HYPNO-BROMIC COMPOUND
A physician in Vermont writes:
“This is simply a word of inquiry—and of possible warning to other practitioners—regarding a preparation known as Hypno-Bromic Compound manufactured by H. K. Wampole & Co. This compound is dispensed by druggists without prescription and contains in each ounce:
| “Cannabis indica | 1 | gr. |
| “Morphin | 1⁄4 | gr. |
| “Potassium bromid | 48 | gr. |
| “Hyoscyamus | 1 | gr. |
| “Chloral hydrate | 96 | gr. |
“I have at the present time three young women who are addicts to this preparation as the result of thoughtless prescriptions from physicians. This mixture evades the working of the Harrison Act and may be dispensed freely at the discretion of the druggist and, as a result, these three cases of mine have been able, by visiting at the various drug stores in town, to keep an ample supply on hand at all times.”
“Hypno-Bromic Compound” is more than an unscientific mixture; it is a dangerous product and should not be sold indiscriminately over the drug counter. Before the Harrison Narcotic Law went into effect, “Hypno-Bromic Compound” contained half a grain of morphin sulphate to the ounce instead of its present one-fourth grain. Physicians remember that Section 6 of the Harrison law contains a joker—put over by the “patent medicine” interests—that exempts proprietary remedies containing one-fourth grain of morphin or less to the ounce from the restrictions of that act. While it is illegal for a physician to write a prescription which contains morphin, no matter how small the amount, unless he conforms in all ways to the requirements of the Harrison Narcotic Law, “patent medicine” concerns can sell indiscriminately nostrums containing morphin up to this amount and the public can buy them without let or hindrance. No reputable druggist would sell a layman over 700 grains of chloral hydrate or 2 grains of morphin or 8 grains of extract of cannabis indica, without a prescription, yet, the druggist may hand over 8 ounce bottles of Hypno-Bromic Compound which contain 768 grains of choral hydrate, 2 grains of morphin sulphate, 8 grains of extract of cannabis indica, 8 grains of hyoscyamus and 384 grains of potassium bromid! Physicians who prescribe such products as Hypno-Bromic Compound and druggists who indiscriminately sell such stuff are disgracing two honorable professions.—(From The Journal A. M. A., Feb. 7, 1920.)