SINGLETON’S EYE OINTMENT.
This is stated to be prepared, by a person whose name is not Singleton, at an address in London. The price charged is 2s. for a pot containing about 55 grains.
The ointment is described on the outer package as
“An Absolute Specific for all Eye Troubles and Diseases.”
On a circular enclosed in the package it was stated:
“It cures Weak Sight, Inflamed Eyes, and all disorders of the Eyelids from whatever cause arising.... Singleton’s Eye Ointment requires great skill in making, and is composed of costly ingredients. One pot will cure you.... The Ointment also cures Piles and Scorbutic Eruptions.”
A book dealing with the ointment was also supplied, in which it is stated that
“Singleton’s Eye Ointment will cure all affections of the eye.”
Analysis showed the principal ingredient to be red mercuric oxide, of which 7·4 per cent. was present. The fatty basis contained about 4 per cent. of beeswax, and the remainder was a practically neutral and colourless substance which agreed in properties and analytical figures with a mixture of lard, Japan wax, and purified cocoanut oil. It is, of course, impossible to determine with certainty the composition of a mixture of fats, unless a large quantity is available for analysis; but the exact nature of the fatty basis is immaterial, and no indication was obtained of any other medicinal ingredient.
The assertion that such an ointment “requires great skill in making” is absurd, and as to the costliness of the ingredients, the 55 grains in the pot are estimated to be worth one-ninth of a penny.