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 applied,” and that “it
distinctly merits the praise of _John Bull_.” The investigation
seems to have consisted in “roaming over the whole of the carefully
kept records of the thousands of cases treated” and apparently
accepting everything that was told--not a very scientific method
of investigating 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 ingredients 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 peppermint water.
As far as our analysis reveals, the combination is a heterogeneous
mixture of anything that might possibly be of use, regardless of
chemical combinations that may result, 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
investigation 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 intimation 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, entitled _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 competent 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 was 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 scientific 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 possibility 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: “Incurable cases not
accepted.” On the back page appears in large letters:
There is no 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 claim or statement is
made that is not borne out by Facts and Living Witnesses.
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
Undertake 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.
Warranties 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 by arbitration in accordance
with the Arbitration Act, 1889.
Since this “Legal Guarantee to Cure” is sent with the medicines, 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 therefore 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 treatment 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 cure 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.
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._
#Don’t fail to reply to this.#
* 23. If there are ulcers, wounds, or holes, state how many, and the
position and size of each, cut out on pieces of paper and send to
us the sizes of 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 ³⁄₄ inch across; they are about 2¹⁄₂ inches apart in an
irregular triangle; they are 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._
27. Did your Leg first begin to trouble you through a hurt, after
confinement, 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? _Yes._
* 34. Is there much inflammation or fiery redness round the wound?
_Yes._
35. Have you Varicose Veins? If so, 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 “Ointment No. 2,” with two bandages. Two
typed sheets of directions accompanied these, headed “Instructions
for applying No. 14 course of Tremol Treatment.” Each of the four
preparations is priced separately at 11s., 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 paragraph 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
permanent results it is imperative to continue taking this medicine
for your blood, for some time after your leg is well.
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 ingredients were determined, and found to
be as given in the following 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 of ferric chloride 300 minims
Dilute hydrochloric 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, 1¹⁄₄d.
TREMOL LOTION.
The bottle contained 8¹⁄₄ 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 a thorough cleansing (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 chlorinated 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.
TREMOL OINTMENT.
This was in a wooden box containing 14¹⁄₂ oz.; it bore a typewritten
label: “The Tremol Ointment. To be used as directed.”
The directions on the typed sheet were as follows:
HOW YOU ARE TO APPLY TREMOL OINTMENT. Cut out a piece of soft lint
slightly larger in circumference (about ¹⁄₄ 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 soaked 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 red 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 red inflamed part there is one layer only, that on which No. 2
Ointment is spread, but over the Ulcer there are three. When you are
dressing your leg do not remove Ointment No. 2 that adheres to the
skin. Apply 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 identification; the chalk
contained the small quantities of impurities usually occurring in it.
No other ingredient was found.
Estimated cost of the ingredients, 2¹⁄₂d.
OINTMENT NO. 2.
This was in a wooden box containing 10¹⁄₂ oz.; it bore a typewritten
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 your leg. On this
spread pretty thickly the special Ointment labelled No. 2, and apply
it; at the same time covering the 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 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.
CHAPTER XII.
THE “CRIMSON 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, however, 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 infectious 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 years 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
it 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 preparations 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:
The 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 No. 1 Ointment. This was introduced fifty years ago
for Diseased Bones, Joints, and Abscesses. It cures without cutting,
scraping, bed, or splints. It has 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 where the
Ointment is applied.
One of its best works is the
CURE OF CONSUMPTION.
This much dreaded “White Scourge” can be cured in its incipient or
first stage, and even when 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 (No. 1 Ointment and Fever Powder) are equally
efficacious for Scarlet Fever, which is easily cured 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 there is no fear of infection.
Typhoid or Enteric Fever treated by the Crimson Cross Remedies in the
first stage is easily cured in a few days....
Internal Diseases of Women can be cured without Operation or
Examination by our SPECIAL TREATMENT. Full particulars 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 ointment, accompanied by
internal administration of one or more of the other preparations. The
following quotations will serve as examples:
COLDS. On the first appearance of a cold, rub the forehead, chest,
and back with Crimson Cross No. 1 Ointment contained in the Fever,
etc., packet; take the medicine made from the Powder according to
directions.
FOR PNEUMONIA, CONGESTION, AND PLEURISY.--Poultice the chest, sides,
and back every two hours 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 until quite well. Take the medicine made
from the Fever Powder according to directions.
