
 No. Had miscarriage? No. What is your general health and condi- 
 tion now ? Fair. 
 
 The medicine which was sent in reply was not capsules, but 
 sugar-coated tablets, 169 in number. Directions were given 
 as follows : 
 
 There are sufficient tablets for you to take four each day_, one just 
 before each meal. If you only take three meals and I strongly advise 
 you to take two tablets before the heaviest meal. 
 
 I want to impress upon you the great importance of keeping the 
 bowels perfectly free all the time you are taking this treatment. For 
 a day or two the treatment itself may keep the bowels open, but after- 
 wards most ladies require an aperient. I have made many experiments, 
 and I find there is only one way to keep the system clear without hinder- 
 ing the process of reduction. Pills, Epsom salts, cascara, etc., are quite 
 useless. You must have genuine Vichy and Kissingen salines. You can 
 get them in powder form of any good-class chemist, but they must be 
 guaranteed full strength, be saccharine-sweetened, and contain no sugar. 
 
 Take them, dissolved in water, half an hour before breakfast, as 
 follows : A Vichy powder the first morning, none the second morning ; 
 a Kissingen powder the third morning, none the fourth morning ; a Vichy 
 powder the fifth morning, and so on. If you prefer to purchase the 
 powders from me I can supply you with sufficient 'to last the six weeks' 
 treatment for 3s. 6d., post free. I can guarantee these to be full 
 strength, and exactly suited to the purpose. 
 
 Get into the habit of breathing deeply. Take at least a hundred deep 
 breaths in front of the open window every morning on rising. Breathe 
 deeply whenever you think of it. It will soon become habitual. For 
 exercise take a gentle walk every day.
 
 125 
 
 I have just one other suggestion to make in your case, and that is in 
 regard to food. You will find on page 15 of my booklet particulars of 
 the foods and beverages I avoided during the first month of my cure, 
 and I strongly advise you to do as I did in this matter. I also advise 
 you to eat only bread, cakes, etc., made from gluten flour; that is, 
 flour from which the starch has been removed. Masticate your food 
 thoroughly. Always stop eating just before you feel you have iiad 
 enough, and wait until you have finished eating before you take any- 
 thing to drink. Drink as much hot water as you can between meals. 
 
 The tablets were sugar-coated, and of a bluish colour exter- 
 nally. After removal of the coating their average weight was 
 found to be 4 grains. Examination showed that they consisted, 
 wholly or in part, of roughly ground up sugar-coated tablets or 
 pills, the coating of which was coloured pink ; since the coating 
 of these had been ground in with the tablets, it was not possible 
 to separate it, and the mass accordingly contained a good deal 
 of sugar and starch ; besides these, an extract was found agree- 
 ing, as far as its characters could be ascertained, with extract 
 of bladderwrack ; a trace of iodine in combination was present, 
 such as is found in preparations of bladderwrack and of thyroid 
 gland ; also a very small quantity of boric acid, and a little 
 vegetable powder. Part of the last-named showed the char- 
 acters of the debris of a seaweed, though it could not be de- 
 finitely indentified with Fucus vesiculosus ; a further small por- 
 tion, amounting to an extremely small proportion of the whole, 
 consisted of woody tissue which did not agree in characters with 
 any drug in common use. The boric acid points to the probable 
 presence of an animal gland or a preparation of such, and some 
 collateral evidence was obtained of the presence of thyroid in 
 small quantity, but definite proof of the latter is impossible 
 in such a mixture. 
 
 A "FLESH PRODUCER." 
 SARGOL. 
 
 A preparation named Sargol has been very widely advertised 
 of late for the increase of flesh and development of the figure of 
 persons who are too thin ; the advertisements often include pic- 
 tures intended to represent the results to be attained. One 
 of these advertisements is headed : 
 
 We invite every thin man, woman, and child here. Every Person in 
 the British Isles to Eat With Us at Our Expense.
 
 126 
 
 Other extracts are: 
 
 This is an invitation that no thin man or woman can afford to ignore. 
 We'll tell you why. We are going to give you a food that helps digest 
 the other foods a food that puts good solid flesh on people who are thin 
 and underweight, no matter what the cause may be. A food that makes 
 brain in five hours and blood in four a food that puts the red corpuscles 
 in the blood which every thin man or woman so sadly needs. . . . 
 
 Chew one up with every meal, and in five minutes after you take the 
 first concentrated tablet of this precious food it will commence to unfold 
 its virtues, and it will by actual demonstration often increase the weight at 
 the rate of one pound a day. 
 
 Application to the Sargol Co. at the address given brought 
 a small package of the tablets, with a circular letter, which was 
 followed at intervals by others. We subjoin a few sentences 
 from these lengthy documents : 
 
 Whether your lack of bodily weight comes to you by inheritance, by 
 overwork, by indoor occupation, or no matter what you have done or 
 how many ineffectual preparations you have tried, Sargol will be a revela- 
 tion to you. . . . 
 
 Eemember; until the discovery of Sargol, nothing has ever been known 
 which could be depended upon to put 10, 15, and even 30 pounds of per- 
 manent, healthy tissue on a thin person's body. 
 
 As we receive so many letters from people who say they have been 
 disappointed and deceived by .so-called fatteners we think it is best to take 
 you into our confidence and give you some of the inside facts relative to 
 Sargol. By a recent discovery it is now possible to reproduce chemically 
 a very important natural fatty substance which is found in the yolk of 
 eggs, in the roe of fishes, in the blood, also in the brain and nerve tissue 
 of human beings. This substance can now be obtained in a highly con- 
 centrated form in combination with other valuable vitalising and tissue 
 building agents. ... 
 
 Each dose of Sargol contains a generous amount of this newly discovered 
 substance, the very element which thin folks lack. Each time you take 
 a Sargol tablet you are introducing directly into your system in concen- 
 trated form the actual fat forming substance which you so sadly need, 
 and yet this is but one of the component parts of Sargol. Five other 
 strength giving, fat producing elements of known and acknowledged 
 merit and great potency are carefully combined to form this peerless 
 preparation. 
 
 A box of Sargol, price 4s. 6d., was found to contain 30 
 tablets; it is strongly recommended that a six weeks' supply, 
 equal to six 4s. 6d. boxes, should be obtained, the price of this 
 being 21s. The directions are: 
 
 1. Take one tablet with each meal and one at bed-time. 2. Be reason- 
 able as regards diet.
 
 127 
 
 The tablets were sugar coated and coloured pink. After 
 removal of the coating they had an average weight of 5.3 grains. 
 Analysis showed them to contain lecithin, hypophosphites of 
 calcium, sodium, and potassium, zinc phosphide, sugar, albu- 
 men, and insoluble protein, with talc and kaolin or similar 
 mineral matter, evidently added as excipient. In the course 
 of the analysis it was necessary to obtain more than one supply 
 of the tablets, and the different specimens showed a large varia- 
 tion in the proportions of some of the ingredients. The amounts 
 actually found were : 
 
 Zinc phosphide 0.7percent. 
 
 Lecithin 1.9 
 
 Calcium hypophocphite 12.9 
 
 Sodium and potassium hypophosphites ... 7.7 
 
 Albumen (soluble) 4.2 
 
 Insoluble protein (? coagulated albumen) 10.8 
 
 Sugar 18.0 
 
 Talc, kaolin, moisture, etc. 
 
 Estimated cost of materials for thirty tablets, about
 
 CHAPTEK VIII. 
 
 MEDICINES FOE ALCOHOLISM AND FOE THE 
 TOBACCO HABIT. 
 
 The " treatments " for the drink habit described in this 
 chapter include some which have only recently been adver- 
 tised in this country ; two of them are of American origin. 
 With these we include an account of a " cure ' ' for the 
 tobacco habit, supplied by the same limited company as one 
 of the drink cures. It will be seen that with the three first 
 described the claims advanced are a good deal alike, but the 
 drugs used are almost entirely different. Each of the pre- 
 parations is supplied in two forms, the one to be taken 
 voluntarily by patients desirous of being cured, and the other 
 to be administered without the patient's knowledge ; 
 obviously, if a cure can be effected in the latter way, there 
 can be less hesitation in ascribing the result to the drugs 
 than when the patient has exercised his will in the same 
 direction, and the preparation for secret administration was 
 therefore selected for analysis in each case. The first of the 
 articles examined was found to consist merely of pow 7 dered 
 cinchona bark, diluted with milk-sugar and magnesium 
 carbonate ; of this it is asserted that ' ' it does not contain 
 any drugs, poison, or minerals of any description," although 
 cinchona is generally regarded as a drug and magnesia as a 
 mineral ; since the dose of cinchona which is given is only 
 6 grains a day, containing about grain of alkaloids, it is 
 scarcely to be expected that any great result will be obtained 
 from the administration of this preparation. In the next 
 article described, which appears to be of American origin,
 
 129 
 
 tartar emetic is the only active ingredient found in the 
 powders and tablets. What is evidently aimed at is to pro- 
 duce nausea or vomiting, and to lead the patient to associate 
 these symptoms with the consumption of alcoholic liquors. 
 Much is said about the " treatment " being capable of 
 curing any case in three days, and it purports to be made 
 and sold by an individual who was cured by it in three days, 
 after having been a heavy drinker for sixteen years. If the 
 statements are carefully read, it does not appear to be 
 definitely asserted that the " B treatment," that is, the 
 remedy which is administered secretly, will effect a cure in 
 that time, although the impression might easily be received 
 that three days will suffice, "between Friday night and 
 Monday night, or any other 72 hours," whether the patient 
 is treated with or without his own knowledge and co-opera- 
 tion ; but when the money has been paid and the medicine 
 is sent, the purchaser is urged to have patience and not to 
 be discouraged if months should be necessary for the accom- 
 plishment of a cure. In the advertisements, letters and 
 circulars, the first person singular is largely used, and they 
 are ostensibly issued by the individual by whose name the 
 preparation is called, and who is said to have been cured by 
 it ; but it appears that the vendor is really a limited com- 
 pany, which deals also in a large number of other nostrums 
 having nothing to do with alcoholism, such as "anti-deaf- 
 ness tablets," "asthma tablets," "rheumatism remedy," 
 etc. The third article reported on is made in America, but 
 it is advertised in this country. In this case strychnine in 
 small doses and caffeine are the principal medicaments, 
 tartar emetic being also employed, in the hope, no doubt, 
 of causing a feeling of nausea to be associated with alcoholic 
 drink. The lowest price charged for any of the three pre- 
 parations is a sovereign, while each of the other two is 
 priced at two guineas ; in every case the prime cost of the 
 ingredients is shown to be so small as to be practically 
 negligible. 
 
 i
 
 130 
 
 The fourth of the medicines described was not purchased 
 for analysis, but formed part of what was supplied to a 
 patient who ultimately decided not to take it; it appears 
 that it constituted the second part of the course, and we did 
 not receive any of the medicines forming the first part. In 
 this case a very small quantity of a neutral bitter substance 
 was found, the amount of which did not suffice for its full 
 identification, but which resembled picro toxin ; the principal 
 other substance present was a tincture of nux vomica. 
 
 The medicines for the cure of tobacco habit are apparently 
 only intended to play a subsidiary part ; the directions as to 
 the way in which they are to be taken and for the frequent 
 practice of breathing exercises, bathing, the use of an enema, 
 etc., are evidently intended to keep the patient's mind con- 
 stantly turned to the breaking off of the habit ; some of the 
 medicines, containing asafetida and methylene blue, appear 
 to be given for the sake of their subjective effect, while the 
 others consist principally of bitter tonics and laxatives. In 
 this case, as in the others, the price charged is such that the 
 prime cost of the ingredients forms only an insignificant 
 fraction of it. 
 
 THE TEMPERANCIA ASSOCIATION TREATMENT. 
 
 The medicines sold under this name are supplied from an 
 address in London ; the price charged for a supply (price stated 
 as two guineas) was 21s., for which sixty capsules were sent. 
 
 Some extracts from an advertisement of this "treatment" 
 are as follows: 
 
 The " Temperancia " Assn. organised in 1895 by Dr. Alexr. G. Edison, 
 M.D., L.F.P.S., etc., and the Revd. Henry Martin Janeway, D.D., 
 B.A., L.H.D.,are accepting Free and paying patients for the Treatment 
 of Alcoholism (Drunkenness in any form). 
 
 With the methods adopted by this Association all desire for alcoholic 
 stimulants is permanently destroyed, a distaste for alcohol created, and 
 the nervous and diseased system restored to a healthy and natural condi- 
 tion at your own home, hotel, or while at work, without publicity or 
 inconvenience.
 
 131 
 
 The treatment can be taken either voluntarily, or those who, through 
 "the grasp of drink," fail to realise their peril, and will not listen to 
 reason, can be cured SECRETLY, against their own free will, and without 
 their co-operation, by any member of the family, with the special course 
 prepared for this purpose. Either course is perfectly harmless, adapted 
 for both sexes, of any age, even of the most delicate health, and is 
 endorsed by the Medical profession, the Press, the Clergy, and thousands 
 of cured patients. 
 
 Application to the address given brought a booklet on the 
 " treatment," various leaflets, and a list of questions to be 
 answered. The following extracts are from the booklet: 
 
 The treatment is prepared in Two distinct forms, viz. : 
 
 , to be used in all cases when a patient treats himself 
 LIQUID | vo i un tarily, with his own free will 
 
 and 
 
 ~, ( To be used in all cases where a patient is to be treated 
 
 CAPSULES ] S6crefcly) without his knowledge. 
 
 The treatment in CAPSULE form is absolutely tasteless and odourless, 
 and is placed in coffee, tea, soup, or any other convenient food. . . . 
 To do good by stealth is enjoined upon us by the teachings of the highest 
 authorities, and is in strict accordance with the highest morality. 
 
 It does not matter whether a patient is treated secretly or voluntarily, 
 the results are the same. Almost from the very first day of its use the 
 appetite improves, he eats and sleeps better, he becomes less restless than 
 usual, his eyes become bright, his hands steady, the brain clear, and the 
 spirit buoyant. . . . 
 
 The " Temperancia " Treatment, both the Liquid or Capsule, can be 
 given with utmost safety. As already explained, it does not contain any 
 drugs, poison, or minerals of any description, but it is entirely of a vege- 
 table preparation. An overdose is perfectly harmless ; it will not injure a 
 man, woman, or child even of the most delicate health. . . . 
 
 Both our Liquid and Capsule treatment are prepared in courses. Each 
 course of the Liquid treatment contains Two (2) full-sized bottles, and 
 each course of the Capsules Two (2) full-sized packages. The cost per 
 course, either the Liquid or Capsules, is Two Guineas (2/2/0), or 
 Two courses, if ordered at one time, Three Pounds Ten Shillings 
 (3/10/0). 
 
 It is impossible to estimate the time required to effect a permanent 
 cure in any individual case . . . the " Temperancia " Treatment often 
 effects a complete cure in but a few days. 
 
 After the lapse of an interval, in which no order was sent, 
 a circular letter was received, from which the following extracts 
 are quoted : 
 
 We are indeed surprised not having received from you an order for the 
 treatment prepared by this Association. . . . There is only one con- 
 clusion we can arrive at, namely, that financial circumstances make the 
 cost of a treatment prohibitive to you. Should this be the case we would 
 
 I 2
 
 132 
 
 like to say, that this Association being at all times willing to extend a 
 helping hand to everybody, is prepared to treat your patient for a fee 
 of only 21s. per course. 
 
 One guinea was then sent for a supply of capsules, together 
 with answers to the list of questions. These questions were as 
 follows, the answer given being here printed in italics: 
 
 Name or initials of patient. 
 Age? 34. 
 Sex. M. 
 Married ? Yes. 
 How long? 7 years. 
 Any children? 2. 
 Height? 5ft. 11. 
 Weight? IS stone. 
 Complexion ? Fair. 
 Occupation ? Clerk. 
 Works hard ? Yes. 
 
 Is the patient to be treated secretly or voluntarily ? Secretly. 
 How long since he commenced drinking ? Four years. 
 Nature of liquor used ? Whisky; and other spirits. 
 Quantity per day, or as near as possible? Varies from % glasses to a 
 bottle or more. 
 
 Does he drink during the night? No. 
 Before breakfast? Sometimes. 
 Does he ever become drunk ? Yes. 
 
 Does he drink daily or periodically? Daily; but to excess only 
 periodically. 
 
 If periodically, how often? and how long does each bout last? Some- 
 times every week, sometimes once in several weeks. One or two days. 
 When did he have his last bout? A week ago. 
 
 What mental effect does he suffer with from drink? Excitement; 
 sometimes delusions. 
 
 How is his appetite, sleep, and digestion, both when drunk or sober? 
 Good when sober; not bad when drinking. 
 
 Is he nervous, irritable, or phlegmatic? Rather irritable. 
 Is he getting thinner or stouter? Not changing. 
 Constipated ? No. 
 
 Does he ever complain of heart trouble ? No. 
 Any disease he was or is suffering with? No. 
 If so, what was the doctor's advice? 
 
 Taking any medicine at present, and for what purpose? No. 
 Any of the parents or grandparents addicted to drink? (state which, 
 and if not alive, give cause of death) 2Vo. 
 
 Did the patient ever have delirium tremens ? How often, and when ? 
 7 'wo or three times last year. 
 
 Does he use Tobacco (state what form, quantity, and if he inhales) ? 
 Pipe and cigars; about j oz. and 6 or 8 cigars a week. Does not inhale. 
 
 Does he use any Narcotic Drugs (state which, quantity per day, and 
 how long used) ? No.
 
 133 
 
 Has he ever been treated for the liquor habit (state when, what 
 treatment, if voluntarily, how long treated, cost of same and results) ? No. 
 
 P.S. Write fully on the other side any additional information rrgarcl- 
 ing the patient's past and present condition that the physician should 
 know of. 
 
 Two boxes of capsules were received, each containing thirty, 
 with no labels. A written letter was received separately, in 
 which the following directions were given : 
 
 For the first two days take three capsules daily, four the third day, 
 five the fourth, and then six every day until the course is finished. 
 
 (The sixty would thus last eleven days, and leave three cap- 
 sules over.) 
 
 The way to take them is in either hot tea, coffee, or soup. Empty 
 the contents into the cup, not put the whole capsule, and thoroughly stir 
 until dissolved. Eat plain, wholesome food, good fruit, and keep the 
 bowels well open. 
 
 The best time for taking the powders is on rising in the morning, 
 mid-day, and before retiring at night. Should you find it difficult to 
 give the six daily, two may be taken at one time, but not more, as they 
 might taste, and they must be well stirred and dissolved. 
 
 (They were previously described as " absolutely tasteless.") 
 
 The contents of the capsules consisted of a light brown powder, 
 the average amount in one being 8 grains. Determination of 
 the weight of the contents of several capsules singly, taken with- 
 out selection, showed them to vary from 5 grains to 9.4 grains. 
 Analysis showed the powder to consist of powdered cinchona, 
 sugar of milk, and magnesium carbonate. The amount of 
 cinchona was ascertained by weighing the fibre after removing 
 other ingredients with solvents and comparing it with the fibre 
 left by powdered cinchona when similarly treated; and also 
 independently by determining the amount of alkaloid present. 
 Both results showed the cinchona to form about 13 per cent, 
 of the powder ; milk-sugar was found to amount to 55 per cent. , 
 and the magnesium carbonate to about 32 per cent. Each cap- 
 sule would thus contain about 1 grain of cinchona. The esti- 
 mated cost of the powders for sixty capsules is Id. 
 
 EDWARD J. WOODS TREATMENT. 
 
 The medicines sold under this name are supplied by Edward 
 J. Woods, Ltd. The price charged is 2 guineas, for which 
 60 powders and 68 tablets were sent.
 
 134 
 
 Advertisements are usually accompanied with a picture of a 
 man's head, purporting to represent the advertiser. The follow- 
 ing extracts from such an advertisement show their general 
 tenor : 
 
 I was a Heavy Drinker. 
 
 Consumed quart of whisky every 24 hours. 
 
 Cured in 3 days. 
 
 If you know anyone who drinks alcohol in any form, regularly or 
 periodically, let me* send my Free Book, "Confessions of an Alcohol Slave." 
 
 I drank beer at first, then gradually developed into a drinker of strong 
 liquors. When drinking heavily I did not hesitate to pawn my coat or 
 break a public^ouse window to get spirits. For long periods I drank over 
 a quart of whisky, rum or gin daily. And some mixed drinks and beer 
 additionally! .... 
 
 For 16 years I kept it up, and I was regarded as a hopeless case. 
 Various " cures " did me no good. But now I have a joyful message for 
 drinkers and MOTHERS, WIVES, SISTERS. 
 
 While drifting from bad to worse, as all slaves of King Alcohol do, I 
 unexpectedly found a true cure. It was (and is) genuine. It saved my 
 life. My health was quickly restored, I ibecame and am a respectable man, 
 enjoying every benefit of freedom from the accursed alcohol. I speedily 
 and naturally lost all desire for drink. I took less and less. I began to 
 prefer tea, coffee, and other non-alcoholic liquids; the craving for liquor 
 ceased, I could sleep perfectly, my stomach became well, and I recovered 
 from other ailments which I now know were due to my indulgence in strong 
 drink. 
 
 WONDERFUL. 
 
 My cure took 3 days ; if I had relied upon will power or faith I should 
 still be a drunkard, because an alcohol slave has no will power while 
 drinking. I rejoiced so greatly at having found a true cure that I decided 
 to devote my life to removing the curse from others. My success has been 
 marvellous. . . . 
 
 What I promise is absolutely guaranteed. My remedy is for either steady 
 or periodical drinkers. Think of it, a complete and permanent home cure 
 between Friday night and Monday night or any other 72 hours ! 
 
 Men, or Women, Any Age, Quickly Cured. . . . 
 
 On application to the address given, the " Confession " 
 referred to above and various other papers were sent. From 
 these it appears that the " Treatment " is of American origin, 
 and the business seems to have attained considerable dimensions 
 in America before being established in England Two sets of 
 remedies are supplied " the A Set of Remedies, to be given 
 with the knowledge and consent of the person," and " the B Set, 
 for conquering his drink habit secretly, so that he will gradually 
 form a disgust for alcoholic drinks of all kinds and will never
 
 135 
 
 know what saved him unless you chose to tell him." One of 
 the papers was an " Information Form No. A 4," which was 
 as follows the answers given to the various questions are 
 printed in italics : 
 
 Sex? M. 
 
 Age? 34 years. 
 
 Married? Yes. 
 
 Approximate weight? 12 stone Ibs. 
 
 Height about ? 5 ft. 11 in. 
 
 Steady drinker, or does he (or she) drink in a bout (spree) after keeping 
 sober for some time? Steady drinker in slight, excess ; bout occasionally. 
 
 What kind of alcoholic drink mostly taken? Whiskey and other spirits. 
 
 About how much every 24 hours ? Varies from 2 or S glasses to 2 bottles. 
 
 Has person ever had delusions? Yes. 
 
 Fits? No. 
 
 Delirium tremens? 3 times. 
 
 Insanity? No. 
 
 Apoplexy ? No. 
 
 Will remedies be given with or without person's knowledge? Without. 
 
 Do bowels move freely, or are they constipated? Alright. 
 
 About how many years has person been accustomed to use of alcoholic 
 drinks? All his life; only to excess about 4 years. 
 
 Does person sleep soundly through the night? Usually. 
 
 Does person need to drink alcohol during the night? Not as a rule. 
 
 Is person drinking at present? Yes. 
 
 What is occupation (or nature of same) and how much outdoor exercise 
 usually taken ? Clerk. Does fair amount of walking and little cycling. 
 
 Does person prefer to drink with company, or quietly, alone? oth. 
 
 Are any medicines or drugs being taken for any purpose? No. 
 
 Here please give further details of case. 
 
 The preparations sent (B set) consisted of 60 powders and 
 68 tablets. They were accompanied by a circular letter, in 
 which the following directions were given : 
 
 The chief rule is that you are to give three No. 777 Powders and three 
 No. 1010 Tablets every day, if you can, and that these are to be given at 
 different times, not all together. If you miss doses, you are not to make 
 them up. 
 
 If the dose should seem to be too strong, it can be reduced by giving a 
 half or quarter Powder or Tablet. But do not increase the doses until 
 you have sent me the report, which should come at the end of your having 
 given 42 each of the Powders and Tablets, i.e., about two weeks. If it 
 takes a longer period to give these, then your report can be delayed 
 accordingly. 
 
 Be cheerful and optimistic. Maintain your perseverance and kindly 
 temper. Watch and wait ! Success may come slowly, but it will come 
 surely.
 
 136 
 
 This is somewhat different from " a complete and permanent 
 home cure between Friday night and Monday night, or any 
 other 72 hours " ! An extract from a pamphlet of general 
 directions sent with the medicines is : 
 
 Even if six months are required to accomplish the desired purpose, it is a 
 highly satisfactory reward for the expense, time, and effort used. 
 
 I beg of you, therefore, to treat this matter with calmness. Do not write 
 me that you are utterly disappointed, that you feel as if nothing can ever 
 do any good, and other similar remarks, but keep perseveringly on.- 
 
 From another leaflet it appears that Edward J. Woods, Ltd., 
 does business in other articles as well. A list is given of twenty- 
 six medicines supplied by the company, which includes such 
 varied ones as : 
 
 No. 444. Blood Purifier, Liver Regulator, and Stomach Improver. 
 No. 555. Aphrodisiac tablets. 
 No. 1111. Tablets for the kidneys. 
 
 No. 1616. Rheumatism, gout, lumbago, neuralgia, and sciatica remedy. 
 No. 2020. Tablets to prevent incontinence of urine. 
 No. 2222. Anti-deafness tablets. 
 No. 4444. Asthma tablets. 
 
 No. 5555. Preparation for darkening grey or white hair to natural black 
 or dark brown. 
 
 No. 1212. 'Special method for reduction of superfluous fat. 
 No. 3333. Anti-nicotine Tablets. 
 No. 1515. Female Remedy. 
 No, 44. Flesh Developing Cream. 
 
 The powders had an average weight of 9.9 grains, single ones 
 varying from 7.2 to 11.9 grains. Analysis showed them to 
 contain : 
 
 Tartar emetic 3.6 per cent. 
 
 Sugar of milk 96.4 
 
 No trace of any other substance was found. A powder of 
 average weight would thus contain 0.35 grain of tartar emetic. 
 
 The tablets had an average weight of 1.6 grains. Analysis 
 showed them to contain 
 
 Tartar emetic 13.2 pe r cent. 
 
 Boric acid 10.7 
 
 Sugar of milk 76.1 
 
 No trace of any other substance was found. One tablet 
 would thus contain 0.2 grain of tartar emetic, and the daily 
 dose of three powders and three tablets would contain 1.65 
 grains. 
 
 The estimated cost of materials for 60 powders and 68 tablets 
 is about Id.
 
 137 
 
 ALCOLA. 
 
 Alcola is supplied by " Physicians Co-operative Association," 
 Chicago, and the price charged for it is 1. 
 
 The method of advertising which appears to be adapted in 
 this case is for a Mrs. Anderson, of New York, to advertise 
 offering to send, without charge, information about a medicine 
 which cured her husband of the drink habit. On writing to the 
 address given, a lithographed letter was received purporting to 
 be from Mrs. Anderson; its nature is shown by the following 
 extracts : 
 
 My dear friend 
 
 I have just read your letter asking me how I cured my husband of 
 drinking, and I wiH answer it at once as I am sure that you are anxious 
 to drive drunkenness from your home just as soon as you possibly can. 
 
 Mr. Anderson was a v ard drinker for over 20 years and the disease had 
 got such a firm hold th,i& it w.^ impossible for him to shake it off and it 
 continued to grow -worse and worse with no sign of ever stopping. 
 
 Just about this time I received a letter from a lady telling me about a 
 remedy called Alcola which she said had never been known to fail and she 
 urged me to send for it at once as she knew it would certainly cure. 
 
 I had already tried about every remedy that I had seen advertised for 
 the cure of drunkenness but none of them did any good whatever and I 
 was tired of spending my money for nothing but you know a person 
 especially a woman will do anything to save her family and home and I 
 made up niy mind to make one more effort to cure Mr. Anderson if it was 
 possible so I managed after some trouble to get the money and took her 
 advice and sent for it and gave it as directed and in a very short time 
 he lost all the terrible craving for liquor that he had had for so long. His 
 health improved in every way too. This was about eight years ago and 
 he has never drank since. . . . The Physicians Co-operative Association. . . . 
 are the only ones who prepare and sell Alcola and I will write them to-day 
 and ask them to send you full information. . . . 
 
 A little later a long circular letter was received from the 
 " Physicians Co-operative Association," together with a booklet 
 in which it was stated that : 
 
 Alcola is the very best treatment for drunkenness that you can possibly 
 obtain. . . . 
 
 It cures all stages of the disease, from the beginner to the one who has 
 drank for years, and is thought beyond hope. It makes no difference 
 whether the disease was inherited or acquired, nor what kind of liquor 
 the patient uses. Alcola is absolutely harmless. . . . Alcola does not contain 
 even a trace of opium, morphine, cocaine, chloral, cannabis indica, or any 
 other dangerous narcotic or habit-producing drug. . . . 
 
 Alcola is prepared either to be taken with the patient's knowledge or to 
 be given secretly. When you send your order state which treatment you 
 wish.
 
 138 
 
 A short list of questions, as follows, was also sent; the 
 answers given are printed in italics : 
 
 Information Regarding Patient. 
 
 Age. 34. 
 
 Occupation. Clerk. 
 
 How long has patient drank? Five years. 
 
 Does he keep liquor in the house? Yes. 
 
 Has he any chronic disease that you know of? No. 
 
 How is his general health? Fair otherwise. 
 
 Will the treatment be given secretly? Yes. 
 
 Are you yourself to give treatment to the patient ? Yes. 
 
 What relation is patient to you? None; we live together. 
 
 IMPORTANT. 
 
 Will tablet be given twice a day or three times ? Twice. 
 Will you begin treatment at once? Yes. 
 
 The medicines sent consisted of three boxes of tablets, labelled 
 respectively No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3. They were accompanied 
 by a long printed paper of directions, a long circular letter, a 
 "Report Blank," and other papers giving particulars of "bur 
 Co-operative Plan," by which the purchaser obtains a com- 
 mission on sales to others resulting from his introduction of 
 "Alcola." The chief parts of the directions are: 
 
 Tablets Nos. 1 and 2 are to be given as follows : One tablet three times a 
 day at meal time. Give alternately, that is, tablet of No. 1 at one meal, 
 No. 2 at the next meal, No. 1 the next, No. 2 the next, and so on. 
 
 They can be given in almost any liquid except water, but strong tea, 
 coffee, highly seasoned soups, etc., are preferred. . . . Tablet No. 3. This 
 tablet is to be used only when the patient has been drinking to a noticeable 
 degree, or if the patient is a moderate daily drinker, give every third day. 
 This tablet should be given as soon after the patient has been drinking as 
 is possible, that is, if the patient comes home under the influence of Drink 
 give No. 3 at once, if you can. If patient does not drink, do not use No. 3. 
 
 After you have been using the treatment three weeks fill out the enclosed 
 report blank carefully and fully, and send it to us. This is a most 
 important point, for in this way we can judge how your patient is getting 
 along, and if necessary can give you further advice that we are sure will 
 be of great assistance and value to you. 
 
 It is absolutely impossible for any physician to tell the length of time or 
 the amount of medicine it will require to cure any particular case. . . . 
 
 The length of time it requires to effect a cure depends entirely upon the 
 patient's susceptibility to the action of the medicine. . . . 
 
 .... we even find cases where but little improvement is noticed with 
 the use of the first package .... when these cases are found it will be 
 necessary to continue the use of Alcola longer than the average amount of 
 time in order to effect a complete cure.
 
 No. 1 Tablets. The box contained 62 tablets of a pale yellow 
 colour; the average weight of one was 5.7 grains. Analysis 
 showed the presence of 
 
 Strychnine 0.12 per cent. 
 
 Caffeine 4.72 
 
 Sugar of milk 86.9 
 
 Talc 4.1 
 
 With starch, a little gum or dextrin, and a trace of colouring matter. 
 
 Each tablet would thus contain 0.007 grain of strychnine and 
 0.26 grain of caffeine. 
 
 No. 2 Tablets. The box contained 63 tablets of a light choco- 
 late colour; the average weight of one was 5.7 grains. Analysis 
 showed the presence of 
 
 Strychnine approximately 0.2 per c.fnt. 
 
 Boric aid 4.4 ,, 
 
 Sugar of milk 82.8 ,, 
 
 Tak 3.0 
 
 With starch and colouring matter. 
 
 A trace of vegetable debris was present, perhaps from a small 
 quantity of some vegetable extract showing no distinctive char- 
 acters. The colouring matter was basic in nature and could not 
 be separated from the strychnine ; hence the figure for the latter 
 is approximate only. 
 
 Each tablet would thus contain about 0.011 grain of 
 strychnine. 
 
 No. 3 Tablets. The box contained 29 tablets, which were 
 greyish with a pink tinge; the average weight of one was 2.9 
 grains. Analysis showed the presence of 
 
 Tartar emetic 16.7 per cent. 
 
 Calcium sulphate 61.4 per cent. 
 
 Talc 3.1 
 
 With starch and colouring matter. 
 
 A trace of a pungent substance was present resembling the 
 pungent principle of pepper, and a trace of vegetable debris, 
 which may have been from a small quantity of a vegetable 
 extract showing no distinctive characters. 
 
 Each tablet would thus contain 0.48 grain of tartar emetic. 
 The estimated cost of the ingredients for all the tablets in the 
 three boxes is about l|d.
 
 140 
 
 THE "NORMYL" CURE FOR ALCOHOL AND DRUG 
 ADDICTIONS. 
 
 The specimen of this medicine described in the following para- 
 graph was sent for examination by the medical adviser of a 
 patient who did not continue the " cure." It appears from the 
 printed matter on the package that the full course consists of 
 twenty-four days' medicine, supplied in twenty-four bottles ; 
 the package sent by our correspondent was marked ' ' second 
 treatment " ; it had contained twelve bottles, but one had been 
 removed before it reached us, and the eleven sent were marked 
 respectively "14th day," "15th day," etc., to "24th day." 
 Each bottle had the cork and neck covered with tinfoil, over 
 which was the label indicating the day on which the contents 
 were to be taken, showing that they had not been opened or 
 tampered with. On the outside of the box was a proprietary 
 medicine stamp for 3s., this being the duty payable on pro- 
 prietary medicines of selling price of 20s. to 30s. (exclusive of 
 stamp) ; an article bearing a 3s. stamp is usually sold at 33s. 
 
 Each bottle contained about 150 minims of a light reddish- 
 brown liquid.. The directions for use are: 
 
 Secure from your chemist what is known as a flat eight ounce bottle for 
 pocket use and a dose glass. Mix the contents of vial marked " 1st day "' 
 in eight ounces of water and take half-an-ounce (one tablespoonful) of the 
 mixture every hour while awake. When any of the mixture remains from 
 the previous day, throw it away, as it loses its virtue after 24 hours. Mix 
 a fresh bottle every day. Keep the bowels regular, and in case of con- 
 stipation take some gentle aperient as often as may be necessary, and use 
 no intoxicating liquor. Eat of any food you like. 
 
 It is further stated that: 
 
 Afi this preparation contains a small medicinal dose of Nux Vomica, it 
 must, in order to comply with the Pharmacy Act, be labelled poison, but 
 ite composition remains unaltered. 
 
 And: 
 
 N.B. Although a cure will apparently be effected in a few days, it is 
 absolutely necessary in order to ensure a Permanent Cure that a full course 
 of 24 days' medicine (24 bottles) shall be taken without a break, so that 
 the alcoholic or drug poison may be thoroughly eliminated from the system 
 and thus prevent a return of the crave. 
 
 Qualitative examination of the contents of some of the 
 bottles did not indicate any differences of composition, and as 
 the quantity in one bottle wae far too small for quantitative
 
 141 
 
 analysis, the contents of several were mixed for analysis. The 
 mixed liquid was found to contain: 
 
 Alcohol 75.5 per cent, by volume 
 
 Alkaloid 0.09 per cent, (weight in volume 
 
 A soft resin 1.5 ,, ,, ,, 
 
 A non - alkaloidal bitter 
 
 principle A fair trace 
 
 Ash 0.1 per cent, (weight in volume) 
 
 Extractive, including colour- 
 ing matter 2.3 ,, ,, 
 
 The alkaloid consisted principally of strychnine, with a little 
 brucine; the amount present corresponds to about 25 per cent, 
 (by volume) of tincture of nux vomica, or 38 minims in one 
 bottle (one day's medicine). The resin did not agree in char- 
 acter with jalap or scammony resin, and the quantity available 
 was too small for its identification. The non-alkaloidal bitter 
 principle was extracted from acid solution by chloroform, like 
 the principles of several common bitter drugs. It agreed in 
 its behaviour to various colour tests with picrotoxin, and a 
 small quantity of the latter was accordingly prepared ' in an 
 impure state from a tincture of Cocculus indicus, for special 
 comparison with it; they agreed very closely, though not per- 
 fectly, in their behaviour with various tests perfect agreement 
 between necessarily impure substances was not to be expected 
 and there appears a high probability that the substance ex- 
 tracted from the " Normyl " medicine was picrotoxin, though 
 it was impossible to prove its identity conclusively with the 
 minute quantity available. The ash, extractive, and colour- 
 ing matter did not give any evidence as to the drug from which 
 they were derived; there was an aromatic flavour in the mix- 
 ture resembling that of orange. 
 
 WOODS' CURE FOR TOBACCO HABIT. 
 
 This series of tablets and pills is supplied by E. J. Woods, 
 Limited, the company whose "cure" for alcoholism is de- 
 scribed above. Recently advertisements have been appearing 
 in newspapers and magazines over the name of E. J. Woods (the 
 " Ltd." does not appear) offering a three-day cure for tobacco 
 habit. One of these is worded thus : 
 
 TOBACCO HABIT 
 Conquered in 3 Days. 
 
 I offer a genuine guaranteed Remedy for tobacco or snuff habit, in 72 
 hours. It is mild, pleasant, strengthening. Overcomes that peculiar
 
 142 
 
 nervousness and craving for cigarettes, cigars, pipe, chewing tobacco, or 
 snuff; they are poisonous and seriously injurious to health, causing such 
 disorders as nervous dyspepsia, sleeplessness, gas, belching, gnawing, or 
 other uncomfortable sensation in stomach; constipation, headache, weak 
 eyes, loss of vigour, red spots on skin, throat irritation, asthma, bronchitis, 
 heart failure, lung trouble, catarrh, melancholy, neurasthenia, impotency, 
 loss of memory and will-power, impure (poisoned) blood, rheumatism, 
 lumbago, sciatica, neuritis, heartburn, torpid liver, loss of appetite, bad 
 teeth, foul breath, enervation, lassitude, lack of ambition, falling out of 
 hair, baldness, and many other disorders. It is unsafe and torturing to 
 attempt to cure yourself of tobacco or snuff habit by merely stopping 
 don't do it. The gentle, safe, agreeable way is to eliminate the nicotine 
 poison from the system, strengthen the weakened irritated membranes and 
 nerves, and genuinely overcome the craving. You can give up Tobacco 
 and enjoy yourself a thousand times better, while feeling always in robust 
 health. My Free book tells all about the wonderful 3 days' method. 
 Inexpensive, reliable. 
 
 The "Free book" is entitled "How to Speedily and Per- 
 fectly Conquer the Tobacco Smoking and Chewing Habits, also 
 the Snuff Habit"; it is a pamphlet of thirteen pages, chiefly 
 devoted to describing the awful effects of the use of tobacco, 
 and evidently intended to impress the reader and enlist his 
 terrors to aid the " cure." 
 
 A few extracts will suffice as samples: 
 
 Nicotine is one of the most intense of all poisons, approaching in its 
 strength the highly powerful prussic acid. 
 
 The other important element is an oil called nicotianin; probably this is 
 Shakespeare's "juice of the cursed henbane," mentioned in "Hamlet." 
 This is also an intense poison. . . . 
 
 There are several kinds of cigarettes that are prepared with opium, 
 cannabis indica (hasheesh), or cocaine. Thus, another very insidious and 
 killing poison is taken into the system. 
 
 The muscles as well as the nerves become poisoned by nicotine. 
 
 The effect of tobacco upon the nerves and muscles of the eyes is a reason 
 why oculists and opticians flourish. 
 
 Tobacco causes enfeebling of the mind and too often it leads to insanity. 
 . . . . tobacco is a frequent cause of heart failure and premature death. 
 
 I have been told by medical men that there is a belief, becoming better 
 founded from year to year, that tobacco is a cause of appendicitis. 
 
 Falling of the hair, followed by baldness, also the turning of dark hair 
 to grey shade, is due very often to the poisoning of the blood nerves by 
 nicotine. 
 
 The nicotine must be removed from the blood, muscles, nerves, mem- 
 branes and all other parts of your body. Do not waste time in trying to 
 accomplish this by the power of the will. No doubt you can make a 
 gallant fight, but the poison will remain and will continue to do its 
 mischief, like the uric acid of the rheumatic. 
 
 Thus far, over two hundred cases of leprosy in the United States have 
 been traced to cigarette smoking.
 
 143 
 
 A paragraph headed " A Deadly Weed " gives a list of rather 
 more than a hundred disorders of various kinds, with the state- 
 ment that " no tobacco user can escape one or more of the 
 harmful consequences mentioned in the list." They are of very 
 miscellaneous nature, " anxiety " and " softening of the brain " 
 standing together, and " cowardice " coming between " amau- 
 rosis " and " apoplexy." 
 
 There are two forms of the treatment, at the same price : 
 
 The cost of the Woods C Treatment is one guinea. The result is 
 absolutely guaranteed. All craving for tobacco in any form should be 
 completely eradicated and in most cases this result will be accomplished 
 in only seventy-two hours. 
 
 My C Treatment (regularly) for the Tobacco Habit is to be taken by 
 the person who desires to be cured. Obviously, he knows that he ie 
 taking it. 
 
 I am asked sometimes if I can provide a Treatment which can be given 
 without the tobacco user's knowledge. Yes, I can. This is my C Secret 
 Treatment. It can be given secretly in any kind of food or drink. It 
 is tasteless. The person finds that he is losing his desire for tobacco and 
 soon abandons its use altogether. The price of this C Secret Treatment 
 is one guinea, the same as the regular C Treatment. 
 
 The "treatment" obtained was the " regular," to be taken 
 knowingly by a person desiring to be cured. It was accom- 
 panied by a letter, in which it was stated that " the prepara- 
 tions are very potential," and a postscript runs thus: 
 
 I would appreciate a testimonial from you, to add to the great collection 
 that I am compiling. I hope you will see your way clear to send this. 
 
 The materials sent consisted of seven different kinds of 
 tablets and one lot of pills; these bore various numbers as 
 follows : 
 
 No. 301 : 7 small pink-coated tablets. 
 
 No. 302 : 64 email brown tablets, not coated. 
 
 No. 303 : 15 small pink-coated pills. 
 
 No. 304 : 6 chocolate-coated tablets. 
 
 No. 305 : 4 email grey tablets, not coated. 
 
 No. 306 : 10 grey tablets, not coated. 
 
 No. 307 : 2 small black-coated tablets. 
 
 No. 308 : 17 chocolate-coated tablets. 
 
 Since in every case one is directed to be taken for a dose, the 
 total includes 125 doses for the 72 hours requisite for the cure; 
 the elaborate 3-day time table sent, however, only provides for 
 one to be taken at every hour from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and one 
 on awaking in the morning and one at bedtime, and " if awake 
 in the night or early morning, a No. 302 tablet may be taken
 
 144 
 
 each two hours. To induce sleep, if necessary, take one 
 No. 304, followed by another in half an hour "; so that if five 
 are taken during the night, just seventy-two doses are directed. 
 For the first twenty-four hours the order of taking, beginning 
 at 7 p.m., is 301, 302, 303, 302, 303, then the night interval, 
 303, 308, 301, 302, 303, 302, 305, 302, 306, 302, 301, 302, 305, 
 and is different for the second and again for the third twenty- 
 four hours. 
 
 Every dose is to >be followed by a medium size glass of hot or cold 
 water (to be sipped), Vichy or soda with milk, or buttermilk. Take Nos. 
 303, 304, 306, 307, and 308 whole. Chew No. 301 before swallowing. 
 Dissolve Nos. 302 and 305 in a small glass of water. 
 
 - Nos. 302, 303, 306, and 308, of which the supply was the 
 largest, were analysed as fully as possible; for the others, the 
 small quantity available did not permit of much more than a 
 qualitative analysis. The results obtained were as follows : 
 
 No. 301 (to be chewed before swallowing). The average 
 weight of one tablet after removal of the coating was 1.28 
 grains; the principal ingredient was phenol-phthaiein, and a 
 resin which appeared to be podophyllin; no other active sub- 
 stance was found. 
 
 According to the directions, three of these are to be taken 
 in the first twenty-four hours, two in the second, and four in 
 the third : this makes a total of nine, but only seven were sent. 
 
 No. 302 (to be dissolved in water before taking). The 
 average weight of one tablet was 1.28 grains. Analysis showed 
 the presence of sugar of milk 63 per cent., a brown dye, and a 
 very bitter non-alkaloidal extract resembling extract of quassia, 
 which it probably was. No other substance was found except 
 a little talc ; it was not possible to determine the amount of the 
 bitter extract or of the dye. 
 
 According to the directions, seven are taken during the day- 
 time in the first twenty-four hours, seven in the second, and 
 four in the third, and three during each night if awake. There 
 is, therefore, a large surplus of these in the supply sent. 
 
 No. 303 (pills). The average weight of one pill after removal 
 of the coating was 0.9 grain. Analysis showed the principal 
 constituent to be aloin, with a small proportion of strychnine. 
 According to the directions, four of these are to be taken in 
 the first twenty-four hours, three in the second, and one in the 
 third.
 
 145 
 
 No. 304 (to be swallowed whole). The average weight of one 
 after removal of the coating was 4.4 grains. Analysis showed 
 the principal constituent to be as>afoetida ; in addition, a minute 
 trace of an alkaloidal substance, which was far too small in 
 amount to be examined, but which was not strychnine, was 
 present, and no other medicinal substance was found. 
 
 These are the tablets to be taken during the night, if neces- 
 sary, to induce sleep : 
 
 No. 305 (to be dissolved in water before taking). The aver- 
 age weight of one was 2.5 grains. Analysis showed that the 
 principal ingredient was reduced iron, with a trace of a bitter 
 alkaloid which appeared to be strychnine. The greater part 
 of the tablet being insoluble in water, the direction to " dis- 
 solve " it before taking cannot well be carried out. 
 
