ANTIPHLOGISTINE
To the Editor:—Last September, my chief, Dr. J. S. Millard, received a letter from the Denver Chemical Mfg. Co., manufacturers of “Antiphlogistine.” This letter purported to quote many large commercial concerns as testifying to the value of Antiphlogistine. Recently, I doubted the veracity of these claims and wrote to some of those quoted. I quote from the original letter of the Antiphlogistine company:
“The surgeon to the electric light and electric railroad company in New Orleans says that Antiphlogistine is the finest thing he has ever used in burns, especially flash and brush burns.
“The physician to the New York Edison Co. makes a similar statement. He says that the application gives speedy relief and the burns heal quickly without scars.”
I wrote to Dr. John Woodman, the physician to the New York Edison Co., who replied in part as follows:
“The Denver Chemical Manufacturing Company have no authority to quote me.... I gave Antiphlogistine a thorough trial, and found it had a very limited use, and I cannot recommend it for burns....”
Again, the Antiphlogistine letter said:
“It may be of interest to you to know that at the emergency hospital of the Ford Automobile Co. in Detroit, Antiphlogistine is carried in stock and is used extensively by the three physicians in burns, bruises, infected wounds, sprains and other traumatic conditions which are constantly arising in such a plant....”
I wrote to Dr. Mead who replied as follows:
“In answer to your letter of January 25th, will state that no Antiphlogistine has been purchased or used in this hospital for years past, and I cannot imagine why the representative of the Denver Chemical Company should make such a statement as attributed to him....”
He adds that “Antiphlogistine has never been used” in his department “on an open wound, abrasion or burn.” Is there not some way that such exploitation of our large companies can be prevented?
A. G. Gould, M.D., Akron, Ohio.
Plant Physician, the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.-(From the Journal A.M.A., Feb. 23, 1918.)