TYPHOID OR ENTERIC FEVER.... Acute Bright’s disease of the kidneys
and inflammation of the lungs frequently accompany or follow typhoid;
for the former give CRIMSON CROSS KIDNEY CURE, and poultice the lower
part of the back with hot linseed meal and Ointment; for the latter
see directions given. If the head is not well soaked with Ointment,
an abscess is liable to form on the brain. THE FEVER MIXTURE and
KIDNEY CURE may both be taken alternately three times a day, if
necessary; let two hours elapse between each dose.
DIPHTHERIA. Spread No. 1 Ointment on hot linseed poultices, apply one
every hour. As Diphtheria patients are liable to unexpected syncope,
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 reply.
Although we do not now treat cases personally at the Dispensary, we
continue to give advice “Free” by letter. Full particulars of the
case should be given, and, where possible, Captain Feilden will call
and see patients in their own homes.
A list is given of ten preparations, varying in price from 7¹⁄₂d.
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 1s. 3d., post free.
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 ¹⁄₈d.
CRIMSON CROSS NO. 1 OINTMENT (CAPTAIN FEILDEN’S).
This was also in a “chip” box, and the quantity was about 2¹⁄₄ oz.
Analysis showed it to contain:
Copper oleate 1.1 per cent.
Anhydrous sodium sulphate 0.4 „
Beeswax 6.5 „
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 equivalent of the copper.
Estimated cost of ingredients, ⁴⁄₅d.
CRIMSON CROSS SPECIAL OINTMENT.
The price of a jar, containing about 3¹⁄₂ oz., was 2s. 9d. A special
circular is devoted to this preparation, and the statements made
include the following:
This 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....
An irritable rash may appear, and this is 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....
CANCERS AND TUMOURS.--Steam the affected part once a day, gently rub
a little Special Ointment in, night and morning. Spread Ointment on
clean linen, and wear as a plaister during the night and day. If the
appetite is not good, take Crimson Cross Liver Mixture, and Crimson
Cross Kidney Cure occasionally, to keep the Kidneys in good order....
HEART DISEASE.--Rub the Ointment gently in across the stomach, round
the Heart and Shoulder Blades, 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 1¹⁄₂d.
CRIMSON CROSS KIDNEY CURE.
The price of a bottle, containing 6¹⁄₂ fluid ounces, was 1s. 1¹⁄₂d.
It is stated on the package that:
This Mixture contains powerful Medicinal 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 its
composition, 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 immediately take this remedy, and
obtain that relief and cure which seems possible by no other known
means at the present time....
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 Cross Kidney Cure will gently but surely remedy the
mischief, and coax the organs back to a natural and healthy action.
NOTE:--Whilst taking the 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.
CHAPTER XIII.
MEDICINES FOR AMENORRHŒA, ETC.
One of the largest classes of proprietary nostrums, and one in which
most of the evils connected with secret medicines 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 advertisements 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 attractive feature is that, as a rule, the business
is done directly with the consumer through the post, and there are,
therefore, 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 susceptible 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 third, or “extra special”
at a still higher price, and sometimes even a fourth. Finally, in
a very large number of cases, the sale 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 1s. 1¹⁄₂d., or
to offer a “free sample” on application. When the low-priced article
or the free sample is sent for, the 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 operations 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 newspapers, 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 advertisements.
Adeline Dumas’s pills are thus advertised:
“To Married Ladies.
Try the French Remedy.
Not a Dangerous Drug, but a wonderful Secret Invention.
Never Fails. Particulars 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.
In a circular referring to the pills and giving testimonials, etc.,
they are described as follows:
“Dumas’ Paris Pills.
The Combination 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 the 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 a particular female organization, there are other active
ingredients present, which, from their varied and searching nature,
are in every way calculated to at once grapple with and overcome the
most obstinate case. In the face, therefore, of such a remedy as here
described, it can 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
Irregularities and 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 Nurse 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 their 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 to-day a box is _always_ to be found, ready for
any emergency which may arise. They are composed of ingredients
which are PERFECTLY HARMLESS, and will not injure the 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, 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 MUCH from it, however, but to obtain
more and take them regularly EACH DAY until you obtain a beneficial
result. They have cured thousands of suffering women who have been
on the verge of despair, and we are confident that if you will only
persevere with them, and give them a thorough trial, THEY WILL
RELIEVE YOU.
