FIRWEIN

Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry

Firwein is a product of The Tilden Company, New Lebanon, N. Y. It is sold under the claim that when swallowed it has a “predilection” both for the bronchial mucosa and also for the genito-urinary organs. To quote:

“Expectorant, Sedative, Antispasmodic in the Treatment of Inflammations of the Bronchial and Genito-Urinary Mucosæ.”

“Firwein being a bland, soothing balsam possesses a wide range of adaptability and increased potency because of its healing virtues and usefulness as an expectorant, sedative and antispasmodic in bronchitis, and inflammation and catarrh of nose, throat and lungs.”

“Firwein has a special predilection for mucosæ, this being as marked in diseases of the genito-urinary system as it is in the respiratory organs. In inflammatory diseases of the genito-urinary organs, its bland, curative properties are exerted in a gratifying degree. In cystitis and uritis it is clearly indicated....”

Little information is given concerning the composition of Firwein. An old circular says:

“Firwein contains Phosphorus, Iodin and Bromin finely blended with a balsameous elixir made from the fir tree.”

From a more recent circular we quote:

“Firwein is prepared from the inside fresh green bark of the fir tree ...”

The label on the product reads:

“Firwein is pleasantly and effectively blended with salts of iodin and bromin, held in solution with 20 per cent. alcohol.”

The therapeutic claims made for Firwein and the mystery enshrouding its composition make it obvious that the product is intended to appeal to those who are either thoughtless or ignorant. This is emphasized by the suggestion that Firwein be combined with (1) cod liver oil (under the claim that it will “promote the efficiency of the oil”), with (2) whisky for the treatment of bronchorrhea of the aged, and with (3) syrup of hypo­phosphites for the treatment of persistent bronchitis.

As the composition of Firwein is secret, the therapeutic claims unwarranted, and its use irrational, the Council declared it inadmissible to New and Non­official Remedies.—(From Journal A. M. A., Feb. 17, 1917.)