 According to the directions, two of these are to be taken in 
 the first twenty-four hours and one each in the second 
 and third. 
 
 No. 306 (to be swallowed whole). The average weight of one 
 was 3.7 grains; analysis showed the presence of ferrous carbon- 
 ate, potassium sulphate, strychnine, and brucine, with dextrin, 
 glucose, and starch; it was thus a form of Blaud's pill with 
 extract of nux vomica. The alkaloids amounted to 0.16 per 
 cent., representing about 2 per cent, of extract of nux vomica, 
 or about T ^ grain in one tablet; the iron was 9.7 per cent., 
 representing 20 per cent, of ferrous carbonate, or about f grain 
 in one tablet. 
 
 According to the directions, one of these is to be taken in the 
 first twenty-four hours, four in the second, and five in the 
 third. 
 
 No. 307 (to be swallowed whole). One tablet weighed 2 
 grains, including the thin coating. Analysis showed the prin- 
 cipal constituent to be a blue dye which agreed in ite general 
 characters with methylene blue. The only other substance 
 found was a little starch. 
 
 According to the directions, one of these is to be taken 
 about the middle of the period of seventy-two hours and the 
 other just before its close. 
 
 No. 308 (to be swallowed whole). The average weight of 
 one, after removal of the coating, was 3.7 grains. Analysis 
 showed the tablets to contain chalk 36 per cent., charcoal 20 
 per cent., sugar 26 per cent., and a trace of methyl salicylate 
 (oil of wintergreen) ; the only other constituents found were 
 small quantities of gum and talc, used, no doubt, as excipients.
 
 146 
 
 According to the directions, one of these is to be taken 
 in the first twenty-four hours, none in the second, and three in 
 the third. 
 
 It appears very evident that suggestion is intended to play 
 a considerable part in the treatment. The booklet is written 
 in such a way as to strike an impressionable reader with a 
 strong conviction of the terrible results to be expected if the 
 tobacco habit is continued, and the emphatic guaranteeing of a 
 cure in a very short time would, no doubt, assist the patient's 
 determination to give it up. The medicines having to be taken 
 every hour, sometimes chewed, sometimes swallowed whole, and 
 sometimes dissolved, would ensure the mind being kept well 
 occupied with the cure ; and the full directions include the use 
 of an enema daily, dieting, breathing exercises, bathing, etc. 
 The medicines themselves appear to be of three classes 
 aperients, tonics, and those intended to produce a subjective 
 effect, like asafoetida and methylene blue, the colouring effect of 
 which on the urine might perhaps lead the patient to ask an 
 explanation or to guess for himself that the colour ' ' shows 
 the nicotine being driven out of the system." 
 
 A further set of remedies, the " E set," price 2 2s., is re- 
 commended to be taken immediately after the C set, and is 
 " intended to assist the natural recuperative powers so that the 
 full benefit of having taken the other treatments shall be more 
 speedily manifested." 
 
 As the small amount of material available prevented the 
 analysis of some of the products being made quantitatively, it is 
 not possible to estimate exactly the cost price of the ingredients, 
 but it is evident that a few pence would fully cover it. 
 
 Although three of the different kinds of products contained 
 strychnine, none of the packages bore any intimation of the fact, 
 or the word " Poison."
 
 CHAPTEE IX. 
 
 SOOTHING SYEUPS FOR INFANTS. 
 
 [n the previous volume the results of the analysis of vari- 
 ous " soothing powders " for infants were given. " Soothing 
 syrups " also are very largely used, and are probably usually 
 purchased as " syrup of aniseed," etc., or sometimes com- 
 pounded in accordance with some domestic recipe. There 
 are, however, a certain number of proprietary preparations 
 of this class which have a large sale, and in this chapter we 
 give the results of the analysis of some of the chief of these. 
 The principal constituent of three out of the four is shown 
 to be anethol or carvone, added in the form of one or more 
 of the oils of anise, dill, and caraway. Two of the three 
 syrups are alkaline, sodium bicarbonate being used in one 
 case, and a mixture of potassium bicarbonate and magne- 
 sium carbonate in the other. The third contains potassium 
 bromide. The other syrup examined is directed to be rubbed 
 on the gums, after which it is of course swallowed gradually 
 by the child ; this is a preparation of hydrochloric acid, com- 
 mon salt, saffron, and honey. Perhaps the most noteworthy 
 point in connection with these preparations is that one of 
 them, claiming to have had a large sale for sixty years, is 
 not now of the same composition as formerly. At one time 
 this preparation contained morphine, as was proved in courts 
 of law on several occasions when proceedings under the 
 Pharmacy Acts were taken against unqualified persons for 
 selling it, and in fact the presence of morphine was admitted 
 by a statement on the package. Now, however, as our 
 analysis shows, it contains no morphine, but potassium
 
 148 
 
 bromide. Which of these two is the more unsuitable for 
 giving to infants of a few weeks old is, for the moment, not 
 the question ; the alteration of the composition of a medicine 
 which continues to be sold under the old name and with state- 
 ments as to its having been made for sixty years, shows how 
 utterly the public is at the mercy of the proprietors of such 
 preparations, who are at liberty to omit or add ingredients, 
 or to alter the composition as they please. 
 
 MRS. WINSLOW'S SOOTHING SYRUP. 
 
 This much-advertised preparation is supplied by a firm having 
 addresses in New York and London, at Is. l|d. per bottle, con- 
 taining li fluid ounces. 
 
 In a circular enclosed in the package it is stated that : 
 
 Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup, for children teething, greatly facilitates 
 the process of teething, by softening the gums, reducing all inflammation 
 will allay ALL PAIN and spasmodic action, and is SURE To REGULATE 
 THE BOWELS. Depend upon it, mothers, it will give rest to yourselves, 
 and RELIEF AND HEALTH TO YOUR INFANTS. 
 
 We have put up and sold this article for over sixty years, and can say 
 in confidence and truth, of it, what we have never been able to say of any 
 other medicine NEVER HAS IT FAILED, IN A SINGLE INSTANCE, To EFFECT 
 A CURE, when timely used. Never did we know an instance of dissatis- 
 faction by anyone who used it. On the contrary, all are delighted with 
 its operations, and speak in terms of highest commendation of its magical 
 effects and medical virtues. . . . 
 
 This valuable preparation is the prescription of one of the MOST 
 EXPERIENCED and SKILFUL NURSES in America, and has been used with 
 never failing success in THOUSANDS OF CASES. 
 
 The following statement appears on the label : 
 
 This Preparation contains no Poisonous Ingredient and may be used 
 with Perfect Safety. 
 
 A few years ago, however, the package used to bear a state- 
 ment that " this preparation contains, among other valuable in- 
 gredients, a small amount of morphine," and the presence of 
 morphine to the extent of about 0.08 grain per bottle was 
 proved in court in cases where unqualified persons were prose- 
 cuted for selling the syrup. The labels now in use do not con- 
 tain any such statement, and the analysis shows that morphine 
 is not now present. But the extracts quoted above, as to the
 
 149 
 
 article having been sold for sixty years, and to the prescription 
 of a nurse, are such as would lead any one to' suppose that its 
 composition is now what it has always been. 
 
 The directions on the label are: 
 
 For a child under one month old, 6 to 10 drops ; three months old, 
 half a teaspoonf ul ; six months old and upwards, a teaspoonf ul three or 
 four times a day. For Dysentery, repeat the above dose every two 
 hours, until the character of the discharges is changed for the better. 
 
 The syrup was of a straw colour, and flavoured with aniseed. 
 Analysis showed it to contain, in 100 parts by measure: 
 
 Potassium bromide 2.0 parts 
 
 Alcohol 4.3 parts by measure 
 
 Essential oil (anise), about 0.1 part 
 
 Sugar 56.5part6 
 
 Emodin was present in small quantity. This substance may 
 be derived from several drugs for example, senna, rhubarb, 
 cascara sagrada, etc. The evidence which was obtainable 
 pointed to senna as the drug from which it was derived in the 
 present case. A syrup containing 1.2 per cent, (by measure) 
 of the syrup of senna of the British Pharmacopoeia was of the 
 same depth of colour and showed about the same proportion of 
 emodin, and agreed in other respects also. No alkaloid was 
 present. The essential oil may have contained a little oil of 
 dill or caraway, the quantity being far too small to be 
 separated. There was some evidence of about 2 per cent, of 
 glycerine, but in presence of so much sugar this could not be 
 positively proved. 
 
 WOODWARD'S GRIPE WATER. 
 
 This preparation is supplied by a limited cc-mpany in Not- 
 tingham, at Is. l|d. per bottle, containing 5 fluid ounces. It 
 is thus described on the label : 
 
 Woodward's Celebrated Gripe Water, or Infant's Preservative, without 
 Laudanum, for all disorders of children, viz. : Convulsions, Gripes, 
 Acidity, Flatulency, Whooping-Cough, and the distressing complaints 
 incidental to Infants at the period of Cutting their Teeth, allaying the 
 pain, giving instant relief, and rendering this crisis perfectly mild and 
 free from danger. 
 
 The directions are: 
 
 For an infant, half a teaspoonful ; two months old, one or two teaspoon- 
 fuls. The dose may be gradually increased.
 
 150 
 
 Analysis showed it to contain, in 100 parts by measure: 
 
 Sodium bicarbonate 1.08 part 
 
 Essential oil about 0.03 
 
 Alcohol 3.8 parts by measure 
 
 Sugar 20.5 parts 
 
 No alkaloid was present. The essential oil appeared to be 
 chiefly oil of caraway, with a little oil of dill, and possibly also 
 of anise. 
 
 ATKINSON AND BARKER'S ROYAL INFANTS' 
 PRESERVATIVE. 
 
 This mixture is supplied by a Manchester firm, at Is. ld. 
 per bottle, containing 1J fluid ounces. 
 
 In a circular wrapped round the bottle, this medicine 
 
 Is recommended to all Parents, Nurses, and others, who are entrusted with 
 the management of Children, as a Medicine of real and approved efficacy, 
 in preventing and removing those disorders to which Children in their 
 early infancy are most liable, principally proceeding from a redundancy of 
 acidity in the first passages, as Wind, the Watery and Dry Gripes, Con- 
 vulsions, the Frog, etc., to which so many children fall victims, but which 
 may in general be prevented by the use of this Medicine. It is also 
 happily calculated for allaying those excruciating pains which Children 
 suffer in Cutting their Teeth, and will, by being judiciously used, render 
 this operation of nature perfectly mild and free from danger. It is also 
 equally efficacious in many other disorders to which Children are liable, as 
 t-he Rickets, Whooping Cough, Measles, etc. . . . 
 
 The directions as to dose are : 
 
 Children up to a month 5 to 10 drops in warm water 
 
 1 to 3 months 10 to 20 ,, 
 
 3 to 6 months 20 to 30 
 
 6 to 12 months 60 drops, or small teaspoonful 
 
 12 months to 3 years ... 100 or moderate-sized teaspoon- 
 ful 
 
 Analysis showed it to contain, in 100 parts by measure : 
 
 Potassium bicarbonate 1.75 parta 
 
 Magnesium carbonate 5.45 
 
 Essential oil about 0.06 
 
 Alcohol 7.0 parte by measure 
 
 Sugar 9.9 
 
 Colouring matter trace.
 
 151 
 
 No alkaloid was present. The essential oil appeared to con- 
 tain oils of caraway, dill, anise, and almond. The colouring 
 matter did not appear to be of vegetable origin, but showed a 
 yellow colour in alkaline and a pinkish in acid solution, thus 
 agreeing with certain coal-tar dyes. 
 
 MRS. JOHNSON'S AMERICAN SOOTHING SYRUP. 
 
 This syrup is now supplied by a limited company of dealers 
 in proprietary medicines in London, according to statements in 
 a circular accompanying the bottle, it was formerly made by 
 a Mrs. Jane Johnson. A Is. l|d. bottle contained about 70 
 minims. 
 
 It is stated in the circular that : 
 
 This remedy has given relief to thousands of children when suffering 
 from the pains of teething. As soon as the Syrup is rubbed on the gums 
 the child will recover, being as innocent as efficacious, and so pleasant that 
 no child will refuse to let its gums be rubbed -w ith it. When infants are at 
 the age of four months, though there is no appearance of teeth, one bottle 
 of the Syrup should be rubbed on the gums to open the pores. Parents 
 should never be without the Syrup in the nursery where there are young 
 children; for if a child wakes in the night with pain in the gums, the 
 Syrup immediately gives ease, by opening the pores and healing the gums, 
 thereby preventing Convulsions, Fevers, etc. 
 
 The directions on the label are : 
 
 Rub the gums with the Syrup two or three times daily for several 
 minutes. 
 
 The syrup was of a deep reddish-yellow colour, and had a 
 strong flavour of saffron. Analysis showed it to contain in 100 
 parts by measure: 
 
 Sodium chloride 5.66 parts. 
 
 Hydrochloric acid (B. P.) 2.33 parts by measure. 
 
 Reducing sugars, calculated as glucose ... 66.6 ,, 
 
 Extractive, colouring, etc about 5.0 ,, 
 
 A little alcohol was present, but the amount was not deter- 
 mined. The reducing sugars appeared to be present in the form 
 of honey, representing about 85 parts of this ; the extractive was 
 part.ly derived from saffron, and would include the non- 
 saccharine constituents of the honey.
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 MEDICINES FOR EPILEPSY. 
 
 The present chapter gives the results of analyses of three 
 much-advertised medicines for the cure of epilepsy, which 
 show the principal ingredient in all of them, as in five out 
 of the six dealt with in the previous volume, to be bromide. 
 It is not uncommon to find' that nostrums for any complaint 
 having well-marked symptoms, such as epilepsy, contain 
 the drugs most commonly used by the medical profession 
 in treating it ; but this does not at all deter the proprietors 
 from making scornful references to the usual medical treat- 
 ment, and intimating that their own preparation owes its 
 marvellous virtues to some new or different substance. In 
 the present instances the usual claims are made of the cure 
 of " frightful cases of long standing, which had been pro- 
 nounced hopeless by eminent physicians and hospitals, and 
 after everything which had been tried had utterly failed," 
 and so forth, but analysis does not show the presence of 
 anything but drugs in everyday use ; two of the preparations 
 examined consisting of ammonium bromide and potassium 
 iodide, and the third of these substances and potassium 
 bromide, with, in all three, colouring and flavouring agents. 
 The first two bear on the label the words, " Guaranteed 
 free from Bromide of Potassium and Poison," and a great 
 deal is made, in the pamphlets in which they are recom- 
 mended, of the absence of this salt, without, of course, any 
 hint that the very similar ammonium bromide is substituted 
 for it. In one of these pamphlets it is stated that "any 
 person who knows anything about epilepsy and fits knows 
 something of the harm done in many cases by Bromide of
 
 153 
 
 Potassium. Almost every patient I have had during a long 
 and extensive practice has taken this drug (and in some 
 cases it has been taken for many years), so that I find it 
 necessary to eliminate the ill effects of Bromide of Potassium 
 from the system." In the case of the third, which is shown 
 to contain 15.6 grains of potassium bromide and 4.2 grains 
 of ammonium bromide in each fluid drachm, perhaps even 
 more effrontery is shown in the statement, " the treatment 
 of Epilepsy and Fits is carried on under some difficulty, as 
 nearly all the great Physicians prescribe the same remedy 
 Bromide Bromide nothing much except Bromide, and 
 so the unhappy sufferer consults many doctors without 
 being cured." The similarity in composition of the first 
 two of these preparations is not reflected in the prices, 
 4s. 6d. being charged in the first case for an 8 oz. bottle 
 (without a "patent medicine" stamp) and 2s. 9d. in the 
 second for the same sized bottle, stamped; even at the 
 lower price, as the figures show, the rate of profit is very 
 generous, and, as the article is sold direct to the consumer 
 through the post, there are no intermediate charges to be 
 deducted from what the maker actually receives, except the 
 cost of postage. These two medicines show not only a 
 great similarity of composition, but the pamphlet issued 
 to puff the one of them would seem to have been adapted 
 or paraphrased from that issued in support of the other. 
 A similarity among some of the published " testimonials " 
 is striking, and shows to what great length the arm of 
 coincidence may grow when circumstances are favourable. 
 
 J. GILBERT DALE'S TREATMENT, " IMPERATINE." 
 
 This preparation is supplied by J. Gilbert Dale from an 
 address in London. The price was formerly 4s. 6d. per bottle, 
 but it appears, as shown below, that the method of charging 
 for the medicine by the bottle has been abandoned in favour 
 of charging a monthly fee for the " treatment," supplying the
 
 154 
 
 medicine " free." Apparently the principal difference is that 
 in this way a higher price is obtained. 
 
 This preparation is one of those that are not supplied through 
 retailers, but direct from the proprietor through the poet. The 
 first three communications received in the case here dealt with 
 are dated 1908, and, like so many of such " letters," are cir- 
 culars in imitation of typewriting, with the name and address, 
 the date, and " Dear Sir or Madam " typed in. In the first 
 letter it is stated that: 
 
 My remedy contains no Bromide of Potassium, and no Poison, and is 
 perfectly safe for both delicate adults and young children. 
 
 It has cured completely and permanently, frightful cases of long stand- 
 ing, which had been pronounced hopeless by eminent physicians and 
 hospitals, and after everything which had been tried had utterly failed. 
 
 And in the third that : 
 
 If it is simply a case of mony (sic) which deters you, I am prepared to 
 send you the remedy at the following reduced price, 
 
 Two 4s. Od. BOTTLES FOE THE PRICE OF ONE. 
 
 This will give you a month in which to demonstrate the merits of the 
 cure. Of course it. must be understood that the subsequent supplies must 
 be paid for at the ordinary price. . . . 
 
 I will keep this offer open for one week from this date. Since you first 
 wrote ma i have received several striking testimonials from people who 
 applied to me at the same time as yourself, and who commenced to take my 
 remedy at once. 
 
 This last paragraph, in a circular, point? to the remarkable 
 coincidence that whenever an inquiry abou:. the medicine is not 
 followed up by purchase, several other r.eople apply at the 
 same time, commence to take the remedy at once, and send 
 striking testimonials within a few weeks. An alternative 
 explanation, of course, is that the statement is simply not true. 
 
 The notepaper used for these communications was headed 
 " Specialist in Epilepsy and Nervous Diseases. Dale's Remedy 
 for Epilepsy. Trade-mark ' Imperatine ' (Reg.)," and also 
 bore the words, " Advice by Post Free. Personal consultations 
 by appointment, One Guinea; including one month's treatment 
 Free." 
 
 Various pamphlets were sent at one time or another. In one 
 of these, entitled " Epilepsy and its Cure. A few facts. J. 
 Gilbert Dale, Specialist in Epilepsy and Fits," it is stated: 
 
 I have no degree, having never sat for any medical examination. My 
 name does not, therefore, appear on the Medical Register, and I cannot
 
 155 
 
 legally call myself a Doctor; but my long and varied experience of this 
 dread disease qualifies me to treat Epilepsy and nervous diseases, of which 
 I have made a special study. ... I always advise my patients to send 
 for their family doctor when they are suffering from any other ailments 
 than those I treat. . . . During the nine or ten years that I have been 
 treating cases in all parts of the United Kingdom and abroad, I have had 
 to deal with every form of this terrible disease. There is no form of the 
 complaint which I have not had the opportunity of studying very closely, 
 and my experience of these cases (particulars of which have been supplied 
 to me in detail) has been most valuable, and gives me qualifications for 
 treating Epilepsy that I could not have obtained in any other way. 
 
 The method appears to be : Do not sit for a medical examina- 
 tion (requiring long and expensive training), but set up as a 
 Specialist in Something and advertise. You will then get cases 
 from all parts of the country, and particulars will be supplied. 
 From the experience obtained in treating them you will become 
 qualified to treat others. It certainly seems simple. 
 
 Another of the pamphlets was entitled Epilepsy and its Treat- 
 ment. The similarity between this and the pamphlet sent out 
 by another firm and referred .to below is remarkably close, as 
 a few extracts will show : 
 
 Of the very many diseases which afflict humanity, few, if any, are more 
 dreadful than Epilepsy, or Falling Fite. This disease has existed for 
 centuries, for we read in St. Matthew's Gospel, chapter 17 (revised version), 
 verse 15, "Lord, have mercy on my son : for he is epileptic, and suffereth 
 grievously : for oft times he falleth into the fire, and oft times into the 
 water." Also in St. Matthew's Gospel, chapter 4, verse 24, we read, " And 
 they brought unto Him all that were sick, holden with divers diseases and 
 torments, possessed with devils, and epileptic, and palsied, and He healed 
 them." 
 
 Epilepsy ha* claimed for its subjects persons of the highest rank, as well 
 
 as of the lowest. Some of the greatest of the earth have been afflicted by 
 it. Cc-esar, Henry IV. of England, Napoleon, Peter the Great, Mohammed, 
 
 Byron, Sheridan, the great Duke of Wellington, and others wfhose names 
 
 are written on the pages of tihe world's -history, are said to have been 
 
 afflicted by this terrible disease. . . . 
 
 I honestly believe it to be the finest treatment in the world for epilepsy. 
 It is not a Cure-all. It cures epilepsy and some kindred diseases, but this 
 is all I claim for it. ... 
 
 "Imperatine" is a Nerve Food. It is as much a food and as necessary 
 to epileptics as ordinary food. Some medicines ARE foods, and are found 
 in the foods we eat. . . . As we do not get these nerve foods in correct 
 proportions in the food we eat, they have to be supplied in the form of 
 medicine. . . .
 
 156 
 
 Other medicines recommended in this pamphlet are " Dale's 
 Imperatone Pills" and "Dale's Powerones." 
 
 A considerable interval elapsed between the receipt of these 
 pamphlets, etc., and the next step. When finally an order for 
 a bottle of " Imperatine " was sent, together with 4s. 6d., a 
 letter was received in reply, signed " W. Bunn, Secretary," 
 stating that : 
 
 We do not, however, charge for medicine, but Mr. Gilbert Dale charges 
 a fee for treating the case, as each case is treated individually, and medicine 
 is prescribed separately for each patient. 
 
 We shall be glad if you will fill in and return the enclosed form and your 
 case will then be carefully gone into, and a fee for treatment will be 
 quoted. 
 
 In reply to this a leaf was sent from one of the pamphlets 
 quoting "Imperatine" at 4s. 6d. per bottle, three bottles 13s., 
 etc., with a letter pointing out the inconsistency, and demanding 
 a bottle of the medicine or the return of the money. The 
 following was then received : 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Mr. Gilbert Dale has requested me to acknowledge receipt of your 
 letter. As you can easily understand, epilepsy is a disease that is best 
 treated by specially varied medicines for each case, therefore it has been 
 found desirable, rather than to sell the bottle for each person, to take each 
 case under the Treatment at so much per month, all medicines being 
 supplied free. This is done so that the medicines may be prepared at our 
 own laboratory, and patients may not be tempted to make the medicine 
 last a longer period. 
 
 Under the circumstances if you would send the enclosed form filled in so 
 that the medicine may be prepared we are willing to send a special bottle 
 at the 4s. 6d. I should strongly advise you to take the Treatment at say 
 10s. 6d. for a month, this would include all medicines required for Epilepsy. 
 
 Yours faithfully, 
 
 W. BUNN, Secretary. 
 
 According to an earlier letter, quoted above, two 4s. 6d. 
 bottles would last a month, therefore a monthly fee of 10s. 6d. 
 represents an increased charge. But the use of the expression, 
 "say 10s. 6d.," and the general tone of the letter seem to 
 suggest that if it had not been for the dispute referred to a 
 higher fee might have been charged. Another reason for the 
 fiction that all medicine is supplied free may be a desire to 
 avoid paying stamp duty, which would amount to 6d. on each 
 bottle.
 
 157 
 
 The "consultation form" was then filled up and sent; the 
 questions asked, with the replies given (in italics), were as 
 follows : 
 
 CONSULTATION FORM. 
 
 The information supplied on this form will be treated as of a strictly 
 private character. It is generally better for a relative or friend of the 
 sufferer to fill up this form. 
 
 Date 
 
 Name of patient (in full) 
 
 Address (in full) 
 
 1 Age? 28. 
 
 2 Married or single? Single. 
 
 3 Occupation 1 Clerk. 
 
 4 Pale, ruddy, blotchy or sallow complexion ? Pale. 
 
 5 Thin or stout? Medium. 
 
 6 Weak or strong? Fairly strong. 
 1 Height 15 ft. 8. 
 
 8 Weight? 10 st. 7. 
 
 9 Is patient of weak intellect INo. 
 
 10 How long suffered with fits? Occasionally for about 12 years: fits 
 have only been frequent for a year. 
 
 11 Do you know the cause ? If so, what was it ? No. 
 
 12 How often do attacks occur? From once a week to once in ^ or fi 
 weeks. 
 
 13 During night or day? Usually evening. 
 
 14 Do the fits generally occur at a certain time? If so, about what 
 hour usually ? Usually between 6 and S in the evening. 
 
 15 How long unconscious in attacks? 3 to 5 minutes. 
 
 16 Is there any warning? If BO, what? None, except often a severe 
 headache. 
 
 17 Do the bowels act regularly without opening medicine? Yes. 
 
 18 Is appetite normal? Yes. 
 
 19 Is digestion good ? Yes. 
 
 20 Does the patient pass a normal quantity of urine ? Yes. 
 
 21 Is it natural in colour and free from sediment? Yes. 
 
 22 Is monthly health normal (females) ? 
 
 23 Does the patient sleep well? Fairly. 
 
 24 Is the patient languid during daytime? No. 
 
 25 Is the patient nervous? If so, in what way? Not generally, but 
 rather apprehensive in regard to attacks. 
 
 26 Has the patient any other disease? No. 
 
 27 Does the patient suffer pain at times? If so, when and in what 
 part INo. 
 
 28 Is the patient usually despondent or of a cheerful disposition? 
 Fairly cheerful. 
 
 29 Does the patient worry? Not particularly. 
 
 30 Has the patient had any other serious illness? If so, give particu- 
 lars. No.
 
 158 
 
 31 Does the patient take intoxicants? If so, to what extent? One 
 glass of beer with mid-day meal. 
 
 32 Does the patient smoke? If so, how much per week? Yes, about 
 li 02. 
 
 33 Give date of last attack ? April 26th. 
 
 34 What doctors and remedies have been tried, and for how long? 
 None. 
 
 35 What results from them ? Please answer fully. 
 
 Give any further particulars which you think necessary. If you have 
 a recent photograph, please send it. I will 'return it with the medicine. 
 If you have not a photograph, it does not matter. Answer these questions 
 as well as you can, and describe as far as possible the character of the 
 patient's fits, according to the statements of those who witnessed the 
 attacks. It will help me if you will also say what is the patient's mode 
 of life; such as, what time meals are taken, and what they consist of; 
 what time the patient goes to bed, and the time of getting up ; and so 
 forth : 
 
 Rises 7.30. Breakfast, bacon or eggs, or fish, etc., bread and 
 
 butter, tea. 1.0 .-Dinner, meat, vegetables, cheese, % pint beer. 
 
 6.30: Plain tea. 9.SO to 10.30: Bread and cheese and (in winter 
 only) cocoa. Bed about 11 to 12. 
 
 The medicine was then received, with a little book of 
 " General instructions to patients, and diet tables," and two 
 copies of " Report of Progress Form," with a request that one 
 of these should be filled up and sent in after 12 days. The 
 directions on the label were: 
 
 Two small teaspoonfuls (exactly two drachms) to a wineglassfui of cold 
 water on rising each morning and on retiring each evening. 
 
 The bottle contained eight fluid ounces. Analysis showed the 
 presence of ammonium bromide, potassium iodide, a little sugar 
 and alcohol, and a small quantity of iron. After determining 
 the amounts of the various ingredients, about 1 per cent, of 
 matter was unaccounted for ; the liquid was of a very dark brown 
 colour, and no active ingredient was found possessing such 
 colour; the appearance was best matched by means of burnt 
 sugar, and this would account for the additional solid matter, 
 but it is not possible to say positively that some "extractive" 
 other than caramel was not present, and a minute trace of basic 
 substance, possibly alkaloidal, was found. The alcohol may 
 have been due to some tincture having been added, or it 
 may have been employed to dissolve a little oil of sassafras, 
 the mixture having a sassafras-like aroma. Sulphate was pre- 
 sent, and the iron may have been added as ferrous sulphate,
 
 159 
 
 but there was no direct evidence as to the form in which it 
 was used. The formula arrived at was : 
 
 In one dose 
 (2 drachms) 
 
 Potassium iodide 1-55 parts 1-7 grains 
 
 Ammonium bromide .... 15-78 ,, 17 -4 grains 
 
 Iron, calculated as ferrous 
 
 su'phate 1-0 part 1-1 grain 
 
 Alcohol 4-15 parts by measure 5 minims 
 
 Sugars 6 parts 
 
 Burnt sugar 
 
 Oil of sassafras trace 
 
 Water to 100 parts by measure 
 
 The estimated cost of the ingredients for eight fluid ounces 
 of this mixture is 4d. 
 
 FITZKURE. 
 
 " Fitzkure " is supplied by "The London Medicine Co."; 
 the price of a bottle containing eight fluid ounces was 2s. 9d. 
 
 An undated circular sent out by this firm commences : 
 
 Believing you to be specially interested in the treatment and cure of 
 Epilepsy, Fits, etc., we have taken the liberty of sending you particulars 
 of "Fitzkure," which cures Fits, Falling Sickness, Hysteria, and kindred 
 Nervous Diseases. May we request that you give the enclosed booklet your 
 careful consideration. 
 
 The reason for supposing the recipient of this circular to be 
 specially interested in the treatment of epilepsy is not at first 
 apparent; but the fact that the London Medicine Co.'s booklet 
 and the composition of their medicine are so similar to those 
 of J. Gilbert Dale, described above, and that this circular was 
 sent to a person who had previously written to Mr. Dale for 
 particulars of his " Imperatine," suggest that the one business 
 may be the offspring (legitimate or otherwise) of the other. 
 There is also a curious resemblance between some of the " testi- 
 monials " published; for example, in one of Dale's pamphlets 
 there is one marked " Mrs. W.," from which the following are 
 extracts : 
 
 I am now in perfect health, and am only too pleased to speak for "Im- 
 peratine." . . . When I went to sleep I never expected to wake again. But 
 the fits stopped with the first dose of your medicine, and I was soon able to 
 get up, and am now able to go anywhere by myself with comfort. . . .
 
 160 
 
 Three weeks before I commenced your medicine, when I took to my bed, 
 I was in fits day and night, first screaming, and then laughing, and got so 
 strange that my friends dared not leave me a minute. 
 
 And the London Medicine Co.'s circular gives one marked 
 " Mrs. F. W.," from which the following are extracts: 
 
 I am in perfect health, thanks to your wonderful cure When 1 
 
 went to sleep I never expected to wake again. ... I can go anywhere now 
 with comfort. About 3 weeks before I started with Fitzkure I had to take 
 to my bed, and was in fits day and night, first screaming and then laughing, 
 and I got so strange that my friends dared not leave me a minute. The 
 last I had was on the Friday morning that I got your medicine. I took a 
 dose straight away, and it seems too wonderful to be true that I have not 
 had one fit since. 
 
 Thus there are two women, both having surnames beginning 
 with W., one taking " Imperatine " and the other " Fitzkure," 
 both taking to bed " in fits day and night, first screaming and 
 then laughing," both taking the respective medicines just three 
 weeks after taking to bed, both cured by the first dose, and both 
 using the same phrases in writing about it. Is it merely an 
 extraordinary coincidence? or is one woman writing a testi- 
 monial about the same case, with a few verbal alterations, on 
 behalf of two different medicines ? or has the one advertiser 
 " lifted " the testimonial from the other, altering the name of 
 the medicine? or, finally, is the whole thing a fabrication and 
 imposture ? 
 
 The similarity in the pamphlets, already alluded to, will be 
 seen on comparing the following extracts from Epilepsy and its 
 Cure (The London Medicine Co.) with those given above from 
 Dale's pamphlet: 
 
 Epilepsy is generally acknowledged to be one of the most dreadful diseases 
 which humanity suffers from. For centuries it has existed, and has 
 baffled the skill of the greatest physicians. The medical profession are 
 scarcely any nearer being able to cure it than in the time of our Lord, 
 when, as we read in the Gospel of S. Matthew, Chap. IV. verse S4 (re- 
 vised version), they brought unto Jesus all that were sick, holden with 
 divers diseases and torments, possessed with devils, and epileptic and 
 palsied, and He healed them. No race is free from this appalling disease, 
 and it is no respector of persons, for many of the great of the earth have 
 Buffered with fits among whom may be mentioned Caesar, Napoleon, Peter 
 the Great, Mohammed, Byron, Henry IV. of England, the great Duke of 
 Wellington, all of whom, among others, are said to have been BO 
 afflicted. . . .
 
 161 
 
 Fitzkure is not a Cure-all for every disease, but it does and will cure 
 epilepsy, fits, falling sickness, if steadily persevered with from 18 months 
 to 2 years. ... It is not so much a medicine as a Nerve Food, and is as 
 much a food and as necessary to epileptics as ordinary food. Some medicines 
 are foods and are found in the foods we eat .... when we do not get 
 the medicines that we need from the foods we eat, these have to be 
 supplied in the form of medicine. . . . 
 
 Fitzkure .... is guaranteed absolutely free from Bromide of Potassium 
 and Poison. 
 
 There appears to be some humour in the next paragraph 
 
 The history of the remarkable way in which Fitzkure was invented and 
 developed is indeed a romance which would take too long to describe in 
 these pages. The inventor is not a Doctor. . . . Our experience in treating 
 these cases has been most valuable, extending over many years. 
 
 Other medicines recommended are ' ' Fitzkure Laxative Pills ' ' 
 and " Fitzkure Tonic." 
 
 No " Consultation Form " was sent to be filled up, but in the 
 original circular certain particulars are asked for : 
 
 When sending for "Fitzkure" please say what the patient has been 
 taking, and with what result. 
 
 Be sure to give the full name and address, also state the age of the 
 patient. 
 
 A 2s. 9d. bottle of the medicine was sent for, " for a young 
 woman of 24 years." It was sent with a circular of directions 
 and diet table, extracts from which are as follows : 
 
 The dose which is two small teaspoonfuls or two drachms, must be 
 .... 'taken in a wine glass of water on waking in tJhe morning, and retiring 
 at night. Persons over 65, and weak delicate persons will need to take a 
 smaller dose, from one to one-and-a-half teaspoonfuls for some weeks till 
 quite used to the medicine. There is a wide difference in the susceptibility 
 of patients to medicines, the ordinary dose being too small for some 
 patients, and too large for others. If therefore the above dose makes you 
 feel poorly or giddy, you must reduce it till these symptoms have passed 
 away. But, on the other hand, if you are feeling well in yourself, and the 
 fits have not ceased, you must increase the dose. . . . 
 
 Analysis showed the liquid to contain ammonium bromide, 
 potassium iodide, potassium citrate, a little alcohol and reducing 
 sugar, and a very small quantity of iron ; it was flavoured with 
 aniseed, and coloured deep brown, approaching black. The 
 colour appeared to be given by burnt sugar, as in the previous 
 
 L
 
 162 
 
 case. The various ingredients were determined quantitatively, 
 and the formula indicated is : 
 
 In one dose 
 (2 drachms). 
 
 Potassium iodide 1.11 parts 1.22 grains 
 
 Ammonium bromide 26.63 ,, 29.3 ,, 
 
 Potassium citrate 1.0 part 1.1 ,, 
 
 Iron, calculated as ferrous 
 
 sulphate 0.5 , 0.55 grain 
 
 Alcohol 1.7 parts by 
 
 measure 2 minims 
 
 Oil of aniseed trace 
 
 Burnt sugar 
 
 Water to 100 parts by measure 
 
 The estimated cost of the ingredients for eight fluid ounces 
 is 4jd. 
 
 DR. NIBLETT' S VITAL RENEWER. 
 
 This is supplied by C. P. Niblett, London; a bottle, price 
 4s. 6d., was found to contain four fluid ounces. 
 
 In a Press advertisement it is stated that 
 
 Dr. Niblett's Vital Renewer is the result of the most exhaustive research 
 by a London Physician, who for upwards of 35 years made epilepsy his 
 especial study. Confidence can be placed in this remedy, which for years 
 has 'been used with the greatest success in all parts of the world. The One 
 Remedy that cures. 
 
 A pamphlet is also offered free, entitled A Practical Treatise 
 on Epilepsy, its treatment and cure, by S. B. Niblett, M.D., 
 L.R.C.P.Edi. 1 
 
 On the title page of the pamphlet, however, no " M.D." 
 appears, but it is represented to be by " S. Berry Niblett, Licen- 
 tiate Royal College of Physicians, Ed., Licentiate Faculty of 
 Physicians and Surgeons, Glas., Licentiate Society of Apothe- 
 caries, Lond." The "practical" nature of the treatise is, to 
 say the least, rather diluted by such paragraphs as : 
 
 This disease is called by the German physicians, Fallsucht ; by the French, 
 TEpilepsie ; by the Italian professors, mal caduco, or falling sickness. 
 
 Epilepsy was termed by the ancient Greeks "the sacred disease," on 
 account of the magnitude of the evil, or because persons labouring under it 
 have been thought possessed by demons. It was said that Hercules was 
 
 1 The name does not occur in the Medical Register for 1912.
 
 163 
 
 subject to it, therefore it was denominated the Herculean disease; but Galen 
 says it was on account of its form or magnitude. 
 
 The Romans termed this affection " morbus comitialis," because it fre- 
 quently occurred in crowded assemblies in which the passions of the people 
 were often much excited, and it was customary to dissolve the comitia if 
 during the sitting any person should be affected by it. 
 
 Many sufferers from epilepsy are possessed of high intellectual power; 
 the classical cases of Julius Csesar, Mahomet, and the first Napoleon, each of 
 whom suffered from the disease, may be cited as examples. . . . Epilepsy 
 is a disease which specially attracted the attention of the ancient phy- 
 sicians; it was termed by the Greeks " the sacred disease." Plato ascribes 
 the use of the term " sacred " to the circumstances of the head or brain 
 being the part of the body affected in epilepsy. Hippocrates pointed 
 out, . . . 
 
 And so on. The section on " Treatment and Cure of Epilepsy " 
 commences : 
 
 Few higher duties can devolve on the medical man than to make obscure 
 diseases his special study. It should always be the aim of the physician 
 to cure the disease as rapidly and effectually as possible. . . . The general 
 tendency of epilepsy, if left to Nature, is certainly to proceed from bad 
 to worse. . . . Efficient treatment is the very foundation of our art, the alpha 
 as well as the omega. 
 
 Suddenly we come to the " treatment " : 
 
 My Vital Renewer is a real vital antidote, really stopping the develop- 
 ment of the attacks and absolutely curing the disease. . . . Under the 
 use of my Vital Renewer the fits will immediately become less severe and 
 less frequent. . . . Patients taking my Vital Renewer will receive explicit 
 directions as to the nature of the food desirable to be taken at each meal. 
 . . . I am prepared to prove, beyond all fear of contradiction, that my 
 Vital Renewer has cured the most inveterate cases of epilepsy. . . . The 
 success which has attended the administration of my Vital Renewer 1 
 believe to be due not only to the peculiar form in which it is prepared, but 
 also to the unremitting care taken in the skilful manipulation which is 
 required. 
 
 In a circular letter sent with the " Practical Treatise " it 
 is stated that : 
 
 The treatment of Epilepsy or Fits is carried on under some difficulty, as 
 nearly ail the great Physicians prescribe the same remedy, Bromide 
 Bromide nothing much except Bromide, and so the unhappy sufferer 
 consults many doctors without being cured. 
 
 After prolonged study and extensive experimental research, varying over 
 a considerable number of years, Dr. S. Berry Niblett, of London, discovered 
 a certain remedy for all forms of Epilepsy and Fits. . . . This medicine is 
 certainly the most valuable contribution that modern science has made to 
 the treatment of Epilepsy. 
 
 L 2
 
 164 
 
 The directions on the label are as follows : 
 
 Shake the bottle previous to use. 
 
 Adults : 1 teaspoonful in a wineglassf ul of water. 
 
 Children : 6 to 10 years, 20 drops in 1 teaspoonfuls of water. 
 
 Children : 10 to 12 years, 30 drops in two teaspoonfuls of water. 
 
 Children : 12 to 18 years, teaspoonful in 3 teaspoonfuls of water. 
 
 About the age of 18 the full dose should be taken. 
 
 The medicine must be taken three times a day, two hours after meals 
 until a period of six months has elapsed since the last fit lias occurred. A 1 ; 
 the end of that time it may be taken twice a day only, at 11 in tho 
 morning and again at bedtime, for another six months. 
 
 If jio 'further attack occurs during that time the medicine may then be 
 taken at bedtime only. 
 
 N.B. If the attacks occur at night, one dose of the medicine should be 
 taken at bedtime and twbe during the day. 
 
 Analysis showed the liquid to contain potassium iodide, potas- 
 sium bromide, ammonium bromide, a little alcohol, and a very 
 little reducing sugar. It contained sufficient traces of oil of 
 aniseed and chloroform to be recognizable by their odour, and 
 was coloured a dark brown. After the ingredients named had 
 been determined quantitatively, 0.4 per cent, remained to be 
 accounted for by the colouring matter, which appeared to be 
 burnt sugar. A minute trace of a basic substance was pre- 
 sent, which might have been alkaloidal, but the quantity was 
 negligible. The alcohol may have been added as spirit of 
 aniseed or spirit of chloroform. The formula indicated by the 
 results is : 
 
 In one dose 
 (1 drachm). 
 
 Potassium iodide 3.75 parts ... 2.07 grains. 
 
 Potassium bromide 30.88 ,, ... 15.6 
 
 Ammonium bromide 7.66 ,, ... 4.2 
 
 Chloroform trace 
 
 Oil of aniseed 
 
 Alcohol 2.6 parts by measure. 
 
 Burnt Sugar 
 
 Water to 100 parts by measure. 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients for four fluid ounces, 3d. 
 
 BROMOCARPINE. 
 
 A French preparation called Bromocarpine is said to be fairly 
 extensively used in some districts as a remedy for nervous dis- 
 orders, more especially epilepsy. A circular accompanying the
 
 165 
 
 preparation has the title " The Treatment of Nervous Affections 
 by Bromocarpine " ; and it is stated that "the attacks ere 
 diminished in number to the extent of 80 per cent.," and that 
 a " complete disappearance is extremely common. Petit Mai 
 (vertigo) is abolished, and there is a very marked improvement 
 in the mental state during the intervals." It is further stated 
 that " The nervous system can be quieted by the methodical 
 use of Bromocarpine, continued for many months if necessary. 
 This preparation, of which Pilocarpine is one of the principal 
 factors, determines copious diuresis, free perspiration, and an 
 abundant secretion of saliva. In this form the intensive 
 bromide treatment is well borne." 
 
 The bottle (price 6 francs) contained 16.7 fluid ounces. The 
 liquid was found to contain : 
 
 Potassium bromide 8.9 per cent 
 
 Alkaloid 0.0035 ,. 
 
 Sugar 54.0 
 
 Glycerine 10.0 
 
 It was orange-flavoured, and contained a little alcohol, in all 
 probability added in the form of tincture of orange; a trace 
 of some other colouring matter was also present. 
 
 The alkaloid agreed in some respects with pilocarpine, or the 
 mixed alkaloids of jaborandi ; it did not give the characteristic 
 colour-test for pilocarpine, but this may have been due to some 
 decomposition during the treatment it had undergone, the 
 separation of such a small quantity of alkaloid from a large 
 quantity of sugar and glycerine being a rather troublesome 
 operation. 
 
 If the alkaloid is calculated as pilocarpine, the quantity is 
 equivalent to 0.0049 per cent, of pilocarpine hydrobromide. 
 On a small label on the bottle the liquid is stated to contain 
 10 per cent, of potassium bromide and 0.005 per cent, of pilocar- 
 pine " hydrodom," presumably a mistake for " hydrobrom." 
 In a circular wrapped round the bottle it is stated that each 
 teaspoonful contains nearly 10 grains of potassium bromide, and 
 a two-hundredth of a grain of pilocarpine; comparing this with 
 the formula on the label it appears that a teaspoonful is 
 reckoned as nearly 100 grains, and the same proportion is given 
 for pilocarpine in the one case and pilocarpine hydrobromide in 
 the other. Actually, 1 fluid drachm of the liquid is 76.9 grains. 
 
 Various other substances were tested for, but nothing was 
 found besides those mentioned above, and water.
 
 166 
 A GERMAN NOSTRUM. 
 
 According to Dr. Zernik, 
 
 Roller's powder for epilepsy is supposed to be a remedy for epilepsy, 
 chorea, hysterical attacks, cramp of the stomach, and of the chest, etc., 
 and is sold by the Dresden " Diakonissenanstalt " for M 3.40 the box. 
 The package contains three 5-grams powders wrapped up in sealed paper 
 capsules. The .powder is black, and has the odour of a rancid animal 
 oil. Analysis proved that it consisted of partially carbonized animal 
 substance, which yielded 20 per cent, of brown substances soluble in ether. 
 The preparation is said to be made by burning magpies shot on twelve 
 nights following Christmas. This use of incompletely carbonized animal 
 substance for epilepsy is an ancient superstition.
 
 CHAPTEK XI. 
 
 THE " TKEMOL TEEATMENT " FOE BAD LEGS. 
 
 Under the general name of the " Tremol Treatment," 
 medicines for the cure of ' ' bad legs ' ' are supplied by the 
 limited company trading as " The National College of 
 Health, Limited, Eye, Ear, Throat, and Skin Institute, 
 and Infirmary for Bad Legs " at an address in Manchester, 
 and an account is here given of the analysis of some of these. 
 We also give some account of the methods used to attract 
 patients, and if any further proof were needed of the neces- 
 sity for further legal control of medical companies, this alone 
 should furnish everything that could be required. The insti- 
 tution has been in existence for several years, but has re- 
 cently become very active, and claims to have treated some 
 thousands of cases. The methods used to attract patients 
 are open to serious criticism. It is stated that every patient 
 is under the direct supervision of a " fully qualified medical 
 man." Several attempts have been made to find out the 
 name and qualifications of any such medical man, but with- 
 out success, and it is to be noted that he is called " fully 
 qualified," not " duly registered," and at any rate no duly 
 registered practitioner is known to have anything to do 
 with the place. It would appear that comparatively few of 
 the patients receive any personal examination, and that the 
 great majority are never even seen by the ' ' doctor " or by 
 any of the staff, and anything approaching diagnosis is made 
 simply from perusal of letters sent by patients. On turn- 
 ing up the Truth Cautionary List the following note is 
 found : 
 
 " National College of Health, Great Clowes Street, Higher
 
 158 
 
 Broughton, Manchester. Proprietors of a cure for bad legs 
 called ' Tremol.' The first price for a course of treatment is 
 two guineas, which is reduced to one guinea if the bait is 
 not swallowed. Also endeavours to obtain advertisements on 
 the payment-by-results system, offering 5s. for every patient 
 caught through an advertisement." 
 
