HYDRONAPHTHOL

A correspondent having requested information regarding the composition of “Hydronaphthol,” the product was investigated in the Association laboratory, which reports as follows:

Hydronaphthol is sold by Seabury & Johnson. The label on a trade package of Hydronaphthol gives no clew as to the nature of the product. The statements on the labels do, however, make the claim that Hydronaphthol is an antiseptic of great power, also that it is non-toxic and therefore may be used with impunity; thus the following statements are made:

“A harmless, practically odorless, non-poisonous, non-corrosive antiseptic....”

“... it is non-poisonous and can be employed with perfect immunity as a pre­ser­va­tive....”

The substance has the characteristic appearance, odor and taste of naphthol. It responded to all the tests of the United States Pharmacopeia for betanaphthol, with the exception of the melting point, which was found to be 119 C. instead of 122 C., an indication of impurity. It is evident, therefore, that Hydronaphthol is merely a trade-name for betanaphthol. While resublimed betanaphthol is listed at 10 cents an ounce, Hydronaphthol is listed at 75 cents an ounce.

Hydronaphthol thus furnishes one more illustration of the fact that most proprietary medicines for which the most extravagant claims are made are but old and well-known remedies sold under a fancy name at a price far in advance of that charged for the constituent or constituents. The exploiters are extremely positive in their statements regarding the non-toxic character of the preparation. Yet, as a matter of fact, betanaphthol is by no means harmless; it has been absorbed by the diseased skin with injury to the kidney and with fatal results. In some cases injury to the eye has also occurred. These toxic actions should be known to the practitioner. From 3 to 4 gm. (1 dram) applied to the skin has produced death (Stern: Therap. Monatshefte, 1900, p. 165). When a manufacturer advertises a preparation which possesses potentialities for harm, and especially when he puts it out under a name which conceals its identity, it is incumbent on him to warn the customer of possible injurious or inconvenient actions instead of proclaiming that the preparation is harmless.​—(From The Journal A. M. A., Sept. 3, 1910.)