ARTICLES REFUSED RECOGNITION

Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry

Below appear abstracts of the Council’s action on articles refused recognition which were not deemed of sufficient importance to require lengthy reports:

Radio-Rem

The Radium Therapy Company, Schieffelin & Co., selling agents, submitted to the Council radium emanation generators called “Radio-Rem Outfits,” designed to generate respectively 200, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 Mache units per twenty-four hours.

Those who are well informed on the subject of radium therapy are of the opinion that the administration of small amounts of radium emanation such as generated by certain outfits is without therapeutic value. It has been stated that at the Radium Institute of London the minimum preliminary dose is 185 micro­curies (500,000 Mache units), and as many as 555 micro­curies (1,500,000 Mache units) are employed.

In consideration of these facts the Council voted not to accept any radium emanation generator which produces less than 2 micro­curies of emanation during twenty-four hours. Accordingly, while accepting Radio-Rem Outfit No. 5, claimed to produce 10,000 Mache units (3.7 micro­curies) and Radio-Rem Outfit No. 4, claimed to produce 5,000 Mache units (1.8 micro­curies), the Council voted not to accept Radio-Rem Outfit No. 3, claimed to produce 2,000 Mache units (0.74 micro­curie), Radio-Rem Outfit No. 2, claimed to produce 1,000 Mache units (0.37 micro­curie), and Radio-Rem Outfit C, claimed to produce 200 Mache units (0.07 micro­curie).

This report having been submitted to Schieffelin & Co. and their reply considered, the Council authorized publication of the report. [See also Reports of Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry, 1916, p. 631.]

Olio-Phlogosis

Olio-Phlogosis, a liquid preparation to be applied externally by means of a cotton pad, is advertised by the Mystic Chemical Company, Kansas City, Mo., thus:

“Doctor: Don’t fail to use Olio-Phlogosis liberally for Pneumonia, Bronchitis and Pleurisy. It works quickly. Olio-Phlogosis is as far ahead of all medicated kaolin plasters as these plasters were ahead of the old-time moist and soggy poultices.”

A pamphlet advises the use of Olio-Phlogosis in

“... all cases of Inflammation and Congestion, such as Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Pleurisy, Croup, Boils, Carbuncles, Rheumatism, Swollen Glands, Peritonitis, Ovaritis, as a Surgical Dressing, Mamitis [Mastitis (?)] Vaginitis and Metritis (on cotton tampon to deplete these parts), Septic Wounds, Old Ulcers, Chilblain, Eczema, Neuralgia, Inflammation of the Eyes and Ears, Alveolar Inflammation, Burns, Scalds, Etc.”

According to the information sent to the Council by the Mystic Chemical Company, Olio-Phlogosis has the following composition per gallon:

Ol. Eucalyptus Gaultheria

 drs. 8

Ol. Abies Canadensis

 drs. 8

Ol. Abies Canadensis

 drs. 2

Ol. Thyme (white)

 drs. 2

Resublimated Iodin crystals

 grs.32

Resorcin

 drs. 1

Acid Boracic C. P.

 drs. 2

Quinine Bisulphate

 drs. 4

Sodium Thiosulphate

 drs. 31⁄2

Glycerin C. P.

 q. s. ad gal.  1

A nonquantitative formula which appears on the label of a sample bottle sent to a physician enumerates the same ingredients except the sodium thiosulphate.

The A. M. A. Chemical Laboratory reports that no free iodin could be detected in the preparation.

Apparently, then, Olio-Phlogosis is essentially a skin irritant applied by means of cotton; it can be expected to be just about as effective as the old-fashioned cotton pneumonia jacket, used in conjunction with an aromatic skin irritant, such as camphorated oil or wintergreen or menthol ointment. The odor may have some psychic effect, and it is possible that some of the oily matter may be absorbed by the skin. That such small amounts, even if absorbed, can produce any considerable systemic effect, however, is highly improbable, and the advice that this preparation be relied on in pneumonia, pleurisy, peritonitis, etc., is pernicious. In the few cases of pneumonia in which heat is indicated, the plain cotton pad will usually be found sufficient. If the physician consider the addition of a skin irritant desirable, it is easy to select one from the official preparations. It will be far more rational to do so than to invoke the aid of a mystic name and a complex formula to which the patient and his family, at least, will be led to give unmerited credit.

The claims made for Olio-Phlogosis are unwarranted; its composition is complex and irrational, and the nondescriptive but thera­peutically suggestive name is likely to lead to uncritical use. The Council voted that the product be refused recognition for conflict with Rules 6, 8 and 10, and that this report be published.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Aug. 19, 1916.)