 We may add that if a patient once applies for information 
 he may expect to be dunned for months until he orders the 
 remedies. This is well shown in letters sent to a person 
 who, after receiving the budget of testimonials, had decided 
 not to order the remedies. The following are typical 
 extracts of the letters he received. " I am truly sorry and 
 much disappointed that you have not yet participated in the 
 benefits of the Tremol treatment. I am personally anxious 
 that you should become a patient of mine, as I know posi- 
 tively that you would derive the greatest of benefits. 
 Is it scepticism ? Is it doubt ? Is it your financial position 
 that stands in the way? Tell me plainly your reason for 
 not ordering the treatment and let me help you as it is my 
 earnest desire to do so. I am anxiously awaiting your 
 reply." This letter of entreaty seems to have had no result, 
 and accordingly in a few weeks another was sent, saying : 
 " I am specially interested in your case and having brought 
 it to the notice of the Board of Directors I am instructed by 
 them to make the following concession to you." The con- 
 cession was that the full two-guinea course of treatment 
 would be sent for 31s. 6d. on the condition that " when you 
 are cured you will tell all your friends and neighbours that it 
 was the Tremol treatment that cured you and that you do not 
 divulge that the Board has made this concession." 
 One of the letters contains the words, " I am personally 
 anxious that you should become a patient of mine," and it 
 might naturally be inferred that the signature was that of 
 the " fully qualified medical man," but we cannot trace the 
 name in the Medical Register as that of a person^ residing in 
 or near Manchester. A further letter, imploring the reci-
 
 169 
 
 pient " as a friend " to continue the treatment, is printed 
 in Chapter XVII. 
 
 Not long ago the periodical John Bull sent to the institute 
 a special investigator, who came away perfectly satisfied 
 ' ' that the Tremol treatment is an honest one and ably ap- 
 plied," and that "it distinctly merits the praise of John 
 Bull. ' ' The investigation seems to have consisted in ' ' roam- 
 ing over the whole of the carefully kept records of the thou- 
 sands of cases treated " and apparently accepting every- 
 thing that was told not a very scientific method of investi- 
 gating a treatment on which the health of thousands of 
 patients may depend. The investigator was told, among 
 other things, that the treatment is applied to five classes 
 of diseases of the leg (1) ulcers of every description; (2) 
 eczema and skin diseases ; (3) varicose veins (4) tuberculous 
 disease (diseased bone) ; and (5) swollen and painful legs 
 (phlebitis, etc.) ; and we are told that " the treatment is able 
 to cure all the diseases included in the classes (1) and (2) ; 
 but of the classes (3), (4), (5), those only are selected which 
 the medical history and circumstances of the particular case 
 convince the doctor are at least curable." Speaking of 
 the remedies used, John Bull says they are secret, but " the 
 composition was freely disclosed to us ... and the 
 ingredients are not of a harmful nature ; indeed, some of the 
 most valuable and beneficial drugs known to the medical 
 faculty are included in them, but this particular combination 
 has never before been used in medicine, and some of them 
 are quite new." One would like to know which of the in- 
 gredients revealed by analysis John Bull considers quite 
 new; it cannot be the chloride of calcium or the chloride of 
 iron, or the infusion of rhubarb, or the prepared chalk, or the 
 zinc oxide, or the lead carbonate perhaps it is the pepper- 
 mint water. As far as our analysis reveals, the combination 
 is a heterogeneous mixture of any thing that might possibly 
 be of use, regardless of chemical combinations that may re-
 
 170 
 
 suit, and we fail to detect any trace of any new drug. We 
 have only found the very commonest drugs in ordinary use. 
 There can be little doubt that in the interests of the public 
 health it is necessary that there should be a full investiga- 
 tion of the National College of Health and Hospital for Bad 
 Legs. If there is a registered medical man connected with 
 the place, he is certainly acting in a way that makes him 
 liable to be arraigned before the General Medical Council ; 
 and, if there is no registered practitioner, then the use of the 
 term " fully qualified medical man " is most misleading to 
 the public. 
 
 An attempt to purchase the remedies through one of the 
 usual channels for proprietary medicines only elicited an in- 
 timation that they were not sold in that way, but were supplied 
 in accordance with particulars to be furnished of the case for 
 which they were intended. An application to " The National 
 College of Health " brought a " Diagnosis Form " to be filled 
 up, with a letter stating that the fee for the full course of 
 Tremol treatment is .2 2s. A publication was also sent, en- 
 titled Good News about Bad Legs; or " Cures by the Cured," 
 consisting of twelve pages of the size of an ordinary newspaper 
 page, containing portraits of patients and letters, etc., about 
 cases, as well as much printed matter about Tremol treatment 
 and "Views of the National College of Health, Limited." 
 Attached to the front page of this was a conspicuous separate 
 slip, worded thus: 
 
 Important. The Board of Directors wish it to be distinctly understood 
 that every Patient who undergoes the Tremol Treatment is under the 
 direct supervision of a fully qualified Medical Man. 
 
 A few extracts from this publication will serve to indicate 
 the methods of the National College of Health, Limited. The 
 opening paragraphs have a curiously familiar ring, and might 
 be paraphrased from the pamphlets of almost any quack- 
 medicine maker; they are as follows: 
 
 For centuries Bad Legs have ranked with Cancer and Consumption as 
 one of the diseases over which the power of man could not prevail. For 
 generations thousands of sufferers have lived lives of misery, become 
 thoroughly worn out, and have gone down to their graves before their time 
 through sheer exhaustion : all human skill being powerless to save. Their 
 resources exhausted, ignorant of any agent in Medicine or Nature com-
 
 171 
 
 petent to cure, it came to pass that the Medical Faculty were reduced to 
 the expedient of ordering sufferers long periods of rest in bed. This in 
 itself waa a confession of failure and of no avail. 
 
 It has been computed that Bad Legs have caused more misery and 
 suffering than all the wars ever undertaken by the world's rulers. And 
 why? War is but an incident in a nation's history, but the evil of Bad 
 Legs is ever present, ever constant, ever taking its toll of suffering 
 humanity. In the face of all this, Medical Science fell back, helpless, 
 baffled, and beaten. 
 
 At last, after years of scientific research, after thousands of painstaking 
 experiments, the Tremol Method of Treatment was discovered, and the 
 cure of Bad Legs, once for all, established and placed on a sure and scien- 
 tific basis. 
 
 What modern Astronomy is to the old discredited Astrology, what 
 Scientific Chemistry is to the Alchemy of olden times, even that and more 
 is Tremol System of Treatment to all other so called treatments for Bad 
 Legs. Other treatments are empirical, this Treatment is scientific; other 
 treatments end in failure, this System cures to stay cured. Once again 
 has Mother Nature yielded to patient scientific investigation one of her 
 greatest secrets, the secret of how, by means of the Tremol System, to cure 
 Bad Legs with certainty, with rapidity, scientifically, and with no possi- 
 bility of failure. 
 
 Other extracts are: 
 
 Universally accepted as the one and only cure for Bad Legs, the Tremol 
 System stands to-day before the world unchallenged and unrivalled. Men 
 of science accept it. Medical men recommend it. The thinking public 
 endorse it, and the thousands of happy men and women cured by it hail 
 it with a delight words fail to express. . . . 
 
 As sure as day follows night, so certain is it that this new and great 
 discovery will cure every case of Bad Leg to which it is applied. 
 
 Remember, in all our cases, this System of Treatment has had to begin 
 where others have left off. Sufferers who apply to us for relief and cure 
 are only those whom doctors have finished with, or on whom ointments 
 have proved useless, lotions abortive, pills impotent, and blood mixtures 
 futile. 
 
 These last two extracts scarcely seem to be in harmony with 
 the announcement which is made rather conspicuously : " In- 
 curable cases not accepted." On the back page appears in large 
 letters : 
 
 There is ao Guess-work. No Pain. No Experimenting. No Lying Up. 
 No Operation. No Relapse. NO FAILURE. No matter how Difficult 
 the Case may be. No matter what form it may have Assumed. No matter 
 how many Doctors, Specialists, or Hospitals may have failed to help you. 
 The Tremol Treatment, the New Therapeutic Discovery for Bad Legs, IS 
 CERTAIN TO CURE YOU, AND MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE. No 
 claims or statement is made that is not borne out by Facts and Living 
 Witnesses.
 
 172 
 
 A document was sent with the medicines, marked " Legal 
 Guarantee to Cure." It is worded as follows : 
 
 We, the National College of Health, Limited, hereby Agree and Under- 
 take to refund on demand to you the whole of the money paid by you to us 
 for our Treatment, if we fail to cure you after we have applied the Tremol 
 Treatment for a reasonable length of time. This Guarantee is subject to 
 the Conditions set forth on the back hereof. 
 
 Then follows a facsimile of the signature of the Governing 
 Director; it is not decipherable with certainty, but might be 
 "E. F. Guest." 
 
 The conditions set forth in quite small type on the back 
 are as follows : 
 
 The Tremol Treatment is only devised to cure bad legs but if a case 
 is accepted by us for personal treatment, then unless otherwise agreed at 
 the time, this guarantee holds good. To ensure the bona-fides of the 
 patient it is necessary that within seven days of starting the Treatment 
 you give notice in writing to us that you accept the offer contained in this 
 guarantee, and in this respect time shall be of the essence of the contract. 
 This guarantee only applies where the Treatment is personally applied by 
 us. It will be readily understood that we cannot guarantee cures when we 
 have no guarantee that our Treatment is properly applied. We must be 
 the judges of what is a reasonable time. We give no warranties. War- 
 ranties may mean anything or nothing. We simply return the money paid 
 to us while we are personally treating you as aforesaid, and this is the 
 limit of our liability. Any dispute between you and us as to any claim 
 under or upon this agreement or as to any question arising hereunder 
 shall be determined bv arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration 
 Act, 1889. 
 
 Since this " Legal Guarantee to Cure " is sent with the medi- 
 cines, the person receiving it would . naturally suppose that it 
 would apply to his case; and it is only on careful examination 
 that it is discovered that (1) it only applies to cases where the 
 treatment is "personally applied" by the company, and there- 
 fore not to a case where the medicine is sent out; (2) even in 
 " personally ' ' treated cases, it does not apply unless the patient 
 gives notice in writing within seven days of beginning the treat- 
 ment that he intends to insist on it ; and (3) since the company 
 is the sole judge of what is a " reasonable time " within which 
 the icure is to be obtained they can insist on continuing the 
 treatment (as long as the patient will pay for it) in any case in 
 which a claim is made. Not even the most ignorant person 
 could regard such a " guarantee " as of the slightest value if he 
 understood the conditions. It would appear that it is not the 
 " bona fides of the patient " that needs to be ensured.
 
 173 
 
 The "Diagnosis Form" sent was as follows; the words in 
 italics are the particulars of an imaginary case that were 
 supplied : 
 
 1. Date. 
 
 2. Christian name. 
 
 3. Surname. 
 
 4. Male or Female. F. 
 
 5. Married or Single. Widow. 
 
 6. Full Address. 
 
 * 7. What is your age? 53. 
 
 8. What is your weight? About 12 stone. 
 
 9. What is your Occupation? Housekeeper. 
 
 * 10. Is it your right leg, your left leg, or both your legs that are affected ? 
 Right. 
 
 11. How long has your Leg troubled you? About a year. 
 
 12. Does your Leg pain you? Yes. 
 
 13. Does the pain of your Leg keep you awake at night, or in any way 
 interfere with your comfort. If so, fully explain in what way. (Describe 
 the pain.) There is a constant acute pain from the open wounds, and a 
 great deal of itching as well; the irritation, in addition to the pain, often 
 causes sleeplessness. 
 
 * 14. Is the portion of your Leg affected Itchy or Scaly? Very itchy. 
 
 15. Have you consulted any person? If so, who, how many, and what 
 did each tell you and what did they advise ? No. 
 
 16. Have you attended any hospital ? If so, state which. No. 
 
 17. Have you ever received an injury to your leg? It was broken 20 
 years ago. 
 
 18. Is the pain worse when standing up or lying down? Pain worse 
 when standing; itching worse when lying. 
 
 19. How did you first hear of the Tremol Treatment? Thro" an 
 acquaintance in Yorkshire. 
 
 20. Name the various remedies you have tried, and the methods you have 
 adopted to effect a cure and the effect each has had upon your leg? At 
 first cold water bandaging; recently zinc ointment. Practically no effect. 
 
 * 21. Are there any ulcers, wounds, or holes in your Right Leg, or is it a 
 red, itchy or scaly patch only ? Three open wounds and a big, red itching 
 patch. 
 
 * 22. Are there any ulcers, wounds, or holes in your left leg, or is it a red 
 itchy, or scaly patch only ? No. 
 
 *23. If there are ulcers, wounds, or holes, state how many, 
 
 j and the position and size of each, cut out on pieces of paper and 
 
 to this senc * ^ us ^ ne s ' zes f the wounds or ulcers on each leg (N.B. 
 
 Be careful to distinguish the size of the wound or ulcer from 
 
 the size of the surrounding redness or inflammation. The three open 
 
 wounds are each about inch across; they are about 2^ inches apart in an 
 
 irregular triangle; they arc in a red itching patch about 4 inches across, 
 
 on the outer side of the leg, about half-way down. 
 
 24. Is there now, or has there ever been proud flesh in the wound ? No. 
 * 25. Are your bowels habitually costive or free? Free. 
 26. Have you ever suffered from a white leg? No.
 
 174 
 
 27. Did your Leg first begin to trouble you through a hurt, after confine- 
 ment, or how? It came on gradually without apparent cause, at first as a 
 small itching red spot. 
 
 28. Has your Doctor advised Rest ? Have not had a doctor. 
 
 29. Have you rested, if so, has it done you any good ? Have rested a 
 good deal, but it doesn't seem to make much difference. 
 
 30. Have you spent much idle time trying to obtain a cure ? No. 
 
 31. Has your leg ever been healed, if so, was it with Skin or with Scab ? 
 Not since the wounds became raw. 
 
 * 32. At what portion of the leg is the breaking out ? On the outer side, 
 about half-way down. 
 
 33. Have you been growing worse lately? Fes. 
 
 * 34. Is there much inflammation or fiery redness round the wound ? Yes. 
 35. Have you Varicose Veins ? If BO, state extent, of how long standing, 
 
 and what caused them. No. 
 
 * 36. Please to give the names and addresses of any persons in your 
 district or elsewhere, whom you may know to be suffering from Bad Leg. 
 This information will be treated as strictly confidential and exclusively 
 private. 
 
 Remarks. Write on a separate piece of paper any facts relating to your 
 case or conditions that have not been indicated by the above questions. 
 Describe your case fully in your own words and all you have suffered and 
 gone through ; in short, give us a general history of your case. 
 
 This was sent with two guineas to " The National College of 
 Health, Ltd." The medicines sent in return consisted of a 
 bottle of " Tremol Blood Mixture," a bottle of " Tremol 
 Lotion," a box of "Tremol Ointment," and a box of "Oint- 
 ment No. 2," with two bandages. Two typed sheets of direc- 
 tions accompanied these, headed " Instructions for applying 
 No. 14 course of Tremol Treatment." Each of the four pre- 
 parations is priced separately at lls., by post 11s. 4d. 
 
 TREMOL BLOOD MIXTURE. 
 
 The bottle contained 8 fl. oz. It bore a printed label, and 
 there was nothing on the label to suggest that it was in any way 
 modified for the particular case for which it was intended. The 
 directions on the label were the same as those given in the para- 
 graph on the typed sheet, which was as follows : 
 
 How TO TAKE YOUR MEDICINE. It is absolutely necessary for you to 
 take this Blood Mixture prescribed specially for your case, all the time 
 your leg is being dressed with the other preparations. To obtain per- 
 manent results it is imperative to continue taking this medicine for your 
 blood, for some time after your leg is well.
 
 175 
 
 Directions. Take one drachm (one small teaspoonful) morning and 
 evening after your meals, in a wineglassful of water sweetened to taste 
 with one or two lumps of sugar. We strongly advise you to use a Medicine 
 measure instead of an ordinary teaspoon, so that the dose will accurately 
 measure one drachm. 
 
 Analysis showed the mixture to contain calcium chloride, 
 ferric chloride, small quantities of free hydrochloric acid and 
 alcohol, peppermint water, and a preparation of a vegetable 
 drug; the latter had a slight flavour of rhubarb, but showed no 
 definite active principle and no characters by which it could be 
 positively identified. The proportions of the definite ingre- 
 dients were determined, and found to be as given in the fol- 
 lowing formula. A mixture prepared according to this formula 
 agreed very well in regard to the vegetable drug, and perfectly 
 in other respects. 
 
 Calcium chloride 224 grains 
 
 Solution oif ferric chloride 300 minims 
 
 Dilute hydiochloric acid 200 
 
 Concentrated infusion of rhubarb {1-7) 100 
 
 Peppermint water 2 fl. oz. 
 
 Water to 8 
 
 A deposit slowly falls, from which the clear liquid is decanted. 
 
 Estimated cost of the ingredients, ld. 
 
 TREMOL LOTION. 
 
 The bottle contained 8J fl. oz. ; it bore a printed label, and 
 there was nothing on the label to suggest that it was in any 
 way modified for the particular case for which it was intended. 
 The directions on the typed sheet were the same as those on the 
 label, as follows: 
 
 Dilute .the Lotion with an equal quantity of water. Cut out a piece of 
 Lint slightly larger than your Ulcer, so that the Lint will cover the surface 
 of the Ulcer as completely as half-a-crown covers a shilling. After & 
 thorough cleanising (see directions for so doing) well soak the Lint in the 
 dilute Lotion for two or three minutes, and) then apply 'to the Ulcer. You 
 are not to apply the Lint containing the Lotion too wet, that is dripping, 
 neither are you to squeeze it out too dry, just thoroughly moistened and 
 on the wet side. 
 
 Analysis showed the liquid to consist of solution of chlo- 
 rinated soda containing 2.9 per cent, of available chlorine 
 (which is slightly above the minimum strength of the official 
 solution) with the traces of impurities usually found in it. 
 
 Estimated cost of the liquid, 2d.
 
 176 
 
 TREMOL OINTMENT. 
 
 This was in a wooden box containing 14| oz. ; it bore a type- 
 written label : " The Tremol Ointment. To be used as directed." 
 
 The directions on the typed sheet were as follows : 
 
 How You ABE TO APPLY TREMOL OINTMENT. Cut out a piece of soft lint 
 slightly larger in circumference (albout in. larger all round) than the 
 Lint on which the Tremol Lotion is applied. Spread the Ointment thickly 
 on the plain surface, then place it on top of the Lint on -which No. 2 
 Ointment is spread, but over the Ulcer, and therefore covering the Lint 
 which is isoaked in the Lotion. You -will therefore have over the Ulcer 
 three layers of Lint. FIRST, two layers of Lint containing Lotion. 
 SECOND, the layer of Lint on which the Ointment No. 2 is spread, and 
 covering the Ted and inflamed part. THIRD, the layer of Lint on which 
 Tremol Ointment is spread and covering the portion where the Ulcer is 
 situated. Therefore over the Ted inflamed part there is one layer only, 
 that on which No. 2 Ointment is spread, but over the Ulcer there arse 
 three. When you are dressing your leg do not remove Ointment No. 2 that 
 adheres to the skin. Appfy 'fresh dressing on the 'top of the adherent 
 ointment. 
 
 Analysis showed the ointment to contain: 
 
 Prepared chalk 70.3 parts. 
 
 Soft paraffin 29.0 
 
 Yellowish-brown colouring 'matter traces. 
 
 The colouring matter appeared to be one of the coal -tar dyes, 
 but was not present in sufficient quantity for exact identifica- 
 tion; the chalk contained the small quantities of impurities 
 usually occurring in it. No other ingredient was found. 
 
 Estimated cost of the ingredients, 2d. 
 
 OINTMENT NO. 2. 
 
 This was in a wooden box containing 10 oz. ; it bore a type- 
 written label, " Ointment No. 2. To be used as directed." The 
 directions on the typed sheet were as follows : 
 
 How You ARE TO APPLY OINTMENT No. 2. Cut out a /piece of Lint large 
 enough to cover the red and inflamed portion of youT leg. On this spread 
 pretty thickly the special Ointment labelled No. 2, and apply it; at the 
 same time covering t<he Lint which is soaked in the Lotion. 
 
 Analysis showed the ointment to contain zinc oxide, a lead 
 compound which appeared to be the carbonate, sodium benzoate, 
 sodium acetate, water, lard, and a pink colouring matter which
 
 177 
 
 was evidently a coal-tar dye. No other substance was found. 
 The quantities of the different ingredients were determined, and 
 the results agreed with the following formula : 
 
 Zinc oxide ,. 19.8 parts. 
 
 Lead carbonate 3.5 ,, 
 
 Sodium benzoate 0.3 ,, 
 
 Sodium acetate 0.7 ,, 
 
 Water 9.6 
 
 Colouring matter traces. 
 
 Lard to 100 parts. 
 
 Estimated cost of the ingredients, 7d.
 
 CHAPTEE XII. 
 
 THE "CKIMSON CROSS REMEDIES." 
 
 The series of preparations dealt with in this chapter 
 afford a good example of the way in which secret remedies, 
 even when composed of simple and harmless drugs, may be 
 a source of serious danger through the exaggerated claims 
 made for them. The emphatic assurances of curative power 
 given in most cases may easily lead people, even when not 
 unusually credulous, to take the medicine in question and 
 trust to it for a cure, and therefore omit to obtain proper 
 advice until the disease from which they are suffering may 
 have reached an advanced stage. In the present case, how- 
 ever, the danger is not only to the person employing the 
 nostrums, but to others as well ; for the claims advanced 
 are not merely that the articles offered will cure a number 
 of very serious diseases, but also that in small-pox, scarlet 
 fever, measles, etc., they render the patient non-infectious, 
 and anyone trusting to this preposterous assertion might 
 therefore easily become an active agent in spreading infec- 
 tious disease. Heart disease, cancer, typhoid, pneumonia, 
 diphtheria, and consumption are among the other trifles for 
 which the " Crimson Cross Remedies " are recommended. 
 It is hardly necessary to add that ludicrous ignorance is 
 shown in the assertions made ; the ointment, which is one 
 of the principal articles of the series, is stated to have been 
 introduced fifty ygars ago for diseased bones, joints, and 
 abscesses, but " it now includes ' Infectious ' as well as 
 most other diseases. There is no foothold for microbes 
 where the ointment is applied " presumably the feet of 
 the microbes are not adapted to the greasy surface which
 
 179 
 
 ii presents. In typhoid, " if the head is not well soaked 
 with the ointment, an abscess is liable to form on the 
 brain " ! Analysis showed the principal ingredient of this 
 marvellous salve to be about 1 per cent, of copper oleate, 
 while the ' ' special ointment "to be used for cancers , 
 chronic stiff joints, sprains, heart disease, etc., contained 
 between 4 and 5 per cent, of the same substance, with a 
 trace of acetic acid. It appears from the statements made 
 that the individual whose name is attached to these pre- 
 parations has also been in the habit of visiting patients in 
 their own homes. 
 
 An advertisement in the Vaccination Inquirer, headed " A 
 simple solution of the vaccination question," states that: 
 
 Tine Crimson Cross Remedies for fevers, measles, small-pox, influenza, 
 pneumonia, pleurisy, etc., render the patient non-infectious. 
 
 The extracts which follow are from circulars sent out with 
 the remedies. 
 
 The first of the Crimson Cross Remedies used with unprecedented 
 success was our Xo. 1 Ointment. This was initfroduoed fifty years ago 
 for Diseased Bones, Joints, and Abscesses. It cures "without cutting, 
 scraping, ibed, or splints. It lias saved (hundreds from being hopeless 
 cripples, and thousands of lives and limbs. 
 
 As time went on this valuable remedy was found to be a POWERFUL 
 GERM KILLER, so that its usefulness as a household remedy has been 
 considerably extended, and it now includes " Infectious " as well as most. 
 other diseases. There is no foothold for microbes w'here the Ointment is 
 applied. 
 
 One of its best works is the 
 
 CUBE OF CONSUMPTION. 
 
 This uniuoh dreaded " Wlhdite Scourge " can 'be cuired in ite incipient or 
 first stage, and even Tvihen the mischief is deeper rooted it always gives 
 relief. 
 
 It has been stated that Small-Pox is now extinct in England, but of 
 course may be imported at any time. However that may be, there need 
 be no fear of it if Crimson Cross Remedies are applied. 
 
 The Remedies (Xo. 1 Ointment and Fever Powder) are equally 
 efficacious for Scarlet Fever, which is easily ouired in from one to three 
 days, if applied as soon as the patient sickens. If peeling has commenced 
 before the Remedies are applied, it -takes a fortnight to complete the 
 cure, but ftheire is no fear of infection. 
 
 Typhoid or Enteric Fever (treated by the Crimson Gross Remedies in 
 tihe first stage is easily cured in a few days. . . . 
 
 M 2
 
 180 
 
 Internal Diseases of Women can be cured without Operation or Examina- 
 tion by our SPECIAL TREATMENT. Full paPtioulaire on application, 
 
 In a " Brief Treatise on Diagnosis and Treatment " directions 
 are given for the employment of these remedies in a variety of 
 illnesses. The chief feature is a liberal application of the oint- 
 ment, accompanied by internal administration of one or more 
 of the other preparations. The following quotations will serve 
 as examples: 
 
 COLDS. On itlhe first appearance of a cold, iniub tflue forehead, ohest, 
 and 'back wit/h Crimson Gross No. 1 Odirutment contained in iihe Fever, etc., 
 packet; take the medicine made from the Powder according to directions. 
 
 FOB PNEUMONIA, CONGESTION, AND PLEUBISY. Poultice "the etoest, sides, 
 and back every two Ihomrs with hot linseed meal. Spread warm No. 1 
 Ointment on the face of the poultice until the acute symptoms are gone, 
 then rub the chest, sides, and round the shoulders with the Ointment 
 once or twice a day uantil quite well. Take tin medicine made from tlhe 
 Fever Powder according to 'directions. 
 
 TYPHOID OB ENTEBIC FEVER. . . . Acute Biigihit's disease of the 
 kidneys and inflammation of the lungs frequently accompany or folilow 
 typhoid ; for 'tine former give CRIMSON CROSS KIDNEY CUKE, and poultice 
 the lower part of the iback wMi Ihot linseed meal and Ointment; for tlhe 
 latter see direction given. If tJhie ihead is not well soaked with Ointment, 
 an abscess is liable 'to form on itihe brain. The FEVER MIXTURE and 
 (KiDNEY CUBE may bot/h be 'taken alternately tlhiree times a day, of 
 necessary ; let two Ihoure elapse between each' dose. 
 
 DIPHTHEBIA. Spread No. 1 Ointment on Ihot 'Unseed poultices, apply 
 one every hour. As Diphtheria patients are liable to unexpected eyncope, 
 it is advisable to have a doctor. 
 
 From the following paragraph in one of the circulars, it 
 would appear that "Captain Feilden " does not confine his 
 activities to the selling of these preparations : 
 
 Please note All communications should be addressed 
 Crimson Cross Dispensary. 
 
 Stamped envelope enclosed for ireply. 
 
 Alltlhough -we do not now treat cases personally at 'the Dispeoisary, we 
 continue to give advice "Free" by letter. Full particular of the case 
 should be given, and, where possible, Captain Fedflden will call and see 
 patiemte in their own homes. 
 
 A list is given of ten preparations, varying in price from 7|d. 
 to 2s. 9d. The following were obtained for examination : Fever 
 and Influenza Powder, No. 1 Ointment, Special Ointment, and 
 Kidney Cure. 
 
 The first two of these were supplied together for Is. 3d., poet 
 free.
 
 181 
 
 CRIMSON CROSS FEVER AND INFLUENZA POWDER. 
 
 This consisted of about 100 grains of a purplish-coloured 
 powder, and was contained in a " chip " ointment box. The 
 directions on the label were : 
 
 Add to one pint of cold water, and take Adults, one tablespoonful 
 three times a day. Children, one to two teaspoonfuls, according to age. 
 
 The powder contained 99.4 per cent of ammonium chloride, 
 and nothing else was found except the colouring matter, which 
 agreed with the reactions given by tincture of cochineal. 
 
 Estimated cost, about ^d. 
 
 CRIMSON CROSS NO. 1 OINTMENT (CAPTAIN 
 FEILDEN'S). 
 
 This was also in a " chip ' ' box, and the quantity was about 
 2i oz. 
 
 Analysis showed it to contain : 
 
 Copper oleate 1.1 per cent. 
 
 Anhydrous sodium sulphate. 0.4 ,, 
 
 Beeswax 6.b 
 
 Resin (colophony) 29.6 
 
 Linseed oil 62.4 
 
 The sodium sulphate may be due to the copper oleate having 
 been made by double decomposition of copper sulphate and 
 soap, without washing away the sodium sulphate formed, 
 although the amount of the latter found is more than the equi- 
 valent of the copper. 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients, |d. 
 
 CRIMSON CROSS SPECIAL OINTMENT. 
 
 The price of a jar, containing about 3A oz., was 2s. 9d. A 
 special circular is devoted to this preparation, and the state- 
 ments made include the following : 
 
 Thia Ointment is prepared from a (Special Formula for the Treatment 
 of unbroken substances such as Cancers, Tumours, Bunyons, or Enlarged 
 Toe Joints, Chronic Stiff Joints, Sprains, Heart Disease, etc. 
 
 By the blessing of 'God it has been successful in the treatment of many 
 such cases, and it is hoped that many more may benefit. . . .
 
 182 
 
 An irritable rash may appear, and this as a good sign, though some 
 patients give up using the Ointment because of this irritation. This should 
 not /be done the irritation will die away, though the rash may remain. 
 To relieve the irritation discontinue the Special Ointment for a day or 
 two bathe with warm water, and apply a little Olive Oil. . . . 
 
 GANGERS AXD TUMOURS. Steam the affected part once a day, gently 
 rut> a little Special Ointment in, night and morning. Spread Ointment on 
 dean linen, and wear as a plaister during the night and day. If the 
 appetite ie not good, take Crimson Cross Liver Mixture, and Crimson 
 Cross Kidney Cure occasionally, to keep the Kidneys in good order. . . . 
 
 HEART DISEASE. Hub the Ointment gently in across the stomach, round 
 the Heart and Shoulder Bladee, night and morning. Great care should 
 be taken to keep the Stomach and Kidneys in good order, and to be on 
 the safe side in this matter, we advise all those suffering from Heart 
 troubles to occasionally take a bottle or two of Crimson Cross Liver 
 Mixture, alternately with Crimson Cross Kidney Cure. 
 
 Analysis showed this to contain: 
 
 Copper oleate ............................................ 4.6 per cent. 
 
 Anhydrous sodium sulphate ........................ 1.3 ,, 
 
 Acetic acid (glacial strength) ........................ 0.8 
 
 Beeswax ................................................... 3.5 ,, 
 
 Resin (colophony) ....................................... 46.8 ,, 
 
 Oily base, chiefly or entirely linseed oil ......... 43.0 ., 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients Hd. 
 
 CRIMSON CROSS KIDNEY CURE. 
 
 The price of a bottle, containing 6& fluid ounces, was Is. ld. 
 It is stated on the package that : 
 
 This Mixture contains powerful iMedicinal Properties for the cure of 
 Kidney, Bladder, Gravel, and all Urinary Disorders, Dropsy, etc. 
 
 Dose. Adults. One tablespoonful every four hours. 
 
 Children. One teaspoonful to one dessertspoonful, according to age, 
 every four hours. 
 
 It is thus described in an accompanying circular: 
 
 This is a remedy really worthy of the name. It is natural in ite com- 
 position, it is natural in its action, it does not coerce nature as in the 
 case of poisonous drugs and drastic metallic medicines. It assists and 
 stimulates the recuperative energies of nature in the system, thus enabling 
 her to throw off the effects of this insidious and alarming disease. Every 
 reader of these lines who is troubled with backache, nervousness dimness 
 of sight, lassitude, or any symptoms of Kidney trouble, should imme- 
 diately take this remedy, and obtain that relief and cure which seems 
 possible by no other -known means at the present time.
 
 183 
 
 The Crimson Cross Kidney Cure may be confidently taken by young 
 and old alike, in full assurance that whatever the trouble, a course of 
 the Crimson Gross Kidney Cure will gently but surely remedy the mis- 
 chief, and coax the organs back to a natural and healthy action. 
 
 NOTE : Whilst taking th Crimson Cross Kidney 'Cure it will greatly 
 facilitate the cure if the lower part of the back and bowels are gently 
 rubbed with Crimson Cross No. 1 Ointment once a day. The Ointment 
 should be well rubbed in for about five minutes, then wipe down with an 
 old rough dry towel, to prevent the linen from getting greasy. 
 
 Analysis showed that this fluid contained glycerine about 5 
 per cent., alcohol 4 per cent, by volume, methyl salicylate (oil 
 of wintergreen) about 0.05 per cent., and a small proportion 
 of vegetable extractive giving a slight colour to the liquid, but 
 having no characteristic taste or any property by which it could 
 be identified; no alkaloid or other active principle was present, 
 and the ash (0.25 per cent.) contained only the constituents 
 usually found in any vegetable extract.
 
 CHAPTEE XIII. 
 
 MEDICINES FOE AMENOEEHCEA, ETC. 
 
 One of the largest classes of proprietary nostrums, and 
 one in which most of the evils connected with secret medi- 
 cines may be seen at their worst, is that consisting of so- 
 called " female medicines." The reasons for the abundance 
 of proprietary articles of this kind are not far to seek. In 
 the first place , the gross profit of the trade is very large ; as 
 our analyses show, the prime cost of all these medicines is 
 very low, and the selling price of many of them is very 
 high. In the second place, the expenses are low ; while 
 many other nostrums require large and expensive adver- 
 tisements in the newspapers, and on hoardings, etc., these 
 are almost without exception given small advertisements, 
 often of only a few lines, with perhaps some one word, such 
 as " Ladies," in large type to catch the eye. A third attrac- 
 tive feature is that, as a rule, the business is done directly 
 with the consumer through the post, and there are, there- 
 fore, no intermediate profits to be deducted; payment is 
 made in advance, and only the postage has to be reckoned 
 off the full retail price. Fourthly, purchasers are in the 
 nature of the case often persons more than usually sus- 
 ceptible to the plausible promises of cure that are sent out ; 
 failure to effect what is promised, far from causing the 
 purchaser to stop wasting her money on the nostrum, is 
 turned to account by offering a ' ' specially strong ' ' variety 
 at a higher price, and behind this is usually a tnird, or 
 " extra special " at a still higher price, and sometimes ever, 
 a fourth. Finally, in a very large number of cases, the sale
 
 185 
 
 of a nostrum of this class provides an opening for a steady 
 business in other articles of a kind usually bought more or 
 less surreptitiously, and which bear a very high rate of 
 profit. 
 
 So much for the gain to the vendor. The harm to the 
 purchaser is similarly of a manifold nature. Perhaps the 
 least important is that the price charged is in very many 
 cases quite exorbitant, pills or mixtures, etc. sold at from 
 ten shillings to a guinea costing only a few pence or less. 
 Much more serious is the fact that the purchaser is induced 
 to take medicines of little value, if any, for a functional 
 derangement which it is always dangerous to treat too 
 lightly. It cannot be too widely known that cessation of 
 the normal period may be a sign of phthisis or other serious 
 illness, and good medical advice ought to be obtained. 
 Further, a large number of these nostrums are the subject 
 of more or less thinly veiled recommendations that they 
 should be used for cutting short an unwelcome pregnancy, 
 and although some of them would be but little likely to be 
 efficacious for this purpose, some contain irritants which are 
 highly dangerous. When cessation of the menses is due to 
 pregnancy, there is no drug or medicine known which will 
 re-establish them and stop the pregnancy without putting 
 the woman's life in grave danger. 
 
 It would be tedious to give detailed extracts from the 
 advertisements of all the articles here described, as is done 
 in other chapters. A few of them are the products of old- 
 established businesses, and are sold through retailers like 
 other proprietary medicines; these are, as a rule, the ones 
 for which the least extravagant claims are made, and they 
 appear almost respectable by comparison with some of the 
 others. In the majority of cases, however, a usual plan is 
 to advertise a "certain cure" at a low price, sometimes 
 Is. IJd., or to offer a " free sample " on application. When 
 the low-priced article or the free sample is sent for, the
 
 186 
 
 applicant is informed of a " special ' ' kind which is strongly 
 recommended, and the price of which is higher; and this, 
 as already noted, usually leads on to another at a still higher 
 price. 
 
 Since pills, such as many of these " remedies " consist of, 
 can be bought wholesale at very low rates, the capital outlay 
 which is necessary for engaging in this kind of business is 
 extremely small. An address is necessary to conduct opera- 
 tions from, but it does not matter if it is that of a garret in 
 a slum practically none of the purchasers will be any wiser. 
 There is nothing whatever to prevent any ignorant person 
 possessed of a few pounds from buying from a firm of pill- 
 makers at a few pence per gross " female pills " in bulk, 
 or ready boxed, with coatings of three different colours to 
 represent "ordinary," "strong," and "extra strong," 
 putting small advertisements in a few weekly or other news- 
 papers, and after laying out some small further sum on 
 printed copies of fabricated testimonials and circular letters, 
 "signed" by Nurse So-and-So, at once establishing a 
 trade, the profits of which are many hundreds per cent. 
 There is good reason to believe that some of the articles 
 referred to below are the output of just such businesses. 
 
 It will suffice to give a few extracts from some advertise- 
 ments. 
 
 Adeline Dumas's pills are thus advertised: 
 
 "To Manned Ladies. 
 Try the Frenah Remedy. 
 
 Not a Dangerous Drug, but a wonderful Secret Invention. 
 Never Fails. Partknilars Free to all Applicants. 
 
 Address, 
 M.D., . , London, N.E." 
 
 " M.D." may, of course, stand for Madame Dumas, but it can 
 hardly be doubted that it is intended to suggest that the 
 " secret invention " is supplied by a Doctor of Medicine.
 
 187 
 
 In a circular referring to the pills and giving testimonials, 
 etc., they are described as follows: 
 
 " Dumas' Paris Pills. 
 The Ooar.,bimata)on Remedy (Protected). 
 WHAT is MEANT BY A COMBINATION REMEDY? 
 
 Dumas's Combination Remedy, The Paris Pill (Pilule de Paris) is in 
 reality a carefully selected .combination of tlhe most powerful drugs 
 known to Medical and Botanical Sciences, whereby a maximum certainty 
 of producing the desired effect is absolutely assured, the explanation of 
 this remarkable result being as follows : If any specific drug contained in 
 the Paris Pill be ,not actively suitable for ia pairtaculax female ongandza- 
 tion, ithere are other active inigired)ieinits present, which., firom tJheir varied 
 and .searching nature, aire in every way calculated to at once grapple with 
 and overcome the most obstinate case. IB it'he face, therefore, of such a 
 remedy as ihare described, it cam be well understood that there need be no 
 fear of a failure of effect. 
 
 Dumas's Paris Pills, secret, and powerful ingredients (protected by 
 Government stamp) act with instant certainty, in all cases of Irregu- 
 larities amd Suppression of .the Menses, incidental to females. 
 
 The clause " protected by Government stamp " is to be 
 noted : the Government stamp is merely a means of collecting 
 the tax on proprietary nostrums, and has not the slightest 
 reference to the real value of their contents. .The reference to 
 it here is obviously intended to suggest some sort of official 
 guarantee of value. 
 
 " Nurse Powell's Remedies " illustrate the ascending scale of 
 charges. They are thus advertised : 
 
 FREE OFFER TO LADIES. 
 
 Our recent offer of a Free Sample of Noirse Powell's Popular Pellets met 
 with such striking success (that we have decided to repeat the offer. Ladies 
 should write for free box, enclosing stamp for postage. Delay is dangerous ; 
 
 write at once and obtain relief. 'Nurse F. Powell Remedy Co., , 
 
 , London. 
 
 An application for a free box as advertised brought a small 
 box containing three white-coated pills, together with a letter, 
 from which the following extracts are taken : 
 
 Owing to tlheir proved superiority they have now come to be looked 
 upon as THE LEADING WOMAN'S MEDICINE a proof of which is that in 
 thousands of homes ito-day a box is always to .be found, ready for any 
 emergency wlhich may arise. They are composed of ingredients which are 
 PERFECTLY HARMLESS, and will not injure tlhe most delicate constitution, 
 nor disturb one's usual occupations, yet they FULLY CARRY OUT ALL that 
 is claimed for them. We shall be glad if you will try this sample at once,
 
 188 
 
 and let us know the .result. In many cases this small quantity has brought 
 about relief and health. We would ask you NOT TO EXPECT Too MTTCH 
 from it, however, but to obtain mare ajid take them regulariy EACH DAY 
 until you obtain a beneficial result. They have cured thousands of suffer- 
 ing women who .have been on the ver,ge of despair, and we are confident 
 that if yoa will only persevwe with tihem, and give them a thorough, fcr.iai, 
 THEY WILL RELIEVE You. 
 
 The pills were stated to be Is. l|d. per box, and this amount 
 was sent with a request for a box. This brought a box contain- 
 ing twenty-four white-coated pills, bearing on the label the 
 words " Nurse Powell's Popular Pellets cure Anaemia, Debility, 
 Constipation, Headache, and all Female Ailments " ; the words 
 " Poplets, Registered," were printed across the label in red 
 ink. A circular was enclosed on which it was stated 
 
 It should be particularly noted that the peltate ere prepa-red in Two 
 Forms to meet the requirements of the case. The Ordinary Pellets (Price 
 Is. l^d. and 2s. 9d.) are prepared as a remedy for Nervousness, Headache, 
 Constipation, Anaemia, Debility, Sleeplesness, Hysteria, Lack of 
 Energy, Wind, Biliousness, Indigestion, Sick Headache, and a general 
 run-down state of the system, and Menstrual Troubles of a slight 
 nature. The Special Pellets (Price 4s. 6d. per box) are expressly com- 
 pounded for use iin all Severe Menstrual Troubles, atnd should be ordered 
 for Suppression of the Menses, Irregular and Padmful Menstruation, 
 Painful Urination, Change of Life, Dragging or Bearing Down Pains, 
 Leucorrhcea (whites), Excessive Flow of the Menses, and all kindred 
 ailments. 
 
 A box of the " special pellets " was therefore obtained: these 
 were compressed tablets with a bright purple coating, and were 
 labelled " Nurse Powell's Popular Pellets for all Female Ail- 
 ments (Special)," and also bore the words " Poplets, Regis- 
 tered," in red ink across the label. 
 
 Another circular was now enclosed, from which the following 
 extracts are taken : 
 
 Special notice ! 
 
 There are many cases of female irregularities which require special 
 treatment, and which cannot be met by the remedies which cure more 
 ordinary ailments. This fact is well known to the Physician who has 
 made a special study of the female system, and has his own special pre- 
 scriptions which he applies to the various stages of the ailments as 
 occasion demands. 
 
 Whilst it is quite true that Nurse Powell's Popular Pellets cure all 
 but the more obstinate cases, we find it occasionally necessary that a 
 stronger treatment is required. For this purpose, we supply two prepara- 
 tions prepared from the prescriptions of a celebrated physician, and which 
 he relied upon to cure where every other means had been unavailing.
 
 189 
 
 These remedies are prepared in the form of a pill and a mixture, either 
 of which will be found effective, but in order to obtain the very best 
 results, by far the best method is to take the pills and mixture in alternate 
 doses. 
 
 These exceedingly valuable preparations we recommend with the utmost 
 confidence. They are prepared by fully qualified chemists from the 
 purest ingredients obtainable, and most beneficial results are obtained 
 after a few doses. 
 
 The price of these remedies is necessarily higher than the ordinary 
 preparations, but compared with the results the cost is small. 
 Prices 
 
 Corrective Pills, lls. per box ; 
 Corrective Mixture, 13s. per bot. ; 
 or the two preparations, 21s. 
 
 Supplies of both these were obtained. 
 
 In a little book sent with the earlier supply, entitled Woman's 
 Home Doctor, appears the following : 
 
 ADVICE TO SUFFERERS FREE. 
 
 Many women are in doubt as to the nature of their ailment and the 
 best means to obtain a cure. To all such, we offer our EXPERIENCED 
 ADVICE FREE if full particulars are given to us in a letter. If Nurse 
 Powell's Popular Pellets will be of no use in your particular case you 
 will be at once told so. Address all letters asking for advice to the 
 Manageress, and mark them " Private " in the top left-hand corner. 
 They will then receive immediate attention and will be treated in the 
 strictest confidence. 
 
 In sending for each of these preparations nothing was said 
 with regard to the case for which they were supposed to be 
 intended, but after a short interval a typed letter was received, 
 from which the following extracts are taken : 
 
 Dear Madam, In reply to your communication of a few days ago, we 
 looked carefully into your case, and advised you to persevere with our 
 remedy. It seemed to us that your ailment was similar in almost all 
 respects to many other cases which we have had, and in practically ALL 
 OF THESE the treatment we advise has been taken with ENTIRE SUCCESS, 
 as the grateful letters we have received plainly show. . . . With all 
 good wishes, and again assuring you of our sympathy and aid, we remain, 
 dear Madam, yours faithfully, The Nurse Powell Remedy Co. 
 
 Another advertiser is very frank on the subject of quacks : 
 
 " IRRISTUM " never fails, that is the marvel of it. On " Irristum " 
 is stamped the seal of unequivocal success. To it women may turn with 
 the brightest confidence and hope, assured of health and happiness, in- 
 stead of that wretched depression of animal spirits, and possibly life-long 
 misery, which accrue from a blind confidence in the nostrums of unscrupu- 
 lous quacks. . . .
 
 190 . 
 
 Nothing conceivable can be worse or more contemptible than for con- 
 fiding and suffering women to be the dupes of plausible and unscrupulous 
 adventurers. Not merely is it the pocket, but the paramount question 
 of life-long health which may be imperilled ; and here it is that the 
 never-fatting efficacy, the privacy, the simplicity, and the rapidity of 
 action characteristic of the " Irristum " medicine, come as a challenge to 
 the world in this most important branch of the healing art. . . . 
 
 It is modestly added that: 
 
 We do not profess to work wonderful miracles ; we only state, with 
 absolute confidence, that if you, who read this, feel the need of such a 
 preparation, you will never do better than send to us at once. It would 
 of course be untrue to say a second bottle is never required. It some- 
 times happens that a lady has to send for another supply, but in 19 cases 
 out of 20 the whole of the second one is not required. . . . 
 
 "IRRISTTTM " fa unquestionably one of the most priceless blessings of 
 the nineteenth century. . . . 
 
 In the case of a medicine which is advertised as " A Woman's 
 Cure for Women's Ills," an account is given of the evolution 
 of the remedy, in the course of which it is stated that : 
 
 It is seldom necessary for a woman, if she know where best she 
 may look for help from a sister woman, to consult medical men in these 
 
 troubles One woman, Mrs. Lydia E. Pinkham, was often 
 
 called to help her neighbours and friends who suffered from the diseases 
 
 and ailments of women 
 
 So, after a time, she learned to select the most potent roots and 
 herbs, and to steep and compound from them a simple medicine, but one 
 which almost always relieved and cured even wlhen physicians failed. 
 
 It is rather surprising therefore to read that 
 
 in those rare cases involving some knotty point which she could not 
 answer as she wished, she consulted a good physician and kept notes of 
 what he said. 
 
 Surely if this lady could relieve and cure when physicians 
 failed, the consultation should have been the other way round ! 
 Sometimes a French or American origin is claimed, with a 
 suggestion that the preparation is therefore better, as in the 
 following : 
 
 " To Ladies. 
 
 Do you want a guaranteed remedy for all irregularities? 
 Do yon want something far superior to steel and pennyroyal, bitter 
 apple and all English preparations ? 
 
 If you do. send for Nurse Grey's Renowned American Compound 
 Tablet*. A truly wonderful discovery, affording surprising results even 
 in the moat obstinate oases. 
 Prices Is. 3d. and 2s. 9d. (treble quantity) in plain wrapper. "
 
 191 
 
 It is thus clearly conveyed that the marvellous superiority 
 to all English preparations is in the tablets ; but in reality they 
 are made to open the way for a more expensive preparation not 
 mentioned in the advertisement. The tablets were sent with 
 a circular letter, from which the following are extracts : 
 
 The tablets are certain to do good, and they frequently afford com- 
 plete relief, though this supply may be insufficient to test their real 
 worth . . . 
 
 Mixtures are MUCH more effective than pills, because they commence 
 to act unon the system IMMEDIATELY, whereas pills (have to dissolve before 
 any benefit cam be obtained. The Tablets, therefore, cannot ALWAYS 
 be supposed to accomplish what a 4s. 9d. bottle of medicine will, and 
 who would reeret so small am outlay, -which may be the means of saving 
 pounds. . . . You iare anxious for a certain cure, and this is JTJST the 
 medicine vou require. It ihas cured thousands and will cure you. There 
 are only the two prices, namely, 4s. 9d., and Special Compound 10s., post 
 free, securely packed from observation. 
 
 The way in which " guarantees " are given and then ignored 
 is shown by " Nurse Mann's Remedy," advertised thus: 
 Free to Ladies. 
 
 A Sample of the Most Reliable Remedy ever discovered for irregu- 
 larities and suppressions can be had, post free. Thousands of letters 
 of thanks testifying to their speedy efficacy after all other things have 
 been tried in vain. Each purchaser sends back testimonials, as they 
 afford relief in every instance. Or wrote for our Extra Special Treatment 
 at 4s. 6d., which we guarantee to cure every case from any cause what- 
 ever (genuine). Guaranteed effective in a few hours. Impossible to fail. 
 Delay is dangerous. Send at once. 
 
 Apparently this emphatic " guarantee " was intended to be 
 forgotten as soon as a first transaction had occurred, since, 
 on sending for a 4s. 6d. box of " Extra Special," a box of pills 
 was sent accompanied by a hectographed letter as follows : 
 
 Dear Madam. 
 
 If the mils should not prove strong enough to correct the irregu- 
 larity I should strongly advise you to send at once for my apeoial No. 3 
 treatment at 21s., which takes effect in a few hours and saves all further 
 worry and expense. 
 It is perfectly harmless. 
 
 Yours faithfully, 
 
 NTTBSE MANN. 
 
 With regard to the analyses which follow, it is to be noted 
 that many of these preparations are pills, which always contain 
 some excipient, or binding material, and this is often of the
 
 192 
 
 nature of a vegetable extract or a mixture of sugar, gum, etc., 
 such as cannot be resolved exactly into its constituents when 
 dealing with only small quantities. Others, again, are mixtures 
 containing decoction of aloes with other vegetable drugs ; many 
 also contain quite small quantities of volatile oils, usually oil 
 of pennyroyal, but sometimes with other oils also present. In 
 all such cases it is only possible to give an approximate formula ; 
 in many cases some other constituent besides those named may 
 be present in small quantity, but if this is so, in any case it is 
 practically certain that such unnamed constituents are of an 
 ill-defined and usually inert character, since definite active 
 substances can almost always be detected. 
 
 DUMAS'S PARIS PILLS. 
 
 These are sold at 4s. 6d. per box. 
 
 The box contained forty -six pills ; these were coated with 
 French chalk, and after removal of the coating had an average 
 weighs of 2.9 grains. Examination showed the presence of 
 sulphate of iron, aloes, canella, liquorice, jalap, ginger, wheat- 
 flour, and a trace of oil of pennyroyal. Estimation of the 
 amounts of these ingredients indicated the following formula : 
 
 Dried sulphate of iron 38 grains 
 
 Powdered canella 22 
 
 Powdered liquorice 22 
 
 Powdered jalap 12 
 
 Powdered ginger 6 
 
 Barbadoes aloes 46 
 
 Flour 12 
 
 Oil of pennyroyal 2 minime 
 
 Excipient 
 
 In 100 pills. 
 Estimated cost of ingredients for forty -six pills, l /,d. 
 
 NURSE POWELL'S POPULAR PELLETS (SPECIAL). 
 
 These are sold at 4s. 6d. per box, containing forty-five tablets. 
 The tablets were coated with sugar, dyed externally to a bright 
 purple; the average weight after removing the coating was 2.8 
 grains. Analysis showed the presence of sulphate of iron, aloes, 
 canella, ginger, oil of pennyroyal, with starch and kaolin.
 
 Estimation of the various ingredients indicated the following 
 formula : 
 
 Dried sulphate of iron 40 grains 
 
 Socotrine aloes 67 ,, 
 
 Powdered canella 56 ,, 
 
 Powdered ginger 8 ,, 
 
 Oil of pennyroyal 12 minims 
 
 Maize starch , 16 grains 
 
 Kaolin 50 
 
 Excipient 
 
 In 100 tablets. 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients for forty-five tablets, d. 
 
 NURSE POWELL'S CORRECTIVE PILLS. 
 
 These are sold at 11s. per box, containing forty -two pills. 
 
 The pills were greyish-black, and proved to be coated with 
 French chalk and graphite; after removal of the coating the 
 average weight was 4.6 grains. Analysis showed the presence 
 of sulphate of iron, aloes, oil of pennyroyal, jalap, starch, and 
 powdered liquorice ; another vegetable substance was present, 
 which agreed in its histological characters with powdered olive 
 stones, a material largely employed in adulterating the cheaper 
 grades of powdered liquorice. Estimation of the various ingre- 
 dients indicated the following formula : 
 
 Dried sulphate of ron 100 grains 
 
 Socotrine aloes 140 ,, 
 
 Powdered jalap 14 ,, 
 
 Powdered liquorice (adulterated) 80 ,, 
 
 Oil of pennyroyal 10 minims 
 
 Starch 10 grains 
 
 Excipient 
 
 In 100 pilk. 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients for forty-two pills, d. 
 
 NURSE POWELL'S CORRECTIVE MIXTURE. 
 
 The price of this is 13s. per bottle, containing eight fluid 
 ounces. 
 
 Examination of the liquid showed it to be of the nature of 
 compound decoction of aloes, without saffron, with a trace of
 
 194 
 
 chloroform; it was, however, much darker than the official 
 decoction of corresponding strength; no additional drug, 
 however, could be detected, and by adding burnt sugar to the 
 decoction made without saffron a very similar liquid "w^s 
 obtained. Only 4.7 per cent, (by volume) of alcohol was 
 present, instead of the 18 per cent, of the official decoction. 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients of eight fluid ounces, 3d. 
 
 IRRISTUM. 
 
 The "extra strong" preparation was obtained for analysis. 
 The 10s. bottle of medicine contained six and three-quarter*, 
 ounces. 
 
 Analysis showed it to be an acid syrup of phosphate of irou 
 with quinine ; it also contained 5 per cent, by volume of alcohol 
 which may have been added in the form of a colouring tincture ; 
 the colouring matter appeared to be cudbear. Determination 
 of the quantities of the various ingredients gave the following 
 formula : 
 
 Quinine sulphate 9 grains 
 
 Ferrous phosphate 10 ,, 
 
 Dilute phosphoric acid 6 fl. drachms 
 
 Sugar 3 oz. 
 
 Rectified spirit 220 minims. 
 
 Cudbear 
 
 Water to 6.75 fl. oz. 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients, 2d. 
 
 MRS. LYDIA E. PINKHAM'S VEGETABLE COMPOUND. 
 
 The price of this is 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d. per bottle; the 
 package is marked, "Made in U.S.A." A bottle was found to 
 contain nearly seven fluid ounces. 
 
 Analysis showed it to contain 19.3 per cent, by volume of 
 alcohol, and only 0.6 per cent of solid substances; the ash was 
 0.06 per cent., and consisted of the constituents usual in 
 vegetable preparations; traces of tannin and ammonia were 
 present, and a small quantity of a reducing sugar; no alkaloid 
 was present, and no evidence was obtained of any active prin- 
 ciple except a trace of a bitter substance soluble in ether; the 
 remainder (0.3 or 0.4 per cent.) was vegetable extractive, pos- 
 sessing no distinctive characters.
 
 195 
 NURSE GREY'S AMERICAN COMPOUND TABLETS. 
 
 These " tablets, " or more properly ovoid pills, are supplied 
 at Is. 3d. and 2s. 9d. per box. A Is. 3d. tx>x contained twenty- 
 six ovoid pills. 
 
 The pills were thinly coated with gelatine coloured black, 
 and had an average weight of 2.5 grains. Analysis showed the 
 principal constituent to be ferrous carbonate, of which they 
 contained 20 per cent, (like the official form of Blaud pill) ; 
 talc was present to the extent of 19 per cent., with glucose and 
 starch; all the constituents besides the carbonate of iron ap- 
 peared to be of the nature of excipient, and no other medicinal 
 substance could be detected. 
 
 The wholesale price of 5-grain Blaud pills coated is about 3d. 
 per gross. 
 
 NURSE MANN'S REMEDY. 
 
 The price of this is 4s. 6d. per box for the " Extra Special " ; 
 this contained 48 pills. 
 
 The pills were coated with talc; after removal of the coating 
 they had an average weight of 3.2 grains. Analysis showed 
 them to contain sulphate of iron, Barbadoes aloes, soap, pow- 
 dered ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon. The amount of iron 
 in this case corresponded to 88 per cent, of the official aloes and 
 iron pill ; there was some ground for suspecting traces of oil of 
 rue and apiol, but without positive evidence of either. 
 
 TOWLE'S PENNYROYAL AND STEEL PILLS. 
 
 The price of these is Is. l|d. per box, and upwards ; a Is. l^d. 
 box was found to contain 26 pills. 
 
 The pills were coated with French chalk and sugar; after 
 removal of the coating the average weight was slightly over 
 2 grains. Enough oil of pennyroyal was present to give a not 
 very marked odour of the drug, and estimation of the quantity 
 showed about 0.02 grain in each pill; iron sulphate was present, 
 in amount corresponding to 6.7 per cent, of the official exsiccated 
 salt. About 43 per cent, of the pill consisted of powdered 
 
 N 2
 
 l6 
 
 capsicum, and no other active ingredient was found, the 
 remainder being excipient and moisture. The formula is thus, 
 approximately : 
 
 Dried sulphate of iron 14 grains 
 
 Powdered capsicum 86 ,, 
 
 Oil of pennyroyal 3 minims 
 
 Excipient 
 
 In 100 pills. 
 
 Estimated cost of the drugs, for twenty -six pills, d. 
 
 DR. JOHN HOOPER'S FEMALE PILLS. 
 
 These pills are stated to be prepared under letters patent 
 granted to Dr. John Hooper in 1743. 
 
 Examination of the letters patent granted in 1743 showed 
 that a patent for pills was taken out in that year by a Dr. 
 John Hooper; in those days, however, so-called " specifications " 
 appear to have been accepted which specified practically nothing, 
 and no hint is given as to the composition of the pills, except 
 that they are composed of ' ' the best purging stomatick and 
 antihysterical ingredients." The results of examination of the 
 pills showed them to have an average weight of 1.2 grains, and 
 to contain sulphate of iron (equivalent to 8.4 per cent, of the 
 exsiccated salt), aloes, powdered senna, jalap, and canella bark, 
 with a trace of oil of pennyroyal. A similar pill is given by the 
 following formula : 
 
 Dried sulphate of iron 10 grains 
 
 Powdered senna 48 ,, 
 
 Powdered canella 27 ,, 
 
 Powdered jalap 17 
 
 Aloes 13 
 
 Oil of pennyroyal 2 drops 
 
 Excipient 
 
 In 100 pills. 
 
 Estimated cost of the drugs, for forty-one pills, ^-d. 
 
 KEARSLEY'S ORIGINAL WIDOW WELCH'S 
 FEMALE PILLS. 
 
 Tne price of these is Is. ld. per box containing twenty pills. 
 The pills had an average weight of 3-8 grains, and were found
 
 197 
 
 to contain sulphate of iron (equal to 29 per cent, of the 
 exsiccated salt), sulphur (2.7 per cent.), with powdered 
 liquorice, powdered turmeric, maize starch, and excipient. The 
 vegetable powders were estimated to be present in the amounts 
 given in the following formula: 
 
 Dried sulphate of iron 120 grains 
 
 Precipitated sulphur 12 ,, 
 
 Powdered liquorice 65 ,, 
 
 Powdered turmeric 34 ,, 
 
 Excipient 
 
 In 100 pills. 
 
 Estimated cost of drugs, for twenty pilla, ^d. 
 
 DR. D AVIS' S FAMOUS FEMALE PILLS. 
 
 The price of these pills is Is. ld. per box, containing twenty- 
 three. 
 
 The pills were found to be coated with French chalk; after 
 removal of the coating the average weight was 2.7 grains. 
 Examination showed the presence of sulphate of iron (equal to 
 16 per cent, of exsiccated salt), powdered savin (about 57 per 
 cent.), and a bitter substance; it was not possible to determine 
 whether a bitter extract, such as extract of gentian, had been 
 used as excipient, or whether a small quantity of extract of 
 colocynth was contained in the pill. If the latter, the formula 
 is approximately 
 
 Dried sulphate of iron 46 grains 
 
 Powdered savin 154 
 
 Extract of colocynth 3 ,, 
 
 Excipient 
 
 In 100 pills. 
 
 Estimated cost of drugs, in twenty-three pills, d. 
 
 DR. DAVIS'S FAMOUS FEMALE MIXTURE. 
 
 The price of this is 2s. 9d. per bottle, containing two fluid 
 ounces. 
 
 The principal ingredient found was oil of pennyroyal, of 
 which about 0.8 per cent, was present, with 9 per cent, of 
 alcohol (by volume), and about 4 per cent, of glycerine. The 
 mixture also contained 0.8 per cent, of undiseolved substance;
 
 this contained a trace of magnesia (no doubt employed in mixing 
 in the oil of pennyroyal) ; the insoluble and dissolved substances 
 gave evidence of the presence of extract of gossypium, but as 
 this contains no definite active principle, and there is no 
 standard method for preparing it, the quantity could not be 
 determined. The whole of the drug extractive present did not 
 appear to be derived from gossypium, but the other ingredient 
 could not be identified with any ordinary drug, after com- 
 parison with a considerable number. A trace of some alkaloidal 
 substance (under 0.01 per cent.) was also present. 
 
 JEFFERSON DODD'S CORRECTIVE. 
 
 This mixture is sold at 2s. 9d. per bottle, containing 4 fluid 
 ounces. 
 
 Analysis showed the presence of the constituents of decoction 
 of aloes, except saffron, together with a small quantity of chloro- 
 form ; the alcohol, however, only amounted to 5.3 per cent, (by 
 volume). A " concentrated decoction of aloes, without saffron," 
 is largely sold as a cheaper substitute for the official preparation ; 
 the latter, however, whether with or without the saffron, cannot 
 properly be prepared of the concentration commonly employed 
 (1 = 4) on account of the amount of tincture of cardamoms, 
 and the alcohol is therefore diminished in the concentrated pre 
 paration, and may consequently vary in the preparations of 
 different makers. The following formula: 
 
 Concentrated decoction of aloes without saffron (1 to 3), 1 part 
 
 Chloroform water, 2 parts 
 
 Water to 8 parts {all by measure), 
 
 gave a mixture agreeing in all respects, except the amount of 
 alcohol present, with the one under examination. 
 
 Estimiated cost of ingredients of 4 ounces, T %d. 
 
 JEFFERSON DODD'S FEMALE PILLS. 
 
 The price of these pills is Is. ld. per box, containing thirty 
 six. 
 
 The pills were found to be coated with French chalk, and 
 after removal of the coating had an average weight of 3.4 grains.
 
 199 
 
 Analysis showed sulphate of iron to be present (equal to 8.9 per 
 cent, of exsiccated salt), with aloes and powdered liquorice, the 
 remainder being excipient and moisture. The following formula 
 gave a similar pill : 
 
 Dried sulphate of iron 34 grains 
 
 Powdered liquorice 72 ,, 
 
 Barbadoes aloes 142 ,, 
 
 Excipient 
 
 In 100 pills. 
 
 Estimated cost of drugs for thirty-six pills, d. 
 
 MARTIN'S APIOL AND STEEL PILLS. 
 
 These are sold at 4s. 6d. per bottle, containing forty-nine 
 pills. 
 
 The pills were coated with French chalk, coloured pink with 
 eosin; after removal of the coating the average weight was 
 3.8 grains. Iron was found to be present in the metallic state 
 to the extent of 2 per cent. ; powdered cinnamon, powdered car- 
 damom, and aloes were also found, and about 3 per cent, of 
 apiol ; estimation of the amounts of the drugs and comparison 
 with pill-masses prepared for the purpose indicated the following 
 formula : 
 
 Reduced iron 10 grains 
 
 Barbadoes aloes 150 ,, 
 
 Apiol 12 ,, 
 
 Powdered cinnamon 75 ,, 
 
 Powdered cardamom 55 ,, 
 
 Excipient 
 
 In 100 pills. 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients, for forty-nine pills, |d. 
 
 FOURNIER'S HYGENIQUE MIXTURE FOR FEMALES 
 (EXTRA STRONG). 
 
 The price of this is 11s. Od. per bottle holding twenty fluid 
 ounces. 
 
 Examination showed the mixture to consist of compound 
 decoction of aloes, with the addition of a very small quantity
 
 200 
 
 of iron ; the amount of the latter corresponded to 0.45 per cent, 
 of the crystalline ferrous sulphate, or two grains in a dose. A 
 further difference between this mixture and the official decoction 
 of aloes was that this only contained 3.9 per cent, of alcohol, 
 against 18 per cent, in the preparation of the British Pharma- 
 copoeia. 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients for twenty fluid ounces, Is. Id. 
 
 MONAID TABLETS. 
 
 The price of these is 2s. 9d. per box containing fifty-nine 
 tablets. 
 
 The tablets are described as "chocolate coated"; in reality 
 they were coated with sugar coloured to a chocolate-brown with 
 iron oxide. After removal of the coating, the average weight 
 of one was 2.2 grains. They contained neither iron, aloes, 
 pennyroyal, or any powdered vegetable drug, and no alkaloid. 
 Oleo-resin of capsicum was present to a rather considerable 
 extent, and almost the whole of the remaining material of the 
 tablets consisted of a substance agreeing in all respects with 
 caulophyllin; the two were compared by various tests, but as 
 there are no definite reactions for caulophyllin, and it possesses 
 no characteristic smell, taste, etc., it cannot be quite positively 
 asserted that this was the substance present. Enough oil of 
 caraway was present to give a slight odour, and small quantities 
 of flour and kaolin; there was some indication of another sub- 
 stance, but nothing further could be identified. 
 
 SANOL CONES. 
 Two varieties of these were examined, viz. : 
 
 SANOL CONES (ORDINARY). Price 4s. 6d. per box, containing 
 sixteen cones. These "cones" were small suppositories rounded 
 at one end and tapering towards the other; they were of an 
 average weight of 13.2 grains. They contained sulphate of iron 
 corresponding to 1.5 per cent, of the exsiccated salt, quinine 
 corresponding to 6.6 per cent, of the ordinary sulphate, and 
 about 2 per cent, of a vegetable powder, which proved to b
 
 201 
 
 gentian root; the remainder consisted of oil cf theobroma. The 
 formula is thus : 
 
 Dried sulphate of iron 22 grains 
 
 Sulphate of quinine 87 ,, 
 
 Powdered gentian 26 ,, 
 
 Oil of theobroma 1,200 
 
 In 100 cones. 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients of sixteen cones, under l^d. 
 
 SANOL CONES (SPECIAL). Price lls. per box, containing 
 thirty-six cones. These were similar in size and shape to the 
 preceding, but differed in being of a green colour. Analysis 
 showed the presence of quinine sulphate, 5.5 per cent., and 
 powdered gentian about 4 per cent. ; the base was oil of theo- 
 broma. No other medicament could be detected; the green 
 colouring matter was small in quantity and dissolved in fat, a 
 similar product being obtained by colouring oil of theobroma 
 with commercial chlorophyll. The formula is thus: 
 
 Sulphate of quinine 72 grains 
 
 Powdered gentian 52 ,, 
 
 Oil of theobroma (tinted green) 1,200 ,, 
 
 In 100 cones. 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients in thirty-six cones, 3d. 
 
 I.R.S. COMPOUND GOLDEN TABLETS. 
 
 The price of these is Is. 1 Jd. per box, containing twenty -four. 
 
 The "tablets" were ovoid pills coated with French chalk, 
 " gilded " on the surface; the " gilding " showed the composi- 
 tion of so-called gold paint, containing copper but no gold. 
 After removal of the coating the average weight of the pills was 
 2 grains ; analysis showed them to contain sulphate of iron equi- 
 valent to 48 per cent, of the exsiccated salt, and sodium car- 
 bonate, producing ferrous carbonate on addition of water ; the 
 other ingredients were starch, gum, and moisture. The amounts 
 of ferrous sulphate and sodium carbonate were not properly 
 adjusted for converting the whole of the former to ferrous car- 
 bonate, but the composition was variable. One specimen 
 showed 48 per cent, of dried ferrous sulphate, one-fourth of 
 which was converted to ferrous carbonate on treatment with 
 water; another gave only 37 per cent, of dried ferrous sulphate,
 
 202 
 
 two fifths of which formed ferrous carbonate. The formula is 
 thus approximately: 
 
 Dried sulphate of iron 86 grains 
 
 Dried sodium carbonate 25 grains 
 
 Excipient 
 
 In 100 pills. 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients of twenty-four pills, ^gd. 
 
 MRS. SHAFFER-BENNYON'S REMEDY. 
 
 This is supplied at 4s. 8d. per box, containing fourteen 
 suppositories for rectal use. 
 
 On the wrapper of the box it was stated that : 
 
 These cones are composed of Theobrama, Cerum, Fer Lac. Sol. Quinae, 
 Sulph, Ol, Eutae, Crab, Etc. 
 
 (the stops being as here given). 
 
 The fourteen suppositories had an average weight of 14.2 
 grains each. Analysis showed them to contain 
 
 Quinine sulphate 5.1 per cent. 
 
 Boric acid 4.9 ,, 
 
 Oil of theobroma 2.75 fl. oz. 
 
 They had a slight green tint, and a faint odour which may have 
 been due to a trace of oil of rue. No iron was present (Fer Lac. 
 being presumably some form of iron), and no " crab " was 
 found. Each suppository thus contains quinine sulphate 0.73 
 grain, boric acid 0.70 grain. The estimated cost of the 
 materials for fourteen suppositories is Id. 
 
 MRS. STAFFORD-BROOKES' PELLOIDS. 
 
 These are supplied at 4s. 6d. per box, containing sixteen pes- 
 saries. 
 
 The resemblances between this preparation and the former 
 one are far too numerous to be accidental. The name of the pro- 
 prietor, the nature of the claims made, the wording of the 
 advertisements, the general appearance of the package supplied, 
 xnd the style and wording of all the circulars, are very similar 
 in the two cases. The chief difference is that the cones are 
 placed in the rectum in the one case and in the vagina in the 
 other, but it can make no practical difference where the ones 
 about to be described are placed.
 
 203 
 
 On the package appears the statement : 
 
 These PeJloide are Guararateed Hon-mless, and comfcaim Sudph,. Quinae., 
 01. Theobroma, R,id. Anohtieas, Myrrh, A. Bor, etc., etc. 
 
 The " Pelloids " consisted of suppositories, or pessaries, of an 
 average weight of 14.2 grains, coloured pink with a preparation 
 of alkanet (Rad. Anchusae); analysis showed them to contain 
 2.3 per cent, of boric acid, with oil of theobroma, and a minute 
 trace of quinine, not sufficient to give the slightest perceptible 
 bitter taste; no myrrh or any other ingredient could be 
 detected. 
 
 Each " Pelloid " thus contains: Boric aeid, 0.37 grain. 
 
 The estimated cost of the materials for the sixteen pessaries 
 is Id. 
 
 NURSE HAMMOND'S IMPROVED REMEDIES. 
 
 These are supplied in three forms, known as " Treatment 
 No. 1," price 5s. 6d. ; "Treatment No. 2," price 10s. 6d. ; and 
 " Treatment No. 3," price 21s. 
 
 " Treatment No. 2 " was selected; this consisted of an 8-oz. 
 bottle of liquid, 16 tablets, and 16 pills. 
 
 The Mixture. The bottle contained 8 fluid ozs. Analysis 
 showed the liquid to contain 2.8 per cent, by volume of alcohol, 
 between 2 and 3 per cent, of glycerine, and a very little extrac- 
 tive ; the latter possessed no characters by which it could be 
 identified, but its vinous smell and taste, slight acidity, and alka- 
 line ash, and the presence of a reducing sugar in moderate 
 amount, all suggested the presence of a smalll quantity of wine. 
 No active principle of any sort could be detected beyond a minute 
 trace of an alkaloid, and there was no evidence of any other 
 medicinal substance. 
 
 The Pills. Sixteen pills were sent. They were coated with 
 talc, and after removal of the coating had an average weight of 
 2.9 grains. Analysis showed the principal ingredient to be 
 ferrous carbonate, which formed 17 per cent, of the pill ; other 
 ingredients were soap (1 per cent.), powdered liquorice root, 
 wheat starch, sodium sulphate (formed in the production of the 
 ferrous carbonate), and excipients. No alkaloid or other active 
 principle was found. The pills were thus a form of Blaud's 
 pill, somewhat weaker than the official iron pill.
 
 204 
 
 The Tablets. Sixteen tablets were sent. They were coated 
 with a mixture of talc, carbonate of magnesia, sugar and starch, 
 and coloured pink externally. After removal of the coating 
 they had an average weight of 4.1 grains. Analysis showed the 
 presence of aloin, powdered tansy herb, powdered liquorice in 
 considerable quantity, and talc. No alkaloid was present, and 
 no other constituent waa detected. 
 
 GAUTIEUR'S FEMALE PILLS. 
 
 The price of these is 7d. and 2s. 3d. per box; a 7d. box 
 contained twelve pills. 
 
 The pills were ovoid in shape, coated with talc coloured pink ; 
 after removal of the coating they had an average weight of 
 3.8 grains. Analysis showed the presence of a very small quan- 
 tity of an aromatic essential oil, which appeared to consist ol 
 oils of pennyroyal and rue, and possibly tansy ; the quantity was 
 far too small for its components to be separated and identified 
 positively. A small quantity of apiol appeared to be present, 
 but this substance possesses no characters by which it can be 
 positively identified in such a mixture ; the principal consti- 
 tuents were exsiccated sulphate of iron forming 10 per cent, 
 of the pill and soap present to the extent of 11 per cent., 
 and probably added to assist in incorporating the apiol and 
 essential oils; powdered liquorice was present to the extent of 
 about 30 per cent., and a little powdered ginger; traces of other 
 vegetable tissue were to be seen, but in such small quantity 
 that it was probably only accidental; a bitter substance was 
 present in small quantity, which was apparently (but not quite 
 certainly) Socotrine aloes. 
 
 DR. PATTERSON'S FEMALE PILLS. 
 
 These are supplied in boxes at 2s. 9d. ; " special extra strong," 
 4s. 6d. A 2s. 9d. box contained twenty-seven pills. 
 
 The pills were coated with talc, and coloured pink. After 
 removal of the coating, they had an average weight of 3.2 
 grains. Analysis showed them to contain sulphate of iron, 
 Barbadoes aloes, soap, powdered ginger, cardamom, and cinna- 
 mon. All these ingredients except the soap occur in the official 
 aloes and iron pill; the amount of iron found corresponded bo 
 about 70 per cent, of the latter mass in the pills under examiua-
 
 205 
 
 tion. A slight aroma other than that from the constituents 
 named may have been due to a trace of oil of rue, and a small 
 quantity of apiol may have been present, but no positive 
 evidence of its presence was obtained. 
 
 HORTON'S BENEDICT PILLS. 
 
 The price of these is le. ld. and 2s. 9d. per box. A Is. ld. 
 box contained forty-nine pills. 
 
 The pills had an average weight of 4 grains; analysis showed 
 them to contain sulphate of iron, Socotrine aloes, powdered 
 ginger in considerable quantity, and a small amount of another 
 vegetable powder which appeared to be gentian. The amount 
 of iron corresponded to 10 per cent, of the exsiccated sulphate. 
 
 BLANCHARD'S APIOL AND STEEL PILLS. 
 
 Blanchard's Pills are supplied at Is. li^d. per box, containing 
 twenty-four. 
 
 The pills were coated with talc, and after removal of the 
 coating had an average weight of 1.9 grains. Analysis showed 
 the presence of sulphate of iron, soap, Barbadoes aloes, pow- 
 dered ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon ; evidence was also 
 obtained of the presence of a little apiol, but the characters of 
 this substance are not sufficiently well defined for the amount 
 to be determined quantitatively. The soap was 3 per cent, 
 of the pill, and was no doubt added to assist in incorporating 
 the apiol ; the other ingredients represent the official aloes and 
 iron pill, present to the extent of about 80 per cent. 
 
 NURSE LILLY'S FEMALE PILLS. 
 
 These pills are supplied at Is. l|d. and 2s. 9d. per box; a 
 Is. ld. box contained thirty-three pills. 
 
 The pills were coated with talc, and after removal of the 
 coating had an average weight of 1.9 grains. Analysis showed 
 the presence of sulphate of iron (12 per cent, of the exsiccated 
 salt), Socotrine aloes, cinchonine sulphate (3.3 per cent.), pow- 
 dered capsicum (about 30 per cent.), and a little powdered 
 ginger and oil of pennyroyal; a small quantity of a powdered 
 beetle was also present, probably due to the capsicum having 
 been beetle-infested (so-called "worm-eaten").
 
 206 
 
 BLAK THYROL FEMALE PILLS. 
 
 These pills are supplied at the following prices : No. 2, 2s. 6d. ; 
 No. 3x (strong), 3s. 6d. ; No. 4 (extra), 5s. ; No. 5x (special), 
 7s. 6d. per box. The variety analysed was No. 3x, a 3s. 6d. box 
 of which contained 48 pills. 
 
 The pills are advertised in the following terms : 
 
 Blak Thyrol is a moon plant originally discovered isn. Soutih Vi/gLnia, 
 and its com pound -was found, ao h&ve the most specific comforol over all 
 the Blood Vessels of the body. By building up (the system to its utmost 
 capacity, it cannot fail to (remove all obstructions and iriregularartjes, 
 which ohiefly lie between the Fallopian Tubes, Broad Ligannen/ts, and tno 
 Overies (sic) these organs always needing assistance and are entirely 
 under Uhe influence of the moon. Blak Tlhyrol being a moon plant, is in 
 complete sympathy iwiitih all the affected organs, and puts tihem in a.n 
 excellent condition to do their work, provided they are taken exactly as 
 directed. Send for a box at once ; time is precious. 
 
 The pills were coated with talc, coloured black. After 
 removal of the coating they had an average weight of 5.1 
 grains. They contained sufficient oil of pennyroyal to give them 
 a fairly strong odour of the drug. Analysis showed them to 
 contain reduced iron, arsenic in small quantity, a trace of 
 alkaloid, powdered ginger, a little powdered liquorice, and 
 another vegetable powder. The reduced iron amounted to 14 
 per cent, of the pill, or 0.7 grain in each; the arsenic, calculated 
 as arsenious acid, was 0.06 per cent., or about ^ n grain in 
 each ; this proportion of arsenic might be present as an impurity 
 in a bad sample of reduced iron. The trace of alkaloid which 
 was present was neither strychnine nor a solanaceous alkaloid, 
 showing the absence of extracts of nux vomica, belladonna, and 
 henbane, and it was probably derived from the unnamed vege- 
 table powder. The microscopical characters of the latter did 
 not agree with those of any drug usually employed as an 
 emmenagogue or a purgative, and after careful comparisons it 
 could not be identified ; presumably it is the ' ' moon plant 
 originally discovered in South Virginia." No aloes, soap, or 
 powdered colocynfch was present. The extractive and resinous 
 matter present possessed no distinctive characters, and probably 
 represented only the constituents of the powdered drugs dissolved 
 by the solvents employed in the analysis, together with the 
 excipient >i?cd for making up the pill.
 
 207 
 
 A MEDICINE FOR ENSURING EASY CONFINEMENTS 
 
 The remaining nostrum here described is for a different pin- 
 pose from the preceding, as the extracts from advertisements 
 given below show. 
 
 MATROZONE. 
 
 This is a preparation supplied by a firm in a northern sea- 
 port at 5s. 6d. per package containing two bottles marked A 
 and B, each holding one fluid ounce. 
 
 The purpose for which it is intended is indicated by the state- 
 ment on the first page of the booklet which is sent with it : 
 
 Matrozon-3 Promotes Natural, Rapid, and Easy Confinement. Ensures 
 Healthy, Beautiful, and Bright Children 
 
 The booklet proceeds to give an account of the origin of the 
 medicine. In a copy of the pamphlet sent out in 1908 it is 
 stated that : 
 
 This treatment is the nesult of (the pa/tienit investigation of a Minister 
 of Religion . . . When a young man pursuing his studies with a view 
 to qualifying for the Medical Profession (he was profoundly impreeeed by 
 the death of a young -wife, closely associated with) Ibis family , in her first 
 confinement. 
 
 Realising vividly both the pain and peril involved in child-hearing he 
 turned to see if any possible ! help could be given to the mother by appro- 
 priate drugs if .her system could be gently and scientifically prepared 
 for the great strain to 'be brought upon it. Whale turning from tihe 
 medical profession to enter itlhe Uhrisitian Mindatry, he did not for a 
 moment relinquish 'has scientific and medical studies, or abandon his quest. 
 
 Through one pastorate extending over thirty-three years, he kept his 
 purpose in view. 
 
 But in a copy of the booklet sent out in 1911 the statement 
 appears thus 
 
 Matrozone (pronounced " Mayitrozone ") is (the result of the prolonged 
 and patient investigation of a Scientist. When a young man, pursuing 
 his studies with a view to qualifying for the Medical Profession, he was 
 profoundly impressed by the death of a young wife, closely associated with 
 his family, in heir first confLn9<ment ) etc. 
 
 And the references to his " turning from the medical profession," 
 and to the pastorate of thirty-three years are omitted. In the 
 following extracts there is no difference of importance between 
 the two pamphlets : 
 
 Drug after drug was examined, studied, and carefully experimented 
 with, until several gavo proof, when accurately and proportionately com- 
 bined, of their power to render incalculable help in every case experi- 
 mented upon.
 
 208 
 
 Hi* fiit impulse was to moke -widely public the result of hie, observa 
 tions and experimente, but riper consideration showed him that this was 
 quite impracticable. Such a publicity could not possibly be obtained. 
 The great majority of the people would certainly never hear of it. 
 
 Then the preparations were most delicate. They had to be made not 
 only with skill, but with extreme conscientiousness, and they had to be 
 administered in a carefully ascertained order. Only trained pharmacists 
 could prepare them, and without oversight or check, they might be pre- 
 pared carelessly, and so rendered abortive. . . . 
 
 The first great function of " Matrozone " in irts two forms as to facilitate 
 parturition; or, in other words, to ensure natural, speedy, and easy child- 
 birth. ... In all the cases in which it has already been tried, and 
 of which notes have been carefully kept, it has proved itself of inestimable 
 service. In many cases tihe child has been healthily born Before the 
 Doctor Has Arrived, the mother has made a quick and spontaneoue 
 recovery, and tihe babe has proved sound, bright, and thriving. . . . 
 It powerfully but naturally regulates the (health of 6he mother during 
 tone later months of gestation. It corrects the tendency to hysteria, and 
 to hysteric headaches. It ihas a, specific and remarkable power to obviate 
 fake presentations. ... A second great function of " Matrozone " is 
 to induce vigour, buoyancy, physical beauty, and intellectual brightness 
 in the child. This is one of its most remarkable and beneficent achieve- 
 ments. . . . 
 
 Length of Treatment. 
 
 To obtain its best effects in tihe Ihouir of 'labour it should foe used daily 
 for at least a month before the accouchemeiift is expected. It would be 
 much safer, however, to commence ite <use six weeks before, especially 
 where difficulties are anticipated, and in first confinements. 
 
 Dose. 
 
 "Matrozone" may be better described as an elegant and scientanc 
 treatment tihan as a single preparation. Its ingredients are so subtile, 
 and (have such a distinct and delicate actoom, tlhat it is prepared in two 
 forms A and B. Ten drops of the preparation A should be taken in a 
 little tepid wafer every morning, half an hour before breakfast, and ten 
 drops of the preparation B should be taken in. a little tepid water every 
 evening half-an-hoair before food. 
 
 Anaylsis of the liquid in the bottle marked A showed it to 
 contain 68.9 per cent, (by volume) of alcohol, and water. The 
 total solid matter was too small in amount to be weighed (unless 
 by working on a large amount of the liquid), and might easily be 
 accounted for by tap water having been used to dilute the 
 alcohol. No trace of alkaloid was shown by the most delicate 
 test. The residue showed a minute trace of organic matter, but 
 it was, of course, impossible to say whether this was due to an 
 infinitesimal quantity of some plant extract, etc., or to dust and 
 other chance contamination of the liquid.
 
 209 
 
 The liquid in the bottle marked B contained only 60.3 per 
 cent, by volume of alcohol, but in other respects resembled that 
 in the other bottle. 
 
 The cost of the alcohol in the two bottles together would be 
 about 3|d. 
 
 A GERMAN NOSTRUM. 
 
 Dr Zernik states that: 
 
 Dr. med. B. Kleinertz's Quidestin is advertised in a most catchy 
 manner. The advertisement includes the following passages: "What 
 is it? It is a comfort to those about to become mothers." The 
 directions for use are as follows : A tableepoonful of the extract is 
 to be placed in a thick walled small cup or other similar vessel, and 
 this is placed in a pail. The fluid is then lighted, and the patient 
 * to allow tJhie fumes to play around her abdomen and legs* until they 
 are thoroughly warmed. Thds is to be repeated twice a day for the last 
 six weieks of r pregnancy. Tttie Icomposkiion as given as bkcktlhorn, 
 camomile, eucalyptus, hoarhound, shepherd's pouch, and cheese rennet 
 extracted in alcohol. The analysis showed that qruddeetde is a weak 
 extract of various indifferent vegetables, including eucalyptus and camomile 
 in 90 per cent, spirit. Apart from the impossibility of tjhe fumes being 
 of therapeutic value, Zernik poin/te out the highness of the price, 5s. per 
 litre bottle, sufficient for tibree weeks.
 
 CHAPTEK XIV. 
 
 WALLACE'S SPECIFIC REMEDIES " AN 
 ABSOLUTE SYSTEM OF MEDICINE." 
 
 A study of the advertising matter, pamphlets, " treatises," 
 etc., published by the makers of proprietary medicines, 
 even if not supplemented by analytical investigation of the 
 medicines themselves, might well induce the belief that 
 human gullibility is unlimited. So many of such publica- 
 tions reveal at once to an intelligent reader the ignorance, 
 and often also the knavishness, of the persons making the 
 statements contained in them that it seems almost incredible 
 that moderately educated people can be duped by them; 
 but it seems quite clear that they are so duped. Probably 
 most people, by a few judicious inquiries among their 
 friends, will come across cases of individuals of fair educa- 
 tion and acumen in other matters accepting unquestion- 
 ingly quite absurd statements widely advertised about some 
 nostrum, or the diseases which it is asserted to cure. The 
 particulars given in this chapter of a set of so-called 
 ' ' specifics for the eradication of all organic and functional 
 diseases incidental to the present generation during infant 
 and adult life " well illustrate the power of nonsense to get 
 itself believed and accepted. These medicines appear to be 
 put forward by two persons of the name of Wallace, one of 
 whom professes to be their " discoverer," and the discoverer 
 of the " Origin and Unity of Disease in Man and Animals." 
 Such statements as that the white corpuscles of the blood 
 are yeast cells, and that phlegm consists simply of masses 
 of them, or that acetic acid is an absolute poisou, surely
 
 211 
 
 cannot impress many readers with respect for the know- 
 ledge of the author; while the grouping together as diseases 
 for which one and the same preparation an aconite tincture 
 containing no alkaloid is an "absolute specific," of 
 dropsy, insanity, consumption, mumps, vermin under the 
 skin, pleurisy, and many others, shows a degree of ignor- 
 ance that a cheap- jack pill- vendor in a country market-place 
 might hesitate to display. The results of analysis complete 
 the exposure of the worthlessness of the statements made ; 
 thus, it is professed that all alkaloidal substances are absent 
 from all the preparations, but three out of the six tested 
 were found to contain one or more of the alkaloids caffeine, 
 hydrastine, and berberine, while one of those not examined 
 is stated by the " discoverer " himself to be tincture of 
 hydrastis, which, of course, contains the two alkaloids last 
 named. Another of the preparations, which is a tincture 
 of the same drug, is put forward as an " absolute specific " 
 for cancer of all kinds, for syphilis, and all venereal diseases, 
 and a host of other disorders. Two others were found to 
 be tinctures of coffee, one was a tincture of nutmegs, and 
 another showed no active constituent of any character by 
 which it could be recognized as a medicinal substance. 
 Possibly if these facts come to the knowledge of some of 
 the adherents of this " absolute system of medicine " they 
 may be more inclined to give it the slightly altered name of 
 " an absolute system of quackery." 
 
 The modest claim advanced for " Wallace's Twelve Specific 
 Remedies," which form the subject of the present chapter, is 
 that: 
 
 These Specifics are for the Eradication of all Orgamac aind Functional 
 Diseases incidental to the present generation during infant and adult life, 
 
 and the prescribing of the " specifics " is regarded as a com- 
 plete system of medicine. These preparations are supplied from 
 the offices of The Herald of Health, London ; their authois 
 appear to be Mr. Joseph Wallace and Mrs. C. Leigh Hunt 
 Wallace. The medicines are supplied at the uniform price of 
 
 o2
 
 212 
 
 2s. 9d. per bottle, containing one fluid ounce, but it appears 
 that the proprietors do not confine themselves to merely selling 
 these preparations. In a list of " Terms for Medical and 
 Hygienic Consultation with Mrs. C. 'Leigh Hunt Wallace (The 
 Wallace Specifics only prescribed) " fees are named ranging 
 from half a guinea as " reduced terms for domestic, railway, and 
 other servants," to two guineas for ordinary "consultation by 
 appointment": and from the same list it appears that Mr. 
 Wallace's terms are three guineas for a consultation and five 
 guineas for " visits to patients' own residences, within three 
 miles of Russell Square." It is not necessary to express any 
 opinion as to whether the "system" is one of deliberate and 
 conscious fraud and imposture, or whether the persons con- 
 cerned are protected by the completeness of their ignorance from 
 full realisation of the true nature of their practices. The 
 extracts given below from their publications are sufficient 
 evidence of that ignorance. 
 
 The principal account of the ' ' system ' ' is given in a book of 
 about 170 pages, entitled " Physianthropy , or, The Home Cure 
 and Eradication of Disease. By Joseph Wallace (Lex et Lux) 
 and C. Leigh Hunt Wallace," which is sold at 6d. and Is. The 
 date of the eighth edition of this, now being sold, appears to be 
 1901 or 1902 ; this is supplemented by a pamphlet dealing only 
 with the specifics, dated 1906, and described as 
 
 SECOND EDITION. By which " Physianithropy " may be corrected and 
 revised up-to-date. 
 
 The book is divided into several parts, all characterised by a 
 display of great ignorance and great assurance; the part with 
 which we are now concerned is entitled, 
 
 AN ABSOLUTE SCIENCE OF MEDICINE, IN OPPOSITION TO STATE-PROTECTED 
 EXPERIMENTAL QUACKERY, 
 
 its claim to being ' ' absolute ' ' apparently depending on its being 
 unrelated to facts, at least in any such way as the sort of science 
 which is stigmatised as " experimental." In the introduction to 
 this part an account is given of ihow Mrs. Wallace first became 
 acquainted with these remedies from their " discoverer," Mr. 
 Wallace; but it is not stated whether he discovered them in a 
 dream, or in some other manner equally free from the charge 
 of being experimental. But we are told that 
 
 This invaluable system he has only divulged to clergymen and doctors, 
 who each .gladly paid Chain a hundred guineas, and bound themselves, 
 legally, not to reveal the names or the method of preparation of his
 
 213 
 
 medicines, till after he ihad published his complete medical work, which 
 would give to the world the free and full benefits of hie discoveries. 
 
 Certain possible criticism is thus dealt with in advance : 
 
 It is evident that those who say 'this book is written, for the purpose of 
 advertising the sale of quack medicines utter a false and slanderous asser- 
 tion upon one whose desires and works aire ever devoted to the best 
 interests of humanity. 
 
 The " Specifics " are thus referred to collectively: 
 
 The Medicines, here introduced to the public for home use and private 
 purchase for the first time, consist of 
 
 Twelve Absolute Specifics. 
 
 They are scientifically curative of the various diseases and conditions 
 of the body, which are here carefully enumerated, as indicating their 
 requirement. 
 
 At present these Medicines are merely distinguished by numbers, as 
 "No. /.," "No. II.," "No. III.," etc. 
 
 It must be explained that they are prepared in an alcohol denuded of 
 fusel oil, and are treble the concentration of those of a similar kind 
 prepared by the usual homoeopathic or allopathic mode, but, as explained 
 elsewhere, the whole of what may be called the accumulative, alkaloidal, 
 or poisonous principles of the plants have been removed, and thus their 
 curative powers, when combined with a truly curative regimen, art 
 enhanced in a marvellous degree. 
 
 Although it may be considered almost hopeless to expect any of these 
 Specifics to be improved upon, or superseded, yet should others be subse- 
 quently discovered which are more prompt in palliative action under any 
 conditions, non-cumulative in the human system, and permanently cura- 
 tive, they will be described in a future edition of this work. 
 
 A footnote states that this was written in 1883; since only 
 twelve specifics are still described, it appears that the faint hope 
 suggested of anything else being discovered worthy to rank with 
 them has not been fulfilled in the twenty-nine years that have 
 since elapsed, in spite of the many advances and new discoveries 
 in that time in mere ordinary ' ' experimental ' ' medicine ; but 
 progress is, of course, incompatible with " an absolute system " 
 of anything. 
 
 No. 1. This is stated to be made from Aconitum ?iapellus, 
 but to be non-poisonous. It is stated in the preface that: 
 
 This was the subject, in 1891, of a prosecution, as Mr. Wallace desired 
 to send it out without the label " POISON " being put upon the bottle 
 containing it. But it is, technically, a poison, because it is prepared from 
 the poisonous plant Aconitum napellus. Mr. Wallace has taken a patent 
 out for his method of producing from it a non-poisonous tincture. . . . 
 When the law was made that all preparations of that plant were to be
 
 214 
 
 labelled " Poison," it was not contemplated that a non-poisonous prepara- 
 tion could be made. The law is behind the times, and needs repealing. 
 
 In regard to its mode of action, we are informed that: 
 
 The chief action of " No I." is over the whole circulatory and nervous 
 systems, controlling them when diseased, in a most marvellous manner, 
 without causing any unnatural suppression of the vitality. It has a 
 wonderful power of paralysing the white, or yeast corpuscles in the 
 blood, and thus staying their power of reproduction, or growth, and 
 multiplication; reducing the fermentative abnormal heat of the blood 
 in a corresponding degree, thus relieving congested and inflammatory 
 states, and so causing the skin pores to 'become more elastic, open, and 
 free, as the capillaries get rid of their congestive blockings. The mucous 
 membranes are also enabled to allow free exit to the phlegm, or yeasty 
 excretions from the blood, which the microscope reveals to be one mass 
 of white corpuscles. It is by virtue of this wonderful power of clearing 
 out this effete matter that the normal circulation becomes rapidly estab- 
 lished, and the yeasty impurities of the blood, or death force, which was 
 locked up in the brain, or upper parts of the body, has to descend 
 outwards, and downwards (according to Nature's law of cure), thus 
 cooling the head, and, by balancing the circulation, warming the feet at 
 the same time. "No. I." also possesses the curative property of 
 encouraging and assisting Nature in her expulsion of iron and other 
 mineral drugs, hence its wonderful control over neuralgia and lung bleed- 
 ings, which are drug {iron) created diseases, or conditions. Thus it is 
 that all abnormal haemorrhages, and discharges are specially benefited by 
 it, diseased matter rapidly expelled, and healthy fluids conserved, while 
 the healthy normal action of the organism is restored in the least possible 
 time. 
 
 A pretty specimen of " absolute " nonsense! 
 
 The names of diseases for which this " non-poisonous 
 tincture " of aconite is to be taken, and the list of their symp- 
 toms, occupy several pages. A few specimens will show the 
 catholic nature of this " specific " : 
 
 Dropsy. Insanity. Tubercular diseases. Consumption. Bronchitis. 
 Asthma. Heart, stomach, and liver diseases. Inflammatory and painful 
 diseases of the spleen, pancreas, womb, kidneys, bladder, and bowels. 
 Mumps. Abscesses. Scrofula . . . Hydrocephalus. . . . Measles. 
 . . . Small-pox. Fevers of all kinds. . . . Organic debility. 
 Angina pectoris. . . . Diphtheria . . . Whooping cough. . . . 
 Bleeding of the nose, eyes, or ears. . . . Polypus of the nose, etc. 
 . . . . Vermin under the skin. . . . Poisoning by bad or putrid 
 fish. . . . Erysipelas. . . . Boils. . . . Piles. Hysteria. Tooth, 
 jaw, and face-ache. Sciatica. Neuralgia. Lumbago. . . . Pleurisy. 
 . . . Epilepsy. . . . Painful, prolonged, and difficult parturition. 
 . . . Difficult, deficient, painful, or suppressed menstruation. . . . 
 Leucorrhoea. . . . Squinting. Sunstroke. . . . Sore throat. Cold in 
 the head. . . . Bright's disease. Diabstes. . . . Cataract. Amaurosis. 
 Short-sightedness.
 
 215 
 
 Can anything be left for the other eleven specifics to do? 
 
 With regard to the non-poisonous nature of this tincture, it 
 is explained that : 
 
 .The plant from which " No. I." is made is a poisonous one; but this 
 tincture is not prepared from, and does not contain, that portion of the 
 plant known to be poisonous amd consequently cumulative in the human 
 organism. The alkaloid of the plant has to be almost, if not wholly, 
 eliminated by the peculiar mode of preparation amd preservation in a non- 
 poisonous alcohol, which has been previously deprived o>f its fusel oil .and 
 other poisonous properties. So much so is this the case, that this prepara- 
 tion of " Xo. I." has been taken by mistake by several patients with 
 delicate organisms, and by people wiho mistook it for brandy, in quantities 
 equal to two large wineglass fula or more at one time, without the least 
 permanent injurious after-effects, beyond being very much frightened by 
 the peculiar electrical effects produced on tihe nervous system. 
 
 " Two large wineglassfuls " would be from 4 oz. to 10 oz. 
 or more, according to the meaning of "large." The draught 
 would therefore cost from 11s. to 27s. or so, enough to make 
 the patients "very much frightened." 
 
 The dose for adults is stated to be "20 drops to 40 drops, 
 according to temperament." 
 
 It is somewhat surprising, in view of its non-poisonous nature, 
 to read that the antidote to overdoses of " No. I." for adults 
 is " No. III." in 30-drop doses. It is added that " the poison- 
 ous aconite sold at the chemist's needs port wine as an antidote." 
 
 It did not appear to be worth while to analyse every one of 
 the twelve "specifics," and "No. I." was not examined. 
 
 No. II. The action of this is described as follows: 
 The great power of " Xo. II." consists in antidoting, or neutralizing, the 
 virulence of the corrosive action of the matter of bad, offensive, painful, 
 burning or eating ulcers, whereby all pain is allayed and completely 
 averted, when it can be applied as directed. Coming directly in contact 
 with the excreted and excreting yeast corpuscles, it at once so neutralizes 
 tlheir ammoniaoal and putrefactive surroundings, however degraded their 
 source, that nature can immediately set up, and keep healthy, granulations 
 of the part, until all offending matter which .nature .has to expel by that 
 outlet, has oozed out, or been discharged, and thus if " No. II." is taken 
 at the beginning, it is able to avert ,skin soars where they would unavoid- 
 ably be produced without it. Hence it is specially curative for all broken, 
 open, raw, or ulcerated surfaces, either internally or externally. 
 
 It .has another wonderful power, as an extension of the above, in rooting 
 out hereditary and acquired diseases from inoculation, and subsequent 
 allopathic or other unscientific- treatment. It will root out these old 
 diseases, and mineral drugs, even when lodged in the bones, throwing to
 
 216 
 
 the eurface the rotten bone with other offending matter ; thus enabluig 
 nature ito .recuperate, and restore the lost parts. With seemingly latent, or 
 internal abnormal growths, or (growing ukers, such as cameeir and ovarian 
 dropsy, when taken internally, "No. II." not only stops their slow 
 growth, but, by neutralizing the virulence of the corrosive or putrefactive 
 iohor excreted from the degraded yeast or other germs in the affected parts, 
 enables nature to disperse gradually and surely, as a foreign but inoffensive 
 substance, tlhe effete matter without injuiry to the vitality, and with bust 
 comparatively little general disturbance. 
 
 In burns, .scalds, .and corrosions from cauteries, and corrosive minerals, 
 and mineral acids, externally applied, it is all powerful in allaying the pain, 
 preventing suppuration, and healing the part. 
 
 The list of diseases " for which it is the absolute specific for 
 all or some of their phases " includes such trifles as : 
 
 Syphilis, and every form of venereal disease. Cancer in every form, 
 whether situated in the stomadh, womb, bowels, kidneys, liver, lungs, 
 breast, brain, throat, tongue, mouth, nose, or any other part of the body. 
 Ovarian dropsy. Whitlow. Fdsitula. . . . Diphtheria. . . . Itching, sore- 
 ness, or eruption of the reproductive organs, from whatever cause, in male 
 oar female. . . . Deafness, with suppuration of the eaTs. . . . Necrosis, or 
 rotting of bones. Hernia. . . . Varicose veins. Aneurisms. . . . Con- 
 fluent small-pox. Itch. Psoriasis. Eczema. . . . Tendency to miscarriage. 
 . . . Diabetes. . . . Cystitis and Bright's diseases in syphili>tized persons. 
 Effects of poisoning by corrosive minerals and mineral acids. 
 
 Under " administration " it is stated that: 
 
 This specific can be taken in almost any quantity, without organic ox 
 fuinotional disturbance being created, todi when large doses axe persisted in 
 for a considerable length of time, its power and purpose, as already 
 described, become too evident, iby the general disturbance created in the 
 digestive organs, owing to the extra wave of pent-up latent matter being 
 poured into the .stomach, through the uprooting power of -the medicine, 
 creating for the tame acidity, heartburn, aowl other fermentations in the 
 stomach .and bowels, but which symptoms cease if tJhe medicine is discon- 
 tinued or lessened in quantity for a few days. 
 
 The adult dose is given as " from seven to ten drops three 
 times daily"; it is also to be used externally as a lotion 
 " twenty drops to one half -pint of water (preferably hot)," and 
 a medicated oil " twenty to fifty drops of the tincture to each 
 fluid ounce of pure Lucca oil." 
 
 The statement already quoted, that " the whole of what may 
 be called the accumulative, alkaloidal, or poisonous principles 
 of the plants have been removed," applies to this as to the 
 others. Nevertheless, analysis of "No. II" showed the pre-
 
 217 
 
 sence of the alkaloids berberine and hydrastine, the proportions 
 being 
 
 Berberine 0.05 pear cent. 
 
 Hydrastame 0.11 
 
 Alcohol 32.3 per cent, by volume 
 
 Extractive 2.7 
 
 Ash 0.3 
 
 The ash showed the usual composition of the ash of vegetab'o 
 extracts. The extractive agreed in its properties with the 
 extractive of tincture of hydrastis (which also contains hydras- 
 tine and berberine); this, however, is usually made of about 
 twice or four times (U.S.P.) the strength of " No. II " in 
 regard to hydrastine. Careful search gave no indication of any 
 other ingredient. 
 
 Tincture of hydrastis, B.P., is not standardised, but an 
 average sample with an equal quantity of water would contain 
 about the same proportions of hydrastine and alcohol as the 
 liquid under consideration. This gives about 2|d. as the cost 
 of the contents of a 2s. 9d. bottle. 
 
 No. III. It would scarcely be of interest to quote what is 
 said about each of the ' ' specifics ' ' as freely as in the preceding 
 cases, and a few extracts will serve. No. Ill is introduced w th 
 much verbosity, in which " the yeast animalculae, or white 
 corpuscles," again figure; alcohol is referred to as " this singular 
 product . . . (which no chemist that we are aware of hae 
 been able to absolutely analyse) "; a " Wallace improved dis- 
 tilling apparatus " is referred to, which separates alcohol and 
 oenanthic ether from 
 
 their .poisonous associates, acetic acid and fusel oil, which from tiheir being 
 absolutely poisonous, less volatile, and therefore cumulative, as this appa- 
 ratus demonstrates, they form the ohieif factor in producing those evils 
 commonly attributed to alcohol alone. 
 
 The diseases for which No. Ill is to be taken include 
 
 Seasickness, biliousness, and bilious vomiting, morning vomiting of 
 drunkards, morning .sickness during pregnancy, asthmatic breathing from 
 alcoholic indulgence. . . . Fatty degeneration of the heart. Acne. 
 Diabetes. Diarrhoea. . . . Megrim. Short-sightedness. . . . Dipsomania. 
 .... Delirium tremens. . . . Poisoning by deleterious chemical products 
 and 'herbs. 
 
 Among the symptoms " which indicate the requirement of 
 No. Ill are : 
 
 Excessive selfishness. . . . Kleptomania. Excessive meanness. . . 
 Intense pain, as if a nail were driven into 'the brain. . . . Parched tongue. 
 . . . Weak action of heart. . . . Rumbling in stomach and bowels, with 
 sickening pain. . . .
 
 218 
 
 The dose for adults is stated to be ten drops three times daily 
 in chronic cases, and in acute cases every five or ten minutes 
 till all painful or acute symptoms are dispelled ; but in the 
 more recent pamphlet the dose is stated to be twenty drops in 
 both kinds of cases. 
 
 Analysis showed it to contain 
 
 Caffeine 0.25 per cent. 
 
 Gane sugar 1.7 
 
 Glucose or invert sugar ... 0.6 ,, 
 
 Ash. 0.52 
 
 Alcohol 47.25 per cent, by volume 
 
 Extractive 3.12 
 
 The ash had the composition common to the ash of plant 
 extracts ; the extractive showed the peculiar character of the 
 extractive of coffee. Unroasted coffee contains cane sugar, 
 which 'is mostly changed to invert sugar and caramel in roasted 
 coffee; both contain caffeine. Tinctures of raw and roasted 
 coffee were prepared, and it was found that a mixture of the 
 two agreed almost perfectly with " No. III." in its characters 
 and behaviour to tests ; a tincture of a pale-roasted coffee would 
 have the same composition as the mixture of tinctures of raw 
 and roasted, and it is probable that that is what was actually 
 employed. The proportion of caffeine indicates about 1 part of 
 coffee to produce 5 parts of the tincture. The cost of the con- 
 tents of a 2s. 9d. bottle would be about l|d. 
 
 No. IV is stated to be a specific for warts, to be applied 
 by touching the parts affected several times daily. Very little 
 is said about it, and it was not analysed. 
 
 No. V and No. VI are stated to be worm specifics, No. V 
 being for small threadworms and long round worms, and No. VI 
 for tapeworms. No. V alone was examined. The dose is stated 
 to be seven to ten drops in a wineglass of water three times 
 daily. Analysis showed it to contain : 
 
 Alcohol 30.5 per cent, by volume 
 
 Ash 0.2 
 
 Reducing sugars 2.9 ,, 
 
 Extractive 1.7 
 
 The tincture was slightly acid. No active principle of any 
 sort could be detected, and the extractive and ash showed no 
 distinctive characters by which the plant from which they are
 
 219 
 
 derived could be identified. The liquid was compared with 
 tinctures of drugs that are or have been used for worms, but 
 with only negative results. 
 
 No. VII. It is stated in the book that: 
 
 " No. VII " is the Specific for gout (and is a tincture of Nux Moschata 
 [Nutmegs], prepared according to a special formula and from specially 
 selected fruits). 
 
 In the more recent pamphlet no information is given as to what 
 it is prepared from. The dose is given as twenty to thirty 
 drops in water, three times daily. 
 
 Analysis showed it to contain : 
 
 Alcohol 51.05 per cent, by volume 
 
 Ash 0.22 
 
 Reducing sugar 1.0 
 
 Fat and extractive 2.1 
 
 A tincture of nutmeg was prepared (not, however, " according 
 to a special formula ' ') and compared with it, and the two were 
 found to agree in all respecte. No indication was obtained of 
 any other ingredient; the proportion of nutmegs appeared to 
 be about 1 part to make 5 parts of the tincture. 
 
 The cost of the contents of a 2s. 9d. bottle would be about 2d. 
 
 No. VIII is for whooping-cough; but little is said about it 
 in the book, and it was not examined. 
 
 No. IX is described as : 
 
 The specific for mechanical haemorrhages (and is aloes, prepared accord- 
 ing to a special formula). 
 It was not analysed. 
 
 No. X is described as the specific for bruises, to which is 
 added in the book (" and is ' Wallace's Formula ' of Arnica 
 Montana"), but in the later pamphlet nothing is said about 
 the drug from which it is made. It is stated that 
 it does not produce the slightest erysipelatous swelling or other irritation 
 of the skin, which is so frequently experienced with the ordinary homoeo- 
 pathic mother tincture of arnica. For this reason the curative action or 
 healing power can be pushed to such a demonstration as to surpass 
 ordinary credibility. 
 
 The " diseases, symptoms, conditions, and mechanical injuries 
 for which ' No. X ' is the specific remedy " include 
 bruises, strains, sprains, shocks (electric or otherwise) . . . Effects of 
 tight-lacing . . . Corns resulting from mechanical pressure. Painful 
 effecta of straining with constipated movements of the bowela. . . . Effect* 
 of violent fits ; of miscarriages, 
 etc.
 
 220 
 
 The dose for adulte in chronic cases is seven to ten drops three 
 times daily in a wineglass of water, and in acute cases the same 
 every three hours. It is also to be applied externally. 
 
 Analysis showed it to contain : 
 
 Alcohol 26.6 per cent, by volume 
 
 Ash 0.38 
 
 Reducing sugars 0.55 
 
 Extractive 1.27 
 
 It did not possess the characteristic odour of arnica, but had 
 a vinous odour resembling that of sherry; in other respects it 
 agreed with a weak tincture of arnica in characters and 
 behaviour to tests. The official tincture of arnica contains 
 nearly three times as much alcohol as this; the cost of a weak 
 tincture, which would be scarcely affected by adding enough 
 sherry to give the vinous odour, would be about Hd. for the 
 quantity in a 2s. 9d. bottle. 
 
 No. XI. is described as the specific for cholera, and a long 
 extract is given in the book from " a Pamphlet, entitled 
 ' Cholera, its Cause and Cure,' by Joseph Wallace." In this 
 it is stated that the specific remedy is " Coffcea Cruda, or Tinc- 
 ture of Raw Mocha Coffee," the adult dose being three to ten 
 drops in a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful of water every five 
 minutes, prolonging the intervals gradually as amelioration sets 
 in. 
 
 It is stated that : 
 
 In the early stages of Cholera, when purging, or purging and vomiting 
 has commenced for a short time, three or four doses at five-minute intervals 
 I have always found sufficient to restore the bowels and stomach to as 
 perfectly natural a state as if there had not been the slightest derangement. 
 Such cases with me have never exceeded twenty minutes. . . . 
 
 If the patient has been allowed to pass into the state of collapse, and 
 when every energy of the body and mind has been prostrated, the same 
 course of treatment will produce a like result, but I would advise the dose 
 of ten drops to foe repeated every five minutes till amelioration takes place, 
 three to five drops sifter. I -would add hot applications to extremities and 
 sides, hand-rubbing as 'before, and in addition, where practicable. 
 prolonged breathing through a handkerchief over the region of the heart; 
 this last will restore the vital spark when apparently fled. 
 
 The formula is given as follows : 
 
 Steep one pound weight (avoirdupois) of well-dried and pulverised raw 
 MOCHA coffee in three and one-third pints (imperial measure) of strong 
 alcohol for two weeks. Shake it well occasionally ; filter through blotting 
 paper, and it is ready for use.
 
 221 
 
 Analysis of " No. XI." showed it to contain: 
 
 Caffeine 0.1 per cent. 
 
 Sugars (chiefly cane sugar) 0.7 ,, 
 
 Ash 0.26 
 
 Alcohol 51.05 per cent, by volume 
 
 Extractive 2.1 ,, 
 
 The tincture was darker in colour than a tincture of raw 
 coffee, and appeared rather to be made like " No. III.," from 
 pale roasted coffee, the proportion of the latter in this case b( ng 
 only about one part for twelve parts of tincture. No indication 
 was obtained of any other ingredient. The cost would be about 
 Ifd. for the quantity in a 2s. 9d. bottle. 
 
 No. XII. is described as the specific for ringworm, for which 
 it is to be taken internally, in the dose (for adults) of twenty 
 drops in a little water every eight hours, and also applied 
 externally, though nothing is said about external application in 
 the book, where the dose is said to be one to three minims in a 
 little water every three to eight hours. This " specific " is 
 stated in the book to be a tincture of Hydrastis Canadensis; it 
 was not analysed.
 
 CHAPTEE XV. 
 
 PKEPAKATIONS FOE THE HAIE. 
 
 The number of proprietary preparations for the hair which 
 are advertised widely is very considerable. They include 
 preparations for increasing the growth of the hair or curing 
 baldness, and preparations for altering the colouring of the 
 hair. The line of division, however, is not a sharp one ; 
 of the articles sold for altering the colour of the hair some 
 are plainly called dyes, but others are stated to restore the 
 colour of hair that is turning grey without dyeing it, and 
 for some of these it is also claimed that they increase the 
 growth of the hair. It is, therefore, more convenient to 
 arrange hair preparations in three groups namely, hair 
 growers, hair "restorers," and hair dyes. In this chapter 
 the results obtained by analysing a small number of prepara- 
 tions selected from each of these groups are given, together 
 with some extracts from the statements made in regard to 
 them by the proprietors, either on the labels or in circulars, 
 letters, or newspaper advertisements. 
 
 A. HAIR GROWERS. 
 
 TATCHO. 
 (THE " GEORGE R. SIMS " HAIR RESTORER.) 
 
 It appears from the label that there are three varieties of this 
 much-advertised preparation, known as " Tatcho " oily, 
 "Tatcho" non-oily, and " Tatcho ", (concentrated). The non- 
 oily, described as " A brilliant spirituous tonic, free from all
 
 223 
 
 grease," was taken for analysis. A bottle of this, containing 
 5 fluid ounces, was priced 2s. 9d. It is thus described : 
 
 The certain, 'trusty, genuine, right, honest Hair-Grower. There is no 
 
 other. 
 
 Without " Tatcho " loss of hair is inevitable, but Mr. Geo. R. SUM has 
 
 altered all that. 
 
 If your hair has 'become scanty or grey, get " Tatcho " to-day. It will 
 bring 'back the hair of your youth, make a new being of you, and give 
 you a new grip upon life. 
 
 The label and wrapper bear the following : 
 Certificate. 
 
 I guarantee that this Preparation is made according to the Formulae 
 recommended by me. 
 
 Geo. R. Sims. 
 The directions are : 
 
 Sprinkle a few drops on the head each morning, and brush the hair 
 thoroughly after application. 
 
 Analysis showed the composition to be : 
 
 Borax 2.7 parts 
 
 Glycerine 2.5 
 
 Quinine 0.006 part 
 
 Formaldehyde solution (40 per cent.) 0.38 part 
 
 Colouring matter (brownish-yellow), and perfume... traces 
 
 Alcohol 2.4 part? by measure 
 
 Water, sufficient to produce 100 parts by measure 
 
 The estimated cost of the ingredients for 5 fluid ounces is f d. 
 
 EDWARDS' HARLENE. 
 
 Some of the most conspicuous and recent advertisements of 
 this have been largely devoted to a method of treating the hair 
 called " Harlene Hair-drill." The preparation is supplied by 
 a firm in London. 
 
 The package contained a booklet on " Harlene Hair Drill," 
 from which the following extracts are taken : 
 
 Among all the scores of preparations for the Hair which are offered 
 to the public (and it may be taken for granted that the proprietors of 
 " Harlene" have analysed them all very carefully) many prove to be 
 so wide of the mark as to foe actually injurious in a very high degree, 
 while a few may do no particular harm, but certainly no good; for, ai. 
 we have said, Nature's requirements must be met in the precise measure 
 neither in a greater nor a less . , .
 
 224 
 
 " Harlene " alone answers all requirements; it has the property of 
 penetrating direct to the roots of the hair, stimulating them to renewed 
 vigour, cleansing the cells which line the way ; and, albove.all, it conveys to 
 the hair-bulbs the peculiar (food which they require the only food Nature 
 has ordained can act as nourishment for them, the food they otherwise 
 obtain from the blood. No other preparation contains this ingredient, 
 and therefore no other preparation can be successful. . . . 
 
 The proprietors of " Harlene " recognising that users of their specific 
 have an undoubted right to look to them for the best information obtain- 
 able on this subject, have, over a considerable period, conducted experi- 
 ments to test thoroughly every method of " drill " not requiring the use of 
 instruments. 
 
 Elaborate details follow of the method of carrying out the 
 "drill," of which a sample may suffice: 
 
 The manner in which a cat moves among shrubbery is a good illustration 
 as to the way the fingers should be moved through the hair ; the manner 
 in which a cat kneads its bed before laying on it, placing its paws on the 
 material on which it will sleep, and pressing it down in a kneading manner 
 until suitable, the paws never being lifted and 'brought down, but only 
 relaxed before the pressure is applied, is exactly how this movement m 
 f /he " drill " should be carried out. 
 
 Analysis showed the liquid to contain : 
 
 Borax , 0.5 part 
 
 Additional alkali, equivalent to anhydrous 
 
 sodium carbonate 0.04,, 
 
 Solution of ammonia (10 per cent.) 0.12,, 
 
 Glycerine 0.4 
 
 Brown colouring matter and perfume traces 
 
 Alcohol 5. 7 parts by measure 
 
 Water, sufficient to produce 100 parts by measure. 
 
 The small quantity of alkali, in excess of what was present as borax, 
 niy have been in combination with the colouring matter. 
 
 The estimated cost of ingredients for 6 fluid ounces is Id. 
 
 KOKO. 
 
 This preparation is sold by a limited company in London. A 
 4s. 6d. bottle contained 12J fluid ounces. 
 
 The following extracts are from a circular accompanying the 
 bottle : 
 
 Eradicates Scurf. Promotes Growth. Prevents Hair Falling. Con- 
 tains No Dye. Will positively Stop Hair from Falling Out, and prevent 
 it turning Prematurely Grey. Will certainly Increase the Growth of the 
 
 Hair, and if consistently used will make it Bright, Soft, and Wavy 
 
 The strong assertions of interested sellers of preparations cannot be relied
 
 225 
 
 on, and testimonials, as a Tule, cannot be safely taken as genuine unless 
 the position of the writer places him or her above suspicion. We often 
 think that .the public must ibe sick of seeing the eternal " This is the -best " 
 attached to every conceivable article which is offered for sale; and for 
 this reason we usually refrain from saying much about Koko, leaving it to 
 our illustrious patrons to speak of its good qualities. 
 
 The directions for use are: 
 
 The Ibest plan is to apply Koko freely, and brusih the scalp until a warm 
 glow is produced. This treatment should be practised once or twice a 
 day. or at intervals of a few days, according to the state of the scalp. 
 
 Analysis showed it to contain : 
 
 Borax 1.4 parts. 
 
 Glycerine 1.7 ,, 
 
 Formaldehyde solution (40 per cent.) 0.1 part. 
 
 Perfume a trace. 
 
 Alcohol 3 parts by measure. 
 
 Water, sufficient to produce 100 parts by measure. 
 
 The estimated cost of the ingredients for 12 fluid ounces 
 is Id. 
 
 B. HAIR RESTORERS. 
 LOCKYER'S SULPHUR HAIR RESTORER. 
 
 This article is supplied by a limited company in London, who 
 also sell other proprietary articles. The price of a bottle con- 
 taining 12 fluid ounces ie Is. 6d. It is described as: 
 
 The Best. The -Safest. The Cheapest. 
 
 Restores the colour to Grey Hair. Instantly stops the Hair firom 
 fading. Occasionally used, Greyness is impossible. If the Hair is actu- 
 ally Grey the Sulphur Restorer in six or seven days effects a great 
 alteration. By a gradual action, scarcely (perceptible even to watchful 
 observers, several darker shades will be attained. In a period of three 
 weeks a complete change occurs, and a colour exactly resembling that 
 lost will became manifest. 
 
 Where the Sulphur Restorer is applied scurf cannot exist, and a sense 
 of cleanliness, coolness, etc., prevails. 
 
 Directions : 
 
 Well shake the bottle, and immediately apply the Restorer to the root* 
 of the Hair. A very small sponge is convenient for this purpose. At 
 first it should be used daily, but when the required shade ifl obtained, 
 two or three times a week will suffice.
 
 Analysis showed it to contain : 
 
 Precipitated sulphur 1-3 parts 
 
 Lead acetate 1-6 ,, 
 
 Lead sulphate 0.4 
 
 Glycerine 9-6 ,, 
 
 Rose water sufficient to produce 100 parts by measure. 
 
 The lead sulphate was probably due bo some reaction having occurred 
 between the lead acetate and sulphur, with oxidation; assuming this to 
 be so, the amount of lead acetate originally present would be 2.1 parts. 
 
 The estimated cost of ingredients for 12 fluid ounces is 2d. 
 
 MEXICAN HAIR RENEWER. 
 
 A bottle of this preparation, which is sold by another limited 
 company, contained 7| fluid ounces ; the price was 3s. 6d. 
 
 It is described as : 
 
 For restoring grey hair to ite original colour without dyeing it. 
 
 For renewing or causing hair ito grow on bald spots. 
 
 For preventing dandriff and the hair from falling out. 
 
 For making the hair soft, glossy, pliant, and luxuriant. 
 
 Daily application of this preparation for a week or two will surely 
 restore Faded, Grey, or White Hair to ite natural colour and richness. 
 If properly applied, it never fails; 'but it should be well shaken before 
 using. It is not a dye, nor does it contain any colouring matter or offen- 
 sive substance whatever. Hence it does not soil the hands, the scalp, or 
 even white linen, but produces the colour within the substance of the 
 hair. In many cases it has been successful in causing new hair to grow 
 on bald spots, and it can be confidently recommended in all cases, unless 
 the hair-glande are decayed; for if the glands are decayed and gone, no 
 stimulant can restore them; but if, as is often the case, the glands are 
 only torpid, " The Mexican Hair Renewer " will renew their vitality, and 
 a new .growth of hair will follow. 
 
 Directions for use : 
 
 First. Turn the bottle cork downwards and shake it thoroughly. Turn 
 a little into a saucer, apply it briskly to the bald spots, and thoroughly 
 wet all the grey hair every morning for a few weeks, and, unless the hair 
 glands are decayed, new hair will grow, and the grey hair turn to its 
 original colour, then an occasional use is sufficient. 
 
 Analysis showed it to contain : 
 
 Precipitated sulphur 1.4 parts 
 
 Lead acetate 0.13,, 
 
 Glycerine 19.0 
 
 Rose water sufficient to produce 100 parts by measure. 
 A second bottle, however, contained 0.97 part of lead acetate in 100 
 parts by measure, or about eight times as much as the first bottle. 
 
 The estimated cost of the ingredients for 7| fluid ounces is 2d.
 
 227 
 
 VILIXIR. 
 
 A preparation called " Vilixir " is sold by a limited company 
 whose address is given as a "Hydro" in Kent. A 12s. 6d. 
 bottle contained 5 fluid ounces. This preparation has been 
 largely advertised of late, the advertisement in some cases taking 
 the form of a half-page display in a newspaper so worded as to 
 convey the impression that it was published as news. The 
 following extracts are from such an advertisement: 
 
 Great interest has 'been aroused by the recent announcement in this 
 paper of a unique and useful discovery made at the . . . Hydro, near 
 London, of a method of actually restoring the natural colour to faded, 
 grey, or white hair. 
 
 So much curiosity has been aroused, indeed, that the authorities have 
 been compelled to publish in pamphlet iform the full particulars of this 
 discovery (a copy of this interesting publication may be obtained on 
 application to the person and address given later in this second review of 
 the discovery and ate possibilities of usefulness to the Public). . . . 
 
 No actual colouring agent is employed in the new dye-less and stain- 
 less method. Instead, the hair's sleeping pigmentary process is 
 reawakened. . . . 
 
 The new way of making people's hair show true colours is, happily, an 
 inexpensive one. 
 
 The following extracts are from letters received from the 
 Vilixir Company, after application for the pamphlet mentioned 
 above : 
 
 The "Vilixir" Treatment differs from all other ways and means of 
 colouring the hair. It does not put on an artificial colour it will bring 
 out the natural colour of your hair. . . . 
 
 At this Hydro we have assistants who have become expert in the 
 obtaining of the (best ipossible results from *he Treatment, and if you 
 would like to have us do ail that is necessary for you, I shall be happy 
 to quote you terms (to include a short stay at this Hydro. . . . It is 
 not necessary to the success of the Treatment, however, that you carry 
 it out at this address. I can send toe ' Vilixir" and full directions to 
 enable you to restore the natural colour of your hair in tihe privacy of 
 your own home. 
 
 ... the "Vilixrr" Treatment is absolutely non4njurious either 
 to the skin or to the hair; its action is wholly beneficial in every way. 
 It promotes growth on the bald patches (unless the roots are absolutely 
 perished) ; it thickens and lengthens the growth over the whole of the 
 head ; it stops falling out, and, most important of all, its effects are com- 
 paratively permanent. 
 
 The directions on the label are : 
 
 Shake the bottle and apply the liquid night and morning to the scalp 
 with a small bru^h, nibbing in for two or three minutes, and finally 
 brush the hair for a few seconds with tJhe brush moistened with 
 " Vilixir." 
 
 P2
 
 The bottle of liquid that was sent in return for 12s. 6d. was 
 accompanied by about ounce of shampoo powder, for sham- 
 pooing the head before the first use of " Vilixir." This powder 
 was found to consist of 
 
 Borax 4.6 per cent. 
 
 Powdered soap 24.4 
 
 Partly exsiccated sodium carbonate 71.0 ,, 
 
 Analysis showed the liquid to contain: 
 
 Precipated Sulphur 3.2 parts. 
 
 Lead acetate 1.8 
 
 Glycerine 5.7 ,, 
 
 Rose water, sufficient to produce 100 parts iby measure. 
 
 The estimated cost of the ingredients for 5| fluid ounces of the 
 liquid and ounce of the powder is Id. 
 
 C. HAIR DYES. 
 W. SEEGER'S HAIR DYE. 
 
 This preparation bears a copy of signature " W. Seeger," and 
 the words " made in Germany " on the package, but no 
 address. 
 
 A bottle, price 2s., contained 1J fluid ounces. 
 Directions for use: 
 
 Before applying Seeger's, wash the ihair in lukewarm water in which 
 you ihave melted a ipdece of ordinary (household soda of /the size of a 
 walnut 'to each quant of water you use. Then, when the 'hair is per- 
 fectly dry, pour a little of the dye into a clean saucer, dip tihe teeth of a 
 perfectly clean fine tooth comb into the dye in the saucer, and pass the 
 comb several times 'through itfhe hair wfoere it is required to be dyed. 
 Now allow .tihe dye ito dry on itlhe hair. While the (hair is drying, comb it 
 now and then, so that 'the dye, which does not become visible for some 
 hours, may come in contact with the air and an equal (Shade be obtained. 
 The day following, the dye which has not dried in can be washed out with 
 clean water without soda. 
 
 The dye is prepared in three shades, for blonde, brown, and 
 black; the " brown " was taken for examination. 
 
 Analysis showed it to contain, in 100 parts by measure : 
 
 Pyrogallic aoid 3.8 parts. 
 
 Cupric chloride (anhydrous) 1.8 
 
 Hydrochloric acid (B.P. strength) 0.75 part 
 
 Sulphuric aoid 0.07 
 
 The liquid was much darker than a solution freshly prepared 
 according to this formula ; but the dyeing effect of the two was
 
 229 
 
 practically identical, and the difference in appearance appeared 
 to be due to decomposition of a part of the pyrogallic acid having 
 taken place in the original. 
 
 The estimated cost of the ingredients for 1^ fluid ounces is |d. 
 
 SHADEINE. 
 
 This preparation, sold from an address in London, was in a 
 bottle which contained 3| fluid ounces, and was priced 3s. 6d. 
 
 It is thus described : 
 
 Shadeine is a new and important chemical discovery which regenerates 
 and develops the original colour of grey and faded 'hair, at the same 
 time tinting it a perfectly natural colour. ... It contains neither 
 lead, silver, mercury, sulphur, nor any objectionable stain. 
 
 Directions for use : 
 
 Wash the hair, if in the least greasy, with soda and warm water. When 
 dry, pour a little Shadeine into a saucer, and with a small brush apply 
 evenly over Iftiie ipants ito "be coloured, ithen allow it to dry. A small 
 quantity only should be used at a time, and the colour allowed to develop 
 during the day. As soon as Ithe shade is satisfactory, wash or brush off 
 superfluous stain. 
 
 This preparation is made in seven colours. The one that was 
 taken for examination was labelled " Brown." 
 
 Analysis showed it to contain in 100 parts by measure : 
 
 PyrogalMc acid 2.1 parts. 
 
 Oupric dhitaridie (ainhydtrous) 1.3 ,, 
 
 Hydrochloric aoid (B. P. strength) 0.3 paiTi 
 
 The estimated cost of the ingredients for 3 fluid ounces is f d. 
 
 JUVENIA. 
 
 The hair dye called " Juvenia " is made in Paris, and supplied 
 by a firm having addresses in London and Birmingham. A 
 package, price 4s. , contained two bottles, Nos. 1 and 2, each con- 
 taining about 2J fluid ounces; the liquids to be mixed at the 
 time of using. 
 
 It is thus described : 
 
 This marvellous dye is guaranteed .not to contain mercurial salts, it is 
 altogether of a vegetable nature and harmless. 
 
 "Juvenia" instantly restores white hair and grey beard to their 
 original colour, from auburn to the most jet black tinta.
 
 230 
 
 We specially recommend persons who wish <to dye their hair or bea-rd 
 to (follow our advice word for word. 
 
 It is well known thait subjects suffering from arthritis, herpes, or 
 eczema ought to abstain from eating sea-fish, shell-fish, sorrel, straw- 
 berries, etc., under penalty of provoking eruptions or eczema spots. 
 Accordingly, generally speaking, suoh persons ought to entirely give up 
 the use of all instanitaneous dye, and make use of nothing else than our 
 progressive regenerators alone, Uhe use of which we advise for them, in 
 preference to any other. 
 
 If, in spite of OUT advice, those persons subject to the above-mentioned 
 affections persist in dyeing their hair, they ought at any rate to consult 
 their doctor. 
 
 It is necessary, in fact, to have oneself thoroughly examined as far aa 
 the scalp is concerned before the application of a dye, and this recom- 
 mendation may especially be given to ladies. At times they may prick 
 themselves with (their combs, their (hat or hair-pins, the result being small 
 sores which ought not to be irritated or skinned. Tflie scalp ought to be 
 absolutely dnrtact, and if need foe, one must wait tiffl aH flaying is well 
 healed. 
 
 Analysis showed the "liquid No. 1" to be a solution of 
 hydrogen peroxide containing 2 per cent, of real peroxide, or 
 two-thirds the strength of the ordinary "10 volume " solution. 
 Liquid No. 2, or " Juvenia " iteelf, was found to contain: 
 
 Paraphenylene-diamine 0.9 per cent. 
 
 Solution of ammonia ; 0.6 ,, 
 
 with a trace of fixed alkali, probably dissolved out of the 
 glass of fche bottle. 
 
 A solution prepared in accordance with this formula gave an 
 exactly similar result in dyeing hair. The estimated cost of the 
 ingredients for the contents of the two bottles is l|d. 
 
 The danger of using paraphenylene-diamine as a hair-dye has 
 often been pointed out, and is well known. When used in this 
 way symptoms of poisoning are sometimes quickly produced, 
 but in other cases they do not occur until after it has been used 
 for weeks or even months. In "addition to urticaria and eczema 
 produced locally, general symptoms of poisoning may result, 
 and in some cases deaths have occurred from this cause.
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 SOME MISCELLANEOUS MEDICINES. 
 
 TWO PEEPAEATIONS FOE SEA-SICKNESS. 
 
 Many proprietary and other medicines for sea-sickness 
 have been put forward from time to time, both as preven- 
 tives and cures, but usually without attaining to any very 
 wide adoption. The first of the two preparations here 
 described has been very widely advertised in the last few 
 years; the second one, which is shown by analysis to be 
 very similar in composition, appears to be of Canadian 
 origin. 
 
 ZOTOS. 
 
 This is supplied by Zotos, Limited, London ; the price is 
 2s. 9d. per box containing twelve capsules. 
 
 It is described on tlie outside of the package as " the infallible 
 remedy against sea sickness " ; on the inner package it is stated 
 that 
 
 Zotos is an infallible remedy against sea sickness, train sickness, etc. 
 
 Zotos not only prevents sickness but stimulates the appetite. 
 
 Zotos contains no injurious drug and produces no bad after-effects. 
 
 A circular contained in the package gives a so-called 
 " analytical report " on the preparation, in which it is stated 
 that the capsules are " free from any noxious ingredient," and 
 that the contents " consist of compounds of high therapeutic 
 activity." 
 
 Somewhat lengthy directions are given, the principal part 
 being as follows : 
 
 The capsules to be swallowed whole and to be taken before, not after, a 
 meal.
 
 232 
 
 Take a capsule half an hour before the steamer sails, another just as the 
 eteamer leaves, and a third (though this is rarely required) half an hour 
 later. Afterwards, if any uneasiness be caused by the movement of the 
 vessel, capsules may 'be taken from time to time up to 6 per day. If 
 travelling by night, take a capeule on going to bed and another half an 
 hour 'before getting up. 
 
 The capsules were found to contain a pink powder, the 
 average weight of the contents of one being 6.3 grains. Analysis 
 showed the powder to consist of a mixture of sugar of milk and 
 chlorbutol, with traces of colouring and flavouring matters. 
 Chlorbutol, or trichlor-tertiary butyl alcohol, is better known 
 under the trade name, Chloretone. It is described in the British 
 Pharmaceutical Codex as "a local anaesthetic, analgesic, and 
 antiseptic." "Its anaesthetic properties are specially exerted 
 upon the stomach, small repeated doses being used to allay post- 
 operative vomiting and sea sickness." 
 
 The proportions of the ingredients were found to be : 
 
 Chlorioutol 76.9 per cent. 
 
 Lactose 23.0 
 
 No other substance was found, except the traces of colouring 
 and flavouring matters already mentioned. 
 
 The estimated cost of the ingredients for twelve capsules is 5d. 
 
 MOTHERSILL'S SEASICK REMEDY. 
 
 This preparation is supplied by a limited company giving 
 addresses in London and Montreal. The package bears the 
 words " Made in Canada." 
 
 It is stated on the label tha-t it- 
 Stops and Prevents any case of Seasickness, Trainsickness, and all 
 nausea caused by motion, climbing, etc. "Guaranteed not to contain 
 cocaine, opium, morphine, or chloral. It does not affect the heart or liver, 
 or cauee unpleasant symptoms. 
 
 A 2s. 3d. package contained six capsules, three containing 
 pink powder and three brown. The dose is given as one of each 
 kind, taken together, so that the package contained three doses.
 
 233 
 
 The average weight of the contents of each capsule was 
 11 grains. Analysis showed the powders to have the following 
 composition : 
 
 Pink Powder. 
 
 Sugar of milk 33.3 per cent. 
 
 Caffeine 8.2 
 
 Stearic acid 18.0 
 
 Chlorbutol 40.1 
 
 Colouring matter a trace. 
 
 Brown Powder. 
 
 Powdered cinnamon 29.4 per cent. 
 
 Caffeine 8.4 
 
 Stearic acid 17.4 
 
 Chlorbutol 44.5 
 
 The stearic acid is probably added as a lubricant, to facilitate 
 the filling of the powder into the capsules, although the amount 
 is large for the purpose. 
 
 The estimated cost of the ingredients for the six capsules 
 is 2d. 
 
 A CURE-ALL. KOKPUSDOON. 
 
 In addition to the many proprietary medicines which are 
 widely and generally advertised, a very large number are adver- 
 tised only or principally in some particular locality, and such 
 preparations sometimes attain a very considerable local sale. 
 The claims made for these medicines do not show any more 
 modest pretensions than those more widely advertised, while the 
 ignorance of the makers is sometimes even more evident. 
 
 A medicine of this class, made in a Lancashire town, is called 
 " Korpusdoon." It is stated on the label to be " Prepared only 
 by Mrs. Ann Briggs, Health Specialist (for the Korpusdoon 
 Medicine and Health Food Co.)." The price is 2s. 3d. per 
 bottle, and the bottle bought for examination contained 
 25 fl. oz. The dose is given as, for an adult one teacupful 
 every other morning; for children, half dose every other 
 morning. 
 
 The nature of the claims made for it is shown by the follow- 
 ing extracts, the first of which is from a newspaper advertise- 
 ment, and the second from the label on the bottle: 
 
 Why suffer from Influenza when Korpusdoon puts a check on all poison- 
 ous acid from which all diseases originate, and cleanses from the system 
 all bad germs.
 
 234 
 
 The Virtues of this Famous Medicine " Korpusdoon." 
 
 It kills and clears away from the Stomach and Nasal Passages all the 
 accumulation of poisonous acids which, after 20 years of keen and careful 
 observation, I find to be the cause of all the ailments the body is liable 
 to, such as Catarrh of the Stomach, Nasal Catarrh, Fermentation of the 
 Stomach, Influenza, Hay Fever, Eczema, Gall -Stones, Gout, Goitre, Rheu- 
 matism, Lumbago, Neuralgia, Appendicitis, Consumption, Irregularities 
 of the Heart, Loss of Memory and Nerve trouble, Paralysis, Bright's 
 Disease, Whooping Cough, Measles, Scarlet Fever, Typhoid, Diphtheria, 
 and Small-pox. A sure preventative of Tumour and Cancer. 
 
