KEATING’S COUGH LOZENGES.
These lozenges are sold from an address in London in boxes, price, 1s. 1½d., 2s. 9d., 4s. 6d., and 11s. per box; the 1s. 1½d. size contained 50 lozenges.
A circular enclosed in the package was headed:
Notice—Guarantee.
The medicinal remedies contained in these lozenges cannot injure the most delicate constitution.
Another extract from the circular stated:
Very many also of the Nobility and Clergy, and of the public generally use them under the recommendation of some of the most eminent of the Faculty. Such medical testimony must be convincing of their efficacy as well as conveying the satisfactory assurance of their freedom from any medicine in the slightest degree injurious to the constitution, Medical Men being well aware of the deleterious effects of many preparations, which in Pulmonary Affections do but mask the symptoms for a time, and afford only temporary relief, while perhaps the constitutional disease is aggravated, or at least unsubdued. They may be safely administered to females of the most delicate frame, and to very young children, for they not only allay Cough and Nervous Irritation, but they sustain the constitution, by promoting a healthy state of the Digestive Organs. They have immediate influence over the following cases:—Asthmatic and Consumptive Complaints, Coughs, Shortness of Breath, Hoarseness, etc., etc.
Directions for Use. One or two, taken at bedtime, will allay the irritation in the Throat, and prevent the Cough from disturbing the patient during the night, and one also eight or ten times in the day, when the Cough is troublesome, will afford great relief.
The average weight of the lozenges was 16½ grains; analysis showed that they contained morphine, alkaloids of ipecacuanha, extract of liquorice, sugar (partly as invert sugar), and gum; some evidence was also obtained of the presence of extract of squill and tolu, but positive proof of the identity of these was not obtainable. The proportions of the various ingredients found corresponded to:
| Morphine | 0·007 | grain. |
| Ipecacuanha | 0·07 | ” |
| Extract of liquorice | 2·1 | grains. |
| Sugars | 13 | ” |