DOAN’S BACKACHE KIDNEY PILLS.

These pills, of American origin, which have been very extensively advertised for some years, are sold in boxes price 2s. 9d., containing 40 “kidney pills” and 4 “dinner pills.”

They were described on the wrapper of the package as a

Specific for kidney complaints and all diseases arising from disorder of the kidneys and bladder. Cure Backache, Weak Back, Rheumatism, Diabetes, Congestion of the Kidneys, Inflammation of the bladder, Gravel, Bright’s Disease, Scalding Urine, and all Urinary troubles.

A circular was enclosed with the box, in which a dissertation on “Diseases of the Kidneys and Bladder” was given, together with directions for taking the pills for various complaints. The following extracts are taken from the circular:

Doan’s Backache Kidney Pills are composed of rare and valuable medicinal agents in a combination best adapted to the speedy relief and cure of Kidney Disease, urinary and bladder affections, and all diseases resulting therefrom. They are purely vegetable, containing no ingredients of a deleterious nature, and may be taken by the most delicate person, with every confidence of their giving quick and permanent relief, without any after ill effects ... they are the only medicine known that quickly relieves and permanently cures.

This medicine has restored to health thousands of women. As a means of healing the kidneys, and as a tonic to the whole female constitution it is unequalled.

The last sentence of the next extract shows some ingenuity:

Chronic cases of long standing. These frequently come under our notice and we hear that the patient, after trying every known remedy and failed (sic) has despaired of ever getting relief. Now in all stages of Kidney Disease this is where Doan’s Backache Kidney Pills are the most needed, and, indeed, are the only remedy possible to give permanent relief. But it takes time. One cannot expect to be cured in a few weeks.... In some cases three or four boxes of Doan’s Backache Kidney Pills are sufficient; but in these cases of long standing, 8, 10, and even 20 or 30, are required to effect a cure. But they will cure in the end if the patient perseveres. We are emphatic on this point, because in kidney disease patients are so easily discouraged. It is one of the symptoms of the disease.

The directions were to take from two to four of the dinner pills at night before commencing to take the kidney pills; then to begin with one kidney pill after each meal and one at bedtime, increasing the dose to two or three, after a short time. For children under 8, the dose was given as half a pill after each meal and at bedtime.

The “kidney pills” were ovoid in shape, and of a brown-grey colour externally, with sugar-coating beneath the thin, coloured layer; after removing the coating, the average weight of the pills was about 2 grains. Analysis showed them to contain oil of juniper and (in spite of their “purely vegetable” nature) potassium nitrate, together with a considerable proportion of a resinous substance, and of powdered fenugreek seeds and wheat and maize starches. Examination of the resin showed it to be derived from a coniferous source, and on comparison with various coniferous resins it agreed in characters with that of Abies canadensis (Pinus canadensis), known as hemlock pitch. The proportions of the different ingredients were determined by analysis; but oil of juniper, in such small quantity, can only be approximately determined, and the amount found was confirmed by comparison of a pill containing this quantity with the pill under examination. The following formula gives a similar pill:

Oil of juniper1drop.
Hemlock pitch10grains.
Potassium nitrate5”
Powdered fenugreek  17”
Wheat flour4”
Maize starch2”
In twenty pills.

The estimated cost of the materials of the 40 kidney pills and 4 dinner pills, ½d.

The dinner pills, of which four were included in the box of kidney pills, are also supplied separately in boxes of 50 for 1s. 1½d. The label stated that:

Doan’s Dinner Pills Cure Constipation, Sick Headache, Biliousness, Dizziness, and all deranged conditions of Stomach, Liver, and Bowels.

The directions were:

For adults, 1 to 3 Pills; for children, ½ to 1 Pill.

These statements and directions were amplified in a handbill enclosed in the package.

The pills were ovoid and enclosed in white sugar-coating; the average weight of one, without coating, was about ¾ gr. Analysis showed the presence of podophyllin, aloin, oil of peppermint, a resin that appeared to be jalap resin, cayenne, liquorice, gum, maize starch, and a small quantity of an extract that resembled extract of henbane; as the extract last named had no sufficiently well-marked characters to enable a small quantity of it to be distinguished perfectly when mixed with larger quantities of the other drugs named, the identity of this ingredient could not be completely established. The following formula gives a similar pill:

Oil of peppermint1drop.
Podophyllin3·8grains.
Aloin6·9”
Jalap resin0·8grain.
Powdered capsicum  0·5”
”liquorice0·6”
Maize starch0·5”
Acacia gum1·5grains.
Extract of henbane1·5”
In twenty pills.

Estimated cost of materials of 50 pills, 1d.