The pills were stated to be 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. per box, and this amount
was sent with a request for a box. This brought a box containing
twenty-four white-coated pills, bearing on the label the words “Nurse
Powell’s Popular Pellets cure Anæmia, 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 pellets are prepared
in Two Forms to meet the requirements of the case. The Ordinary
Pellets (Price 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. and 2s. 9d.) are prepared as a remedy for
Nervousness, Headache, Constipation, Anæmia, Debility, Sleeplessness,
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 compounded for use in all Severe Menstrual
Troubles, and should be ordered for Suppression of the Menses,
Irregular and Painful Menstruation, Painful Urination, Change of
Life, Dragging or Bearing Down Pains, Leucorrhœa (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 Ailments (Special),” and
also bore the words “Poplets, Registered,” 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
prescriptions 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 preparations prepared from the prescriptions of a celebrated
physician, and which he relied upon to cure where every other means
had been unavailing.
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, 11s. 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,
instead of that wretched depression of animal spirits, and possibly
_life-long misery_, which accrue from a blind confidence in the
_nostrums of unscrupulous quacks_....
Nothing conceivable can be worse or more contemptible than for
confiding 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-failing 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 sometimes 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....
“IRRISTUM” _is 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 when 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 you 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 Tablets.
A truly wonderful discovery, affording surprising results even in the
most obstinate cases.
Prices 1s. 3d. and 2s. 9d. (treble quantity) in plain wrapper.”
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
complete relief, though this supply may be insufficient to test their
real worth....
Mixtures are MUCH more effective than pills, because they commence
to act upon the system IMMEDIATELY, whereas pills have to dissolve
before any benefit can be obtained. The Tablets, therefore, cannot
ALWAYS be supposed to accomplish what a 4s. 9d. bottle of medicine
will, and who would regret so small an outlay, which may be the means
of saving pounds.... You are anxious for a certain cure, and this is
JUST the medicine you require. It has 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
irregularities 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 write for
our Extra Special Treatment at 4s. 6d., which we guarantee to cure
every case from any cause whatever (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 pills should not prove strong enough to correct the
irregularity I should strongly advise you to send at once for my
special 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,
NURSE 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 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 weight 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 minims
Excipient
In 100 pills.
Estimated cost of ingredients for forty-six pills, ¹⁄₅d.
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, ¹⁄₂d.
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
ingredients indicated the following formula:
Dried sulphate of iron 100 grains
Socotrine aloes 140 „
Powdered jalap 14 „
Powdered liquorice (adulterated) 80 „
Oil of pennyroyal 10 minims
Starch 10 grains
Excipient
In 100 pills.
Estimated cost of ingredients for forty-two pills, ¹⁄₃d.
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 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
was 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-quarters ounces.
Analysis showed it to be an acid syrup of phosphate of iron 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 principle except a trace of a bitter substance soluble in
ether; the remainder (0.3 or 0.4 per cent.) was vegetable extractive,
possessing no distinctive characters.
NURSE GREY’S AMERICAN COMPOUND TABLETS.
These “tablets,” or more properly ovoid pills, are supplied at 1s. 3d.
and 2s. 9d. per box. A 1s. 3d. box 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 appeared 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, powdered 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 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. per box, and upwards; a 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. 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 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, ¹⁄₈d.
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, ¹⁄₅d.
KEARSLEY’S ORIGINAL WIDOW WELCH’S FEMALE PILLS.
The price of these is 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. per box containing twenty pills.
The pills had an average weight of 3.8 grains, and were found 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 pills, ¹⁄₂₀d.
DR. DAVIS’S FAMOUS FEMALE PILLS.
The price of these pills is 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. 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, ¹⁄₆d.
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 undissolved 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 comparison 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 chloroform;
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 preparation, 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.
Estimated cost of ingredients of 4 ounces, ⁹⁄₁₀d.
JEFFERSON DODD’S FEMALE PILLS.
The price of these pills is 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. 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. 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, ¹⁄₆d.
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 cardamom, 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, ³⁄₄d.
FOURNIER’S HYGENIQUE MIXTURE FOR FEMALES (EXTRA STRONG).
The price of this is 11s. 0d. 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 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 Pharmacopœia_.
Estimated cost of ingredients for twenty fluid ounces, 1s. 1d.
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 substance, 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 be gentian root; the remainder consisted of oil of
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 1¹⁄₂d.
SANOL CONES (SPECIAL). Price 11s. 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 theobroma. 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 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. per box, containing twenty-four.
