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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.
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