ZYMOTOID
A Fraud of the Liquozone-Oxytonic-Septicide Type
Dr. Arnold’s Zymotoid, a nostrum manufactured by Arnold’s Zymotoid Company, Rockford, Ill., is claimed to be an “antiseptic, germicide and antiphlogistic” which “has absolutely no peer in medicine.” According to the statements of the manufacturer, Zymotoid is “successfully employed not only as an external dressing on all wounded and diseased surfaces, but in all zymotic conditions wherein a reliable antiseptic and germicide is needed internally.” And in telling physicians of the great value of Zymotoid the company says:
“We assured them that if they would simply place Zymotoid ‘next’ to any wounded surface—and nothing else—they would have no inflammation, no suppuration, no infection or blood poison. Its prompt use in all cases where such trouble arises gives immediate and certain relief.”
This is a large contract to be undertaken by Zymotoid—or any other preparation—which, as will be shown, consists principally of boric acid and water. The company also appends to its announcement concerning Zymotoid a number of the usual testimonials and a lot of alleged “case reports.”
Zymotoid seems to be exploited principally by circulars addressed to physicians and by agents who attempt to sell it to physicians. They also try to work factories and other large employers of labor. In their circular to physicians they claim that “Zymotoid is strictly ethical.” And “we publish its composition.” The composition given is: “sulphur, niter, cinnamon and boric acid in gaseous solution.” It is also claimed to be “a chemical compound—not a mixture—which is wholly non-toxic and can be used as freely as desired internally absolutely without harm to the smallest child.” On the label of the Zymotoid package is the following:
“Zymotoid is a concentrated chemical compound consisting of the solids and gases of sulphur, potassium nitrate, cinnamon and carbon held in a solution of boric acid.”
A specimen of Zymotoid was examined by our chemists and their report follows. As will be seen, it is simply another fraud of the Liquozone-Oxytonic-Septicide type.
LABORATORY REPORT ON ZYMOTOID
Zymotoid is a pale yellow liquid having a strong odor like sulphur dioxid. No odor suggestive of cinnamon was observed even after the sulphur dioxid had been fixed by the addition of an alkali. Qualitative tests indicated the presence of boric acid, sulphuric acid, sulphur dioxid and traces each, of a nitrate, potassium and some unidentified organic matter. Alkaloids, cinnamic acid, glycerin and soaps were absent. From the results of the quantitative examination it is concluded that the composition of Zymotoid is essentially as follows:[126]
| Boric acid (H3BO3) | 0.637 | gm. |
| Sulphur dioxid (SO2) | 0.129 | gm. |
| Sulphuric acid (H2SO4) | 0.048 | gm. |
| Potassium nitrate | trace | |
| Unidentified organic matter | trace | |
| Water (by difference) to make | 100 | c.c. |
The analysis shows that but for the presence of boric acid the composition of Zymotoid is similar to other fraudulent “microbe killers” which have been exploited in recent years and of which some have been declared misbranded by the federal government. For example, “Radam’s Microbe Killer”[127] was found by the federal chemists to be composed of water, containing small quantities of sulphur dioxid and sulphuric acid. “Liquozone,” another nostrum which was widely exploited a few years ago, is said to have a similar composition.[128] According to an analysis made at the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station,[129] “Oxytonic” has a similar composition. The nostrum “Septicide,” was found by the federal chemists to be composed of water with small quantities of sulphur dioxid, sulphuric acid and a trace of a nitrate.—(From The Journal A. M. A., April 6, 1912.)