The “tablets” were ovoid pills coated with French chalk, “gilded” on
the surface; the “gilding” showed the composition 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 equivalent to 48 per cent. of the exsiccated
salt, and sodium carbonate, 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 carbonate,
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, 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, ¹⁄₁₅d.
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 Theobroma, Cerum, Fer Lac. Sol. Quinæ,
Sulph, Ol, Rutae, 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 1d.
MRS. STAFFORD-BROOKES’ PELLOIDS.
These are supplied at 4s. 6d. per box, containing sixteen pessaries.
The resemblances between this preparation and the former one are far
too numerous to be accidental. The name of the proprietor, the nature
of the claims made, the wording of the advertisements, the general
appearance of the package supplied, and 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.
On the package appears the statement:
These Pelloids are Guaranteed Harmless, and contain Sulph. Quinae.,
Ol. Theobroma, Rad. Anchusae, 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 acid, 0.37 grain.
The estimated cost of the materials for the sixteen pessaries is 1d.
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 extractive; the latter
possessed no characters by which it could be identified, but its vinous
smell and taste, slight acidity, and alkaline ash, and the presence
of a reducing sugar in moderate amount, all suggested the presence
of a small 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.
_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 was detected.
GAUTIEUR’S FEMALE PILLS.
The price of these is 7¹⁄₂d. and 2s. 3d. per box; a 7¹⁄₂d. 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 quantity of an aromatic
essential oil, which appeared to consist of 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
constituents 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 cinnamon. All these ingredients except the
soap occur in the official aloes and iron pill; the amount of iron
found corresponded to about 70 per cent. of the latter mass in the
pills under examination. 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 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. and 2s. 9d. per box. A 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. 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 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. 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, powdered 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 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. and 2s. 9d. per box; a 1s.
1¹⁄₂d. 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.), powdered 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”).
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 in South Virginia,
and its compound was found to have the most specific control 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
irregularities, which chiefly lie between the Fallopian Tubes, Broad
Ligaments, and the Overies (_sic_)--these organs always needing
assistance and are entirely under the influence of the moon. Blak
Thyrol being a moon plant, is in complete sympathy with all the
affected organs, and puts them in an 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 ¹⁄₃₀₀ 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 vegetable 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 colocynth
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 used for making up the pill.
A MEDICINE FOR ENSURING EASY CONFINEMENTS.
The remaining nostrum here described is for a different purpose from
the preceding, as the extracts from advertisements given below show.
MATROZONE.
This is a preparation supplied by a firm in a northern seaport 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 statement on
the first page of the booklet which is sent with it:--
Matrozone 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 result of the patient 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
impressed by the death of a young wife, closely associated with his
family, in her first confinement.
Realising vividly both the pain and peril involved in child-bearing
he turned to see if any possible help could be given to the mother by
appropriate drugs--if her system could be gently and scientifically
prepared for the great strain to be brought upon it. While turning
from the medical profession to enter the Christian Ministry, he did
not for a moment relinquish his 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 “Maytrozone”) 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 her first confinement, 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 gave proof, when accurately and proportionately
combined, of their power to render incalculable help in every case
experimented upon.
His first impulse was to make widely public the result of his
observations and experiments, 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 prepared carelessly, and so rendered abortive....
The first great function of “Matrozone” in its two forms is to
facilitate parturition; or, in other words, to ensure natural,
speedy, and easy childbirth.... 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 the child
has been healthily born Before the Doctor Has Arrived, the mother
has made a quick and spontaneous recovery, and the babe has proved
sound, bright, and thriving.... It powerfully but naturally regulates
the health of the mother during the later months of gestation. It
corrects the tendency to hysteria, and to hysteric headaches. It has
a specific and remarkable power to obviate false 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 achievements....
Length of Treatment.
To obtain its best effects in the hour of labour it should be used
daily for at least a month before the accouchement is expected.
It would be much safer, however, to commence its use six weeks
before, especially where difficulties are anticipated, and in first
confinements.
Dose.
“Matrozone” may be better described as an elegant and scientific
treatment than as a single preparation. Its ingredients are so
subtle, and have such a distinct and delicate action, that it is
prepared in two forms--A and B. Ten drops of the preparation A should
be taken in a little tepid water 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-hour before food.
Analysis 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.
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
3¹⁄₂d.
A GERMAN NOSTRUM.
