GENOFORM TABLETS.
A substance was described under the name Genoform in the Pharmaceutische Post in 1905, as being the methylene-glycol ester of salicylic acid; but as the present preparation is advertised to the public, and supplied under a patent medicine stamp, it must be regarded as a secret remedy. The proprietor, it is stated, resides in Leipzig but there is a London agency, and the remedy is sold in tubes price 1s. 1½d., containing 10 tablets.
An advertisement of this preparation was headed: “Gout, Rheumatism, Sciatica, and Neuralgia Cured. A Miracle in Rheumatism.” Then followed a testimonial describing the “miracle.” On the package of the tablets it was stated that:
Genoform cures gout, rheumatism, sciatica, neuralgia, etc. Genoform gives instant relief and effects a permanent cure.
A circular enclosed in the package stated:
Genoform is a certain cure, and you need not suffer another day. No matter where the pain is, or how severe it is, or how long you have had it, Genoform Tablets will rid you of it. They give relief in many cases immediately, and produce a permanent cure.
Take them to-day and feel well. Genoform eases pain with a rapidity which is remarkable, at the same time doing away with the cause. Remember that.
It is no mere relief. It stamps out the cause of Gout, Rheumatism, Sciatica, and Neuralgia. It is absolutely harmless. No remedy equals it in its quick and certain effects.
Patients afflicted for years and unable to walk or use their limbs have been made sound and free from pain in a very little time....
Absolutely crippled rheumatic persons, unable to dress or undress themselves, have entirely recovered with only a few doses of this preparation.
The directions were as follows:
The Tablets must never be taken on an empty stomach, but either during or after meals (from 3 to 9 tablets daily). Taking the Tablet is facilitated by letting it soak first in a spoonful of water and drinking a little water afterwards. Any oppression of the stomach is soon relieved by 5 or 6 drops of dilute Hydrochloric acid taken in half a glassful of water.
As Genoform contains Salicylic Acid and that well-known drug for Rheumatism sometimes causes a little buzzing in the ears, if such buzzing ever occurs it is well to discontinue Genoform for 24 hours and afterwards take only a small dose for a day or so. It must be clearly understood that there is no possible harm or danger in such buzzing and few persons are so affected, but we think it wise to advise you lest you should think Genoform does not agree with you and discontinue its use.
The tablets had an average weight of 7·7 grains. They contained no free salicylic acid, but on hydrolysis with alkali they yielded 91·0 per cent. of that substance. Starch was present to the extent of 4·1 per cent., so that the material other than starch yielded 94·9 per cent. of its weight of salicylic acid. Salicyl-methylene-glycol ester CH₂(C₇H₅O₃)₂ would yield 95·6 per cent.; investigation of the other products of hydrolysis showed that this ester was the substance present; no other ingredient was found. On examination the substance proved to be hydrolyzed at once by alkali in the cold, but not by cold dilute acid; hot water caused slight decomposition, and on boiling it in water it readily yielded salicylic acid. The formula of the tablets is thus:
| Salicyl-methylene-glycol ester | 95 | per cent. |
| Starch (and moisture) | 5 | ” |
POST’S C. B. Q. TABLETS
FOR RHEUMATISM.
Two specimens of the proprietary article sold under the name of C. B. Q. have been examined at an interval of nine years. The earlier analysis showed that the tablets contained potassium iodide, quinine and colchicine in small quantities, a salicylate and extract of liquorice, used no doubt to bind the powder together. The analysis made in 1908 showed that of the tablets then examined each contained about 1½ grains of potassium iodide, a small quantity of salicylate, a vegetable extract, and magnesia. The extract was hygroscopic and the magnesia was no doubt employed to bring the mixture into a form suitable for tablet making. The extract was slightly bitter and the tablets contained a small amount of alkaloid, which was not certainly identified.