 It is a great beautifier of the Skin and Hair. 
 
 In the newspaper advertisement the maker's name and 
 address are followed by the words " At Home Mondays and 
 Saturdays," which is presumably an intimation that she can 
 be consulted professionally at those times. 
 
 Analysis showed the mixture to contain magnesium sulphate 
 and an extract of liquorice, flavoured with aniseed and sas- 
 safras, and further sweetened with a little chloroform. Careful 
 search did not afford any indication of any other constituent. 
 The colour was much darker than the colour which results if 
 the ordinary liquid extract of liquorice is employed, and the 
 latter contains alcohol, which was absent from the mixture ; but 
 it was found that by taking ordinary " stick liquorice," and boil- 
 ing it with the Epsom salts, a dark liquor was obtained agreeing 
 closely with the original. Possibly the flavour of aniseed and 
 sassafras is got by boiling these drugs with the Epsom salts and 
 liquorice, but a mixture in which they were added respectively 
 as the water and the essential oil was practically indistinguish- 
 able from "Korpusdoon." The quantities of the different in- 
 gredients found were as follows: 
 
 Magnesium sulphate 624 grains. 
 
 Extract of liquorice (from " stick liquorice ") 550 ,, 
 
 Chloroform (= chloroform water 4 fl. oz.) 5 minims. 
 
 Oil of sassafras 3 
 
 Aniseed water 5 fl. oz. 
 
 Water to 25 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients, 2|d. 
 
 A RADIUM SALVE. 
 
 Long advertisements have appeared recently in the daily 
 papers of a radium salve stated to have been discovered by Dr. 
 S. Saubermann, who gives an address in Berlin. The salve is 
 sold in this country by a company which describes itself as
 
 235 
 
 " manufacturing chemists to the medical profession." We are 
 told in a pamphlet issued by this company that Dr. Saubermann's 
 formula has been embodied and improved upon in the radium 
 salve they sell. It is stated further that the salve is impregnated 
 with the " radium salt in the proportion of 1 in 500,000," a 
 quantity which " must not be exceeded, as otherwise the absorp- 
 tion by the skin and the well-known action of the strong and 
 penetrating rays will do more harm than good." It is described 
 as a remedy for lupus, cancer, and all diseases of the skin, with a 
 bountiful "etc." 
 
 The company also sells various other preparations : A medical 
 soap, a blood purifier, and an elixir of life. A certificate purport- 
 ing to have been given by Dr. Saubermann in December, 1907, 
 states that the ore which the company has acquired was 
 " uranium refuse concentrated from the mines at Joachimsthal." 
 In the advertisement a list is given of ' ' leading scientists on 
 radium," but the advertisers do not go so far as to say that any 
 of them have anything to do with the radium salve. There is also 
 a quotation from The British Medical Journal, which we need 
 hardly say had no reference whatever to the salve or its manu- 
 facturers. 
 
 The salve is " sold at 2s. 9d., 5s., 10s., 20s., and 30s., accord- 
 ing to radioactivity." Mr. Frederick Soddy, M.A., Lecturer 
 on Physical Chemistry and Radioactivity in the University of 
 Glasgow, has been good enough to examine the salve for us, and 
 the following is his report : 
 
 " I received the two pots of radium salve you sent me, and 
 have examined the radioactivity of the stronger preparation 
 namely, that marked ' Strong, 5s.' The alpha radioactivity of 
 the preparation is just detectable, and is about one-hundredth 
 part of that of uranium. The beta radiation is too feeble to be 
 detected by a sensitive electroscope. For comparison I might 
 mention that the residues from the uranium ore of Joachimsthal, 
 which forms the initial raw material from which radium is 
 extracted, have an alpha radioactivity about four times that of 
 uranium." 
 
 A RINGWORM CURE. " DETHBLO." 
 
 " Dethblo," or Wilson's Patent Ringworm Cure, is supplied 
 by an individual in a small town in the home counties, a Is. ld. 
 package contained a bottle holding rather less than 2 fluid 
 drachms of the preparation, and a brush for applying it.
 
 236 
 
 It is advertised in the following terms : 
 
 THIS PREPARATION has been, used by the Proprietor for many years in 
 the treatment of 'Hundireds of Cases, iand has never once failed to 
 Cure .... 
 
 An imnrovemenit is visible after one application. Two or thire* dressings 
 in any but exceptionally severe cases are sufficient to effect a Cure. 
 
 No necessity for Cutting the Hair or Shaving tibe Head. 
 
 It Curp.a when sal other remedies ihave been tried and failed. Obstinate 
 oases, after eighteen months of other treatment, have yielded to a few 
 applications of "Dethblo." 
 
 It iis Harmiless to Hair or Scalp of even the youngest children ; infants 
 in arms have been successffiilly treated on many occasions. 
 
 The directions on the label are : 
 
 Applv with brash enclosed, well penetrating tihe infected parts with 
 "DETHBT.D." Treatment should be given errery other day, for a few 
 days, and the infected -part should not be washed until satisfactory im- 
 provement is noticed. 
 
 Analysis showed the liquid to contain ferrous sulphate and 
 acetic acid ; a trace of coloured organic matter was also present, 
 such as would be due to a small portion of the acetic acid having 
 been added in the form of vinegar, and the odour of the liquid 
 resembled that of vinegar rather than that of acetic acid only. 
 The quantities found were, in 100 parts by measure : 
 
 Ferrous sulphate 33.7 parts 
 
 Acetic acid (calculated as glacial) 11.9 by measture 
 
 Careful search did not reveal the presence of any other ingre- 
 dient. 
 
 Estimated cost of ingredients of 2 fluid drachms, ^d. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS GERMAN NOSTRUMS. 
 
 Reports published by Dr. F. Zernik on various proprietary 
 medicines sold in Germany include the following : 
 
 Sprengel's herbal juice, is a preparation which Bernhard Sprengel of 
 Hanover claims to be harmless, and as it consists of blood purifying 
 herbs and roots, and not a secret remedy, he recommends it for all sorts 
 of diseases, especially for diphtheria, trichinosis, whooping-cough., etc. 
 The bottle (which costs M.1.25, about Is. 3d.) contains about 30 c.cm. of 
 a turbid brown fluid of acid reaction. It contains powdered jalap bulbs, 
 suspended in a watery extract o<f frangula (or some similar doing), to which 
 alcohol and liquorice have been added. Its jalap content renders the 
 free sale of this preparation umd-awful im Germany.
 
 237 
 
 Dealin Powder, a Berlin preparation, is described as an antiseptic medi- 
 cament for wounds containing "a highly active oxygen combined with 
 a dry faMv substance." On examination no dry fatty substance was 
 found, and the "highly active oxygen " iwas represented by sodium per- 
 borate. The chief constituents of this preparation were : 20 parts of 
 sodium oerborate, 10 parts of 'boric acid, 10 parts of zinc oxide, and 60 
 parts of a mixture of talc with traces of starch and magnesium carbonate. 
 
 Hochfelder Pitch Plaster is advertised by the manufacturers as a porous 
 plaster prepared with gum elastic, and as the best external medicament 
 for the treatment of painful affections which follow cold, blows, over- 
 exertion or other disturbances of the nervous or muscular activity. 
 The examination showed that the preparation did not contain any 
 pitch at all, and that its composition was similar to that of 
 " Collemplastrum capsicum," a plaster, which according to an Imperial 
 Order dated November 22nd, 1901, must not be offered for sale in drug 
 shops. As pitch plaster is not included in this Order, the manufac- 
 turers considered that they would be safe in applying this description 
 to the nlaisiter. 
 
 Franz Lammersdorf's universal chilblain cream, a Hanover preparation, 
 to fee appJied tihinly on the chilblain and covered with wool and a bandage, 
 and renewed every twenty-four hours, was found to consist of about 
 25 grams of extract of malt. Dr. Zernik points out that this is a curiously 
 original medicament for chilblains. 
 
 Jehnol is advertised as differing from all other preparations in its power 
 of aJlayincr all forms of toothache, including the most severe. It is a fluid, 
 and three or four drops are to be applied on a piece of cotton-wool to 
 the oavitv of the tooth. A small bottle containing about 3 c.cm. of an 
 alcoholic solution of oil of cloves and other ethereal oils, and possibly 
 also cajeput and camphor, and coloured green with chlorophyll, costs 
 30 pfennnVs. that is, about 3Jd. 
 
 Epocol is advertised by a Vienna firm, as a "new, absolutely non 
 poisonous oresote preparation, possessing extraordinary disinfecting pro- 
 perties." The dose mentioned is from 1 to 10 grains a day, according 
 to the ap of the patient. No details are given with regard to the com- 
 position of the preparation, and Zernik concludes from the results of Ms 
 analysis Miiat this ' ' new ' ' preparation is a mixture of 45 per cent, 
 sodium benzoate, 30 per cent, ammonium sulpho-guaiacolate, and 25 per 
 cent, potassium isulpho-guaiacolate. The ammonium salt of sulpho- 
 guaiacolio acid is not used in medicine, the potassium salt is used under 
 the name of thiocol, while the calcium salt and the sodium salt are also 
 used. The action of the sulpho-guaiacolates is sufficiently well known, 
 and the claim of novelty cannot, therefore, (be 'sustained. Zernik does not 
 consider the preparation worth further criticism. 
 
 Bauch's Busenndhrcreme (bosom nutrient cream) is sold at 4s. 6d. for 
 two boxes, which are said to be necessary for the production of full 
 breasts. The actual value of the boxes aind tlheir contents is between 
 4d. and 5d., the cream consisting of mineral fat perfumed -with oil of 
 rose. The Karlsruhe authority has issued a warning on the ground that 
 the substance cannot possibly produce the effect claimed in view of its 
 oomposifcinm.
 
 238 
 
 Nineita is a similar preparation. It is described as an Oriental 
 strengthening and nutrient powder. It consists of a powdered legu- 
 minous flour with sugar and lecithin). 
 
 Biisteria (made by D. F. Steiner, of Berlin) is another " Oriental 
 strength-giving powder," which is sold at an absurdly high price. The 
 Berlin police have issued a public warning against it. It consists of 
 bean and pea flour. 
 
 Oxygar is supposed to be a vegetable preparation saturated with 
 hydrogen peroxide. The vegetable substance is agar-agar. It is sup- 
 posed to contain about 10 per cent. H 2 2 , but the manufacturers call 
 attention to the fact that the preparation loses in strength after a tame. 
 Frexiohs found that fresh oxygar contained hydrogen peroxide varying 
 in amount from 0.6 to 14.4 per cent., that the amount decreased within 
 a short time, and after a few weeks even sank to nil. In cold water 
 all tihe hydrogen peroxide was liberated witMn a few minutes. It thus 
 appears very doubtful whether the pjeroxide would not be liberated in 
 the stomach, in spite of the fact that t!he man<ufa<jtuTers claim as an 
 advantage of the preparation that the H 2 2 is not liberated until the 
 intestine iis reached, and then only slowly. 
 
 Spiritol is supposed to be an ideal substitute for spirit and to have 
 nearly all the physical qualities of spirit, to be free from acid and alkali, 
 to be miscible in all proportions with water or spirit, and to volatilize 
 without residue. It is introduced for the preparation of cosmetic and 
 pharmaceutic preparations, etc. The analysis revealed that it consisted 
 chiefly of methyl a Icohol, which was not even pure. 
 
 Verovhp.n mouth water is advertised as a protective against all infectious 
 diseases. It consists of a 0.2 per cent, solution of chinosol in water. A 
 bottle containing 100 c.cm. of the fluid costs Is. 6d. "Verophen" for 
 mouth washes is also sold at Is. 6d., while Verophen for the telephone 
 costs 3s. 
 
 According to the law in Germany, chemical combinations of antipyrin 
 may be sold to the public, but simple mixtures of antipyrin and other 
 known substances may not ibe sold, save on a medical practitioner's 
 prescription. Sulfopyrin is one of these mixtures which was offered 
 for sale as a sulphanilate of antipyrin. Another is Meligrin, which is 
 described as a condensation of dimethyloxychinicin and methylacetamide. 
 These terms are technical but rarely used names for antipyrin and exalgin. 
 The analysis revealed that the preparation was a mixture of 86 parts of 
 the former and 14 parts of the latter. Exalgin has been practically with- 
 drawn from the market in -favour of the more active and better acetanilide. 
 
 A chemist named Taubert produces a "pleasant tasting headache 
 powder (ammon. spiric. puriss.)," which is supposed to act rapidly in 
 migraine, influenza, neuralgia, rheumatism, colds, etc. It appears that 
 ammonium salicylate has an obscure synonym, "ammonium spiricum." 
 Since the ammonium salt is scarcely ever used in medicine, the law does 
 not mention it as well as the sodium salt among those medicaments which 
 may not be sold without medical prescription. The chemist therefore 
 sells it without fear. The weight of the single powders varied between 
 0.39 and 0.6 ffram.
 
 In dealing with false description, Zernik mentions Mergandol, which 
 is recommended by ils producers as an antisyphilitic remedy for intra- 
 muscular injection and for external application. It ie described as a 
 solution of sodium mercury glycerate in glycerine ; 1 c.cm. of the solution 
 is said to contain 0.0035 gram of mercury. Sodium glycerate is recog- 
 nised as an unstable compound, 'but neither a mercury glycerate nor a 
 sodium mercury glycerate i? known. The analysis showed that inergandol 
 is a mixture of perchloride of mercury and sodium chloride (0.5 of the 
 former and 0.1 of the latter) dissolved in 100 parts of diluted glycerine. 
 Each cubic centimetre would 'therefore contain 0.0044 gram of Hg. The 
 bottle, containing 50 c.cm., cost* 2s. 2d., which is at least twice as much 
 as any chemist is allowed to charge ifor making up a similar prescription. 
 
 Eulatin is a white, almost odourless, mildly acid-tasting powder. It 
 is supposed to be an amido-bromine-benzoate of dimethyl-phenyl-pyrazolon. 
 Dr. Eriedmann has described this preparation as a useful remedy for 
 whooping-cough when given in doses of 0.1 to 0.5 gram every three or 
 four hours. Dimethyl-phenyl-pyrazolon or antipyrin was found to be 
 present, but the analysis failed .to reveal a trace of amido-bromine benzoic 
 acid, a compound which has definite chemical characteristics. The rest of 
 the substance was found to consist of parabromine benzoic acid and 
 orthoamido-benzoic acid ; two parts of the former with antipyrin in mole- 
 cular proportions were .present to each one part of the latter, also with 
 antipyrin in molecular proportions. The mixture thus differs very 
 materially from the supposititious chemical compound described by the 
 manufacturers. Dr. Zernik considers that Dr. Friedmann should have 
 been more careful in expressing himself with regard to the composition. 
 The value of antipyrin in pertussis is well recognised. 
 
 Barkowski's Irrigal tablets are advertised as containing all the active 
 components of wood vinegar in dry form, delicately .perfumed and being 
 easily soluble in water. One or two tablet* are supposed to be dissolved 
 in a glass or cup of hot water, and added to warm water in an irrigator. 
 A glass containing 40 l : gram tablets costs 3s. The solid .form of wood 
 vinegar possesses an alkaline reaction ! On analysis it was found to consist 
 mainly of dehydrated sodium acetate with traces of tar and creosote. 
 This is very different from wood vinegar, which contains tarry substances, 
 free acetic acid, and some empyreumatic substances. 
 
 Vilja cream is now described correctly. Its constituents are diluted 
 aqueous extracts of indifferent vegetable substances, wool fat, ceresin, and 
 vaselin, and some ethereal oils, which smell like the oil of rosemary. 
 
 Automors as a widely advertised disinfectant, prepared by Heyl Brothers 
 and Co., Charlottenburg. The advertisement* claim that it is a new, 
 strong, and harmless disinfectant, acting five times as strongly as carbolic 
 acid. The analysis showed it to consist of about 3 per cent, phenols and 
 carbohydrates, about 16 per cent, phenol sulphate, with 15 per cent, of 
 free sulphuric acid. It would appear that this is an old preparation under 
 a new name; formerly it was known as sanatol. The free sulphuric acid 
 content renders it not harmless but actually highly poisonous. Its disin- 
 fecting power is iar weaker than that of carbolic acid, save in a very 
 exceptional circumstance, while its claims to act against hies are also false.
 
 240 
 
 JOHN P. HAIG'S " CURE " FOR GOITRE. 
 
 Some information with regard to Haig's goitre cure is given in a paper 
 by J. Kochs in the Apotheker-Zeitung, abstracted in the Pharmaceutical 
 Journal for April 14th, 1906, p. 447. According to this the " cure " com- 
 prises : Powders, consisting of sodium bicarbonate, coloured pale red ; 
 ointment, consisting of a sodium soap with yellow soft paraffin ; pastilles, 
 consisting of sodium bicarbonate, aloes, and a little oil of caraway; 
 pastilles, consisting of extract of hydrastis.
 
 CHAPTEE XVII. 
 
 UNQUALIFIED PEACTICE THROUGH THE POST. 
 
 It will have been observed that the various articles 
 described in the preceding chapters and in the earlier volume 
 show considerable variations in regard to the procedure by 
 which they are placed in the hands of the public. They may 
 be roughly divided into three classes ; the first, and probably 
 largest class, consists of those which are supplied to the 
 public through the ordinary retail channels, such as 
 chemists, stores, etc. The second class consists of similar 
 articles, also sold under the proprietary medicine stamp, but 
 supplied only, or chiefly, direct from the maker or pro- 
 prietor to the consumer through the post, and not through 
 retailers ; in this case the proprietor reaps the full retail 
 price, and having the names and addresses of consumers, is 
 able to plant advertising matter or letters where they are 
 most likely to take effect, and to apply later for "un- 
 solicited" testimonials. In the third class also the 
 medicine is supplied direct to the consumer, but before 
 it is sent, a list of questions, or "symptom form," 
 is submitted for answers to the questions to be filled 
 in by the patient, on the pretext that the medicines 
 will be "modified" or "selected," according to the 
 nature of the case; here, again, the full retail price 
 goes to the proprietor, and with the particulars sup- 
 plied by the patient, future letters urging continuance 
 of the "treatment," or the taking of some stronger or 
 additional article can be made more effective; no doubt, 
 
 2
 
 242 
 
 also, such particulars are of use in working up an account 
 of the case which shall be of the nature of a testimonial, 
 when the purchaser has been persuaded that he is cured, or 
 has really been cured by or in spite of the medicine. 
 
 In some advertisements the departure from the mere 
 recommendation of a particular nostrum goes further, and 
 the advertiser claims to be a " specialist ' ' in some particular 
 kind of disease, and to treat each case individually, accord- 
 ing to the particulars furnished by post, or sometimes to 
 treat any and every disease on the information supplied in 
 the same way. The border line between these and the 
 preceding class is very indistinct. In this chapter some 
 further particulars are 'given of advertisers of these 'two 
 classes. 
 
 The nostrums already reported on have included one or 
 more in which a " symptom form " has figured in each of 
 the following groups: "female medicines," medicines for 
 obesity, sexual weakness, skin affections, " bad legs," 
 alcoholism, rheumatism, and deafness. In most cases the 
 first supply of medicine was followed up by letters insisting 
 on the great importance of taking it uninterruptedly, or 
 asking for particulars of the results attained. In the case of 
 medicines for amenorrhcea, in every instance the article first 
 supplied was accompanied or followed by recommendations 
 of a stronger one, said to be certain to succeed if the first 
 failed, and, of course, sold at a higher price. In many cases 
 where the original communication was not an order for 
 medicine but merely an inquiry , the letter sent in reply was 
 followed at intervals by a number of others, emphasising in 
 a sensational manner the terrible seriousness of delay in 
 obtaining the " cure," and frequently offering the latter at a 
 gradually diminishing price, as at a cheap-jack's "Dutch 
 auction." This offer of reduced price is sometimes made 
 conditionally on the purchaser supplying six names of other 
 persons known by him to be suffering from the complaint ID
 
 243 
 
 question ; so that if the terms were accepted the vendor 
 would be kept supplied with a list of names and addresses, 
 ever increasing on the ' ' snowball ' ' principle , of persons 
 likely to be susceptible to his letters. The letters sent 
 usually appear on casual inspection to be type-written com- 
 munications written to the individual, who is frequently 
 addressed by name as "Dear Mr. (or Mrs.) ," or as 
 " Dear Friend" ; but closer examination has almost always 
 shown that they are really circulars produced by one of the 
 multiple copy processes with a typewriter, the individual's 
 name being inserted afterwards. These circulars usually 
 contain expressions of strong or special interest in ' ' your 
 case," even when no case has been mentioned and the 
 " symptom form " has not been filled up. In fact, there is 
 every reason to suppose, in regard to most nostrums sold in 
 this way, that the composition of the medicine sent is in no 
 way modified in consequence of the details supplied. 
 
 Extracts from one or two typical letters may be given as 
 examples. 
 
 THE NATIONAL COLLEGE OF HEALTH, LTD. 
 
 In Chapter XI. we gave some account of certain medi- 
 cines supplied by the " National College of Health, Ltd." 
 After an interval the person who had ordered the medicines 
 analysed received the following : 
 
 Dear Mrs. , 
 
 We are extremely sorry that you have not allowed us to see your 
 case through to a successful termination. We are taking a special interest 
 in your case, and as you have gone to some expense, and as we want to 
 be of real help to you, it is a pity for you to throw away this opportunity 
 of being permanently cured. 
 
 Let us implore you as a friend not to neglect the advice we gave you 
 in our last letter, for if you do we fear you will not get well, or if so will 
 not remain permanently cured. If you neglect the simple precaution of 
 purifying your blood and keeping it pure for a reasonable period, it will 
 be your own fault if you do not get well and remain so, which is what 
 we earnestly desire. 
 
 To effect a permanent and lasting cure, it is absolutely necessary that 
 you should take the Blood mixture for a reasonable period. Neglecting 
 this is not fair either to yourself or to the Tremol Treatment, which has 
 done so much good for those who carry it out conscientiously.
 
 244 
 
 The date, name and address, and the words " Dear 
 
 Mrs. " are seen on careful examination to have been added 
 
 with a typewriter to a circular letter. From this it would 
 appear that the number of those who purchase the " Tremol 
 Treatment " but do not feel sufficiently encouraged by the 
 results to "carry it out conscientiously" is large enough to 
 make it worth while to have a circular ready to send to them ; 
 also that it is a routine matter to assure them that " we are 
 taking a special interest in your case." It appears impossible 
 to doubt that large numbers of people are lured by such assur- 
 ances into sending their money for such " treatment." But 
 there are two considerations affecting this kind of practice 
 which are so obvious that it might have been supposed that they 
 would occur to anyone. The first is that the absentee pre- 
 scriber is an anonymous and unknown person for example, the 
 letter quoted above is signed (with a stamp) " J. S. Chatterton, 
 Doctor's Secretary"; the "doctor" does not appear. In 
 other cases it is "our consulting physician," our "specialist," 
 or "our medical staff," etc., never anyone whose qualifications 
 and experience can be ascertained. In the second place, it can 
 hardly be supposed that writing down a few answers to ques- 
 tions can supply a prescriber with an adequate knowledge of a 
 given case such as can be obtained by personal consultation and 
 examination. The meagreness of the information which will 
 satisfy these anonymous prescribers is remarkable. 
 
 THE SUTTON MEDICAL COMPANY. 
 
 Another circular in imitation of typewriting which is before 
 us, headed " The Sutton Medical Co.," looks like an attempt to 
 imitate the Kidd Company's methods, though on a more re- 
 stricted scale. It is dated from Clerkenwell, London, and com- 
 mences : 
 
 Dear Friend, 
 
 Do you or any of your friends stand in need of medical treatment ? 
 We make a speciality of kidney and bladder trouble and rheumatism, in 
 fact all complaints arising from uric acid poisoning. . . . 
 
 To introduce these remedies we are going to give away 10,000 Proof 
 Sample Treatments. They will be sent post-paid and absolutely free. 
 You are one of the ten thousand selected to receive a Proof Sample Treat- 
 ment, because we believe that if they cure you your influence in your 
 neighbourhood will secure other patients. . . . We will also send you 
 entirely free a copy of " Button's Talk on the Kidneys." . . . Answer 
 the questions on the printed form and post it to-day.
 
 S45 
 
 The printed form was filled up with the details of an im- 
 aginary case; but whether, in the interval that had elapsed 
 between receiving the circular and sending for the medicine, the 
 Sutton Medical Company had concluded that they were mis- 
 taken in the belief that " your influence in your neighbourhood 
 will secure other patients," or whether the giving away " 10,000 
 treatments " had caused them to collapse, or from some other 
 reason, no medicine or answer of any sort was received. 
 
 THE J. W. KIDD COMPANY. 
 
 One of the most extensive businesses of the kind we are con- 
 sidering is that run by the J. W. Kidd Company, of Fort 
 Wayne, U.S.A., some particulars of which have previously 
 been given (Secret Remedies, Vol. I., p. 177). Although the 
 letters are ostensibly signed " Dr. James W. Kidd," the re- 
 marks made above as to the real anonymity of the prescriber 
 apply no less, as the business is run by a company and, on the 
 evidence submitted, is far too large for any one individual to 
 attend to the cases. The letters contain the usual sort of 
 references, such as " With my staff of skilled specialists, I have 
 successfully treated more serious chronic cases than any other 
 doctor." This company, although established in America, 
 sedulously cultivates business in this country. Besides news- 
 paper advertising, it appears to obtain the names and 
 addresses of persons to whom it seems worth while to write. 
 It has been asserted, and so far as we know without any con- 
 tradiction, that in America, at least, there is a regular trade in 
 old letters, orders, etc., from purchasers of nostrums, and that 
 a firm desiring to push a preparation for any particular disease 
 can purchase from a broker thousands of letters from people 
 who have bought some other preparation for that ailment, in 
 order to bombard them with letters recommending the new nos- 
 trum. Perhaps that is how the Kidd Company gets names and 
 addresses; one of the letters sent by the company states that 
 " I have decided to favour you because I am informed that 
 you need expert medical attention, and because I believe you 
 will tell your friends about my successful treatment after I have 
 cured you." Of course, modesty in advancing the company's 
 claims would be absurd, as diffidence in disparaging legitimate 
 practitioners would be out of place. A single extract may serve 
 as a specimen : 
 
 My Treatment : Do not waste your time and money on worthless patent 
 medicines, on incompetent doctors, or on One remedy no one remedy
 
 246 
 
 Can possibly cure all cases or all diseases. The free treatment I will 
 send you will consist of as many kinds of medicine as I have found 
 advisable in cases like yours remedies pure, effective, and successful 
 the kind I have used in curing thousands of others. The fact that my 
 patients receive treatments especially prepared to suit their individual 
 cases is also largely responsible for my great success. Simply mail me 
 the enclosed Symptom Blank soon, and with your free remedies I will 
 send you one of my Books not an advertising pamphlet, but a valuable 
 medical book entitled "The Ills of Humanity." 
 
 The " symptom blank " contains only a few questions, includ- 
 ing, " If other doctors have tried to cure you, what did they 
 call your disease or diseases? " and a general invitation to 
 " write me freely, in your own words, about your diseases, 
 symptoms, or pains ' ' ; and the following aid to diagnosis is 
 added : 
 
 I am specially successful with the following diseases simply mate a 
 
 mark (X) side of any one of them ycu have : 
 
 Rheumatism Piles Lumbago Lung Trouble 
 
 Constipation Dropsy Neuralgia Chronic Cough 
 
 Diarrhoea Pimples Headache Heart Disease 
 
 Indigestion Malaria Dizziness Female Trouble 
 
 Nervousness Eczema Epilepsy Kidney Trouble 
 
 Torpid Liver Asthma Scrofula Bladder Trouble 
 
 Impure Blood Catarrh Prostatitis Partial Paralysis 
 
 The "diagnosis" and medicine sent in a given case are 
 described in Vol. I of Secret Remedies. In Truth Cautionary 
 List, under " Kidd, 'Dr.' James William," appears the 
 following : 
 
 Advertises profusely all over the world, offering to cure all diseases, 
 and to send a sample of his treatment " free." The remedies appear to 
 be absolute humbug, and are supplied in quantities at extravagant prices, 
 as much as 4 having been obtained from victims in some cases. 
 
 These exposures, however, have not yet sufficed to drive the 
 company out of the field, as shown by the recent receipt of its 
 circulars. 
 
 AN "EYE AND EAR SPECIALIST." 
 
 An advertisement which is to be found in very many news- 
 papers is that of " Mr. Thomas Ison, oculist and aurist, Ison's 
 Eye and Ear Dispensary, Limited," inviting consultations by 
 post for all diseases of eye and ear, which are stated to be cured 
 without operation. From one of the circulars sent it appears 
 that the advertiser also attends at certain times at given hotels
 
 247 
 
 in many of the northern towns, twenty of which are named, to 
 be consulted. An application for advice in a case of failing 
 sight brought a printed circular enclosing 
 
 Printed form of questions to be answered appertaining to your case, 
 which please fill up and return to me by early post, together with cheque 
 or postal order for my fee, when suitable remedies will be at once for- 
 warded to you with full directions for their use. 
 
 A written postscript stated : 
 
 The charge is 10s. 6d. for special remedies and advice. My treatment 
 is very successful and there is no pain and no inconvenience attending 
 the use of the remedies. 
 
 The promise of no pain and no inconvenience, before any 
 information had been sent as to the nature of the trouble, seems 
 to imply an intention not to undertake any very serious treat- 
 ment, whatever the case might prove to be. The printed form 
 was as follows, the answers that were given being here printed in 
 italics : 
 
 Established 1871. 
 
 Ison's 
 Eye and Ear Dispensary, Limited, 
 
 Mr. Thomas Ison, 
 
 Oculist and Aurist. 
 
 A new method of treatment for the 
 
 Rapid Cure of Diseases of the Eye and Ear 
 
 without Operation. 
 
 Attendance at Leeds every 
 
 Tuesday and alternate Saturdays. 
 
 Hours : 10 to 7 
 Other days by appointment only. 
 
 By this new system of treatment nine cases out of ten can be cured 
 without a personal interview or the patient leaving home or business, 
 thus saving time and expense. The postal arrangements are now such 
 that persons may be treated in the most distant parts without delay. 
 
 The special remedies applicable to each case are forwarded in a portable 
 compass to any part of the world, with full directions. 
 
 Each patient is requested to fill in, as correctly as possible, answers 
 to the following questions, and return the same by post : 
 
 1. State name, age, and full postal address. , 34, 
 
 2. State profession, business, or occupation. Clerk. 
 
 3. Is the constitution strong or weak? Strong. 
 
 4. How is the general health? Are the functions of the body per- 
 formed regularly? If not, state particulars. Good. Yes. 
 
 5. State whether the right or left eye, or both, are affected. Right eye 
 only.
 
 S48 
 
 6. How long have the eyes or eye been affected? It has been steadily 
 coining on for about 3 months. 
 
 7. Do you feel any pain? If so, where? At the back of the eyes, 
 across the forehead, in the temples, or over the eyebrows? Yes, at the 
 back of the eye. 
 
 8. Do the pains occur in the daytime, or in the night? All the time, 
 but worse at night. 
 
 9. Are the eyelids affected? If so, describe the symptoms. No. 
 
 10. What part of the eye is affected ? Is the white of the eye bloodshot 
 wholly or in part, greyish, or of any other unnatural colour? Are there 
 any spots on the eye, or discharge? If so, state particulars. The white 
 of the eye is greyish. No spots or discharge. 
 
 11. Is the iris (the coloured ring which surrounds the pupil of the 
 eye, light or dark, or has its natural colour otherwise changed? If so, 
 state particulars. Light naturally, unchanged. 
 
 12. Has the pupil of either eye increased or diminished in size, and 
 has it changed from its natural round form? If so, state particulars. 
 No. 
 
 13. Are you naturally near sighted or far sighted, or do you squint? 
 Do you use spectacles? If so, state whether with flat glasses, and of 
 what colour, and of what number, if you know. No. 
 
 14. What treatment (if any) has been employed up to the present time, 
 and with what result? State, as near as possible, what has been done 
 or used. Send any prescription that may have been given or used ; it 
 will be returned. None. 
 
 15. Is your mother or father subject to any affection of the eyes? No. 
 Any other observations which may suggest themselves, please write on 
 
 the other side. 
 
 Note : It being our desire to bring each case to a successful issue as 
 early as possible, it is highly important that we should have the co-opera- 
 tion of our patients in every particular, in order to assist us to this end. 
 
 This was sent with the 10s. 6d. required, and the package 
 received in return contained a 2-drachm bottle of " Drops " and 
 a 1 -ounce bottle of " Lotion," and a dropping-tube of the kind 
 supplied wholesale at about Is. 9d. per dozen, accompanied by 
 a letter which stated : 
 
 I send herewith remedies to be used according to the printed instruc- 
 tions. Please persevere and you will do well. Write me a day or two 
 before the remedies are finished, and I hope to have a good report. 
 
 A printed sheet of instructions for use was sent, giving direc- 
 tions for "The Drops," "The Lotion," "The Embrocation" 
 (for forehead and temples), and " The Ointment " (for edges of 
 eyelids). The two latter were crossed out; the others were: 
 
 The Drops. Two Drops to be dropped in the inner corner of the 
 affected eye (the eye to be well open) by the aid of the Drop Tube two 
 or three times a day.
 
 249 
 
 The Lotion. Linen cloths wet with the Lotion to be applied to the 
 Eyelids for a few minutes night and morning. 
 
 Note. Add the contents of the bottle to a bottle containing a half-pint 
 of cold water before use 
 
 Analysis showed the drops to consist of : 
 
 Boric acid 2 grains 
 
 Glycerine 2 
 
 Water, to 2 fluid drachms 
 
 The lotion was found to consist of the Liquor Hamamelidis of 
 the British Pharmacopoeia,. In both cases careful search was 
 made for small quantities of other substances, but nothing else 
 was found. The cost of both together would be about one penny ; 
 the bottles, dropper, and postage would amount to a few pence 
 more. It is not necessary to comment on the value of such 
 ' ' treatment " ; it is sufficient to contrast it with such statements 
 from the circulars sent as : 
 
 Many hopeless cases, given up by the medical profession as incurable, 
 have been brought under his special treatment, and, to the surprise of 
 their friends, they have recovered their sense of hearing or seeing after 
 having been deaf or blind for many years. . . . This is not accomplished 
 by means of painful operations, poisonous drugs, or compounds, but by 
 means of a special treatment he has introduced, as the result of thirty 
 years' practice and the experience of his fore-elders. 
 
 A " HERBAL SPECIALIST." 
 
 An advertisement which may be met with in many papers is 
 that of a Mr. J. George, medical herbalist, usually beginning 
 with a reference to " Lost strength restored," offering a free 
 book which should be read by all men suffering from loss of 
 nerve power, etc., and concluding: "No Drugs or Minerals 
 used. Nature's Remedies only. 30 years' success. The Treat- 
 ment that Cures." Application to the address given brought a 
 circular resembling a typewritten letter with the name and date 
 typed in, a "consultation form," and two pamphlets. These 
 were both entitled The Treatment that Cures Lost Health and 
 Strength, one being marked " 18th edition " and the other 
 "' 26th edition." Both contain a number of testimonials, and 
 the one marked " 18th edition " contains several dated 1911, 
 including one of March 2nd, 1911. As the pamphlets were 
 obtained in April, 1911, the interval between the 18th and 26th 
 editions would appear to have been a short one, but it seems io 
 have sufficed for a marvellous extension of the powers of the 
 Herbal Remedy. In the " 18th edition " the following appears:
 
 250 
 
 Special Notice. 
 
 In asking you to read carefully the following testimonials (which are 
 taken from some hundreds that I have received during the last five years) 
 I am convinced that no greater proof can be produced of the Wonder- 
 working qualities of the Herbal Remedy in all cases of Lost Manhood and 
 Vitality, Nervous Debility, Spermatorrhoea, Premature Decay, all dis 
 orders of the Nervous System, Urinary Organs, etc., etc. It is an un- 
 deniable fact that the Herbal Remedy has given health and strength to 
 large numbers of men and women who have become old and debilitated 
 long before their time. If space would permit, I could print such state- 
 ments from men that have suffered (but whom I have cured), that would 
 convince the greatest doubter. Therefore, I ask you to read these testi- 
 monials which are from living persons, daily in communication with me, 
 and think, if you are a sufferer from any of the symptoms mentioned give 
 the Herbal Remedy a trial, and avail yourself of a Safe, Sure, and Speedy 
 Cure. 
 
 In the " 26th edition " appears a similar paragraph, but the 
 list of disorders following the words " in all cases of " ihas been 
 changed to 
 
 Asthma, Bronchitis, or any Chest or Lung Disease, Indigestion, Loss of 
 Appetite, Liver Trouble, Kidney or Water Complaint, Backache, Weak- 
 ness, Lassitude, Piles, Costiveness, Impurities of the Blood, Eruptions, 
 Blotches or Itching of the Skin, Anaemia, Dyspepsia, Female 
 Irregularities, or any complaint incidental to the Human System. 
 It then continues: " It is an undeniable," etc., as above. 
 
 In the " 18th edition " it is stated that: 
 
 In placing your case under the treatment of Mr. J. George, the Herbal 
 Expert, you are placing yourself into the care of a Practitioner that has 
 had upwards of 40 years' experience in diseases of the urinary and genera- 
 tive organs. 
 
 In the 26th, however, we read that 
 
 In placing your case under the treatment of Mr. J. George, the Herbal 
 Expert, you are placing yourself into the care of a Practitioner that has 
 had upwards of 40 years' experience in all diseases and ailments incidental 
 to the human system. 
 
 As the advertisement referred to above, which appeared this 
 year, speaks of "30 years' success," it would appear that the 
 first ten out of the forty years were given to failure. But a 
 further inconsistency is supplied by the letter, in which it is 
 said that 
 
 The Remedy is one that I have used with the greatest success during the 
 past 20 years, previous to which it was used by a near relative (a well- 
 known Herbalist in the South of England with over 50 years' extensive 
 practice).
 
 251 
 
 The price of the Herbal Remedy is, one month's treatment, 
 8s. 6d. ; two months', 15s. 6d. ; three months', 21s. 
 
 The " consultation form " was filled up with particulars of an 
 imaginary case, and sent with 8s. 6d. A box of 29 powders 
 was received in return ; these had an average weight of 57 grains, 
 but single powders varied from 47 to 69 grains. The material 
 had a bitter taste; it contained about 25 per cent, of maize 
 flour, and the remainder consisted of vegetable tissue which 
 appeared to be derived from a bark, but did not agree in charac- 
 ters with any drug in ordinary use. It showed no alkaloidal or 
 other principles by which it could be identified, and no other 
 substance was found to be present.
 
 CHAPTEK XVIII. 
 
 THE ADVEBTISING OF PEOPEIETAEY MEDI- 
 CINES. 
 
 The methods of advertising adopted by the proprietors of 
 secret medicines are many and various. Some employ 
 big posters on hoardings, others an increasing number 
 have fringed the chief railway lines of the country with 
 great boards bearing the names of their nostrums ; almost 
 all agree in making large use of newspapers, magazines, 
 and other periodicals, and of copious distribution, through 
 various agencies, of circulars and pamphlets. It is impos- 
 sible to read any of the popular newspapers or magazines 
 without seeing that the extent of such advertising is very 
 great. As a particular example, there lies before us a letter 
 recently sent to retailers by the makers of certain proprie- 
 tary medicines, in which it is stated that 
 
 We have already largely increased our advertising, and over 800 news- 
 papers and magazines, embracing the whole of Great Britain, are regularly 
 carrying very effective advts. 
 
 Ten million leaflets have been ordered to be insetted in all the principal 
 periodicals and magazines during the next three months. 
 
 Booklets will be distributed from house to house throughout the Country 
 during the whole summer. 
 
 In the case of another nostrum, a single article, which 
 was before the courts a few years ago, it was proved in 
 evidence that in five years 83 million pamphlets had been 
 issued, and that, in the words of the judge, "they had 
 flooded the English-speaking world with their advertise- 
 ments." 
 
 While the undifferentiated ' ' man (and woman) in the 
 street" represents the millions of potential customers to 
 whom the nostrum maker wishes to appeal, both the number
 
 253 
 
 and nature of the advertisements of proprietary medicines 
 in any given periodical do not by any means depend only 
 on its circulation, and the operation of certain general rules 
 may easily be traced. There is an obvious relation between 
 the intelligence and education of the readers on the one 
 hand, and the extent to which they can be appealed to by 
 such advertisements as we are considering on the other, 
 these varying in inverse ratio. A striking illustration of 
 this may be 'seen by comparing the established reviews and 
 the monthly magazines, or the Times and some of the half- 
 penny dailies. A reference to the current issues of the 
 Fortnightly Review, the Quarterly Review, and Black- 
 wood's Magazine shows one advertisement of a proprietary 
 medicine in each of the first two, and none in the last; 
 while a single one of the illustrated magazines the Strand 
 Magazine provides twenty-six, and a Christmas number 
 of the same contained sixty-three. Similarly, on an 
 arbitrarily chosen day, the Times contained one such adver- 
 tisement occupying one column, while the Daily News con- 
 tained eight occupying four columns, the Daily Mail four 
 occupying three columns, the Daily Express eleven occupy- 
 ing three and a-quarfcer columns, the Evening News four 
 occupying two- thirds of a column, and the Star five occupy- 
 ing two columns. A close connection may easily be traced, 
 also, between the number of advertisements of patent 
 medicines and the character of the other advertisements, 
 the fact that a large amount of credulity on the part of the 
 readers can be counted on being as evident from the one 
 as the other. For example, advertisements of clairvoyants, 
 palmists, "astrologers" who offer to foretell a person's 
 future from the date and hour of his birth, preparations for 
 removing superfluous hair, preventing blushing, or develop- 
 ing the bust are frequent in those publications most 
 favoured by the proprietary medicine maker. 
 
 Some of the Sunday papers which have very large circula- 
 tions show a very full share of advertisements of nostrums ;
 
 254 
 
 an unselected copy of one of these which is before us con- 
 tains no less than forty-one such advertisements, occupy- 
 ing nearly seven columns. Some of these papers have 
 gai ned a good deal of notoriety for the large amount of space 
 which they devote to reports of divorce suits and sensational 
 crimes, and it is not surprising therefore to find the majority 
 of proprietary nostrums advertised in them belonging to the 
 most undesirable classes. For example, out of the forty-one 
 just referred to, seventeen are of medicines for " female com- 
 plaints," five for " lost manhood," and two for diseases of 
 the urinary organs. Such advertisements are also abundant 
 in the low-class " comics " ; one of these taken at hazard 
 contained eleven of female remedies, along with advertise- 
 ments of "rubber preventives," "chic female pictures," 
 and the like. 
 
 ' ' Keligious ' ' papers appear to be a fairly good hunting- 
 ground for the advertisers of nostrums. In one of these a 
 weekly we find eighteen advertisements of such prepara- 
 tions, along with " galvanic rings for rheumatism," " Is. for 
 1," " % weekly made by selling remnants," "blushing 
 cured," " superfluous hair removed," etc. ; and on another 
 page the announcement, " The prayers of the readers of this 
 journal are requested for the blessing of God upon those who 
 conduct it, and also upon the sermons and narratives which 
 are printed in it." The smaller provincial papers are in a 
 good deal of favour for advertisements of secret medicines ; 
 as a rule a few local products of this kind are advertised as 
 well as those of wider sale. A feature which is often to be 
 noticed in such papers is that advertisements are accepted 
 which from their headings and general appearance look like 
 news paragraphs, and they are sometimes so worded that an 
 ordinary reader might never suspect their real significance, 
 and no warning " [Advt.] " or other indication appears at 
 the end.
 
 255 
 
 The feelings of disgust and annoyance which are aroused 
 when advertisements of this kind are met with in such 
 abundance in newspapers are of very little importance in 
 comparison with the far greater evil of the power over the 
 press which thus passes into the hands of the owners of the 
 various quack medicines. Certainly one of the most effec- 
 tive ways of preventing people being imposed on by such 
 articles is to publish as widely as possible authentic informa- 
 tion as to their composition and real value ; but in this task 
 little assistance is to be obtained from the lay press, on 
 account of the large pecuniary interest which such adver- 
 tisements give it in supporting the trade. The great con- 
 centration of the ownership of newspapers, magazines, etc., 
 in the hands of a comparatively small number of companies, 
 is not without influence in the matter ; for a newspaper 
 which does not obtain enough advertisements of medical 
 nostrums to give it an interest in supporting them is effec- 
 tually prevented from printing anything adverse to their 
 interests if it is the property of a firm or company owning 
 other papers which do receive such advertisements largely. 
 The importance of this consideration can be at once seen in 
 connexion with any proposals for legislation ; if there should 
 appear any likelihood of an Act of Parliament being passed 
 which would interfere with the liberty to fleece the public 
 by means of secret remedies, the proprietors of such things 
 can practically order the greater part of the press of the 
 country to misrepresent what is proposed, and in every way 
 to stir up hostility to such a measure. This consideration 
 should not be lost sight of in judging of the proceedings or the 
 findings of the Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry into 
 the subject of " patent " medicines.
 
 CHAPTEE XIX. 
 
 THE " EXPERT " BEHIND THE PEOPRIETARY 
 MEDICINE. 
 