Dr Zernik states that:--
_Dr. med. R. 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 tablespoonful 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 is
to allow the fumes to play around her abdomen and legs, until they
are thoroughly warmed. This is to be repeated twice a day for the
last six weeks of pregnancy. The composition is given as blackthorn,
camomile, eucalyptus, hoarhound, shepherd’s pouch, and cheese rennet
extracted in alcohol. The analysis showed that quidestin is a weak
extract of various indifferent vegetables, including eucalyptus and
camomile in 90 per cent. spirit. Apart from the impossibility of the
fumes being of therapeutic value, Zernik points out the highness of
the price, 5s. per litre bottle, sufficient for three weeks.
CHAPTER 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 publications 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 education and acumen in other matters accepting
unquestioningly 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 poison, surely cannot
impress many readers with respect for the knowledge 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
ignorance 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 Organic and Functional
Diseases incidental to the present generation during infant and adult
life,
and the prescribing of the “specifics” is regarded as a complete system
of medicine. These preparations are supplied from the offices of _The
Herald of Health_, London; their authors appear to be Mr. Joseph
Wallace and Mrs. C. Leigh Hunt Wallace. The medicines are supplied
at the uniform price of 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 concerned 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 1s. 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 “Physianthropy” 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 how 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 him a hundred guineas, and bound themselves,
legally, not to reveal the names or the method of preparation of his
medicines, till after he had published his complete medical work,
which would give to the world the free and full benefits of his
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 assertion upon one whose desires and works are 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. I.,” “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 homœopathic 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, are 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
subsequently discovered which are more prompt in palliative action
under any conditions, non-cumulative in the human system, and
permanently curative, 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. I.--This is stated to be made from _Aconitum napellus_, 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 labelled “Poison,” it was not
contemplated that a non-poisonous preparation 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 established, 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 bleedings,
which are drug (_iron_) created diseases, or conditions. Thus it
is that all abnormal hæmorrhages, 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 symptoms, 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. Diabetes....
Cataract. Amaurosis. Short-sightedness.
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 and 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 and
preservation in a non-poisonous alcohol, which has been previously
deprived of its fusel oil and other poisonous properties. So much
so is this the case, that this preparation of “No. I.” has been
taken by mistake by several patients with delicate organisms, and
by people who mistook it for brandy, _in quantities_ equal to _two
large wineglassfuls or more at one time_, without the least permanent
injurious after-effects, beyond being very much frightened by the
peculiar electrical effects produced on the 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 poisonous 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 “No. 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 their ammoniacal 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 scars where they would
unavoidably 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 the surface the rotten bone with other
offending matter; thus enabling nature to recuperate, and restore
the lost parts. With seemingly latent, or internal abnormal growths,
or growing ulcers, such as cancer and ovarian dropsy, when taken
internally, “No. II.” not only stops their slow growth, but, by
neutralizing the virulence of the corrosive or putrefactive ichor
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, the effete matter without injury to the
vitality, and with but 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 stomach, womb, bowels, kidneys, liver,
lungs, breast, brain, throat, tongue, mouth, nose, or any other part
of the body. Ovarian dropsy. Whitlow. Fistula.... Diphtheria....
Itching, soreness, or eruption of the reproductive organs, from
whatever cause in male or female.... Deafness, with suppuration of
the ears.... Necrosis, or rotting of bones. Hernia.... Varicose
veins. Aneurisms.... Confluent small-pox. Itch. Psoriasis. Eczema....
Tendency to miscarriage.... Diabetes.... Cystitis and Bright’s
diseases in syphilitized 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
or functional disturbance being created, but when large doses are
persisted in for a considerable length of time, its power and
purpose, as already described, become _too_ evident, by 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 time acidity,
heartburn, and other fermentations in the stomach and bowels, but
which symptoms cease if the medicine is discontinued 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 presence of the alkaloids berberine
and hydrastine, the proportions being
Berberine 0.05 per cent.
Hydrastine 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 vegetable extracts.
The extractive agreed in its properties with the extractive of tincture
of hydrastis (which also contains hydrastine 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 2¹⁄₂d. 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. III is introduced with 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 has been able to _absolutely_ analyse)”; a
“Wallace improved distilling apparatus” is referred to, which separates
alcohol and oenanthic ether from
their poisonous associates, acetic acid and fusel oil, which from
their being absolutely poisonous, less volatile, and therefore
cumulative, as this apparatus demonstrates, they form the chief
factor in producing those evils commonly attributed to alcohol alone.
The diseases for which No. III 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. III.” 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....
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.
Cane 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 contents of a 2s. 9d. bottle
would be about 1¹⁄₂d.
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 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: