ASEPTIKONS
Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
Aseptikons are vaginal suppositories sold by the Chinosol Co. of New York. Each suppository is said to contain:
| Ac. Salicylici | 2 | gr. |
| Ac. Borici | 10 | gr. |
| Quin. purae (Alkal.) | 1 | gr. |
| Chinosol | 2 | gr. |
| But. Cacao | 60 | gr. |
The following claims appear in advertisements:
“These suppositories are indicated in cervicitis, leucorrhea, specific and non-specific vulvo-vaginitis and in all cases where complete vaginal antisepsis is desired.”
“Non Toxic, Non Irritating; No Damage to Membranes. Yet a More Powerful Antiseptic than Bichloride.”
The Council decided that the foregoing claims in the absence of evidence must be held exaggerated and likely to mislead, and also that the claim “Stronger than Bichloride” which appears on the box is misleading.
The position of the Council is that “In the case of pharmaceutical preparations or mixtures the trade name must be so framed as to indicate the most potent ingredients.” The name Aseptikons does not give any indication of the ingredients of the product.
The Council holds that “The combination of two or more remedies in a mixture must be considered contrary to scientific medicine unless a distinct reason exists for such combination.” No evidence has been submitted to establish the value of the combination in Aseptikons.
On the basis of the evidence submitted the Council voted that Aseptikons be refused recognition because unwarranted and misleading therapeutic claims are made, because the name does not indicate its potent constituents, and because the combination of two or more remedies in a mixture is considered contrary to scientific medicine unless a distinct reason exists for such combination.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Nov. 14, 1914.)
BETUL-OL[G]
Abstract of Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
Betul-ol (E. Fougera and Co., New York) is a methyl salicylate preparation advertised to physicians (and indirectly to the public) as an external analgesic and anti-rheumatic. The statements regarding its composition are vague, misleading and, as shown by examination in the Chemical Laboratory of the American Medical Association, untrue. The therapeutic claims are based on discarded theories. Although the alleged superiority of natural over synthetic salicylates has been disproved, physicians are urged to use Betul-ol because it contains, or is alleged to contain, a natural salicylate. Another discarded theory is pressed into service in the claim that the chloral in the mixture will be absorbed and converted into chloroform in the blood. The recommendations for the use of Betul-ol in rheumatism are likely to lead the public to the self-treatment of rheumatism. In view of the serious complications and sequelae of rheumatic fever this recommendation is utterly unjustifiable and a danger to public health—even if the external application of this mixture in uncertain doses were as effective as a proper internal use of salicylates—a theory contrary to experience and unsupported by adequate evidence.
The Council therefore refused recognition to Betul-ol.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Dec. 12, 1914.)