 The reports which appear in the preceding pages and the 
 first volume of this book, contrasting the composition of 
 various proprietary medicines with the claims made for 
 them, show that a favourite feature in the advertising of 
 many of those of most recent origin is a pretence of personal 
 attention to the details of each case by an expert. It is 
 sometimes professed that this attention is given by a quali- 
 fied medical practitioner, but whether alleged to be qualified 
 or not, the " expert " is usually said to have made a life- 
 long study of the particular complaint to be treated, and to 
 know far more about it than any doctor practising his 
 profession in the ordinary way. We have shown in many 
 cases the hollowness of the pretence of personal attention to 
 individual cases, and some of the evidence given at a recent 
 ir.quest at the Hammersmith Coroner's Court throws light 
 on the kind of " expert" knowledge placed at the disposal 
 of those deluded by such advertisements. The case was one 
 in which the deceased had been taking the ' ' Nelson Lloyd 
 Obesity Cure," the results of the analysis of which were 
 published in Secret Remedies, Vol. I., p. 100. As will be 
 seen from the extracts from advertisements which are there 
 given, the appeal to sufferers from obesity is in the form of 
 a promise of personal treatment by " J. Nelson Lloyd," 
 who says, " I am myself a member of a family many of 
 whom died prematurely after much mental and physical 
 suffering, arising from corpulence"; and "not only do I
 
 25? 
 
 offer every client the full benefit of practically a life study 
 of the whole subject of corpulence, but that I guarantee to 
 effect a cure of every case I take up." The value of this 
 " guarantee," and the real facts as to the proprietor's know- 
 ledge of the disease he guarantees to cure, are shown by his 
 own evidence at the inquest referred to. The following is 
 from a report of the proceedings in the West London 
 Observer :" Mr. Frank Derry, the proprietor of Nelson 
 Lloyd's Obesity Cure, recalled by the coroner, said his 
 medical knowledge w r as confined to what he had learnt 
 twenty years ago as secretary to a medical man. He had 
 not been in the present business very long. The Coroner : 
 Since the last hearing I have had the advantage of reading 
 your book. Did you write it? It is signed ' Nelson Lloyd.' 
 Witness : Of course, Nelson Lloyd is an imaginary 
 person. The book was written for me. In your book you 
 say, ' While studying for my degree? ' That represents the 
 man who wrote the prescription. He assisted in the busi- 
 ness. But you are said to be Nelson Lloyd? Yes, it is a 
 joint effort. When was the book first published? In the 
 spring of last year. In the book you say, ' After I had 
 succeeded in curing myself I decided to take up the cure 
 of obesity instead of that of medical practitioner ' ? That 
 represents the medical man who assisted me. Obesity, you 
 say, should only be treated by a specialist? Yes. You also 
 say that you have made a life-study of it. Is that correct? 
 As for me, no, but as for the medical man, yes. Do you 
 undertake the diagnosis of a case ? With the assistance of 
 a medical man. John Holmes, of Herne Hill, said he was 
 a qualified medical man in America, but not in this country. 
 As an employee of Mr. Derry he went over the consultation 
 forms and ordered the treatment." The statement of the 
 proprietor, who is responsible for the letters and pamphlets 
 sent out concluding, " I am, yours truly, J. Nelson Lloyd " 
 (the signature being a facsimile of writing), and for the 
 personal form of the advertisements, that " of course,
 
 25$ 
 
 Nelson Lloyd is an imaginary person," appears to show a 
 correct appreciation of the degree of truthfulness usually 
 pervading such a business. 
 
 In connection with the above and with another nostrum 
 for obesity A. Gordon Wallace's "Treatment" dealt 
 with in Chapter VII. of this volume, the following extract 
 from " ' Truth ' Cautionary List for 1912 " is of interest : 
 
 " Wallace, A. Gordon. A mythical ' specialist ' in fat- 
 producing and fat-removing, originally the joint creation of 
 a Mr. Alfred John Warner and a Dr. J. H. Hart. Warner 
 was a medical student and chemist's assistant, employed 
 by Nelson Lloyd. Dr. Hart, who was struck off the 
 register in 1898, was in the same employment. They 
 produced Wallace as a fat-remover, and transferred him 
 to the Bational Remedies Co., Limited. The company 
 went into liquidation, and the ' specialist ' passed into 
 possession of the International Remedies Co., Limited, 
 which also went into liquidation. Warner became bank- 
 rupt, and Gordon Wallace then became a fat-dispeller."
 
 CHAPTER. XX. 
 
 SOME ECHOES OF VOLUME I. 
 
 The first volume of this book, published in 1908, aroused 
 a very large amount of public interest. Its reception by 
 those primarily concerned was of varying character; two or 
 three incidents in this connection appear worth recording 
 here. 
 
 SEIGEL'S SYRUP AND " SECRET REMEDIES." 
 
 WE have received from a correspondent particulars of letters 
 which have passed between the proprietors of Seigel's Syrup 
 and himself. They are characterised by a direct terseness on 
 his side, and the opposite qualities on the other, that make them 
 somewhat entertaining reading. The correspondence opens with 
 a letter from the makers of this nostrum, which is self- 
 explanatory : 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 We received to-day by poet a wrapper which had enclosed one of our 
 Mother Seigel pamphlets addressed to you, and on which the sender had 
 copied the stupid so-called analysis of OUT Syrup from the publication 
 of the British Medical Association. You also copy the still more silly 
 averment, "cost of 3 fluid ounces of Id.," and your own comment on 
 the whole is, " Nice profit at 2/6 ! What humbug " ! ! 
 
 As you seem to be inclined to believe whatever you read, we desire to 
 say : That the pretended analysis is positively absurd ; That it does not 
 remotely resemble the actual formuila of our medicine, which really con- 
 tains over a dozen vegetable or herbal extracts ; That it costs much more 
 than ^ of Id. for 3 fluid ounces; That it is actually worth more than 
 it sells for as an effective curative remedy ; That it is not a "humbug" ; 
 That humbugs do not last forty years and still continue as business suc- 
 cesses in all parts of the world as our preparation does. 
 
 From your penmanship we think it not unlikeily that you are a medical 
 practitioner, in wthich event your animus becomes qud)te intelligible. 11 
 
 R 2
 
 260 
 
 you are a layman, please consider fairly our assurance that the published 
 analysis ( ?) is merely an effort of the " Doctors' Trust," or " Medical 
 Practitioners' Trade Union," lo injure successful rivals. Don't let them 
 humbug YOTT! 
 
 It is of course quite possible that the preparation in question 
 " really contains over a dozen vegetable or herbal extracts," 
 even though the statement follows the phrase " as you seem to 
 be inclined to believe whatever you read." There is nothing 
 in the report of the analysis, as set forth in Secret Remedies, to 
 the contrary ; but in that case the dozen extracts must have 
 been present in too small quantity to be recognizable by chemical 
 or physical tests, which reveal most active drugs even in traces. 
 In the introduction to that volume it is pointed out that vege- 
 table extracts which contain no .active principle cannot always be 
 recognized by analysis, and a similar caution is repeated several 
 times; but to any one acquainted with the nature of drugs it is 
 obvious that such limitation of the powers of analysis is of little 
 moment, since active drugs can almost always be recognized with 
 certainty. 
 
 The reply to the above letter was the remark that: 
 
 The sole question is whether the public is more likely to be humbugged 
 by tike British Medical Association, which is certainJy a responsible body 
 of experts, or by the unknown vendors of a quack ntedicine ; 
 
 And the writer adds : 
 
 Most of tihese aboinmatcons hail from America. Did yours originate 
 there ? 
 
 The makers reply to this in a long letter containing various 
 assertions about their article in nine numbered paragraphs, 
 although they commence by saying : 
 
 We have no desire to continue a correspondence which would probably 
 not be accepted in a fair and reasonable spirit on your side. 
 
 And they omit .to answer the one question that was asked as 
 to the country of origin of the syrup. In acknowledging this 
 letter, the recipient says: 
 
 As regards your letter generally, if the British Medical Association 
 have issued false statements damaging to you and to 'your concoction, 
 your remedy is patent. 
 
 If you, and all the other quack medicine dealers, specified m the 181 
 pages of Secret Remedies, and in. the pages of Truth Cautionary List, 
 choose to "take it lying down," the fair presumption is that the state- 
 ments ore true. 
 
 The makers do not appear to have found a further regjy, and 
 so the correspondence closes
 
 261 
 
 THE VARIABLE COMPOSITION OF SECRET 
 REMEDIES. 
 
 A correspondent of the Pharmaceutical Journal, in a letter 
 in the issue of January 8th, 1910, draws attention to the dif- 
 ferences between the formulae of certain proprietary medicines 
 published in Secret Remedies, Vol. I., as the results of analysis, 
 and those printed on the labels of the medicines when these are 
 imported into France or Italy. The first instance taken is "Dr. 
 Williame's Pink Pills"; the formula for these given in Secret 
 Remedies is : 
 
 Exsiccated sulphate of iron 0.75 grain 
 
 Potassium carbonate, anhydrous 0.66 
 
 Magnesia 0.09 
 
 Powdered liquorice 1.4 grains 
 
 Sugar 0.2 grain 
 
 In one pill. 
 
 while according to the writer of the letter ib is given on the 
 label as : 
 
 Pot. carb 0.07 
 
 Ferri sulph 0.80 
 
 Mangan. oxid. puriss 0.02 
 
 Nuraemin 0.05 
 
 Sacchar 0.03 
 
 Ext. gentian 0.025 
 
 Aloes 0.009 
 
 [The quantities apparently do not indicate grains, but the fractional 
 parts of the various ingredients in 1 part of the pill.] 
 
 The Pharmaceutical Journal's correspondent proceeds to 
 assume, without further evidence, that the formula published 
 in Secret Remedies is wrong. A little familiarity with the com- 
 position of proprietary remedies and the ways of their makers 
 would, however, have taught him that a particular composition 
 in one country or at one time gives not the slightest guarantee 
 of the same composition at another time or in another country. 
 When the two formulae above are compared, it is at once clear 
 that no competent analyst could have obtained from pills having 
 the composition of the second formula results pointing to the 
 first. To begin with, the potassium carbonate of the second is 
 only a fraction of what was found by our analyst, who converted 
 it into sulphate in the usual way, after removal of all other 
 ingredients, and weighed the pure potassium sulphate ; there 
 is no loophole for error here. Again, powdered liquorice was
 
 262 
 
 found to constitute nearly half the pill, but none is shown 
 in the other formula ; it can hardly have been omitted as being 
 unimportant excipient, since it is thought worth while to 
 mention sugar present in only one-thirtieth of the quantity; 
 the fibre of liquorice makes it one of the easiest drugs to recog- 
 nise with certainty, and none of the ingredients mentioned 
 in the other formula contains any fibre or vegetable tissue at all. 
 These two instances suffice to show that the formulae refer to 
 pills having very different composition, and the other differences 
 are equally incapable of explanation in any other way. The 
 comparison serves to emphasise the obvious fact that the only 
 formula that is of value for showing what is being sold under 
 a given name in a particular country is that obtained by expert 
 examination of the article purchased there in the ordinary way. 
 The second instance which is referred to in the letter in question 
 is that of Laville's Antigout Remedies. In Secret Remedies, Vol. 
 I., the results of qualitative analyses of these by Dr. Zernik are 
 quoted, and the composition thus given is now shown to differ 
 from what is printed on the label. The statement in Secret 
 Remedies is given on the authority of Dr. Zernik, and we are, 
 of course, unable to answer for his methods of work ; but ->, 
 (appears almost certain that remarks similar to the above- would 
 apply here also. Thus, Zernik found the pilules to contain 
 guaiacum resin, whereas this is not one of the admitted con- 
 stituents ; it is well known that guaiacum resin can be identified 
 with much greater certainty than most resins, and it is extremely 
 unlikely that any mistake was made about it by so experienced 
 an analyst as Dr. Zernik. The correspondent of the Pharma- 
 ceutical Journal adds that " the natural conclusion is a strong 
 doubt as to the accuracy of the other formulae given in the 
 book. Its pages form very interesting reading, but with errors 
 such as these, which oould easily have been avoided, the book 
 hardly reflects credit on its authors or any pharmacist who 
 uses it as a book of reference." If pharmacists are as little 
 able to criticise the claims of the makers of proprietary 
 articles as the writer of this letter appears to be, it is perhaps 
 not surprising that they are often willing to play the part they 
 do in distributing them. Fortunately, evidence is not lacking 
 that many of them regard the quack medicine evil in a very 
 different manner, and welcome such exposures as we have given 
 of many of these preparations. The facts adduced in the letter 
 show very plainly how desirable it is that in this country, as 
 in France and Italy, the law should require the composition
 
 263 
 
 of such, medicines to be stated on the label. The public could 
 then judge to some extent whether they were receiving fair value 
 for money, and the proprietors could be brought to book if 
 analysis proved that they had departed from the declared 
 formula. 
 
 THE VARIABLE DOSAGE OF SECRET REMEDIES. 
 
 Among the proprietary medicines the composition of which, 
 
 as revealed by analysis, has been published in the first volume 
 
 are various powders, cachets, pills, and tablets, and in these 
 
 cases the individual weights of different doses have usually been 
 
 recorded ; great variation in the quantity to be taken in one dose 
 
 has sometimes been shown. Thus in the case of powders sold for 
 
 the cure of drunkenness powders having an average weight of 
 
 li grains varied individually from J grain to 3 grains, and in 
 
 another inebriety " cure," variations from 2.9 to 6 grains were 
 
 found among ten powders of average weight 4.2 grains. It 
 
 would appear from such cases that the quantity put into each 
 
 was merely " a little," and could not have been either weighed 
 
 or measured. One of these powders contained acetanilide and 
 
 bromide, and such variations might be far from negligible in 
 
 their consequences. In the case of headache powders, most of 
 
 which consisted chiefly of acetanilide, some of the variations 
 
 were very serious, the heaviest and lightest powders in a packet 
 
 of ten differing in one preparation by as much as 6 grains; the 
 
 average weight of these was 10J grains, and acetanilide formed 
 
 50 per cent, of the constituents. Some ingenuity is shown by 
 
 one of the makers of headache powders whose article was among 
 
 those examined, in an advertisement which has appeared rather 
 
 prominently in some of the pharmaceutical papers. In this 
 
 advertisement attention is drawn to the " fact " that our 
 
 analyses showed smaller variations in the weights of the powders 
 
 in question than in any other; since, however, the lightest and 
 
 heaviest powders in a packet of ten of average weight 6 grains 
 
 differed by 0.7 grain (practically 12 per cent.) there seems to be 
 
 no very good grounds for this self-congratulation on accuracy. 
 
 And the " f a-ct " itself belongs to the class described by Josh 
 
 Billings as " facts which are not so," as in one of the powders 
 
 analysed the only other one which consisted of acetanilide only 
 
 the extreme variation found was only 0.2 grain; this appears 
 
 to be referred to in the advertisement as a variation of 2.0 grains*
 
 264 
 
 The advertisement states "it is not possible in the ordinary 
 course of dispensing business to weigh powders more accurately 
 than ' Daisy ' powders are dispensed," and, as to this, a pharma- 
 ceutical correspondent remarks that the statement "is an insult 
 to the pharmacists to whom it is addressed. A dispenser who 
 could not weigh to within 0.7 grain would not remain long in 
 any good pharmacy." It is not unimportant to recollect, 
 moreover, that it was shown in evidence at an inquest some years 
 ago that extremely wide variations existed in the weights of 
 specimens taken from one and the same packet of the very 
 powders in question, and whatever greater accuracy may exist 
 in the weighing of these powders to-day would seem therefore 
 only to have been secured after attention had been drawn in this 
 forcible way to the dangerous manner in which variable quan- 
 tities of acetanilide were being distributed as doses.
 
 I N D E X. 
 
 Tbe contents of both Volumes 1. and II. are here indexed together. 
 The Roman numerals denote the volume, and the figures denote the 
 page. 
 
 Absolute System of Medicine, 
 
 An ii. 210 
 
 Absorbit Reducing Paste i. 87 
 
 Absorptive Pile Treatment, 
 
 Van Vleck's i. 164 
 
 Acetanilid (antifebrin) ... i. 2, 5, 6, 37, 
 
 38, 39, 40, 41, 58, 165 ; ii. 263, 264 
 
 Acetic acid-.l. 16, 78; ii. 7, 23, 182, 
 
 236 
 
 ether i. 16; ii. 86 
 
 Acetosalic acid (see Acetyl- 
 
 saiicylic acid). 
 
 Acetyl-salicylic acid ...i. 56, 59, 60. 64, 
 77, 81 ; ii. 4, 19 
 
 Aconite, Tiincture of ii. 214 
 
 Aconitum napellus '-'i. 213 
 
 Act, Stamp i. 182 
 
 Advertising of Proprietary 
 
 Medicines, The ii. 252 
 
 Ae;hylenimin ii. 28 
 
 Agar-agar ii. 238 
 
 Albumen ii. 65, 127 
 
 Alcohol i. 7, 8, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 26, 
 32, 44, 47, 52, 73, 74, 78, 80, 86, 87, 
 92, 103, 111, 118, 121, 127, 135, 160, 
 167; ii. 7, 10. 11. 23. 33.46. 47. 63, 
 76, 80, 110, 111, 141, 149, 150, 159, 
 162, 164, 183, 194, 197, 198, 200, 203, 
 208, 217, 218, 220, 223, 224, 225 
 
 AkoholLrm, Medicines tor :. 162; 
 
 ii. 128 
 
 Alcola ::. 137 
 
 Antidipso i. liro 
 
 r^w ?'-."&* i. 162 
 
 ! Alcoholism, Medicines for (cont.) 
 
 Dipsocure i. 164 
 
 Drug 'Cares, some other a. 168 
 
 Normyl Cure ii. 140 
 
 Teetolia Treatment i. 166 
 
 Temperancia Treatment ii. 130 
 
 Woods' Treatment ii. 133 
 
 Alcola ii. 137 
 
 Allan's Anti-fat i. 92 
 
 Allspice, Oil of ii. 10, 12 
 
 Almond, essential oil of...i. 35; ii. 151 
 
 ,, extract of 'id. 28 
 
 oil i. 135, 133 
 
 Aloes i. 48, 49, 55, 104, 175, 176, 177, 
 
 180; ii. 5, 23, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 
 
 100, 101, 117, 192, 195, 196, 199, 
 
 204, 205, 240 
 
 Aloes and iron pill...ii. 195, 204, 205 
 
 decoction of...ii. 193, 198, 199 
 
 Aloin i. 69, 109, 110, 161 ; ii. 85, 96, 
 
 101, 144, 204 
 
 Alum i. 51, 120 
 
 Aluminium oleate i. 120 
 
 sulphate i. 145 
 
 Amber, oil of ii. 6, 23 
 
 Amenorrhoea, Medicines for ...ii. 184 
 Blak Thynod Female Pills... ii. 206 
 Blanchard'e Apiol and Steel 
 
 Pills ii. 205 
 
 Davis's Female Mixture ii. 197 
 
 Female Pille ii. 197
 
 266 
 
 Amenorrhoea, Medicines for (ront.) 
 
 Dodd's Corrective ii. 198 
 
 Female Pills ii. 198 ! 
 
 Dumas's Paris Pills ....ii. 186, 192 
 Fournier's Hygenique Mix- 
 ture ii. 199 
 
 Gautieur's Female Pills ii. 204 
 
 Grey's (Nurse) Tablets ii. 190, 195 i 
 Hammond's (Nurse) Reme- 
 dies ii. 203 
 
 Hooper's Female Pills ii. 196 
 
 Horton's Benedict Pills ii. 205 
 
 Irristum ii. 189, 194 
 
 I.R.S. Tablets ii. 201 
 
 Jefferson Dodd's Corrective ii. 198 
 Female Pills ii. 198 
 Kearsley's Welch's Female 
 
 Pills ii. 196 
 
 Lilly's (Nurse) Female Pills ii. 206 
 Mann's (Nurse) Remedy ii. 191, 195 
 Martin's Apiol and Steel 
 
 Pills ii. 199 
 
 Monaid Tablets ii. 200 
 
 Patterson's Female Pills ....ii. 204 
 Pinkham's (Mrs.) Vegetable 
 
 Compound ii. 190, 194 
 
 Powell's (Nurse) Corrective 
 
 Pills ii. 193 
 
 Powell's (Nurse) Mixture ...ii. 193 
 Popular Pellets ii. IQX 
 
 ,, Remedies ii. 187 
 
 Sanol Cones ii. 200 
 
 Shaffer - Bennyon's (Mrs.) 
 
 Remedy ii. 202 
 
 Stafford-Brookes' (Mrs.) Pel- 
 
 loids ii. 202 
 
 Towle's Pennyroyal and Steel 
 
 Pills ii. 195 
 
 Welch's (Widow) Female 
 
 Pills ii. 196 
 
 American Soothing Syrup, John- 
 son's ii. 151 
 
 Ammonia . . .'id. 7, 8, 25, 35, 63, 194.. 224 
 
 Ammoniocum i. 18; ii. 1C6 
 
 Ammoniated mercury i. 113, 143, 144 
 
 Ammonium bromide i. 126, 128, 129 ; 
 
 dd. 159, 162, 164 
 
 ,, carbonate i. 125 
 
 chloride i. 19; ii. 181 
 
 ,, citrate i. 87 
 
 ,, iodatum salicvl. solubl. ii. 28 
 
 Ammonium iodide ii. 28 
 
 palicylate ii. 28, 238 
 
 ,, ppiric. puriss ii. 238 
 
 ,, sulpho-guaiaco'ate ii. 237 
 
 Animal extract di. 63, Co 
 
 Aniseed, oii of i. 12, 14; id. 74. ICG 
 149, 150, 151, 162, 164 
 
 Aniseed, powdered i. 18 
 
 Powell's Bakam of i. 14 
 
 water ii. 234 
 
 Annatto ii. 25 
 
 Antexema i. 105 
 
 Anthylla i. 104 
 
 Anti-catara'ct Mixture, Pomies" ri. 146 
 
 Anti-catarrh, Birley's i. 7 
 
 Anticelta Tablets i. 163 
 
 Anti-corpulent Preparation, Rus- 
 sell's i. 87 
 
 Antidipso i. 165 
 
 Anti -epileptic Medicine, Tay- 
 lor's ....i. 126 
 
 Anti-epileptique (Uten) i. 129 
 
 Anti-fat, Allan's i. 92 
 
 Antifebrin (see Acetandlid) 
 
 Antigout soap i. 64 
 
 An i/unony oxide i. 1152 
 
 Antineurasthin ii. 68 
 
 Antipon i. 86 
 
 Antipyrin ii. 238, 239 
 
 Anti-rheumatic Pearls, Baring- 
 Gould's i. 55 
 
 Anti-stout Pills, Vincent's ii. 116 
 
 Anturic Bath Salts ii. 26 
 
 Apiol ii. 195, 199, 204, 205 
 
 Apiol and Steel Pills, Blan- 
 
 ohard's ii. 205 
 
 Apiol and Steel Pills, Martin's ii. 199 
 
 l Appendix i. 182 
 
 Arnica montana, ii 219 
 
 Arnica, Tincturo of ii. ? 
 
 A&afoetida ii. 52, 145 
 
 Aspdrin (see acetyl-salicylic acid). 
 Assmann's Whooping Cough 
 
 Remedy i. 19 
 
 Atkinson and Barker's Infants' 
 
 Preservative ii. 150 
 
 j Atomising Fluid, Colman's ii. 84 
 
 ! Atropine i. 168 
 
 i Augen-wol i. 146 
 
 Automors ". 239
 
 267 
 
 " Bacillentod " (Pohl's Family 
 
 Tea) i. 36 
 
 Baldness, Medicines for (inter- 
 nal) i. 114 
 
 Capsulated Hemoglobin Ovals i. 115 
 
 Capsuloids i. 114 
 
 Haemoglobin Capsules i. 116 
 
 Balm, Bowden's Indian ii. 23 
 
 Balsam, Bengue's ii. 19 
 
 Balsam of Peru i. 27, 113, 115 ; ii. 25 
 
 Balsam of toln ii. 9 
 
 Balsamic Cough Mixture, 
 
 Crosby's i. 15 
 
 Balsamic Elixir, Congreve's i. 26 
 
 Baring-Gould's Anti-rheunratic 
 
 Pearls i. 55 
 
 Barium Sulphate i. 122 
 
 Barkowski's Irrigal Tablets ....ii. 239 
 
 Barley ii. 23 
 
 Bath Salts ii. 25 
 
 Bauch's Busennahrcreme ii. 237 
 
 Beans, Bile i. 77; ii. 96 
 
 Bearberry i. 104 
 
 Beecham's Cough Pills i. 18 
 
 Pills i. 175 
 
 Beeswax i. 58. 88, 120, 140, 143, 
 
 149, 151, 181 ; ii. 35, 181, 182 
 
 Bell's Fairy Cure i. 39 
 
 Benedict Pills, Horton's ii. 205 
 
 Bengue's Balsam ii. 19 
 
 Benzoate, Sodium i. 180 ; ii. 177, 237 
 Benzx>in, compound tincture of i. 15, 27 
 
 Berberine i. 80 ; ii. 217 
 
 Berendorf's Powder for Epi- 
 lepsy i. 129 
 
 Betony i. 63 
 
 Bile Beans i. 77; ii. 96 
 
 Birch tar, oil of id. 43 
 
 Birley's Anti-catarrh i. 7 
 
 Bishop's Gout Varalettes i. 62 
 
 Blackwood's Magazine ii. 253 
 
 BladderAvrack i. '83, 84, 89, 91, 92, 93, 
 
 94, 100, 102. 103, 104 ; ii. 112, 116, 
 
 117, 119, 121, 122, 123, 125 
 
 Blair's Gout and Rheumatic Pills i. 50 
 
 Blak Thyrol Female Pills ii. 206 
 
 Blanchard's Apiol and Steel Palls 
 
 ii. 205 
 
 Blaud's Pills ii. 145, 195, 203 
 
 Blood Cure, Munyon's i. 44 
 
 Mixture, Clarke's i. 42 
 
 Pills, Harvey's i. 44 
 
 Hughes's i. 48 
 
 Blood Purifiers i. 42 
 
 Clarke's Blood Mixture i. 42 
 
 Harvey's Pills i. 44 
 
 Hood's Compound Extract of 
 
 >Sarsaparilla i. 46 
 
 Hughes'e Pills i. 48 
 
 Munyon's Cure i. 44 
 
 Phelps Brown's Purifier i. 46 
 
 Sbevens's Consumption Cure i. 31 
 Townsend's American Sarsa- 
 
 parilla d. 43 
 
 Blue dye i. 118, 119; ii. 145 
 
 Borax i. 7, 129. 138 ; ii. 40, 85, 223. 
 
 224, 225 
 
 Boric acid i. 106, 109, 113; ii. 39, 
 
 40, 42, 125, 136, 139, 202, 203, 
 
 237, 249 
 
 Bostock's Eye Ointment i. 143 
 
 Bowden's India.n Ba]m ii. 23 
 
 Box's Golden Fire ii. 20 
 
 ,, Pills ii. 20 
 
 Brandy ii. 28 
 
 Brixa Tablets i. 163 
 
 Bromocarpine ii. 164 
 
 Bromipton Consumption and 
 
 Cough Specific i. 27 
 
 Brown's Bronchial Troches ...ii. 74 
 
 BrownrSequard ii. 62, 63, 66 
 
 Brown's Vervain -Restorative 
 
 Assimilant, O. Phelps i. 127 
 
 Brucine ii. 14f> 
 
 Bryony i. 63 
 
 Buckthorn a. 104 
 
 Buer's Mul'la i. 149 
 
 Buer's Piles Cure i. 149 
 
 Burdock i. 45 
 
 Burgess's Lion Ointment i. 180 
 
 Pills ii. 101 
 
 Busennahrcreme, Bauch's ii. 237 
 
 Biisteria ii. 238 
 
 Cade, oil of ii. 42, 43 
 
 Cadum ii. 41 
 
 Caffeine i. 38, 39; ii. 4, 139, 218. 
 
 221, 233 
 
 Calcium carbonate i. 6, 109; ii. 39, 
 145, 176 
 
 chloride ii. 175 
 
 glycerophosphate ...ii. 70 
 
 hypophosphite ii. 55, 58, 61, 
 
 127
 
 Amenorrhcea, Medicines for (ront.) 
 
 Dodd's Corrective ii. 198 
 
 Female Pills ii. 198 
 
 Dumas's Paris Pills ....ii. 186, 192 
 Fournier's Hygenique Mix- 
 ture ii. 199 
 
 Gautieur's Female Pills ii. 204 
 
 Grey's (Nurse) Tablets ii. 190, 195 
 Hammond's (Nurse) Reme- 
 
 diee ii. 203 
 
 Hooper's Female Pills ii. 196 
 
 Horton's Benedict Pills ii. 205 
 
 Irristum ii. 189, 194 
 
 I.K.S. Tablets ii. 201 
 
 Jefferson Dodd's Corrective ii. 198 
 Female Pilk ii. 198 
 Kearsley ; s Welch's Female 
 
 Pills ii. 196 
 
 Lilly's (Nurse) Female Pills ii. 206 
 Mann's (Nurse) Remedy ii. 191, 195 
 Martin's Apiol and Steel 
 
 Pills ii. 199 
 
 Monaid Tablets ii. 200 
 
 Patterson's Female Pills ....ii. 204 
 Pinkham's (Mrs.) Vegetable 
 
 Compound ii. 190, 194 
 
 Powell's (Nurse) Corrective 
 
 Pills ii. 193 
 
 Powell's (Nurse) Mixture ...ii. 193 
 Popular Pellets h. 19k; 
 
 Remedies ii. 187 
 
 Sanol Cones ii. 200 
 
 Shaffer - Bennyon's (Mrs.) 
 
 Remedy ii. 202 
 
 Stafford-Brookes' (Mrs.) Pel- 
 
 loids ii. 202 
 
 Towle's Pennyroyal and Steel 
 
 Polls ii. 195 
 
 Welch's (Widow) Female 
 
 Pills ii. 196 
 
 American Soothing Syrup, John- 
 son's ii. 151 
 
 Ammonia . . .'ii. 7, 8, 25, 35, 63, 194, 224 
 
 Ammoniacum i. 18; ii. 1C6 
 
 Ammoniat-eid mercury i. 113, 143, 144 
 
 Ammonium bromide i. 126, 128, 129 ; 
 
 ii. 159, 162, 164 
 
 ,, carbonate i. 125 
 
 chloride i. 19; ii. 181 
 
 ,, citrate i. 87 
 
 ,, iodatum salicvl. solubl. ii. 28 
 
 Ammonium iodide ii. 28 
 
 palicylate ii. 28, 238 
 
 ,, spiric. puriss ..: ii. 238 
 
 ,, sulpho-guaiaco'ate ii. 237 
 
 Animal extract ii. 63, to 
 
 Aniseed, oil of i. 12, 14 ; id. 74. ICG 
 149, 150, 151, 162, 164 
 
 Aniseed, powdered i. 18 
 
 Powell's Bakam of i. 14 
 
 water i:. 234 
 
 Annatto ii. 25 
 
 Antexema i. 105 
 
 Anthylla i. 104 
 
 Anti-caitara'ct Mixture, Pomies' a. 146 
 
 Anti-catarrh, Birley's i. 7 
 
 Antioelta Tablets ." i. 163 
 
 Anti-corpulent Preparation, Rus- 
 
 sell's i. 87 
 
 Antidipso i. 165 
 
 Anti-epileptic Medicine, Tay- 
 lor's ....i. 126 
 
 Anti-epileptique (Uten) i. 129 
 
 Anti-iat, Allan's i. 92 
 
 Antifebrin (see Acetanilid) 
 
 An tig-out so-ap i. 6f\ 
 
 Ani/unony oxide i. 132 
 
 Antineurasthin ii. 68 
 
 Antipon i. 86 
 
 Antipyrin ii. 238, 239 
 
 Anti-rheumatic Pearls, Baring- 
 Gould's i. 55 
 
 Anti-stout Pills, Vincent's ii. 116 
 
 Anturic Bath Salts ii. 26 
 
 Apiol ii. 195, 199, 204, 205 
 
 Apiol and Steel Pills, Blan- 
 
 ohard's ii. 205 
 
 Apiol and Steel Pills, Martin's ii. 199 
 
 Appendix i. 182 
 
 Arnica montana ' ii 219 
 
 Arnica, Tincturo of ii. ? 
 
 Asafcetida ii. 52, 145 
 
 Aspirin (see acetyl -salicylic acid). 
 Assmann's Whooping Cough 
 
 Remedy i. 19 
 
 Atkinson and Barker's Infants' 
 
 Preservative ii. 150 
 
 Atomising Fluid, Colman's ii. 84 
 
 Atropine i. 168 
 
 Augenwol i. 146 
 
 Automors ii. 239
 
 267 
 
 " Ba-cillentod " (Pohl's Family 
 
 Tea) i. 36 
 
 Baldness, Medicines for (inter- 
 nal) i. 114 
 
 Capsulated Haemoglobin Ovals i. 115 
 
 Capsuloids i. 114 
 
 Haemoglobin Capsules i. 116 
 
 Balm, Bowden's Indian ii. 23 
 
 Balsam, Bengue's i:. 19 
 
 Balsam of Peru i. 27, 113, 115 ; ii. 25 
 
 Balsam of tolu ii. 9 
 
 Balsamic Cough Mixture, 
 
 Crosby's i. 15 
 
 Balsamic Elixir, Congreve's i. 26 
 
 Baring-Gould's Anti-rheuirratic 
 
 Pearls i. 55 
 
 Barium Sulphate i. 122 
 
 Barkowski's Irrigal Tablets ....ii. 239 
 
 Barley ii. 23 
 
 Bath Salts ii. 25 
 
 Baueh's Busennahrcreme ii. 237 
 
 Beans, Bile i. 77; ii. 96 
 
 Bearberry i. 1C4 
 
 Beeoham's Cough Pills i. 18 
 
 Pills i. 175 
 
 Beeswax i. 58. 88, 120, 140, 143, 
 
 149, 151, 181 ; ii. 35, 181, 182 
 
 Bell's Fairy Cure i. 39 
 
 Benedict Pills, Horton's ii. 205 
 
 Bengue'e Balsam ii. 19 
 
 Benzoate, Sodium i. 180; ii. 177, 237 
 Benzoin, compound 'tLn.et.mre of i. 15, 27 
 
 Berberine i. 80; ii. 217 
 
 Berendorf's Powder for Epi- 
 lepsy i. 129 
 
 Betony i. 63 
 
 Bile Beans i. 77; ii. 96 
 
 Birch tar, oil of ii. 43 
 
 Birley's Anti-catarrh i. 7 
 
 Bishop's Gout Varalettes i. 62 
 
 Blacfcwood's Magazine ii. 253 
 
 Bladder.wr.ack i. '83, 84, 89, 91, 92, 93, 
 
 94, 100, 102 : 103, 104 ; ii. 112, 116, 
 
 117, 119, 121, 122, 123, 125 
 
 Blair's Gout and Rheumatic Pills i . 50 
 
 Blak Thyirol Female Pills ii. 206 
 
 Blanchard's ApioJ amd Steel Palls 
 
 ii. 205 
 
 Blaud's Pills ii. 145, 195, 203 
 
 Blood Cure, Munyon's i. 44 
 
 Mixture, Clarke's i. 42 
 
 Pills, Harvey's i. 44 
 
 Hughes'* i. 48 
 
 Blood Purifiers i. 42 
 
 Clarke's Blood Mixture i. 42 
 
 Harvey's Pills i. 44 
 
 Hood's Compound Extract of 
 
 Sarsaparilla i. 46 
 
 Hughes's Pills i. 48 
 
 Munyon's Cure ..i. 44 
 
 Phelps Brown's Purifier i. 46 
 
 Stevens's Consumption Cure i. 31 
 Tawnsemd's American Sarsa- 
 
 parilla i. 43 
 
 Blue dye i. 118, 119; ii. 145 
 
 Borax i. 7, 129, 138 ; ii. 40, 85, 223, 
 
 224, 225 
 
 Boric acid i. 106, 109, 113; ii. 39, 
 
 40, 42, 125, 136, 139, 202, 203, 
 
 237, 249 
 
 Bostock's Eye Ointment i. 143 
 
 Bowden's India.n Balm ii. 23 
 
 Box's Golden Fire ii. 20 
 
 Pills ii. 20 
 
 Brandy di. 28 
 
 Brixa Tablets i. 163 
 
 Bromocarpine ii. 164 
 
 Bronnpton Consumption and 
 
 Cough Specific i. 27 
 
 Brown's Bronchial Troches ...ii. 74 
 
 BrowflrSequard ii. 62, 63, 66 
 
 Brown's Vervain .Restorative 
 
 Assimilant, 0. Phelps i. 127 
 
 Brucine ii. 145 
 
 Bryony i. 63 
 
 Buckthorn i. 104 
 
 Buer's Mul'la i. 149 
 
 Buer's Piles Cure i. 149 
 
 Burdock i. 45 
 
 Burgess's Lion Ointment i. 180 
 
 Pills ii. 101 
 
 Busennahrcreme, Bauch's ii. 237 
 
 Biisteria ....ii. 238 
 
 Cade, oil of ii. 42, 43 
 
 Cadum ii. 41 
 
 Caffeine i. 38, 39; ii. 4, 139, 218. 
 221, 233 
 
 Calcium carbonate i. 6, 109; ii. 39, 
 145, 176 
 
 chloride ii. 175 
 
 glycerophosphate ...ii. 70 
 
 hypophosphite ii. 55, 58, 61, 
 
 127
 
 Calcium phosphate i- 132 
 
 sulphate i. 28, 109; ii. 39, 
 
 41, 139 
 
 Calomel ...i. 113, 131, 132, 148, 151 
 
 Camomile i- 63; ii. 100 
 
 Camphor i. 2, 5, 65, 135, 173 ; di. 11 
 oil of ...ii. 10, 23, 25, 82 
 
 Cancer Remedies i. 117 
 
 Cardigan Cancer Curers d. 121 
 
 Caustics and Cancer i. 122 
 
 Crimean Cross Special Oint- 
 ment ii. 181 
 
 Wallace's iSpeoific No. II. ...ii. 215 
 
 Canella ii. Ite, 193, 196 
 
 Canexia preparations i. 163 
 
 Capsicum i. 14, 35, 69, 156, 160, 176, 
 
 177 ; ii. 11, 19, 23, 76, 94, 98, 100, 
 
 101, 108, 196, 200, 205 
 
 Capsulated Haemoglobin Ovals i. 115 
 
 Capsuloids i. 114 
 
 Caraway, oil of...ii. 149, luO, 151, 240 
 Carbolic acid (see Phenol) 
 Cardamom ii. 96, 195, 198, 199, 204, 
 205 
 
 Cardigan Cancer Curers i. 121 
 
 Carmine i. 88 
 
 Carter's Little Liver Pills ii. 96 
 
 Carvone ii. 147 
 
 Cascara sagrada i. 2, 6, 55, 74, 104, 
 
 156, 161 ; ii. 28, 36, 94, 110, 123, 
 
 149 
 
 Cascarilla i. 70 
 
 Cassell's Medicines ii. 36 
 
 ,, Dusting Powder ii 39 
 
 Blood Cleansing Tablets ii 39 
 
 ,, Ointment ii. 40 
 
 Cassia, oil of i. 35; ii. 10, 76 
 
 Catarrh Balm, Van Vleck's ...i. 3 
 
 Catarrh Cures i. l;ii. 71 
 
 Birley's i. 7 
 
 Colman Method ii. 83 
 
 Hyomei ii. 78 
 
 Lane's i. 2 
 
 Munyon's i. 6 
 
 Rhycol Treatment ii. 80 
 
 Van Vleck's i. 3 
 
 Caulophyllin i. 80; ii. 200 
 
 Caustics and cancer i. 122 
 
 C.B.Q. Tablets, Post's i. 61 
 
 Celmo ii. 17 
 
 No. 2 ii. 94 
 
 Century Thermal Bath Cabinet i. 99 
 
 Chalk i. 6, 109; ii. 39, 145, 176 
 
 Chameleon Oil ii. 7 
 
 Charcoal i. 172; ii. 19, 145 
 
 Chas. Forde'e Bile Beans ii. 96 
 
 Chijitse i. 22, 32 
 
 Children's Cooling Powders, 
 
 Fenning's i. 133 
 
 Chinosol ii. 238 
 
 Ghiretta i. 168 
 
 Ohlorbutol ii. 232, 233 
 
 Chloretone ii. 232 
 
 Chlorinated soda ...ii. 175 
 
 Chlorine* ii. 175 
 
 Chloroform i. 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 74, 
 
 125 ; ii. 13, 47, 164, 194, 198, 234 
 
 Chloroform, Spirit of ...i. 43; ii. 67 
 
 Chlorophyll i. Ill, 112 
 
 Cicfa ii. 93 
 
 Cimicifuga i. 57 
 
 Cinchona i. 167; ii. 58,61,133 
 
 Cinchonidine sulphate i. 5 
 
 Cinchonine sulphate i. 2, 6 ; ii. 205 
 
 Cinnamon i. 164; ii. 195, 199, 204, 
 
 205, 233 
 
 ,, decoction of ii. 76 
 
 oil of ii. 76, 98' 
 
 Citric acid i. 64, 81, 84, 86, 87; 
 ii. 28, 55 
 
 Clarke's Blood Mixture i. 42 
 
 Clifton's Treatment for Deaf- 
 ness i 136 
 
 Cloves ii. 117 
 
 ,, decoction of .ii. 76 
 
 oil of ii. 65, 76, 237 
 
 Cocaphos ii. 49 
 
 Cochineal i. 27, 35, 86, 120; ii. 47, 
 181 
 
 Cockle's Pills ii. 100 
 
 Cocoa i. 41 
 
 Cocoa-butter (see Theobroma, oil 
 of) 
 
 Cocoanut oil ii. 25 
 
 Cod-liver Oil, Pastor Felke's 
 
 Honey i. 76 
 
 Coffee, tincture of ii. 218, 220, 221 
 
 Coffcea cruda ii. 220 
 
 Colchicine. i. 61, 64 
 
 Colchicum i. 51, 63; ii. 5 
 
 Cold Cures i. 1 
 
 Keene's " One Night" i. 5 
 
 Mackenzie' s ' ' One Day " . . . i . 4
 
 Coleman's Nervlette* i. 175 
 
 CollemplastTTiin Capsicum ii. 237 
 
 Collie's Ointment i. 57 
 
 Colman Method ii. 83 
 
 Colocynth ii. 95, 100, 101, 117 
 
 extract of ii. 96, 197 
 
 Colophony id. 181, 182 
 
 Colza oil i. 88, 135; ii. 25 
 
 Confinements, Medicine for secur- 
 ing easy ii. 207 
 
 Congreve's Balsamic FJixir i. 26 
 
 Constipation (see Indigestion, 
 Constipation, etc., Medicines 
 for). 
 
 Consultation Blanks (see Symptom 
 Forms). 
 ,, Forms (see .Symptom Forms). 
 
 Consumption Cures i. 20; ii. 71 
 
 Bacillentod i. 36 
 
 Brompton specific i. 27 
 
 Congreve's Balsamic Elixir ...i. 26 
 
 Felke's Honey Cod-liver Oil...i. 36 
 
 Kefyr Ferment i. 24 
 
 Korber's i. 36 
 
 Lieber's Tea i. 36 
 
 Liqufruta Medica ii. 77 
 
 Pohl's Family Tea i. 36 
 
 Star Tonic i. 23 
 
 Stevens 's (Sacco, Lungsava) 
 
 i. 21, 28 
 
 Tuberculozyne i. 21 32 
 
 Weidhaas Hygienic Institute i. 23 
 
 Cooling Powders for Infants ...i. 130 
 Forming's Children's Powders 
 
 i. 13i 
 Pritchard's Teething and 
 
 Fever Powders i. 132 
 
 Copaiba ii. 107 
 
 Copper in Tuberculozyne i. 35 
 
 Copper pleate ...i. 120; ii. 181, 182 
 Corpulence (see Obesity, Medi- 
 cines for). 
 
 Corpulin , j. 104 
 
 Corrective, Jefferson Dodd's ...ii. 193 
 
 Pills. Powell's ii. 193 
 
 Cottonseed oil ii. 12 
 
 Cotton Wool, Vollner's ii. 28 
 
 Cough Cure, Kilmer's Indian ...i. 15 
 
 ,, ,, Veno's Lightnmg i. 16 
 
 Drops, Lauser's i. 19 
 
 ,, Reichel's i. 19 
 
 Cough Lozenges, Keating's i. 17 
 
 Cough, Medicines for ...i. 9; ii. 71 
 Assmann's Whooping Cough 
 
 Remedy i. 19 
 
 Bet-Cham's Cough Pills i. 18 
 
 Brown's Bronchial Troches ...ii. 74 
 
 Crosby's Balsamic Elixir ....i. 15 
 
 Fenning's Lung Healers ii. 72 
 
 Glykaline ii. 76 
 
 Kay's Linseed Compound ...i. 12 
 
 Kea/tdng's Lozenges i. 17 
 
 Kilmer'^ Indian Cure i. 15 
 
 Lauser's Drops i. 19 
 
 Owbridge'e Lung Tonic i. 13 
 
 Peps ii. 73 
 
 Powell's Balsam of Aniseed...!. 14 
 
 Reichel's Drops i. 19 
 
 Tussothym i. 19 
 
 Veno's Lightning Cure i. 16 
 
 White's Kompo ii. 75 
 
 Cough Medicines, Morphine in 
 
 i. 9, 13, 15, 18, 28 
 
 Opium in i. 10, 11, 28 
 
 Pills, Beecham's i. 18 
 
 Specific, Brompton i. 27 
 
 Coza Powder i. 162 
 
 Creosote i. 113, 152; ii. 80 
 
 Crimson Cross Remedies ii. 178 
 
 ,, ,, Fever and In- 
 
 fluenza Powder 
 
 ii. 181 
 
 No. 1 Ointment ii. 181 
 Special Ointment 
 
 ii. 181 
 
 Kidney Cure ...ii. 182 
 Crompton's Specific for Deafness 
 
 i. 135 
 
 Crosby's Balsamic Cough Elixir i. 15 
 
 Cubeb ii. 75 
 
 Cummin i. 164 
 
 Curative Syrup, Mother Seagel'e 
 
 i. 176 
 
 Cure-alls i. 170; ia. 233 
 
 Beecham's Pills i. 175 
 
 Korpusdoon ii. 233 
 
 Martin's Minadette d. 163 
 
 Nervlettes i. 175 
 
 Seigel's Syrup i. 176 
 
 Therapion i. 172 
 
 Williams's Pink Pills ...d. 170, 174 
 
 Curie Wafers .. i. 38
 
 272 
 
 Gordon's Vital Sexnaline Re- 
 storative ii. 54 
 
 Gordon Wallace ii. 258 
 
 Gordon Wallace's Treatment for 
 
 Obesity " 114 
 
 Gossypitmn, extract of ii. 198 
 
 Gout, Rheumatism, and Neural- 
 gia, Medicines for ....!. 50;ii. 1 
 
 Anturic Bath Salts ii 26 
 
 Baring Gould's Pearls i. 55 
 
 Bath Salts ii. 25 
 
 Bengue's Balsam ii. 19 
 
 Bishop's Varalettes i. 62 
 
 Blair's Pills i. 50 
 
 Box's Pills ii- 20 
 
 ,, Golden Fire ii. 20 
 
 Bowden's Indian Balm ii. 23 
 
 Celmo ii. 17 
 
 Chameleon Oil ii. 7 
 
 Collie's Ointment i. 57 
 
 Dyxol ii. 11 
 
 Eade's .Pills ii. 4 
 
 Electricum i. 64 
 
 Genoform Tablets i. 60 
 
 Gloria Treatment i. 52 
 
 Gower's Green Pills i. 56 
 
 Hamm's Cure i. 51 
 
 Hoffmann's Powders ii. 3 
 
 Laville's Remedies i. 64 
 
 Lazarus Soap i. 64 
 
 Levasco ii. 10 
 
 Limosan ii. 28 
 
 Magic Foot Drafts ii. 14 
 
 Oquit i. 59 
 
 Orudon Essence id. 27 
 
 Salt ii. 28 
 
 Ozonia ii. 25 
 
 Pistoia Powdeirs i. 62 
 
 Pond's Arthriticus ii. 12 
 
 Portland Powder ...: i. 62 
 
 Post's C.B.Q. Tablets i. 61 
 
 Rheumacid i. 64 
 
 Rheuma Tabakolin i. 65 
 
 Rheumsol Bath Salte ii. 27 
 
 Tissander's Cure ii. 29 
 
 Uricedin i. 64 
 
 Uricura Drops ii. 6 
 
 ,, Liniment ii. 7 
 
 Vollner's Cotton Wool ii. 28 
 
 Weigand'e Spirit i. 65 
 
 Zox i. 58 
 
 l>AGfc 
 
 Gout and Rheumatic Pills, Blair's 
 
 i. 50 
 Gout and Sciatica Cure, Hamm's 
 
 Rheumatic i. 51 
 
 Gout Powders, Pustoia i. 62 
 
 Portland i. 62 
 
 Varalettes, Bishop's i. 62 
 
 Gower's Green Pills i. 56 
 
 Graziana Reducing Treatment...!. 103 
 
 Green Pills, Gower's i. f 
 
 Grey's (Nurse) American Com- 
 pound Tablets ii. 190, 
 
 Grindelia robusta i. 
 
