V-E-M (SCHOONMAKER LABORATORIES, INC.)

Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry

Because of inquiry received, the Schoonmaker Laboratories, Inc., New York, were requested to submit information in regard to the “V-E-M” products.

According to information received, these products have the following composition:

V-E-M Unguentum Eucalyptol Compound
Menthol	5	grs.
Eucalyptol (Sander’s)	15	gtts.
White Vaseline	1	oz.
V-E-M with Ichthyol
Menthol	2¹⁄₂	grs.
Eucalyptol (Sander’s)	15	gtts.
Ichthyol	10	grs.
White Vaseline	1	oz.
V-E-M with Stearate of Zinc
Menthol	2¹⁄₂	grs.
Eucalyptol (Sander’s)	15	gtts.
Stearate of Zinc	1	drm.
White Vaseline	1	oz.
V-E-M with Camphor
Camphor	15	grs.
Eucalyptol (Sander’s)	15	gtts.
White Vaseline	1	oz.
V-E-M with Boric Acid
Pulv. Boric Acid	¹⁄₂	drm.
Eucalyptol (Sander’s)	15	gtts.
White Vaseline	1	oz.

In an advertising circular this claim is made:

“V-E-M Unguentum Eucalyptol Compound Combining, in well-balanced proportions, the cooling, soothing and healing virtues of Menthol with the antiseptic and deodorizing properties of Eucalyptol, in a base of pure, neutral white Vaseline. Furnished in five formulas as follows:

“V-E-M Unguentum Eucalyptol Compound: Menthol, Eucalyptol (Sander’s), White Vaseline.

“V-E-M with Ichthyol: Menthol, Eucalyptol (Sander’s), Ichthyol, White Vaseline.

“V-E-M with Stearate of Zinc: Menthol, Eucalyptol (Sander’s), Stearate of Zinc, White Vaseline.

“V-E-M with Camphor: Camphor, Eucalyptol (Sander’s), White Vaseline.

“V-E-M with Boric Acid: Pulv. Boric Acid, Eucalyptol (Sander’s), White Vaseline.

“For local application in the treatment of affections of the nose and throat.

“The efficacy of these combinations of remedial agents is so well established as to preclude the necessity of more than passing mention. What is obvious is that in acute coryza, in chronic and acute nasal catarrh, in dry catarrhal conditions especially, in both forms of chronic rhinitis—atrophic and hypertrophic—in the latter stages of the prevailing grippe colds, and even in hay fever, V-E-M Unguentum Eucalyptol Compound affords pronounced relief and proves a most grateful application....”

Though the identity and purity of eucalyptol are provided for by the standards of the U. S. Pharmacopeia, the claim is made that the product contained in these preparations “transcends in purity and efficiency all other brands.”

A package of V-E-M Unguentum Eucalyptol Compound, recently sent to a physician, contains the following:

“If your head is all stuffed up to-night, or you feel a cold coming on, use V-E-M just before going to bed. It will break up the cold, and you’ll wake up in the morning, with your head clear and feeling fine all over.

“If you suffer with chronic or acute catarrh, use V-E-M regularly night and morning. You’ll be agreeably surprised at the relief it will give you in a short time.

“There is nothing quicker, nothing surer to alleviate rhinitis, grippe-colds, or hay fever.

“In a word—V-E-M is the best antiseptic ointment for all diseased conditions of the nose....”

The Council declared these preparations in conflict with its rules because unwarranted therapeutic claims were made for them (Rule 6); because the public was advised to depend on them in the treatment of diseases (Rule 4), and because these combinations of ingredients, in fixed proportions, under proprietary names, are irrational (Rules 8 and 10).—(From Reports of Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry, 1917, p. 163.)