ESKAY’S NEURO PHOSPHATES
Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
For the information of the profession the Council has prepared and authorized for publication the following report on Eskay’s Neuro Phosphates.
W. A. Puckner, Secretary.
Eskay’s Neuro Phosphates (Smith, Kline & French Co., Philadelphia) is offered to physicians under the claims that it contains alcohol, 17 per cent., and sodium glycerophosphate, 2 grains, calcium glycerophosphate, 2 grains, and strychnin glycerophosphate, 1⁄64 grain, in each dessertspoonful. It is called a “Nerve Tissue Reconstructive,” and its advertising claims are based on the discredited theories that certain disorders are due to a deficiency of phosphorus in the nerve structure of the body, and that glycerophosphates are assimilated more readily than ordinary phosphates. This assumption was based on the knowledge that the lecithins, which form a part of the nerve structure, contained the glycerophosphate radical in the molecule. In line with this, Smith, Kline & French Co. aver:
“Eskay’s Neuro Phosphates is of marked value in many acute and chronic conditions, in nervous exhaustion following mental and physical strain, neurasthenia, paralysis, anemia, tuberculosis, marasmus, debility and wasting diseases generally, and the nerve-weakness of the aged. It is particularly useful in convalescence from acute diseases and in the nervous condition following la grippe.”
In its report on “The Therapeutic Value of the Glycerophosphates” (The Journal, Sept. 30, 1916, p. 1033) the Council pointed out that the therapeutic use of the glycerophosphates was based on the assumption that the inorganic phosphates cannot supply the body’s needs of phosphorus or that the use of organic compounds “spared” the system the necessity of making such synthesis. The report presented evidence to show that the glycerophosphates are not absorbed as such, but that they are split into inorganic phosphates before absorption. The Council showed that there was convincing evidence that the animal organism synthesizes its complex organic phosphorus constituents from inorganic phosphates, and that organic phosphorus is of no more value as a food than inorganic. Despite this the Neuro Phosphates advertising makes use of the fallacious assumption regarding the action of the glycerophosphates.
Pleading for the particular mixture represented by the proprietary, it is asserted that:
“Sodium glycerophosphate is of special value in neurasthenia, Addison’s disease, phosphaturia and phthisis.”
and that calcium glycerophosphate “is employed in bone fracture, rachitis, tuberculosis and various wasting diseases.”
The phosphorus content of 1⁄64 grain of strychnin glycerophosphate is ridiculously small. Yet it is asserted that this strychnin salt is of superior value because it combines the effects of strychnin with a “food-like form of phosphorus.” Eskay’s Neuro Phosphates has an acid reaction which is capitalized, thus:
“Experiments have shown that the acid glycerophosphates are more rapidly absorbed and are more efficient than the neutral salts.”
And as a further illustration of extravagant claims:
“As a glycerophosphoric acid in the form of lecithin is normally present in spermatozoids, it is but natural that the glycerophosphates should exhibit aphrodisiac effects (as has been observed), but this result does not seem to obtain in all cases.”
Is this a clumsy attempt to exploit this “nerve phosphate” as a “lost manhood” cure?
The Council held Eskay’s Neuro Phosphates ineligible for New and Nonofficial Remedies because unwarranted therapeutic claims are made for it and because the administration of strychnin, calcium, phosphate and alcohol is not conducive to rational therapeutics, particularly when such a mixture is marketed under a name which indicates but one of its constituents.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Sept. 29, 1917.)