 Gripe Water, W'oodward's ii. 
 
 Guaiacum i. 44, 54, 62 
 
 Guarantee Bonds a. { 
 
 Guarantee...!. 97, 99, 107, 155 ; ii. t 
 Guy's Tonic ii. 
 
 Hemoglobin i. 114, 115, 116 
 
 ,, Capsules i. 116 
 
 ,, Ovals, Capsulated i. 115 
 
 Haemorrhoids (i>ee Piles, Medicines for). 
 
 Haig's Cure for Goitre ii. 240 
 
 Hair Dyes ii. 222, 228 
 
 Hair, Preparations for the ...ii. 222 
 
 Edwards' Harlene ii. 223 
 
 Juvenia ii. 229 
 
 Koko ii. 224 
 
 Lockyer's Sulphur Hair Re- 
 storer ii. 225 
 
 Mexican Hair Renewer ii. 226 
 
 Seeger's Hair Dye ii. 228 
 
 Shadeine ii. 229 
 
 Tatcho ii. 222 
 
 Vilixir ii. 227 
 
 Hair Restorer, The Geo. R. 
 
 Sims ii. 222 
 
 ,, Restorer, Lockyer's ...ii. 225 
 
 ,, Renewer, Mexican ii. 226 
 
 Hamamelidis, Liquor i. 150 ; ii. 249 
 
 Hamamelin i. 152 
 
 Hamamelis i. 148, 149, 15k! 
 
 Hamm's Rheumatic, Gout, and 
 
 Sciatica Cure i. 51 
 
 Hammond's (Nurse) Remedies ii. 203 
 
 Hammond's Specifics ii. 6, 7 
 
 Hargreave's Reducing Wafers...!. 91 
 
 Harlene, Edwards' ii. 223 
 
 Harmless Headache Powders, 
 
 Hoffman's .. i. 41
 
 273 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Harvey's Blood Pills i. 44 
 
 Headache i. 37 
 
 Cure, Stearns's i. 39 
 
 Headache Powders i. 37 
 
 Bell's Fairy Cure i. 39 
 
 Curie Wafers i. 38 
 
 Daisy i. 38 
 
 "Good as Gold " i. 41 
 
 Hoffman's Harmless i. 41 
 
 Kaputine i. 40 
 
 Retailers Supplying i. 41 
 
 Stearns's Cure i. 39 
 
 Healine Treatment for Rupture i. 160 
 
 Hellebore, -white ii. 17 
 
 Hemlock Pitch i. 68 
 
 'lemotora i. 153 
 
 Jenbane i. 69, 71 
 
 Herbal Remedy, George's ...ii. 251 
 
 Herbal Specialist, A ii. 249 
 
 Hexamethylene - tetramine (see 
 Formamine). 
 
 Hochfelder Pitch Plaster ii. 237 
 
 Hoffman's Harmless Headache 
 
 Powders i. 41 
 
 Hoffmann's Rheumatic 
 
 Powders ii. 3 
 
 Holdroyd's Gravel Pills ii. 104 
 
 Holloway's Pills ii. 96 
 
 Homatropine i. 168, 169 
 
 " Home Doctor " Backache and 
 
 Kidney Pills ii. 107 
 
 " Home Doctor " Remedies 
 
 ii. 103, 107 
 
 Homocea ii. 34 
 
 Honey ii. 151 
 
 Hood's Compound Extract of 
 
 Sarsaparilla i. 46 
 
 Hood's Vegetable Pills ii. 101 
 
 Hooper's Female Pills , ii. 196 
 
 Horton's Benedict Pills ii. 205 
 
 Hughes's Blood Pills i. 48 
 
 Hydrastine i. 80; ii. 217 
 
 Hydrastis i. 77, 80; ii. 85, 240 
 
 ,, tincture of ii. 217, 221 
 
 Hydrochloric acid...i. 121, 169, 176, 
 
 177; ii. 47, 151, 175, 228, 229 
 
 Hydrogen peroxide ii. 230,238 
 
 Hygenique Mixture, Fournier's ii. 199 
 
 Hyomei ii. 78 
 
 Hyoscine i. 168, 169 
 
 Hyoscyamine i. 168, 169 
 
 Ichthyol i. 140, 151 
 
 His of Humanity i. 177 
 
 Imperatine, Dale's ii. 153 
 
 Indian Balm, Bowden's ii. 23 
 
 Indigestion, Constipation, etc., 
 
 Medicines for ii. 87 
 
 Burgess's Lion Pills ii. 101 
 
 Carter's Littile Liver Pills ...ii. 96 
 
 Celmo No. 2 ii. 94 
 
 Cicfa ii. 93 
 
 Cockle's Pills ii. 100 
 
 Forde's Bile Beans ii. 96 
 
 Holloway's Pills ii. 97 
 
 Hood's Vegetable Pills ii. 101 
 
 Ker-Nak ii. 99 
 
 Mer-Syren ii: 89 
 
 Scott's Pills ii. 98 
 
 Wlhelipton's Purifying Pills ..ii. 95 
 
 Woodcock's Wind Pills ii. 95 
 
 Inebriety (see Alcoholism, Medi- 
 cines for) 
 
 Inetnriety, Drug Cures for i. 168 
 
 Infants, Powders for i. 130 
 
 Infants' Preservative, Atkinson 
 
 and Barker's ii. 150 
 
 Infants, Soothing Syrups for ...ii. 147 
 Information Forms (see Symptom 
 Forms) 
 
 Inspirators ii. 81 
 
 Invigoroids ii. 51 
 
 Iodine i. 84, 94, 102, 103, 126 
 
 ,, tincture of i. 126 
 
 Ipecacuanha i. 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 
 
 18, 28 ; ii. 73, 101 
 
 Iridin i. 157 
 
 Iron i. 71, 87, 89, 121, 162 
 
 canbonate ii. 145, 203 
 
 chloride i. 121; ii. 175 
 
 glycerophoephate ii. 67 
 
 ,, hypophosphiite ...ii. 50, 51, 55 
 
 oxide ii. 200 
 
 ,, oxysulphate ii. 49 
 
 ,, phosphate i. 89; ii. 61, 
 
 67, 194 
 
 reduced. ..ii. 53, 145, 199, 206 
 ,, saccharated carbonate i. 
 
 40; ' ; . 52 
 
 ,, sulphate i. 175; ii. 36, 
 159, 162, 192, 193, 195, 196, 
 197, 199, 200, 201, 202, 204, 
 
 205, 236
 
 274 
 
 Irrigal Tablets, Barkowski's ...ii. 
 
 Irristum ii. 189 
 
 I.R.S. Compound Golden Tab- 
 let* ii. 
 
 Ison's Eye and Ear Dispensary ii. 
 Preparations for the 
 Eye* ii. 
 
 Jalap i. 48, 49, 55, 57, 69, 70, 
 
 180; ii. 100, 101, 117, 192, 
 
 193, 19 
 
 Jalap resin ii- 
 
 Jaundice i. 7 
 
 Jefferson Uodd's Corrective ....ii. 
 
 Female Pills ...ii. 
 
 Jehnol ii. 
 
 John Bull investigation ii. 
 
 Johnson's (Mrs.) American Sooth- 
 ing Syrup ii. 
 
 Juniper, art of i. 68, 71 ; da. 19, 108 
 
 ,, preparations 
 
 Juvenia Hair Dye i 
 
 J.Z. Obesity Tablets 
 
 Kaolin i. 54, 109 
 
 Kaputine i. 
 
 Karox Compound ii. 
 
 Kay's Linseed Compound i. 
 
 ,, Linum Catharticum Pill* i. 
 Kearsley's Welch's Female 
 
 Pills ii. 
 
 Keating's Cough Lozenges i. 
 
 Keene's "One Night" Cold 
 
 Cure i. 
 
 Kefyr i. 
 
 Kellogg's Safe Fat Reducer ...ii. 
 
 Ker-Nak ii. 
 
 Kerosene ii. 
 
 Kidd Co., The J. W ii. 
 
 Kidd's Treatment, James W. ...i. 
 Kidney "medicines i. 66; ii. 
 
 De Roos'-Renal Pills ii. 
 
 Doan's Pills i. 
 
 Dodd's Pills i. 
 
 Fitch's Kidney and Liver 
 Cooler 
 
 Holdroyd's Gravel Pills 
 
 " Home Doctor " Pills 
 
 Karox Compound 
 
 Kilmer's Swamp Root 
 
 239 
 194 
 
 Kidney medicines (cont.) 
 Munyon's Cure i. 75 
 
 
 Red Cross Pills ii. 106 
 
 201 
 246 
 
 Var's American Pilla i. 70 
 Veno's Seaweed Tonic i 74 
 
 248 
 
 Warner's Cure i. 72 
 Kilmer's Indian Cough Cure ...i. 15 
 Swamp Root ii. 108 
 
 
 Kino i- 32 
 
 
 Kleinertz's Quidestin ii. 209 
 Koko ii. 224 
 Kompo White's ii. 75 
 
 , 236 
 
 85 
 
 Korber's Cure for Consumption i. 35 
 Korpusdoon ii. 233 
 
 2, 79 
 
 Krameria ...i. 32; ii. 40 
 
 198 
 198 
 237 
 
 169 
 
 151 
 108 
 
 Kupfinn, "Dr." i. 139 
 
 Lamma Powder i. 129 
 Lammersdorf's Chilblain 
 Cream ii. 237 
 
 113 
 229 
 87 
 
 Lane's Catarrh Cure i. 2 
 Lanoline i. 149, 154 ; ii. 20, 25, 40, 43 
 Lard ii. 20, 25, 35, 177 
 Lauser's Cough Drops i. 19 
 
 , 172 
 
 oil of ii. 11 ' 
 
 40 
 110 
 12 
 12 
 
 198 
 
 Laville's Antigout remedies i. 64 
 Laxatol (see PifoenolphiUiaLeLn) 
 Laxen (see Phenolphthalein) 
 Laxoin (see Phenolphthalein) 
 Lazarus Gout and Rheumatic 
 Soap i 64 
 
 17 
 
 Lead i. 122 
 
 5 
 2o 
 
 acetate i. 113, 127, 148, 152; 
 ii. 226, 228 
 ,, carbonate .... ii. 177 
 
 119 
 99 
 12 
 
 ,, oleate i. 113, 119, 181 
 oxide i. 143, 144 
 ,, plaster i 181 
 
 244 
 :78 
 102 
 
 sulphate ii. 226 
 subacetate i. 127 
 
 ins 
 
 Lecithin ii. 69, 127, 238 
 
 67 
 
 69 
 
 71 
 
 Lemon i. 84 
 grass i. 113 
 oil of i. 65; ii. 25, 35 
 Leptandirin i 74 
 
 104 
 
 Levasco .... ii 10 
 
 107 
 110 
 
 108 
 
 Lieber's Tea for Consumption...!. 36 
 Lilly's (Nurse) Female Pills ...ii. 206 
 Lime Juice . ....i. 77. 81
 
 275 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Limosan ii. 26 
 
 Linseed Compound, Kay's i. 12 
 
 oil ii. 181, 182 
 
 Lion Pills, Burgess's ii. 101 
 
 ,, Ointment, Burgess's ...i. 180 
 
 Liqufruta Medica ii. 77 
 
 Liquor ammonii anisat ii. 86 
 
 Liquorice i. 11, 14, 18, 19, 45, 54, 
 
 55, 61, 69, 89, 91, 102, 103, 133, 
 
 156, 173, 174, 175, 176; ii. 28, 97, 
 
 116, 119, 122, 192, 193, 197, 199, 
 
 203, 204, 206 
 
 Liquorice, extract of ii. 74, 234 
 
 Lithium carbonate ii. 28 
 
 citrate i. 62; ii. 13, 28 
 
 Liver (Cooler, Fitch's Kidney 
 
 and i. 71 
 
 Lloyd, J. Nelson id. 256, 257, 258 
 
 Lloyd Reducing Treatment, Nel- 
 son i. 100 
 
 Lobelia, ii. 23 
 
 ,, tincture of ii. 86 
 
 Lockyer's Sulphur Hair Restorer 
 
 London Medicine Co.'s Fitzkure 
 
 ii. 
 
 Lotion, X.L. Reducing Pills and 
 
 jung Tonic, Owbridge's 
 .jyoopodium 
 "jymphol, Rice's 
 
 225 
 159 
 
 89 
 28 
 13 
 71 
 158 
 
 Mackenzie's "One D*vy " Cold 
 
 Cure i. 4 
 
 Magic Foot Drafts ii. 14 
 
 Magnesia, calcined i. 150 
 
 citrate ii. 28 
 
 glyceopophosphate ii. 67 
 
 silicate ii. 19 
 
 sulphate ii. 49, 111, 234 
 
 Magnesium carbonate ii. 133, 150 
 
 Magpies ii. 166 
 
 Malachdte green i. HI 
 
 Malt extract ii. 19, 95, 121, 237 
 
 Mandelyl-tropeine (see Homa- 
 
 tropine). 
 
 Mann's (Nurse) Remedy ii. 191, 195 
 
 Marigold ii. 23 
 
 Marmola i. 85, 93 
 
 Marshmadlow ........................ ii. 
 
 Mareton Treatment ............... u. 
 
 Martin's Apiol and Steel Pills ii. 
 Miraolette .................. i. 
 
 Mawozone ........................... ii. 
 
 100 
 55 
 199 
 1Y1 
 207 
 
 Medicine Stamp Act ............... i. 182 
 
 Medi-cone Pile Treatment, 
 
 Oxien i. 
 
 Meligrin ii. 
 
 Menthol i. 156, 172; ii. 
 
 Mercuric oxide i. 
 
 151 
 
 238 
 
 20 
 
 143 
 
 Mercury, ammoniated 
 
 perchloride 
 Mergandol 
 
 200 
 52 
 
 148 
 93 
 
 176 
 
 232 
 
 113, 143, 144 
 
 ii. 239 
 
 239 
 89 
 
 Methyl alcohol ii. 238 
 
 Methylene blue ii. 145 
 
 Methyl orange i. 86 
 
 salicylate i. 73, 180 ; ii. 20, 33, 
 40, 82, 85, 110, 145, 183 
 Metramine (see Formainine). 
 
 Mexican Hair Renewer i. 226 
 
 Milk ii. 69 
 
 Miraoletts, Martin's i. 171 
 
 Mixture for Epilepsy, Ofiborne's i. 126 
 
 Monaid Tablet* ii. 
 
 Morgan's Radio Vimettes ii. 
 
 Morphine d. 13, 15, 18; ii. 
 
 Mother's Advice ii. 
 
 Mother Seigel's Curative Syrup i. 
 Mothersill's Seasick Remedy ...di. 
 Muco-Food Cones, Van Vleok's 
 
 i. 148, 155 
 
 Mul'la, Buer's i. 149 
 
 Mtmyon's Catarrh Cure i. 6 
 
 Catarrh Tablets i. 6 
 
 Blood Cure i. 44 
 
 Kidney Cure i. 75 
 
 Pile Ointment i. 150 
 
 Murray's Combined Treatment ii. 58 
 Mustard, essential oil of ...ii. 10, 12 
 
 National College of Health, 
 
 Limited ii. 166, 243 
 
 Nazaseptic i. 139 
 
 Nebular Tablets, Colman's ....ii. 84 
 
 Nelson Lloyd, J ii. 256, 257, 258 
 
 Nelson Lloyd Reducing Treat- 
 ment i. 100 
 
 Nerve Stimulators i. 61
 
 276 
 
 Nerve Tonics and " Elixirs of 
 
 Life" ii. 44 
 
 Antineurasthin ii. 68 
 
 Cooaphos ii. 49 
 
 Damaroids ii. 50 
 
 Gordon's Vital Sexualine Re- 
 storative ii. 54 
 
 Guy's Tonic ii. 46 
 
 Invigoroids ii. 51 
 
 Marston Treatment ii. 55 
 
 Morgan's Radio-Vimettes ....ii. 52 
 Murray's Combined Treat- 
 ment ii. 58 
 
 Neurovril ii. 63 
 
 Osogem ii. 66 
 
 Phosferine ii. 45 
 
 Schafert's Nerve Salts ii. 70 
 
 Sequarine ii. 62 
 
 Vita Ore ii. 48 
 
 Nervlettes, Coleman's i. 175 
 
 Nettle i. 36 
 
 Neuralgia (see Gout, Rheumatism, 
 and Neuralgia, Medicines for) 
 
 Neurovril ii. 63 
 
 " New and Marvellous Remedy 
 
 for the Eyes " i. 144 
 
 Niblett's Vital Renewer ii. 162 
 
 Ninetta ....ii. 238 
 
 Nitrous Ether, Spirit of ji. Ill 
 
 " No Cure No Pay " i. 5/29, 95 
 
 rt Normal " Pills for Obesity ...ii. 122 
 Normyl Treatment for Alcohol 
 
 and Drug addictions ii. 140 
 
 Nostrum, A Lancashire i. 80 
 
 Nurse Grey's American Com- 
 pound Tablets ii. 190, 195 
 
 Nurse Hammond's Remedies ...ii. 203 
 
 Lilly's FemaJe Pills ...ii. 206 
 
 Mann's Remedy ...ii. 191, 195 
 
 Powell's Corrective Pills ii. 193 
 
 ,, Mixture ii. 193 
 
 Popular Pellets ii. 192 
 
 ,, Remedies ii. 187 
 
 Nutmeg, oil of ii. 12 
 
 tincture of ii. 219 
 
 Nux Vomica, extract of ...ii. 52, 145 
 
 ,, tincture of ii. 141 
 
 Obesity, Medicines for i. 83 ; ii. 112 
 
 AJbsorbit Paste i. 3? 
 
 Allan's Anti-Fat i. 92 
 
 Obesity, Medicines for (cont.) 
 
 Amticelta Tablets i. 
 
 Antipon i. 
 
 Corpulin i. 
 
 Dalloff's Tea i. 
 
 Fell Treatment i. 
 
 Figuroids i. 
 
 Gordon Wallace's Treatment ii. 
 
 Graziana Treatment i. 
 
 Hargreave's Wafers i. 
 
 J. Z. Tablets i. 
 
 Kellogg 's Safe Fat Reducer... ii. 
 
 Marmola 
 
 us 
 
 85, 931 
 
 i. 100 
 i. 122' 
 117 
 
 87 
 122 
 
 Nelson Lloyd Treatment i. 
 
 "Normal" Pills ii. 
 
 Phatolene Tablets ii. 
 
 Russell's Anti-Corpulent Pre- 
 paration i. 
 
 Seymour's (Mrs.) Treatment ii. 
 
 Trilene Tablets i. f 
 
 Vincent's Anti-Stout Pills ...ii. 11. 
 
 X.L. Pills and Lotion i. 
 
 Zehrkur i. ! 
 
 Zobiede i. 
 
 Ohraeeptic i. : 
 
 Ohrsorb Compound i. 1 ' 
 
 Oil of allspice ii. 10, 1 
 
 ,, almond i. 135, 3 
 
 ,, almond, essential i. 35 ; ii. 1 
 
 ,, amber ii. 6, . 
 
 anise i. 12, 14; ii. 74, 10' 
 149, 150, 151, 162, 1 
 
 ,, birch tar ii. 
 
 ,, cade ii. 42, 
 
 camphor ii. 10, 23, 25 
 
 caraway ii. 149, 150, 151, 
 
 ,, cassia i. 35 ; ii 
 
 ,, cinnamon ii. 76, 
 
 ,, cloves di. 63, 76, 2 
 
 ,, cocoanut ii. k 
 
 ,, cottonseed ii. 1 
 
 dill ii. 149, 150, 151 
 
 ., eucalyptus i. 4, 112; ii. 23. 
 
 25, 35, 40, 80, 82 
 
 ,, juniper ...i. 68, 71; ii. 19, 108 
 
 ,, lavender id. 11 
 
 lemon i. 65; ii. 25, 35 
 
 linseed ii. 181, 182 
 
 ,, mustard, essential...^ 10, 12 
 
 ,, nutmeg ii. 12 
 
 Oil, olive ... ....ii. 40
 
 277. 
 
 Oil of onion ii. 78 
 
 origanum i. 160 
 
 pennyroyal ii. 192, 193, 196, 
 197, 204, 205, 206 
 
 peppermint, i. 14, 36, 69, 71, 
 
 81, 94, 160; ii. 63, 74, 78, 
 
 96, 98, 101 
 
 pimento ii. 10, 12 
 
 ,, pine i. 4 
 
 Oil, rape i. 88, 135; ii. 25 
 
 Oil of rosemary ii. 11, 23 
 
 rue ii. 195, 204, 205 
 
 sassafras ...i. 44; ii. 159, 234 
 
 spearmint i. 160; ii. 10 
 
 theobroma ...i. 148, 152, 154, 
 
 156 ; ii. 58, 61, 201, 202, 203 
 
 turpentine ...i. 65, 113, 122, 
 
 136 ; ii. 7, 10 
 
 wintergreen ...i. 73, 180; v. 
 20, 33, 40, 82, 85, 110, 145, 183 
 
 Ointment, Cassell's ii. 40 
 
 | Collie's i. 57 
 
 I Crimson Cross ii. 181 
 
 Treinol id. 176 
 
 kterin i. 146 
 
 )leic acid i. 115, 161 
 
 Oleo-resin of Capsicum ii. 11, 19 
 
 Spthalmol i. 146 
 
 /quit i. 59 
 
 >pium, tincture of ii. 6 
 
 Orchitie fluid di. 62, 67 
 
 Origanum, oil of i. 160 
 
 '>rudon Essence ii. 27 
 
 Salt oi. 28 
 
 borne's Mixture for Epilepsy..i. 126 
 
 ->gen ii. 66 
 
 bridge's Lung Tonic i. 13 
 
 .-bile i. 88 
 
 ,xien Pile Treatment i. 151 
 
 Ozerine i. 125 
 
 Oxygar ii. 238 
 
 Ozonia ii. 26 
 
 Pale People, Dr. Williams' Pink 
 Pills for i. 170, 174 
 
 Paraffin ... i. 4, 70, 100, 106, 109, 110, 
 
 111, 112, 113, 120, 140, 143, 144, 146, 
 
 151, 152, 156; ii. 12, 40, 42, 43, 80, 
 
 176, 240 
 
 Paraphenylene-diamine ii. 230 
 
 Paris Pills, Dumas's ii. 186, 192 
 
 Patients' names, obtaining i. 25; 
 
 ii. 245 
 
 Patterson's Female Pills ii. 204 
 
 Pellets, Powell's Popular ii. 192 
 
 Pelloids, Mrs. Stafford-Brookes' 
 
 ii. 202 
 Pennyroyal and Steel Pills, 
 
 Towle's ii. 195 
 
 oil of ...ii. 192, 193, 196, 197, 
 204, 205, 206 
 
 Peppermint ii. 28 
 
 oil of ...i. 14, 36, 69, 71, 81, 
 
 94, 160; ii. 63, 74, 78, 96, 
 
 98, 101 
 
 water i. 127; di. 175 
 
 Peps ii. 73 
 
 Pepsin i. 76; ii. 94 
 
 Peru, balsam of ii. 25 
 
 Pesqui's Uranium Wine i. 76, 77 
 
 Petroleum jelly i. 58, 156 
 
 Phatolene Tablets ii. 117 
 
 Phelps Brown's Blood Purifier... i. 46 
 Vervain Restora- 
 
 tive Assimilamt i. 127 
 
 Phenacetin i. 38, 39; ii. 4 
 
 Phenocoll ii. 28 
 
 Phenol ... i. 1, 3, 4, 7, 120, 151; ii. 33, 
 239 
 
 sulphate i. 239 
 
 Phenolphthalein ... i. 77, 81, 85, 94, 96, 
 97 ; ii. 39, 144 
 
 Pheun Skin Paste i. 113 
 
 Phosferine ii. 45 
 
 Phosphoric acid ...i. 8; ii. 46, 47, 194 
 
 Phosphorus i. 176; ii. 56 
 
 Phytolaccin i. 54 
 
 Picrotoxin ii. 141 
 
 Pile Ointment, Doan's i. 151 
 
 Munyom's i. 150 
 
 Piles, Medicines for i. 147 
 
 Buer's Mul'la i. 149 
 
 Doan's Ointment i. 151 
 
 Hemotora i. 153 
 
 Muco-food Cones, Van Vleck's.i. 148 
 
 Munyon's Ointment i. 150 
 
 Oxien Medi-cone Treatment. . .i. 151 
 
 Hollo's Remedy i. 153 
 
 Van Vleck's Absorptive Treat- 
 ment i. 154 
 
 Pilocarpine ii. 165 
 
 Pimento, oil of ii. 10, 12
 
 278 
 
 Pine balsams ii. 73 
 
 Pinkham's (Mrs.) Vegetable Com- 
 pound ii. 190, 194 
 
 Pink Pills, Williams' i. 170, 174 
 
 Piperazine i. 62; ii. 28 
 
 Pistoia Gout Powders i. 62 
 
 Pitch Plaster, Hochfelder ii. 237 
 
 Plasma, Van Vleck's i. 155 
 
 Podophyllin i. 69; ii. 85, 97, 144 
 
 Pohl's Family Tea i. 36 
 
 Pomies' Anticataract Mixture...!. 146 
 
 Pond's Arthriticus ii. 12 
 
 Poplar tree leaf ii. 28 
 
 Popular Pellets, Powell's ii. 192 
 
 Portland Gout Powder i. 62 
 
 Poslam ii. 42 
 
 Post's C.B.Q. Tablets i. 61 
 
 Potassium ibicanbonate ii. 13, 150 
 
 foitartrate id. 78 
 
 bromide i. 89, 90, 125, 126, 
 
 127, 128, 129, 165,' 166; 
 
 ii. 149, 164, 165 
 
 carbonate i. 174, 175 
 
 chlorate i. 133 
 
 chloride i. 89, 90, 125 
 
 citrate u. 13, 111, 162 
 
 ,, hypophosphite ii. 55, 127 
 
 iodate ii. 86 
 
 doddde i. 43, 45, 47, 52, 54, 
 
 61, 89, 90, 92, 93, 111, 126, 142 
 
 146 ; di. 39, 76, 159, 162, 164 
 
 nitrate i. 66, 68, 70, 71, 72, 
 
 73; ii. 108 
 
 phosphate ii. 63 
 
 sulphate id. 145 
 
 8nJpho-guaiaoolate di. 237 
 
 Potato Flour ii. 92 
 
 Powders, Headache i. 37 
 
 Daisy i. 38 
 
 "Good as Gold" i. 41 
 
 Hoffmann's Harmless i. 41 
 
 Powders for Infants, Soothing, 
 
 Teething, and Cooling i. 130 
 
 Fenning's Children's Cooling i. 133 
 Pritchard's Teething and 
 
 Fever L 132 
 
 Stedman's Teething i. 130 
 
 Steedman's Soothing i. 131 
 
 Powell's Balsam of Aniseed ...i. 14 
 
 (Nurse) Corrective Pills ii. 193 
 
 y, Mixture ii. 193 
 
 Popular Pellets ii. 192 
 
 Powell's (Nurse) Remedies ii. 187 
 
 Preservative, Atkinson and 
 
 Barker's Infants' ii. 150 
 
 Pritchard's Teething and Fever 
 
 Powders i. 132 
 
 Protein ii. 69 
 
 Purgen (see Phenolphthalein) 
 Pyrogallic acid ii. 228, 229 
 
 Quarterly Review, The m. 253 
 
 Quassia, extract of ii. 144 
 
 Quidestin, Kleinertz ii. 209 
 
 Quinine ...i. 2, 45, 61, 64, 167; ii. 67 
 203, 223 
 
 , glycerophosphate ii. 67 
 
 ,, phosphate id. 61 
 
 sulphate i. 176; ii. 46, 50, 
 
 51, 53, 55, 61, 194, 201, 202 
 
 valerianate .. ....i. 172 
 
 Radio- vimettes, Morgan's ii. 52 
 
 Radium Salve, A ii. 234 
 
 Rape oil i. 88, 135; ii. 25 
 
 Red Cross Pilla ii. 106 
 
 Gum ii. 76 
 
 Reducing Paste, Absorbit i. 87 
 
 Pills and Lotion, X.L. i. 89 
 
 Treatment, Fell i. 97 
 
 Graziana i. 103 
 
 Nelson Lloyd i. 100 
 
 ,, Wafers, Hargreave's ...i. 91 
 
 Reichel's Cough Drops i. 19 
 
 Religious Papers, advertisements 
 
 in ii. 254 
 
 Report Forms (see Symptom 
 Forms) 
 
 Resin (colophony) i. 58, 112; 
 
 ii. 181, 182 
 
 'plaster i- 119 
 
 Retailers, Headache powders 
 
 supplied 'by i. 41 
 
 Bhamnus frangula ii. 28 
 
 purshianus ii. 28 
 
 Rheuma Tabakolin i. 65 
 
 Rheumacid i. 64 
 
 Rheumatic, Gout, and Sciatica 
 
 Oure, Haonm's i- 51 
 
 Rheumatic and Gout Spirit, 
 
 Weigand's i. 65
 
 279 
 
 Rheumatic Pills, Blair's Gout 
 
 and i. 50 
 
 Rheumatism (see Gout, Rheu- 
 matism, and .Neuralgia, 
 Medicines for) 
 Rheumatism, Gloria Treatment 
 
 for i. 52 
 
 Rheumsol Bath Salts ii. 27 
 
 Rhizoma root ii. 29 
 
 Rhubarb i. 45, 55, 74, 104, 111 ; 
 
 ii. 99, 101, 105, 149 
 
 Rhubarb, infusion of ii. 175 
 
 Rhycol Antiseptic ii. 82 
 
 ,, Lubricant ii. 82 
 
 Tampons ii. 82 
 
 ,, Treatment ii. 80 
 
 Rice's Lymphol i. 158 
 
 Treatment for Rupture i. 158 
 
 Ringworm Cure, Wilson's ii. 235 
 
 Rino Ointment i. 113 
 
 Rock Rose i. 46 
 
 Roller's Powder 'for epilepsy ...ii. 166 
 
 Rollo's Remedy for Piles i. 153 
 
 Rosemary, oil of ii. 11, 23 
 
 Rose water ii. 41, 226, 228 
 
 Rue, oil of ii. 195, 204, 205 
 
 Rupture, Preparations for i. 158 
 
 Healine Treatment i. 160 
 
 Rice's Treatment i. 158 
 
 Russell's Anti -Corpulent Prepara- 
 tion , ....i. 87 
 
 Saccharin i. 11, 172 
 
 Sacco i. 28 
 
 Saffron ii. 151 
 
 Salicylic acid ...i. 92, 93, 113; 
 
 ii. 33, 42, 43, 76 
 
 ., methylene-glycol ester... i. 61 
 
 Salocoll ii. 28 
 
 Sal volatile i. 43 
 
 Sanol Cones ii. 200 
 
 Sargol ii. 125 
 
 Sarsaparilla, compound solution 
 
 of i. 44 
 
 Sarsaparilla, Hood's Extract of i. 46 
 
 ,, Townsend'B American i. 43 
 
 Sassafras, oil of ...i. 44; ii. 159, 234 
 
 Savin ii. 197 
 
 Scammony i. 80, 180 
 
 Schiifert's Nerve Salts ii. 70 
 
 Sciatica Cure, Hamm's Rheuma- 
 tic, Gout, and i. 51 
 
 Scopolamine i. 168 
 
 Scott's Pills ii. 98 
 
 Seasickness, Preparations for ..ii. 231 
 
 Mothersill's Remedy ii. 232 
 
 Zotos ii. 231 
 
 Seaweed Tonic, Veno'a i. 74 
 
 Seeger's Hair-Dye ii. 228 
 
 Seigel's Curative Syrup, 
 
 Mother i. 176 
 
 Seigel's Syrup .and Secret Reme- 
 dies ii. 259 
 
 Self-examination Form (ea Symp- 
 tom Form) 
 Senna ...i. 19, 74, 104; ii. 28, 
 
 149, 196 
 
 ,, syrup of ii. 149 
 
 Sequarine ii. 62 
 
 Seymour's (Mrs.) Treatment for 
 
 Obesity ii. 125 
 
 Shadeine ii. 229 
 
 Shaffer-Bennyon's (Mrs.) Re- 
 medy ii. 203 
 
 Singleton's Eye Ointment i. 142 
 
 Skin Diseases (see Eczema and 
 otlheir skin affection, Pre- 
 parations for) 
 
 Skin Paste, Pheun i. 113 
 
 Slippery elm bark ii. 39 
 
 Soap i. 57, 64, 65, 70, 113, 119, 
 135, 140, 175 ; ii. 11, 23, 97, 
 98, 99, 100, 101, 105, 108, 195, 
 
 Soda i 
 ,, i 
 Sodiui 
 
 
 
 204, 
 
 Antigout 
 
 205, 228, 240 
 i fia 
 
 Lazarus Gout and Rheu- 
 matic i. 64 
 ilum i. 142. 145 
 
 jhlorinated 
 
 ii. 175 
 
 n acetate ii. 177, 239 
 benzoate ...i. 180; ii. 177, 237 
 bicarbonate i. 7, 41, 62, 70, 80, 
 96, 97, 107, 164. 179 : ii. 85. 
 
 
 150, 240 
 
 n 
 
 bromide 
 
 i. 129 
 
 " 
 
 carbonate ii. 26, 
 
 27, 105, 202, 
 228 
 
 
 
 chloride i. 1, 3, 
 146; ii. 23, 70 
 
 7, 94, 96, 97, 
 , 85, 151, 239 
 
 
 
 citrate 
 
 glyoeropihosp'hate 
 
 ....ii. 13, 28 
 ...ii. 67, 70
 
 280 
 
 Sodium" hypophosphite ii. 55, 127 
 
 ,, 'perborate " 237 
 
 phtephate i. 74;ii. 63 
 
 salicylate i. 52; ii. 13 
 
 sulphate i. 77, 81, 120, 145 ; ii. 
 28, 181, 182, 203 
 Soothing, teething, and cooling 
 
 powders for infants i. 130 
 
 Fenning's Children's Powders i. 133 
 
 Pritchard's Powders i. 132 
 
 Stedmnn's Ponders i. 130 
 
 Steedman's Powders i. 131 
 
 Soothing Syrups ii. 147 
 
 Atkinson and Barker's Pre- 
 servative ii. 150 
 
 Johnson's (Ms.) American... id. 151 
 
 Window's .. ii. 148 
 
 Woodward's Gripe W^ter ...ii. 149 
 
 Spearmint, oil of i. 160 ; ii. 10 
 
 Specific for DeafniesB, Cxomp- 
 
 ton's i. 135 
 
 Spirito! ii. 238 
 
 Sprengel's herbal spice ii. 236 
 
 Stafford-Brookes' (Mrs.) Pel- 
 
 loids ii. 202 
 
 Stamp Act i. 182 
 
 on secret remedies i. 182 
 
 Star, The ii. 253 
 
 Starch ii. 36, 39, 43, 69, 92, 193 
 
 Star Tonic i. 23 
 
 Stearns's Headache Cure i. 39 
 
 Stedman's Teething Powders ...i. 130 
 Steedman's Soothing Powders... i. 131 
 Stevens's Consumption Cure i. 21, 28 
 
 Stillingia i. 46 
 
 Stockholm Tar ii. 17 
 
 Storax i. 27, 115; ii. 9 
 
 "Stramonine" i. 168 
 
 Strand Magazine, The ii. 253 
 
 Strychnine ii. 61, 67, 139, 141, 144, 145 
 
 Sulfopyrin ii. 238 
 
 Sulpholine Lotion ii. 40 
 
 Sulphur i. 88, 109, 113, 140, ISO; 
 ii. 29, 35, 36, 41, 42, 43, 197, 226, 
 228 
 Sulphur Hair Restorer, Lockyer's 
 
 ii. 225 
 
 Sulphuric acid i. 16; ii. 46, 288 
 
 239 
 Sutton Medical Co ii. 244 ] 
 
 Symptom Forms... i. 101, 107, 138, 139, 
 
 167, 178; ii. 37, 57, 60, 84, 124, 
 
 132, 135, 138, 157, 158, 173, 242, 
 
 247, 251 
 
 Syrup, Seigel's i. 176 
 
 ,, Simple ii. 65 
 
 Tabakolin, Bheuma i. 65 
 
 Tablenes ii. 93 
 
 Talc i. 109; ii. 39 
 
 Tallow ii. 25 
 
 Tannin ...i. 27, 32, 73, 152, 153, 161; 
 ii. 78, 194 
 
 Tansy ii. 204 
 
 Tar i. 119; ii. 17 
 
 Taraxacum i. 45, 66, 71, 73 
 
 Tartar emetic ii. 136, 139 
 
 Tartaric acid i. 8, 62, 78, 96, 97, 
 ii. 13 
 
 Tatcho ii. 222 
 
 Taylor's Anti-Epileptic 
 
 Medicine i. 126 
 
 Tea, Dalloff's i. 104 
 
 Lieber's i. 36 
 
 Pool's i. 36 
 
 Teething and Fever Powders, 
 
 Pritchard's i. 132 
 
 Teething Powders, Stedman's i. 130 
 
 Teetolia Treatment i. 166 
 
 Temperancia Treatment r. 130 
 
 Terebene ...i. 118, 119; ii. 6, 25, 82 
 
 Testimonials ii. 15, 16, 159, 160 
 
 Theobroma, oil of i. 148, 152, 154, 
 
 156; ii. 58, 61, 201, 202, 203 
 
 Theobromine sodio-salicylate ...ii. 28 
 
 Therapion i. 172 
 
 Thermal Bath Cabinet, "Cen- 
 tury" i. 99 
 
 Thiocol .id. 237 
 
 Thyme i. 19 
 
 Thyroid i. 84, 94, 102, 103; ii. 113, 
 121, 125 
 
 Times, The ii. 253 
 
 Tissander's Cure ii. 29 
 
 Tobacco Habit, Medicines for 
 
 ii. 128, 141 
 
 Tolu i. 13, 16, 18, 27; ii. 9 
 
 Tonic, Gloria i. 52 
 
 Owbridge's Lung i. 13 
 
 Star i. 23 
 
 Veno's Seaweed i. 74
 
 Towle's Pennyroyal and Steel 
 
 Pills ii. 195 
 
 Townsend's American Sarsa- 
 
 parilla i. 43 
 
 Tragacanth i. 106 j 
 
 Treatment Forms (see Symptom 
 Forms) 
 
 Tremol Blood Mixture ii. 174 
 
 Lotion ii. 175 
 
 ,, Ointment di. 176 
 
 ,, Treatment ii. 167 
 
 Trench's Remedy for Epilepsy 
 
 and JFite i. 127 
 
 Trilene Tablets i. 90 
 
 Truth Cautionary List, i. 28; ii. 86, 
 167, 246, 258, 260 
 
 Tubotculozyne i. 21, 32 
 
 Tumenol i. 140 
 
 Turmeric i. 70; ii. 197 
 
 Turpentine, oil of i. 65, 113, 122, 136 ; 
 
 ii. 6, 7 
 
 ,, Venice ii. 17 
 
 Tussothyin i. 19 
 
 '' Umekaloabo " i. 22, 32 
 
 Unqualified practice through the 
 
 post ii. 241 
 
 Uranium nitrate i. 76, 78, 79 
 
 vdne, Pesqui's i. 76, 77 
 
 Urea Li. 28 
 
 ITricedin i. 64 
 
 Uricura Drops ii. 6 
 
 ,, Liniment ii. 7 
 
 Uri^oJ (s'f Formamin-e). 
 Lrotropiite (se; Forrr.amine). 
 
 Valerian ates i. 172 
 
 Van Vleck's Absorptive Pile 
 
 Treatment i. 154 
 
 ,, Catarrh Balm ...i. 3 
 M.uco^food Cones 
 
 i. 148 
 
 ,, Pile Pills i. 155 
 
 ,, Plasma i. 155 
 
 Vax's American Kidney Pills -..i. 73 
 
 Varalettes, Bishop's i. 62 
 
 Variable composition of secret 
 
 remedies ii. 261 
 
 ,, dosage of secret reme- 
 dies .. ....ii. 263 
 
 Vegetable Compound, Mrs. Pink- 
 ham's ii. 190, 194 
 
 Venice turpentine ii. 17 
 
 Veno's Lightning Cough Cure ...i. 16 
 
 Seaweed Tonic i. 74 
 
 Veratrum album ii. 17 
 
 Verbena oflicinalis ...i. 124, 125, 127 
 
 Verophen Mouth Water ii. 238 
 
 Vervain i. 124, 125, 127 
 
 Vervain Restorative Assimilaut, 
 
 O. Phelps Brown's i. 127 
 
 Victoria Asthma Drops ii. 86 
 
 Vilixir ii. 227 
 
 Vilja Cream ii. 239 
 
 Vincent's Anti^Stout Pills ii. 116 
 
 Vin Urane Pesqui i. 76, 77 
 
 Vita Ore ii. 48 
 
 Vital Renew ex, Niblett's ii. 153 
 
 Vollner's Cotton Wool ii. 28 
 
 Wafers, Curie i. 38 
 
 ,, Hargreave's Reducing ..i. 91 
 
 Paciderma Blood i. 109 
 
 Wallace, A. Gordon ii. 258 
 
 Wallace's Specifics ii. 210 
 
 Treatment for Obesity ii. 114 
 
 Warner's Safe Cure i. 72 
 
 Weidhaas Hygienic Institute ...i. 23 
 Weigand's Rheumatic and Gout 
 
 Spirit i. 65 
 
 Welch's (Widow) Female Pills ii. 196 
 
 Whelpton's Purifying Pills ii. 95 
 
 White hellebore ii. 17 
 
 precipitate ...i. 113, 143, 144 
 
 White's Kompo ii. 75 
 
 Whooping Cough Remedy, Ass- 
 
 mann's i. 19 
 
 Williams' Pink Pills for Pale 
 
 People i. 170, 174 
 
 Wind Pills, Woodcock's ii. 98 
 
 Wine, Pesqui's Uranium i. 77 
 
 Winslow's (Mrs.) Soothing Syrup 
 
 ii. 148 
 
 Winltergreen, oifl of i.. 73, 180 ; 
 
 ii. 20, 33, 40, 82, 85, 110, 145, 183 
 
 Wisbech Remedy for the Eyes...i. 144 
 Witch hazed (sec Hamamelis). 
 
 Woodcock's Wind Pills ii. 98 
 
 Wood tar ii. 80
 
 282 
 
 Woods' Treatment for Alcohol ism 
 
 ii. 133 
 ,, Tobacco 
 
 Habit " 141 
 
 Wood ward's Gripe Water ii. 149 
 
 Xaxa (see Acetyl-salicylic acid) 
 
 X.L. Reducing Pills and Lotion i. 89 
 
 Yolk of egg ii. 69 
 
 Yonkerman's Tuberculozyne ....i. 32 
 
 Zam-buk i. Ill 
 
 Zehrkur i. 103 
 
 Zinc i- 156 
 
 chloride i. 122 
 
 oxide ...i. 109, 129, 148, 151; 
 ii. 35, 41, 42, 43, 177, 237 
 
 phosphide ii. 52, 127 
 
 sulphate i. 120 
 
 ,, valeriana*e i. 172 
 
 Zip Ointment i. 112 
 
 Zobeide i. 87 
 
 Zotos ii. 231 
 
 Zox .. ....i. 58 
 
 Volume I. or Volume II. of " Secret Remedies " can be obtained 
 from The British Medical Association. 429, Strand, London, W.C., or from 
 bookstalls and booksellers.
 
 
 <$HIBRARY4c. ^tUBRARYQr ^E-UNIVERS/A 
 
 ! UJ7 j iiltJL SlaCS 
 
 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388 
 
 Return this material to the library 
 
 from which it was borrowed. 
 
 
 
 
 University of California 
 SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
 ne LJH_..~I A., nn .. n i o Annoi^o OA onno/j.-iifln 
 
 uOF CAllFOfcfe, 
 
 lOS ANGEL 
 
 ^EUNIVERS/A AvlOS-ANCEl^> Aji-UBRARYOc 
 
 I i
 
 * ^ 
 
 y 0AHVH8in^ 
 
 ^\\EUN!VER% 3 1158 00981 1034 
 
 I g/Dr-'g s' y/ -^ 
 
 A 000354049 9 
 
 
 \\\EUNIVER 
 
 
 52. = 
 
 5? ^ 
 
 ^- 
 
 OF-CALIFO 
 
 # 
 
 ^ 
 
 S 3